Volunteer Laura Johnson ships out, while Dad, Danny Johnson, gets a new ride

Spirit of South Carolina?.. No news to report. Nothing coming from Capt Heath or the Board. I'll be spending Friday and some of Saturday aboard her in Savannah, helping Hunter provision, and advancing an individual project. Other than that, there's nothing to coordinate.  When news happens, I'll  cast it out here.  

On Good News;  Well, it's good to know at least one of us is sailing.  Schooner Sailing, I mean.  Just a few days after celebrating her birthday at the helm of Dad, Danny Johnson's new Dehler 42...  

Laura helms while Bryan bloviates
 on mainsail leech trim.

Just this last Saturday, Laura shipped out as deckhand aboard the Boston schooner Liberty Clipper,  bound for the Bahama's and a winter season of multi-day charters around the island. Both Liberty Clipper, and Schooner Harvey Gamage cast off on Saturday, just after "Nikki" blew thru;  Liberty Clipper to her winter sailing grounds out of Nassau, and Harvey Gamage to Saint Augustine to drop off their Proctor Academy Students, then on to Port Everglades, where I think their ultimate destination will be Galveston. 

I was hoping to give Capt Rob, of Liberty Clipper a hard time for shanghai-ing one of our volunteers, but he became hard to find. But did get to wish Laura "Fair Winds", and set expectations for her to come back with many stories. She'll be out for several months. 

Laura finishing dock lines check after
a successful shakedown sail

Danny is getting serious;  Yes, you heard it right, there's a new serious performance cruiser on the harbor. She's christened "Trinity".  A Dehler 42, from Germany, and one sweet, responsive sailing machine. Danny gave each of us a trick at the helm, and she was impressive. With a 7 foot blade and bullet keel, rudder post forward and a sled-like hull, we could feel the acceleration even in slight puffs.  No excess pounds of comfort cruising bells and whistles, Danny has configured her for performance.