The main had two sets of reef points originally. I had a third set added after a blowy experience in the narrows at the mouth of the Tamar, when it was gusting up to force 8 and two reefs just didn't seem enough! While I wouldn't really choose to be out in anything as strong as this again it's nice to feel at least a little prepared for it.
That said, downwind in lighter airs can be a little slow with the standard sails, so I've also added a cruising chute. Set with a snuffer this has proved easy to manage singlehanded and has really been a great boon to performance in anything below a 3, changing what would have been, in such winds, a rather slow und unremarkable sail into an exhilarating romp at near hull speed. I can't carry it closer than about 70 degrees to the wind, and even then, to be honest, I'm going sideways nearly as fast as I'm going forwards(!), but its great fun and definitely a worthwhile purchase.
Overall
I've been very happy with her sailing ability, but it is true both that
, possibly because of the bilge keels, she
doesn't point as high as the dinghies I'd sailed before. Yes its just about possible to sail at 45 degrees to the wind, but hard work and very slow. 50 degrees is a more
realistic (and, overall, faster) course.
The engine is a Yamaha 5hp outboard. Newbridge recommend 4-9hp engines, and 5 has proved quite adequate, comfortably driving the boat at about 3.5 knots. The outboard is mounted on a transom bracket which, perhaps particularly given the Corribee's long overhangs, does make it exposed to coming out of the water if there's much pitching - motoring in anything of a sea does get a little wearing.
Starting
from the outside in, I've a simple boom tent - just an oblong of canvas
which laces down to the guardwires - which provides shelter to the cockpit
at anchor. This is well worth having, providing a place to leave wet waterproofs
and other gear in shelter yet out of the cabin.
The
interior is a single large cabin. Headroom is 4'8", so I have needed to perfect the art of putting my trousers on on my knees! Nonetheless, although I originally sailed singlehanded, more recently there have generally been three of us. Me, my wife and our one year-old daughter have all fitted inside without difficulty, even for longer periods - we had a particularly good week long cruise down to Falmouth last summer.
The
cooker is a meths double burner - by electrolux! For lighting I use two
paraffin lanterns, which give both a pleasing orangy glow and a considerable
amount of warmth. There is a seacock for a basin, but the fixed
basin that would have been originally installed has been removed and I
find a washing up bowl emptied over the side is more than adequate. For
water I use a gerry can with a tap at the head of the port quarter berth
which has the advantage of providing running water without any need for
pumping.
Since writing this, after 5 happy years with the boat, we've sold her, and I wish her new
owner much joy of her, exploring the same areas around Plymouth that I've
enjoyed so much myself. Since buying Charisma I've moved on from being
a singlehanded yachtsman to sailing first with my wife, then one and now
two children. Charisma coped admirably with three of us aboard, even on
a week's cruising around the Falmouth area. But a move to Scotland precipitated
the sale and we're now enjoying cruising in a Victoire 25 out of Oban. Looking more
than a little like a Corribee herself, the one feature of Allegro that makes
a big difference to us is having a forecabin in which to stow the children!