Out on Barba Roja for our traditional New Year's Day sail. I've been out on the boat every year I've finished Century Club, so I wanted to start the year off right. We decided to go out early, and were met with very breezy and puffy conditions, with gusts above 30. The reefing system on Barba Roja isn't currently set up, so we flew a full main and a storm jib to manage sail area. We sailed across the basin and back, and then conditions backed off a bit and allowed us to beat up to the bridge. We enjoyed a surprisingly sedate downwind run back to the harbor, and Steve expertly docked the boat in decidedly challenging conditions. A beautiful morning for a heavy-air sail and a great start to 2025!
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Barba Roja charging across the basin to start 2025
A good crew today
Friday, December 27, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
A dark, gray evening on the river
Out for a quick post-Chrismas sail on Barba Roja with several friends. The breeze was sparse, so we took a lap up to the bridge under motor. As we went to turn back into the harbor just a bit of breeze filled in, and we managed to do a couple tacks to make it count as a sail. A great, relaxing evening on the water with good company.
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
A truly spectacular sky over Solomons
Out for a quick after-work sail on Barba Roja. Calm, glassy conditions, so we decided to just motor around a bit. On and off cloudy conditions all day gave way to one of the most spectacular sunsets I've seen all year. Totally worth the trip even just for the view!
Photos courtesy of Steven Birchfield
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Actually sailing in the Christmas parade
Another fun year on the Barba Roja for the holiday lighted boat parade. We had a good crowd and great decorations courtesy of the SMSA high school sailing team. There were lots of great entries this year, including a few friends from the club. Steve decided to reprise our party trick from last year and hoist the old Mylar spinnaker to light up for a run along the river. The forecast suggested an easy 9-11kts down the boardwalk, but instead we got 14-18. We pushed through, but with no other sails up the boat loaded up immediately and we had quite the time getting the sail up and keeping her under control. Once we got it hoisted we took a very fast run down the boardwalk, and quickly doused before things got out of hand. Maybe not our smartest idea, but it certainly did make for a fun party trick and put on a great show for the folks on shore. A fun part of my holiday traditions.
Friday, December 13, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Sunset views
A quick lap on the Barba Roja in cold conditions at the end of the week. Today also marks the completion of my second Century Club related goal of spending more than half of the total days in 2024 on the water. No small feat!
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Spooky & foggy at the boat ramp
Today's route
Much less nice than the forecasted 57 degrees and clear, but I decided to go anyway. When I got to the ramp I discovered a thick fog persisted over the creek, and against my better judgement I pressed on with a paddle. I took it slowly and carefully, and hung very close to the shoreline so I could see the way. Really not paddling weather at all, but at least it counts for a day.
Monday, December 9, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Taking advantage of the relatively warm temps and getting a couple more paddles in, working towards a goal of over half of the days in 2024 on the water. A quick lap off Forest Landing to watch the sun set and decompress after a busy Monday at the office was just what I needed.
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
The lighthouse looks better every time
A ride out to Hooper's Light on Dangerous, probably our last trip for the season on the boat. With moderately breezy conditions and the cold weather and water we went with the #3 and no spinnaker, and sailed most of the trip on deep reaches. We tacked around the lighthouse, took some pictures, and proceeded into the beat home. The boat managed the conditions well, but the wind chill was significant and we were all pretty frozen by the time we made it back to Solomons. Still totally worth the trip and a pleasant day on the water to close out the Dangerous season.
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's crew
A chilly ride up the Bay to Cove Point and back on the Barba Roja. A nice crew of 7 for the day. Conditions were pretty good but became puffy on the ride back, and we somehow ended up on a long beat into the river despite trying for a reach both ways. It was a beautiful day out and an enjoyable trip, but I was very cold at the end despite wearing plenty of cold-weather layers.
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Dusk on the river basin
A pre-Thanksgiving sail on Barba Roja. Conditions were cold and cloudy, but we bundled up and sailed across the river basin and back. I think I'm going to have to start getting comfortable with cold weather for a while at least.