First Impressions

My first sail was an eye opening experience to say the least. My previous two dinghy / small boats had broad flat bottoms (Laser) or were hard chined (Snipe). I was surprised by how sensitive the Phoenix is to weight changes, especially in light air. 

My first sail was out of Waukegan Harbor in Illinois. The launch ramp is almost 100% powerboats, so I made sure to arrive in the early afternoon after the morning fishermen had hauled their boats and the evening fishermen had not arrived.

It was a good thing I picked the time that I did - backing the trailer into to launch ramp must have been very entertaining for any casual viewers! Rigging was pretty straightforward as I had practiced in my driveway. I still managed to forget to rig the traveler.

I am very familiar with this small harbor / jetty as I had kept my three keel boats (Pacific Seacraft 31, Colvin Gazelle 42, and Tartan 34C) at Larsen Marine, which is at the far end of the working harbor. For my first sail I stayed in between Larsens and the ramp =>

The wind was very light, probably around 8 knots. There are some buildings on the east side of the harbor that cause some wind deflection and calm spots. I rigged the boat the way the original owner Cameron Metcalfe rigged it. This was the way that the boat designer suggested. Below is a Phoenix with the designer's suggested rigging -

The main halyard tied directly on the yard. The mainsheet tied to the end of the boom, went down to a block on the traveler (a line across the transom) and back up to a second block on the boom about two inches forward of the first block, then forward to a third block on the boom about midship. There was a wooden cleat on the aft of the centerboard trunk. 

What Went Wrong / Issues

• Mainsheet is way to heavy. While this made it easy to handle, in light air the sheet would drag in the water.
• Trimming the main sheet by pulling down, or by hooking it around the cleat is unfamiliar to me. I am used to trimming the main by pulling upward after the mainsheet exits a block on the cockpit floor.
• Oars seemed to be getting in the way when stowed in the boat.
• My trailer backing skills are nonexistent!

What Went Right

• Boat is very quick to rig and easy to launch.
• Very easy to row.
• Perfect weather for a first sail on a day with little traffic at the boat ramp.
• Even with imperfect sail trim the Phoenix was faster than I expected in light winds.