Josin’s 2026 blog, #2

Already 10 days ago, on 17 april, Josin was lifted into the water for another season.
Not actually Josin in this pic, she is right at the other end of the queue, pointybow just visible. Fantastically competent crane driver and everyone helping, achieved good results on a gorgeous day.

In that article in SEILmagsinet, which you may or may not have read, I repeat my mantra of ; “I shall continue sailing as long as I can hoist the mainsail”, and here is the proof…..

All on my own last friday and no use of winches, either manual or electric, (electric would be sort of cheating!).

So, why not an electric winch, or much more expensive, several?
I reckon that if I’m not strong enough to hoist the sail, without a winch, under easy conditions, I’m probably not competent to handle the boat, particularly in not-ideal conditions. Simple criterion, simple decision. We’ll see. But I’ve now given myself another season.
Still jobs to do before the first sail trial. Efforts were cut short last saturday, 25th, by repeated showers, including hail! Not comfortable. Pack up and go home.
Since then, activities at home have priority, so it’ll be thursday before the rest of the sails come on board and foresail hoisted and rolled in.
Looking forward to the first tuesday regatta of the season, 5th May, hmmm maybe.

We’re getting there. Alls well.
JosinJohn

Josin’s blog for 2026

This year’s edition starts, surprisingly, before Josin is back in the water, because……

I was interviewed by Norwegian SEILmagasinet a while back, and the latest edition of the magazine “www.seilmagasinet.no” has the resulting article, “91 år og 75 år til sjøs”, or, more understandably “91 years old and 75 years on the water”.
These copies are for the family! Had to ensure at least they read it!

It has been an opportunity to give som of my experience over the years back to the broader sailing/cruising/solosailing community. I hope there is some information there which is useful to others.

This is a link to the leader:
https://www.seilmagasinet.no/sm202602-utkikken/den-gamle-mannen-og-havet/961232
Needs translating of course.

This is a link to the article:
https://www.seilmagasinet.no/albin-ballad-john-lee-cotton-josin/91-ar-og-75-ar-til-sjos/960769.
needs translating.

The article also admits that the important goal for this year is Shetland, which we didn’t get to last year. Looking forward to a nice sail under gentle conditions!

Josin goes back into the water on friday next, 17 april. She is all prepared.

Alls well,