To say that I am happy with Bolero light air performance would be a huge understatement. On Saturday we had a grand day of fall sailing in under 10 knots of wind. I just don't think it gets any better than that. In addition having such great light air performance without the need for an overlapping headsail is a true joy. My buddy Craig had really been questioning the feasibility of single handing a boat with Bolero's sail area. But after not doing any really work trimming the jib with our new two part jib sheets he did an about face and was quite stunned with just how easy she was to sail.
Bolero has really met me ideals of what an engineless sailboat could be. Her sailing wind environment is great, I am guess 3 to 4 knots and up depending on the point of sail, and she has good speed at low wind. Ghosting along at a knot or two in calm water has become one of my favorite activities. Although I still love to have water rushing over the rail.
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Your blog has been great to read, but the best parts have been imagining your joy at finally getting to sail the boat! She's still got all the good characteristics of the Shields and I'm sure will give you years of good times.
A couple thoughts: Is your mast blocked in at the partners? I can't tell in the photos but it looks like it may not be. Normally I like to have fitted delrin shims made up, but maybe spartite would be better for your uses.
The jib sheeting angle problem might be tough with the stock cut jib. We usually raise our one-design sails up so the tack is about 5" above the deck. Most people use a tied or spliced spectra loop. You could also get a couple inches by removing the pennant that holds the jib sheet 2:1 blocks to the sail, and get some Harken Ti Lites that you could lash directly to the sail. If thats still not enough it might be work getting the sail recut with a higher clew. At the same time you could have the clew grommet replaced with a webbed in ring, which would make attaching blocks easier.
But in the mean time, enjoy the last bits of sailing in 08! Niki and I just took our Shields out for a sunrise sail. Had fun and got some use (beyond racing) out of the boat. Also learned a lot, such as you don't need to be on the water at 430 when the sun doesn't actually come up until 645... woops.
-Kristian
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