Our very first sail began with crossing Caernarfon Bar in force 6 gusting 7, followed by a close-hauled sail across Cardigan Bay to Porth Dinllaen. Our DIY electric motor powered by Fogstar batteries, got us through the rough bar crossing and then against force 5 to 6 (gusting F7), breaking seas and tide into Porth Dinllean bay. For the sail we used a double reefed main and our staysail. That seemed about right. First time either has been used. We got breaking seas on deck, including covering the wheelhouse (we are very glad we have that). Delighted with the performance of Vida (1977 Rival 38, Centre Cockpit Ketch). We are part of the Fogstar ambassadors programme because we think they are brilliant batteries. See https://www.fogstar-drift.co.uk/?ref=sustainablesailing We are now living aboard our Rival 38 Centre Cockpit full-time afloat :-) The sustainable sailing is starting We have a frequently updated blog at https://sustainablesailing.net with membership options and a weekly newsletter at £2 per month for Early Bird Supporters. Our free Sustainable Sailing book is at: https://sustainablesailing.codeberg.page/ Or visit our shop at https://sustainablesailing.teemill.com/ for great hoodies, t-shirts and bags. When we bought Vida in August 2019 she was in a very tired and damp condition with all original equipment and fittings (much of it not working). We have removed all the gas, diesel and paraffin equipment, and are installing all-electric (motor, cooking etc). More details on our blog at https://sustainablesailing.net/ Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainSailing Mastodon: https://mas.to/ @SustainableSailing

Before our first sail we a lot of preparation so that our mainsail can be reefed, our staysail hoisted and sheeted, and we can anchor at the end of the passage which will be from Caernarfon to Porth Dinllaen. We are now living aboard our Rival 38 Centre Cockpit full-time afloat :-) The sustainable sailing is starting We have a frequently updated blog at https://sustainablesailing.net with membership options and a weekly newsletter at £2 per month for Early Bird Supporters. Our free Sustainable Sailing book is at: https://sustainablesailing.codeberg.page/ Or visit our shop at https://sustainablesailing.teemill.com/ for great hoodies, t-shirts and bags. When we bought Vida in August 2019 she was in a very tired and damp condition with all original equipment and fittings (much of it not working). We have removed all the gas, diesel and paraffin equipment, and are installing all-electric (motor, cooking etc). More details on our blog at https://sustainablesailing.net/ Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainSailing Mastodon: https://mas.to/ @SustainableSailing

Our very first sail began with crossing Caernarfon Bar in force 6 gusting 7, followed by a close-hauled sail across Cardigan Bay to Porth Dinllaen. Our DIY electric motor powered by Fogstar batteries, got us through the rough bar crossing and then against force 6, breaking seas and tide into Porth Dinllean bay. For the sail we used a double reefed main and our staysail. That seemed about right. First time either has been used. We got breaking seas on deck, including covering the wheelhouse (we are very glad we have that). Delighted with the performance of Vida (1977 Rival 38, Centre Cockpit Ketch). We are part of the Fogstar ambassadors programme because we think they are brilliant batteries. See https://www.fogstar-drift.co.uk/?ref=sustainablesailing We are now living aboard our Rival 38 Centre Cockpit full-time afloat :-) The sustainable sailing is starting We have a frequently updated blog at https://sustainablesailing.net with membership options and a weekly newsletter at £2 per month for Early Bird Supporters. Our free Sustainable Sailing book is at: https://sustainablesailing.codeberg.page/ Or visit our shop at https://sustainablesailing.teemill.com/ for great hoodies, t-shirts and bags. When we bought Vida in August 2019 she was in a very tired and damp condition with all original equipment and fittings (much of it not working). We have removed all the gas, diesel and paraffin equipment, and are installing all-electric (motor, cooking etc). More details on our blog at https://sustainablesailing.net/ Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainSailing Mastodon: https://mas.to/ @SustainableSailing

We are settled into our temporary location at Victoria Dock so time to do jobs that are only possible while tied to a pontoon - getting the decals on. We are now living aboard our Rival 38 Centre Cockpit full-time while cruising and "finishing" our refit. We have a frequently updated blog at https://sustainablesailing.net with membership options and a weekly newsletter at £2 per month for Early Bird Supporters. Our free Sustainable Sailing book is at: https://sustainablesailing.codeberg.page/ Or visit our shop at https://sustainablesailing.teemill.com/ for great hoodies, t-shirts and bags. When we bought Vida in August 2019 she was in a very tired and damp condition with all original equipment and fittings (much of it not working). We have removed all the gas, diesel and paraffin equipment, and are installing all-electric (motor, cooking etc). More details on our blog at https://sustainablesailing.net/ Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainSailing Mastodon: https://mas.to/ @SustainableSailing

Our very first passage is through the notorious Swellies of the Menai Strait. A real test for our new Electric Motor, #Fogstar batteries and navigation skills. NB We are part of the Fogstar ambassadors programme because we think they are brilliant batteries. See https://www.fogstar-drift.co.uk/?ref=sustainablesailing We are now living aboard our Rival 38 Centre Cockpit full-time afloat :-) The sustainable sailing is starting We have a frequently updated blog at https://sustainablesailing.net with membership options and a weekly newsletter at £2 per month for Early Bird Supporters. Our free Sustainable Sailing book is at: https://sustainablesailing.codeberg.page/ Or visit our shop at https://sustainablesailing.teemill.com/ for great hoodies, t-shirts and bags. When we bought Vida in August 2019 she was in a very tired and damp condition with all original equipment and fittings (much of it not working). We have removed all the gas, diesel and paraffin equipment, and are installing all-electric (motor, cooking etc). More details on our blog at https://sustainablesailing.net/ Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainSailing Mastodon: https://mas.to/ @SustainableSailing

The day finally came. We were launched straight into the Menai Straits - one of the most dangerous tidal waters in the UK. With all new electric motor & batteries, new dripless seal, 3 new seacocks, 8 old seacocks removed and filled, new propeller shaft, new propeller, new rigging etc etc We are now living aboard our Rival 38 Centre Cockpit full-time afloat :-) The sustainable sailing is starting We have a frequently updated blog at https://sustainablesailing.net with membership options and a weekly newsletter at £2 per month for Early Bird Supporters. Our free Sustainable Sailing book is at: https://sustainablesailing.codeberg.page/ Or visit our shop at https://sustainablesailing.teemill.com/ for great hoodies, t-shirts and bags. When we bought Vida in August 2019 she was in a very tired and damp condition with all original equipment and fittings (much of it not working). We have removed all the gas, diesel and paraffin equipment, and are installing all-electric (motor, cooking etc). More details on our blog at https://sustainablesailing.net/ Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainSailing Mastodon: https://mas.to/ @SustainableSailing

Extra challenges moving our boat due to tight spaces, concerns about soft ground the the fear of the slippery Silic One antifouling. We need time to paint the underside of the keel. We are now living aboard our Rival 38 Centre Cockpit full-time while finishing a refit so we can launch ASAP. We have a frequently updated blog at https://sustainablesailing.net with membership options and a weekly newsletter at £2 per month for Early Bird Supporters. Our free Sustainable Sailing book is at: https://sustainablesailing.codeberg.page/ Or visit our shop at https://sustainablesailing.teemill.com/ for great hoodies, t-shirts and bags. When we bought Vida in August 2019 she was in a very tired and damp condition with all original equipment and fittings (much of it not working). We have removed all the gas, diesel and paraffin equipment, and are installing all-electric (motor, cooking etc). More details on our blog at https://sustainablesailing.net/ Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainSailing Mastodon: https://mas.to/ @SustainableSailing

After one night afloat it was time to go ashore and return the hire car, it was also the last chance to take stuff to our storage container. We are on a mooring in Beumaris Bay and the wind has peaked at over 40knots today, when I left it was also wind against tide, making the waves steep and short. We are now living aboard our Rival 38 Centre Cockpit full-time while finishing a refit. We have a frequently updated blog at https://sustainablesailing.net with membership options and a weekly newsletter at £2 per month for Early Bird Supporters. Our free Sustainable Sailing book is at: https://sustainablesailing.codeberg.page/ Or visit our shop at https://sustainablesailing.teemill.com/ for great hoodies, t-shirts and bags. When we bought Vida in August 2019 she was in a very tired and damp condition with all original equipment and fittings (much of it not working). We have removed all the gas, diesel and paraffin equipment, and are installing all-electric (motor, cooking etc). More details on our blog at https://sustainablesailing.net/ Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainSailing Mastodon: https://mas.to/ @SustainableSailing

It rarely looks easy when we watch other people do it. How does refitting our rudder and the bronze skeg shoe with the bottom bearing go? 3rd September and launching on the 10th. We will be at the Southampton International Boat Show with @The_Ghostship, @sailingsolice and more. We will be giving a couple of talks and be around most of the show. Now we just need to launch and sail from Anglesey to Southampton! We are now living aboard our Rival 38 Centre Cockpit full-time while finishing a refit so we can launch ASAP. We have a frequently updated blog at https://sustainablesailing.net with membership options and a weekly newsletter at £2 per month for Early Bird Supporters. Our free Sustainable Sailing book is at: https://sustainablesailing.codeberg.page/ Or visit our shop at https://sustainablesailing.teemill.com/ for great hoodies, t-shirts and bags. When we bought Vida in August 2019 she was in a very tired and damp condition with all original equipment and fittings (much of it not working). We have removed all the gas, diesel and paraffin equipment, and are installing all-electric (motor, cooking etc). More details on our blog at https://sustainablesailing.net/ Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainSailing Mastodon: https://mas.to/ @SustainableSailing

We face multiple challenges getting Hempel Silic One on our boat. Weather, quantities, overcoating, documentation. We are now living aboard our Rival 38 Centre Cockpit full-time while finishing a refit so we can launch ASAP. We have a frequently updated blog at https://sustainablesailing.net with membership options and a weekly newsletter at £2 per month for Early Bird Supporters. Our free Sustainable Sailing book is at: https://sustainablesailing.codeberg.page/ Or visit our shop at https://sustainablesailing.teemill.com/ for great hoodies, t-shirts and bags. When we bought Vida in August 2019 she was in a very tired and damp condition with all original equipment and fittings (much of it not working). We have removed all the gas, diesel and paraffin equipment, and are installing all-electric (motor, cooking etc). More details on our blog at https://sustainablesailing.net/ Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainSailing Mastodon: https://mas.to/ @SustainableSailing

It wasn't as wet as forecast :-) So we made excellent progress getting ready to paint anti-fouling tomorrow. We are now living aboard our Rival 38 Centre Cockpit full-time while finishing a refit so we can launch ASAP. We have a frequently updated blog at https://sustainablesailing.net with membership options and a weekly newsletter at £2 per month for Early Bird Supporters. Our free Sustainable Sailing book is at: https://sustainablesailing.codeberg.page/ Or visit our shop at https://sustainablesailing.teemill.com/ for great hoodies, t-shirts and bags. When we bought Vida in August 2019 she was in a very tired and damp condition with all original equipment and fittings (much of it not working). We have removed all the gas, diesel and paraffin equipment, and are installing all-electric (motor, cooking etc). More details on our blog at https://sustainablesailing.net/ Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainSailing Mastodon: https://mas.to/ @SustainableSailing