I've managed 2 trips now with the AI. Last weekend was Iron Cove to Cockatoo Island in the rain. Landed at one of the slipways just because I could. Good spot for a BBQ if anyone's interested. Gentle breezes except on the east side of Cockatoo. Got a bit choppy around here too from all the ferries and traffic on the Parramatta River so a good breeze was helpful to keep out of their way.
This weekend just gone I launched from Balmoral Beach and sailed up to Manly via the small bays between North Head and Manly. Great to be able to slip between all those big flash boats and get right in close to shore. The Mirage drive made it simple if the wind dropped in the sheltered bays. You can always keep moving.
I ended up right up near the Manly ferry wharf where there was very little breeze and crystal clear still water around the moored boats. Have to keep a good eye open around here for ferries coming and going but there are good gaps in between runs.
On the way back I stopped off at Reef Beach on the north side of Dobroyd Head. I had stowed my lunch on the forward hatch and though it better to stop before opening it rather than risk copping a wave over the bow at an inappropriate moment. Lunch liberated, I did a gentle sail with cheese and bacon rolls in hand past the rock fishermen and back into Middle Harbour.
The wind picked up as I tacked back to Balmoral beach. I had a play with trimming the sail under these conditions. The AI tried rounding up into the wind until I let the sail out a little. I found trimming can really change how the AI performs when the wind is up.
I keep getting stopped by people wanting to know more about the AI. Even got chased down by a bloke in an inflatable from a 40ft yacht wanting to know more
By the way, I changed my telltails on the sail for a set of Ronstan jobbies. Found they don't get caught up like the original ones.