Out racing the meatball on a Thursday night. Better than forecasted conditions, blowing about 8-11. A very clean first race, and though I was working through some rig tension issues we managed a second place. Got the rig tightened up and went for the second race, performing well until James & I fumbled a gybe, wrapped the spin around the forestay, and laid the boat over just before the finish. At the RC"s recommendation, I let the current drift the boat across the line and still managed to beat one boat. Got her back upright, got her mostly re-situated, and dove right back in for the third race. Started about a minute late and clawed back some time on the upwind. James untangled and re-rigged the spinnaker on the first downwind, and we flew it on the second. A bit of a challenging day on the water but still a fun time. I keep having moments of great success with the boat and moments of calamity, working on getting the good parts more repeatable.
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
A tidy boat end start
Moderately heavy conditions and the threat of rain for the last Wednesday night of the series. RC set us up for a quick two-lap windward/leeward. Conditions held for the first lap, but started to fall off during the second, costing us time on the second upwind leg. I trimmed headsails for the first time in a while. A pretty good race overall and a nice warmup for Screwpile.
Today's route
A cousin who was in town reached out and wanted to go sailing on my boat, so we set up a time this evening. The weather was very hot and conditions were heavy, with occasional gusts into the low 20s. I decided we should go anyway, and we ended up having a great sail. Given the gusts and a totally green sailor we tooled around under just the main. The boat still performed great, and in a couple puffs we got up on plane on a reach. Not bad for a 47 year old boat! Glad we were able to get out and catch up on a day I otherwise wouldn't have been likely to go sailing.
Tonight's paddle group
A nice paddle with some of the Monday night crew off Forest Landing. We made it about 3/4 of the way out to Clarke's Landing but turned around under the vague idea that it might rain. No storms ever materialized and we had a great, relaxing evening on the water.
Route around the island
After Dewey cancelled our participation in the Sharp's Island race on account of poor weather and lack of wind I decided to jump on the opportunity to do a paddle I've been wanting to do. I launched off the Piney Point boat ramp, and set off to go around St. George's Island. It was a nice mild paddle for hte most part, except for some rain and wind at my furthest point from the launch. Neat scenery that's rather different from my usual fare on the Patuxent, and a cool paddle to check off my list.
The fleet starting a race
Helped out with RC today. I'm always happy to do my part for the running of the races, but today's conditions were so great it was hard not to be out there sailing my boat.
Really cruising with the spin up
Extraordinary conditions this Wednesday, with gusts into the high 20s. Another bridge course. We got a late start and ducked the line to get going. After an uneventful upwind leg, we set a spin to head to the bridge and were really flying, and thankfully mostly able to keep the boat from getting overpowered. We had some trouble getting the spin down, and I narrowly avoided serious injury. A fast upwind leg followed by a more tame spin leg to the finish, and a second overall. It's difficult to make the boat go in big air, but we're getting better at it over time.
At the dock after the sail
Great breeze for a sail on Knot Enuf. We headed out a good ways across the Bay, then back in as the sun set. I met several of Ben's regular crew and a neighbor who is just getting back into sailboat racing. A nice relaxing evening after a stressful day at the office.
Tonight's paddle group
A very hot paddle off Clarke's Landing this week. We took advantage of a very high tide and paddled to a substantial beaver dam located at the back of one of the coves. The weather was much more pleasant on the water than it was on land.
Family sailing
Took my parents, Michael, and Steve out on the Barba Roja for a small morning cruise. I've been wanting to get my parents out sailing together for years, and finally made it happen. Hot conditions and just enough wind to make the boat move. I explained some sailing basics and gave everyone a turn at the helm. We sailed around the river basin and up to the bridge. Nice to finally get them out there and meet a good friend who started my sailing career.