Ugly prerace condits with a quick rainstorm that brought 15-18 kn, which is not our sweet spot. Comments were, as the foulies went on, "this feels more like frostbiting!" But the clouds passed and the breeze settled into 5-8, which completely is our sweet spot. Finished more than 4 minutes ahead of the nearest boat. Probably got us a bullet. Great ending to a fun series.
Century Club: Tim Ford
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
gloomy skies 1.5 hours prior to start
Rain and breeze on
bit less on at Papa down
Friday, September 22, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Friday afternoon, another club member and I took a spin around the mooring field to see if anyone's boat looked "under-prepared." Out of maybe 30? Only two or three looked vulnerable.
We took the inflatable back in and I launced a kayak to head out and see what might be a better solution. I texted the owners, both answered to say please, go ahead and improve! So I brailed a main cover that was probably not going to survive 35-40 prolonged and put a stout backup line on another boats' mooring pennant because the one they'd use looked very, very underspeced.
All-in-all, it looked like the mooring field never really saw much wind. It's a hurricane hole for sure. But it's better to be over prepared than under. At least in my way of thinking.
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Odd night in that our preferred conditions 6-8 kn did not happen until the last leg, an upwind finish off Ft McH. Beautiful night though. We've noticed this bulk ore carrier a couple times this season. I'd love to know how those two structures work above the deck. Apparently they are on a track, as when we were coming in one sounds some signals, warnings I guess like a Fedex truck does when in reverse, and it started rolling very slowly aft.
And someone suggested a brief meeting at the marina (on sailing business unrelated to BCYA)as it was convenient and on their travel route. If you like screaming at someone 18 inches away and still not being heard or understood, then sure, a meeting at MarineMax makes a lot of sense.
Helicopters are not quiet.
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
IOD visit
at anchor just chillin
PSA small boat fleet headed out
Shoved off for a stint on the i550. Breeze was one of those 5-15 days from the north. I've come to the realization that singlehanding the boat is almost impossible with the systems I have in place. Jib only is fine, and the boat will go to weather under jib alone. But my jib sheets are too short and too small and too hard on the hands.
While struggling with the crappy sheets, Mr. Price went by in his gorgeous IOD. The boat just glided by, seemingly providing a comfortable, effortless sail under complete control. I need a keelboat instead of this crazy planing speedster. I'm ready to plod along, comfortably.
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Fun night in a breeze 2-3 knots higher than our sweet spot. But I think we still grabbed a 3rd. Great spin run up to finish at "FM" (BCYA C) and we ooched out enough distance to correct over a few boats that we most likely would've lost if the breeze hadn't bumped up a couple of kn on the finishing leg.
BCYA needs a reminder of the definition of "Finish." They seem to think the entire boat must cross the line.
Friday, September 8, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Motor only delivery, prior to NAS Oxford Race, mostly under autohelm. But a nice day nonethelss.
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Not a long paddle but a good one. Hung out in the lee of Cedar Island to assess conditions. As usual it was the early afternoon build, the same one that dies just before weeknight races start. It was blowing maybe 15-18 puffs to 20, so the paddle out was tough. But the ride back in was special, downwind in waves.
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
AP up while a bulk ore carrier settles in to the coal pier.
Didn't happen. Race area was a convergence zone, a northerly up in the river past Ft. McHenry and a southerly coming up from Key Bridge. Those two fought it out for 45 minutes and at 6:45 the RC abandoned. Which was fine because we were suddenly invaded by dozens of biting flies. I mean a LOT of flies.
Of course, on the ride back to the dock, the breeze settled into a nice 8-10 northerly.
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
I think yesterday was the 2/3 mark of 100, e.g., 67th day. Means I have 1/3rd of the year to accumulate 33 days. That sounds possible.
We did a Jimmy Buffet toast with some canned margarita stuff. Not much breeze, until we headed in, of course. Hot!
Friday, September 1, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Flogged the water, couple strikes but nothing boated. Which was fine. Geese seem to be more inclined to fly in formation these days....or maybe I just never noticed.