Hello everyone! It’s been a long time (again) since I have updated this blog. We have had many great sailing experiences on Kumu . I have not done much more work on Kumu other than routine maintenance and the fresh water system. The boat has performed nearly perfectly. The engine has not had even one hiccup.

Kumu is the first full keel boat I have owned. (Or even sailed on for that matter.) I have enjoyed learning the characteristics of the full keel and I like it! I can now tack her on a dime, (if the wind is enough) she jibes with no worries and tracks like she is on rails. That is, as long as she is not “pinched” to windward. Then she side slips a lot. I find that if I relax her a little, she will put on speed and do fairly well to windward.

We have had Kumu out in many conditions now. The strongest being 40 mph winds and six foot chop. Kumu was double reefed on the main and the 100% working jib was reefed. (Hank-on with reefing cringles and lines.) Kumu hopped merrily along without a worry. On a close reach, there was no need for autohelm and only occasionally did I touch the tiller. She tracks so well!

In light air, with her full suit of sails, I have surprised and even amazed many GSL Sailors with how much speed I can put on her. My fastest speed, measured by GPS, is 6.1 knots. This was up-current where the current is anywhere from .5 to 1 knot on a close reach. I was very pleased with this speed.

My only complaint is how tender she is on the hook. It is in one’s best interest to take advantage of her shallow draft, and find the calmest anchorage possible. Kim, Shayla and I awoke one morning rolling nearly gunwale to gunwale and felt the worst for it!  I take responsibility for it though. We were tired and anchored in much deeper water and further out than we should have. At 02:00 am, I was lazy!

Here are some pics from this season...

Shayla and Kim

Paul

Great Salt Lake Sunset by Kim Smith