Dragonfly 28

It was nearly one o’clock in the morning and I finally agreed to let go of the tiller extension I had been attached to for nearly 9 hours. Sitting comfortably on one of the small wings surrounding the huge cockpit, open to the stern, I took advantage of the moment just before going to rest to accelerate one last time in this pretty machine, on a wave, increase the apparent wind, bear away and accelerate again, until that limit beyond which the headsail no longer draws. The wind had spoiled us throughout the day, and it would have been a shame not to take advantage. Although the rain hadn’t stopped since we left from Port Haliguen, on the Quiberon peninsula, I was finally not very wet: the sprayhood is perhaps a little high, but it protects effectively from the rain. Its framework is in aluminium, and therefore the fittings are in plastic. Although the whole assembly is light, the fittings are more fragile, and will probably require replacement from time to time. As I left the helm, I heated a coffee on the little gas stove to port, it has two rings and is sufficient. On the other hand, the electric panel is perhaps a bit too close; this area will also serve as a chart table when...