Smiles all around !
Strong NW wind made for low water conditions and delayed our departure from the slip by two hours. About 150 yards of the WSM channel is shoaling. Putting all six of us on the starboard side to heel the boat made possible to plow through the shallowest stretch. Arcas' draft is 5'3".
Once in the river proper we had 8-10 knot TWS however the gusts were in the low 20s. The first spin set was a disaster and I thought we would have to return to the slip it get everything untangled. Foredeck was resourceful and eventually managed the untangle and douse the chute while we lingered in the lee of Old Town.
The next two attempts at hoisting/dousing were slow but successful. We'll get faster as repetition builds confidence. Beautiful weather and the return to the slip was made effortless by the rising tide.