Brought a long sleeve shirt as my change of clothes for a brief after-work paddle and found myself overdressed. Strange for it to be this warm in November. A quick but pleasant paddle, though leaves kept getting stuck on my fin and slowing me down.
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Getting together with some friends for a sail to distract from the heavy election news. Great conditions on the river, with ample breeze and warm temps. We sailed a reach up to the bridge and a reach back. It feels strange to be on the dock in darkness by 6pm, I'm not especially looking forward to the winter ahead.
Monday, November 4, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
A quick paddle at the now very early sunset. Took a brief lap to one of the coves off Clarke's Landing. Really working to maximize my season this year on account of the warm temperatures.
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
The fleet as viewed from the bridge
Nice weather and great breeze for SMSA Frostbites #1. We were running Dangerous pretty shorthanded so we raced non-spin in a varied fleet. We decided to tough it out with the big genoa, and got a workable downwind start. Conditions lightened on the leg, and we worekd to sail gybe angles, until we eventually realized we were making better progress putting the boat wing-on-wing. We rounded the mark into a close reach, and kept the boat powered up but were rolled over by a couple faster boats. We put in a clean beat to the third mark, then caused some trouble rigging the pole to the genoa, losing some time. We put in one more fairly tidy beat to a third place finish. Not our sharpest ay ever on the water, but fun nonetheless.
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
The last embers of the sunset
I didn't have much on the schedule today for Halloween and temps were very warm, so Dewey and I decided to get one last paddle in for the season on the SMSA boards, as today is the last day they're available for use. We set off in breezy conditions down Mill Creek, and had to work a good bit paddling into the wind on the way back. A nice way to get in the last of the paddles off SMSA.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
New(ish) and old
In the sunset
Just Steve and I out this evening on Barba Roja for a short light-air sail. We saw Elan in the distance, and decided to go chase them down as they tested what looks like a new headsail and a crusing asymmetric spinnaker. We also saw the museum's classic racing yacht Witchcraft out, and eventually the three of us converged for some great pictures in the sunset. Not much wind to be found, so we motored home shortly afterwards. A nice quick sail to undwind after work.
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Back at Leonardtown Wharf again this week for a quick paddle down a ways on Breton Bay and back. Stopped by to see Breaking Aweigh - a Beneteau First Class 10 I'd love to see fixed up and sailing again. Daylight is waning and my time is getting short, but glad to get out here while I can.
Monday, October 28, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Took a quick after-work paddle from Forest Landing to Clarke's Landing and back. Conditions were a little cool but nothing unreasonable. Lots of pretty fall scenery as we've reached the peak of the changing leaves. I brought my phone with me - a mistake, as I received incessant notifications the whole time I was out. My padles are typically my time to unwind & disconnect.
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
The Men in Black
Bucctoberfest 2024! This year we decided to get bold and do the race in costume as Men in Black. Conditions were quite gusty as we got the boat rigged and launched and claimed our strategic spot at the end of the dock. We started the race strong with a sprint to the gazebo to collect the SI's. We ran to the boat, got everything rigged as quick as possible, and were on our way to the first mark, where we collected a water bottle with a baloon on it. Next, our course took us to Back Creek, and after passsing the second mark we became confused by the SI's and sailed far past the mark, allowing most of the fleet to pass us by prior to admitting to our mistake and turning around. We sailed up Mill Creek, found our mark, and headed out to the river. Despite the puffy conditions, Dewey talked me into launching the spinnaker, and we took off on a powerful broad reach to the finish in record time.
The remainder of the day's races found us battling very gusty conditions and struggles to get the boat to go to windward effectively despite ample crew weight. The conditions made it difficult to consistently carry crew weight where needed, and we spent the day working to find balance.
A fun way to close out the season on the meatball, do some sporty sailing, and take some fun pictures - and much to our surprise, the suits weren't a bad choice of attire!
Friday, October 25, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Driving by Drum Point
Out for a Friday evening sail on Barba Roja with a new couple from SMSA. At their request, we headed out into the Bay, and found plenty of breeze to cruise along on a close reach the whole way out. John had the helm out to the Bay, and shortly before sunset we switched and his wife took the wheel for the trip back. We sailed out in front of Solomons and then headed in. A great sail for the new couple & a relaxing end to the week.