This is a story about the stability of the Harpoon 5.2 boat #838.
It was an overcast day in Hampton Roads with about 8 knots winds from the south.
The 838 was rigged for light winds.
We had been out for a while and a good distance from the launch ramp.
We could see a storm off in the distance and it looked like it was moving south to north out of our path. We headed back down wind.
The wind had changed direction and was coming from the west (storm was in the west).
The 838 was moving.
The center board and rudder started to mum and I could feel the wind going by me.
I told Beeman (crew) that we were really moving.
The sailing was so good we past the launch ramp with the winds now at 12-15 knots with some white caps.
In less than a minute we had all white seas with 30 knots winds and high gusts, driving rain and lightning.
I told Beeman we are going to pay for a good ride.
He recommended we drop sails and used the motor.
I stated the trolling motor will not do it; lets just sail it.
We headed to the ramp tacking several times.
One area we hit some sand in a shallow area and the center board came up. Beeman got it back down.
As we neared the ramp, I noted that we were going sideways at a good pace and sliding in the direct of a low bridge.
I told the Beeman to forget the jib and PUT THE CENTER BOARD DOWN!
Once the center board was down, we make one more tack into the ramp slip. Through all of this the 838 remained level in the water and the sails were full of wind.
I owed a lot to my able body crewman and my experience sailing lasers—keep the boat flat.
This was one day to remember for a long time.