August 27^th 1998 A Year and a Month since the project started, the Herriot was launched

Jaci, Thomas and I put in at the boat ramp, I did a quick circle in the river to test everything, loaded the other two, and traveled under Minn Kota Power down to the Celebration cruise line dock, and stopped at their snack bar for a coke. Motored back up river and pulled her out. The winch worked perfectly, as had the steering. She goes about 2.5 mph under max electric power.

8/30/98 Another sunny afternoon. The girls had been in school, and felt left out so we went out for a Sunday afternoon motoring. What a blast. I did discover that my charge time on the battery had been too short, and we had to pull back in a little early as the meter showed we were low on electrons.

9/7/98 Was on Call but started some of the pre lims to final rigging.

9/12-9/13 Put together the sails, did grommeting etc. rigged her on the trailer in the dark that weekend.

9/16 Perfect sailing day, but I was working

9/17 Thursday day off, absolutely the calmest stillest day you have ever seen. Little wind comes up about 3:00 pm but the dock is tied up with about 100 bass boats in town for the Wal Mart FLI bass tourney hey they’re gunning for a quarter million they don’t want me in the way

9/19-9/20 First Quad city marathon on Sunday. Weather would have been hot but OK except, I was once again on call.

9/24/98 THIS IS IT WINDS 20-25 CLEAR SKY out I go and raise sail on this the first day off that would allow. I managed pretty well, but realized some of my line placements would have to change. Missed a tack and got hung up by the wind on the wing dam in the middle of the river for about 10 minutes until the wind let up enough to push off. The weekender’s shrouds don’t allow you to completely dump wind like I could in the little boat, so docking is a little more tricky. I lowered sails first but had them incompletely furled, so docking wasn’t pretty. Damaged only my pride.

9/27/98 Sunday afternoon had tightened the steering gear up some, re routed the gaff peak line, and the jib line. I was ready. Relatively high winds. Katie and Anna had a pizza party and couldn’t come, so I was solo again. Absolute clear blue sky. Moderate to high wind. Went down to the ramp and was spotted on the way by Anna’s principal who has been following the saga. He just had to see the boat up close. He was headed for his slip 2 blocks down where his McGregor 28 was docked. He said he’d see me on the river. I headed out, raised sail, and blasted down river. He and his wife were flying up river. I tacked and decided to follow. Stayed right with him all the way up to the lock and dam (about 6 miles). Winds were enough that I had to dump wind to avoid embarrasment several times. Several other large boats were out, and I had no trouble keeping up. All of them complimented the looks of my boat as I sailed by. The wheel and bright work are definitely unique. One guy hollered nice boat on one pass, and then asked if I was out alone. I joked yeah I build a bigger boat to bring the family, but they’re too busy. He was surprised it was a homebuilt on it’s second sail (must have thought it was a restored older boat).

10/1/98 Should have been a sailing day, but other responsibilities got in the way.

Weekend of the 3^rd and 4^th October-lousy rainy cold- looks like my project was completed frustratingly late for the weather to cooperate. Will try to get out again before the fall is gone.

Mid October-My Dad came to visit, and Thomas ( the four year old), myself, and my Dad all went for a fall afternoon sail. Moderate winds, overcast, and a few exciting gusts. I gave Thomas a small piece of the dock line to hold onto, so he thought he was helping. We sailed for a couple of hours with the last hour Thomas was fast asleep on the cabin floor rocking with the gentle waves. Three generations in a home made boat-what could be better.

Got out one more time with Katie (12 years) as crew, and then the Herriot was wheeled to the back of the garage, where it fit with just barely enough room for the van and the little car to snuggle in for the late fall and winter.

1999

5/2/99 I finally got to splash the boat for spring. Took all 3 kids to the lake (the river was too high, and the dock not in yet.) Managed to lock my keys in the truck at the parking place, called Jaci to bail us out. Sailed in the meantime, and since Mom's afternoon alone was ruined, we invited her aboard too. 3 in the cockpit, 9 year old in the hatchway, and 5 year old in the cabin eating an ice cream bar. Wonderful afternoon, and we even remembered the sunscreen.

5/20/99 Took the Mini out for a Thursday sail. Saw Geese nesting, Herron feeding, Bass jumping, good wind. Wind dies late afternoon. Went into dock for ice cream and potty stop. Tied sail tight to avoid sweeping unattended fishing pole from dock. Perfectly calm going in and coming back out but somewhere between a gust came up and dumped the boat. Difficult to right with the mast in 3 inches of lake mud, but got her hauled out. Soo drop the sail or let her swing, but don't tie it tight even if there seems to be no wind.

5/22/99 Went out to George with the mini, and met Mark who will borrow her this summer. Rigged and launched, but we had to paddle around and discuss sailing theory as it was the absolute calmest afternoon I had ever seen on the lake. C'est la vie.

5/30/99 Took the weekender to Lake McBride by Iowa City, and had wonderful wind and the whole family along. Didn't look for the swimming beach early enough to satisfy the kids, but did prove that my trailer is indeed set up for successful long term travel. Difficult launch with wind blowing straight into ramp, and no floating dock next to ramp, I had to get wet, but managed to drag her off and over to the semi nearby dock. Saw MC scows, a trimaran, a couple of precisions, and a MacGregor. All of them had to take a look, since Pirate ships are rare in Iowa.

Summer '99 Got the boat ready for summer fun. Current was high on the river till about mid July, and precluded some sailing, but got in quite a bit later in the Summer. Spent a week at lake Okoboji in North west Iowa, and had a blast with my Dad one afternoon for about 4 1/2 hours. Mom worried some, but Jaci knew we were having fun.