Was hoping for a nice easy race before Gov Cup. We got out and RC set a two-lap windward-leeward in light-ish conditions. However, as the race progressed a squall line started moving in. Boats started dropping out, until RC finally abandoned the race, and shortly afterwards the 30kt squall line hit while we were headed in. We fought to get the main rolled and put away, and all sat on the back of the boat to keep the motor in the water and get in. Exciting, but not the nice easy pre-delivery day I was hoping for.
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
The fleet headed downwind before the storm
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Trimming the main on Incorrigible
Up in Baltimore today after a concert last night, so I decided to tag along with Michael for BCYA Tuesday night racing on Incorrigible, a j/35. After getting the boat fully rigged and ready to sail we found out the race was cancelled due to chance of scattered thunderstorms. After some deliberation and looking at the forecast, we decided to go out for a practice sail anyway. I trimmed main, and did my best to keep the boat on her feet with breeze in the mid teens and the light #1 up. We did a little spinnaker work, then headed in. Interesting to spend time with a different crew on a new boat.
Photo by Lynn Radbill Crosby
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
A quick paddle up Back Creek off SMSA before going out of town for a few days. Beautiful morning conditions and scenery.
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Getting ready for the start
Out racing the Meatball today for the Rum Runners Regatta. The event is a fun distance race inspired by the escapades of Capt. Bill McCoy and his efforts to sell alcohol during Prohibition. Light, fluky condtions prevailed for most of the race, and the progress we made over a great start and large initial lead were slowly eroded by the halfway point. We maintained a great second half, and finished third in fleet. A fun day on the water, and an enjoyable challenge to do some random course racing instead of the usual windward/leewards I usually do on the boat.
Friday, July 26, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Took a quick lap off SMSA this evening after looking at a boat with a friend (No luck, the boat wasn't worth further consideration). Ran into some friends who are getting ready to launch their boat after a long time on shore, and had a nice paddle out to Drum Point in the cool temps. Got some surfing action going on boat wakes on the return. Nice to be out there and enjoy the beautiful weather.
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
After getting rained out for smallboat racing I took a quick sunset paddle at Leonardtown Wharf. Nice to get out on the water and enjoy the cool temps, and I got to take a peek at an old racing sailboat that's lingering on a lift on Breton Bay.
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Drifting along in the Meatball
Dewey was out of town so I took the meatball out for the Out 'n' Back fun race. After a small rainstorm blew through extremely light conditions prevailed. We got a tow out to the course, and hung close to the line to make the start. I ended up having to port tack the whole fleet, but given the light conditions I was able to make it work without issue. We spent the next couple hours looking for the breeze whenever we could find it. We made it about halfway to the bridge, aided greatly by putting a spinnaker up on a reach once we made it above 6A. Once Vlad rounded the bridge, winning the "out" honors, we headed back. A fun, relaxing day on the water and a nice sail.
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
A short paddle off SMSA today for a quick workout and some water time before an evening meeting. A short lap out to SMSA T and back. Pretty hot and humid but nice nonetheless, and I spotted a J/35 that's new to the area.
Monday, July 22, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Tonight's paddle group
Despite the rain when I was loading up my car, the forecast looked promising and I decided to persist and drive to the boat ramp. Just as predicted, the rain let up about 5 minutes after I arrived, and we were able to enjoy perfect, glassy conditions on Mill Cove Creek. We paddled back to the beaver dam again on account of the high tide allowing us to do so. A pleasant and relaxing Monday night paddle, and a great way to unwind after Screwpile.
Friday, July 19, 2024 to Sunday, July 21, 2024
Number of days:
3 days
Screwpile 2024 PHRF 3 Champions
Just Floating Around
Red, White, & Blue at the start of Race #6
Screwpile 2024! What a fantastic weekend on the water!
Headed out on Friday into surprisingly big and choppy conditions that made it difficult to reach the start line. We put up the #3 and pounded through it, ready for a great day of racing. Conditions fell off as we got ready to start, and dipped below the range of reasonable power for the small jib right at the start of the first race. We quickly changed down to our #1 and got going. Strange, shifty conditions prevailed for the upwind leg, but we fought through it and gained some ground. Second boat around the weather mark, and a clean set to set us up for a good downwind leg. A couple competitors thought they made a mistake and circled back early, but we kept going and sailed well to a second place finish. RC attempted to start a second race, but the wind fell apart after the first leg and they abandoned after a line of boats got parked at the leeward mark.
Saturday proved to be the big racing day as predicted. RC ran 3 races in consistent 12-14+ and wave state to match. We pushed the boat hard with a #3 up, and the whole crew was razor sharp all day, even with a couple issues at the starting line and having to protest a competitor. We managed a second and two thirds for the day, placing us at the bottom of a 3-way tie for first.
Sunday was hot, sunny, and flat calm, and we began our day with a raft-up and swim call with many of our competitors as we waited for the breeze to fill in. Thankfully it did after a couple hours, and we were able to get one race in with great, consistent breeze. It was a real nail-biter, but everyone did everything they could and we ran a totally clean, fast race, finishing first in fleet and making our needed victory by 25 seconds.
In the end, we took home a class win and the Northern Bay Championship for PHRF 3. The racing in our class was super sharp and competitive all weekend, which made it feel that much better to take home the victory. The crew really gave it their all, and together we put in some of the most consistently excellent sailing we've ever done on the boat. It's great to see us succeed with such a young program, and I couldn't be more proud of all the work everyone has put in. I'm excited to see what's in store for us ahead.
All photos are property of their respective owners. Credit to Steven Birchfield, Will Keyworth, and Mark Jump.