Motored out to the vicinity of the Robert Taylor navy facility to allow the engine to run for about 10 minutes at 2,000rpm. Spooled out the jib without setting the main. Given the wind readings to 16 to 19 knots, the genoa provided sufficient force to move the boat at hull, when sailed well. Boat heeled easily to 20 degrees, upto thirty at times. Adding the main would have overpowered the boat, unless the jib had been reduced sufficiently to balance. With the jib out only, the boat had a bit of lee helm, but not as strong as the weather helm that the boat develops in heavier airs. Allowing the jib to be a bit soft was enough to balance the helm, at least long enough for me to go below and fetch my inflatable PFD.
Significant sag in the headstay. Need to add backstay tension. The added backstay tension may improve the boat's pointing as well. Seemed that the boat was pointing a bit higher, 75 on starboard tack and 180 on port, for a spread of 105 degrees. Recollection from last year is that the boat was tacking through 110 to 120 degrees.
Appears that the top of the mast falls off a bit to leeward on both tacks in this much wind.
After returning to Yacht Haven Annapolis, stripped the sails from the mast, and some gear from the boat, as we will be away for two weeks to visit Azriel, Devorah, and God willing, the new baby. We are to leave town directly after the NOOD on Sunday. Found an area, perhaps 4" long, where the luff of the jib that slides in the groove of the headstay foil, has worn through, exposing the line inside.
Watched a J-30 cut inside the R "4" and ground out on Greenbury Point shoal. He got off easily enough by redistributing crew weight.
GPX formatted Track distance: 11.94nm, average speed: 4.7kts, duration: 2:31