East wind, 7 to 10 knots in the lee of local islands (off Sidney, BC), 12 knots with gusts to 15 in the open. Off the wind there was initially a little weather helm, but this was removed by trimming the mizzen. On the wind, the same result was achieved. The mizzen on any ketch rig often serves as the sail to neutralize the helm and the lug rig proved to be no exception. In fact, the mizzen sheet was as good as the tiller for making small course adjustments. The hull was delightfully easy to drive. We made the theoretical hull speed (approximately 5.5 knots) in 12 - 15 knots of wind. The heel was quite modest due, I am sure, to the low aspect ratio of the sail plan.
Second sea trial
Light, variable winds. This was mainly an experimental day. I especially wanted to see whether the jib blocks needed to be repositioned. The jib is loose footed, but self-tending, by way of two swivel deck blocks which turn the sheet into a rope traveller. My concern was to make sure the downward and lateral pull on the sheet were more or less equal. The problem was that, to achieve this, I might have to move the blocks further aft, upsetting the traveller arrangement. The balance is not quite perfect, but turns out to be close enough, so I don't need a jib boom in order to maintain self-tending. It's pretty clear that the jib will set best in stronger winds.
The engine
Like many Privateers, mine has an outboard in a well, which puts the prop in the same location as would be that of an inboard. This configuration is notorious for requiring you to leave the well hatch open to provide sufficient air. A fan had been installed in the well by a previous owner, but it was not up to the job--it mainly recirculated the air inside the well without sufficient exhausting or fresh intake. I replaced the old hand starting Honda with a new, electric start, four stroke Yamaha. To solve the air problem, I ran an exhaust hose from the fan through a repositioned hatch vent. The fan now pulls in fresh air through a small door in front of the engine and out through the vent in the closed hatch. The engine now runs beautifully, and is quieter than the fan!