Installed my ancient cruising sails (+20 years) and went sailing today. Warmish weather a southerly 5 to 8 knot breeze made for a relaxing sail.
Century Club: Hank Messick
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Sunny, few clouds when I shoved off. Seven knots southerly breeze as I motored south of the WW bridge and then raised sails. Spend an hour tacking downriver against the tide and then the wind faded as the sky grew cloudy. Rain was on the way, according to my radar. Motored back to slip. Disappointing afternoon.
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
The breeze filled in as we motored south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to hoist sails. Beautiful day with Dana onboard. Caught up with Hiatus again, as she headed south to Mt Vernon with a different crew than yesterday. One of my race crew was skippering.
Friday, November 3, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Sunshine and warmish weather again. Light southerly breeze but enough for a satisfying solo sail. Crossed paths with "Hiatus", a Sailing Club of Washington Catalina 25, which had two crew members aboard that raced with me this season. They snapped a photo of me flying wing-on-wing, jib sheet in one hand and tiller between my legs.
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Chasing cat paws of wind on the river today! I was the only one on the water except for a water taxi. Brilliant blue sky and autumn sun glinting on the water and not to chilly.
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Just enough breeze to fly the spin
Last weekend's race had 18 knot northwest breeze but today it was a fickle, southwesterly 5 knot breeze that often faded especially when powerboat wake was most intense.
We lost the race in the last 100 yards to an Alerion Express 28 whom I should have covered after the (almost) wind-less leeward mark. Lesson learned. Homemade gumbo graced the Post-race dock party as participants mingled and swapped stories.
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Bill Porter and I took his Alerion Express 28 out after changing down from a Genoa to a jib. After about 90 minutes the breeze faded completely. Warm, sunny but not windy weather!
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Exhilarating!
Beautiful day on the Potomac. Northwest 12-15 knot breeze with gusts up to 28 knots. Raced with both a reefed main and reacher and consistently hit speeds just over eight knots.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Beautiful day so I took Arcas for afternoon sail. Shifty, light breezes but I managed to get around. Saw a few other sailboats on the water. Relaxing.
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Beating upwind on a beautiful day
Drizzly morning that changed to brilliant sunshine after the front moved through. A 12-15 knot NE breeze sent us down to Mt Vernon and back in less than 90 minutes under a reefed main.
We were the only boat to show up and race which made for a leisurely cruise!