Kitty Hawk in the Po Delta - Vincenzo Ciminale
Dear Richard,
Attached is a photo of Kitty Hawk with all of her
sails up, gliding along in the Po Delta with barely any wind. In August
2001, Kitty was launched with standard Chebacco main and mizzen sails.
From the start it was clear that she would need additional sail
area for the very light winds that prevail in the Venice lagoon during
the summer months. We first rigged up a jib on a retractable bowsprit, with
a jib roller. The jib, which is about 5.5 square meters (about 60 sq
ft), adds at least one knot of speed and corrects Kitty's weather helm.
When the situation really gets desperate, we rig up the mizzen
staysail. This sail is about 4 square meters and is a recycled jib
from a traditional lugsailer. The mizzen staysail works well on
long tacks, from close-hauled to broad reach. To tack, we
have to detach the tack of sail sail and walk it around the boom and
reattach it.
We would like to launch an idea - a Chebacco
foreign exchange program. For example, we would welcome other Chebacco sailers
to visit and use our boat for a weekend in the Venice lagoon, and
would appreciate the possibility of sailing other boats and meeting other
Chebacco sailers.
Buon Vento
Donna D'Agostino
Vincenzo Ciminale
