Light southwesterly 5 knot breeze which eventually filled to give us an easy run up to Hains Point. PRSA was conducting a regatta just outside the channel--lasers, Lightnings, Bucanneers, E-Scow etc. we skirted by then tacked back to the gate for the channel. Mostly cloudy and cool.
Century Club: Hank Messick
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
We were RC tonight. Steady seven knots from the Northwest and chilly. Returning to the slip the temperature had dropped to 50 F. It was dark when the last boat finished a little after 8P. Arcas crew stayed warm, told stories, and had fun managing the race.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Around the windward mark
Wind shift halfway up the leeward leg change it to a beat to windward! We placed second.
Friday, April 21, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Volantis at her new slip
A cloudless, sunny day with little breeze to move Volantis to her new slip at Whitehall Marina. With her new bottom paint we motor sailed at almost 7 knots/1800 rpm for the entire ~45 NM trip. It's was so relaxing I napped for an hour!
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Incredible weather! Clear skies, no humidity, 10 to 12 knot northwesterly breeze, no tacks/jibes except to round marks on a 5.5 NM course.
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
A lighthearted moment while racing
Tuesday night racing began this evening. Beautiful weather, wind blowing about six knots from the west, ebbing tide. We raced spin fleet A, boats with PHRFs under 171. Good news, we placed 2nd, correcting ahead of a J70!
Sunday, April 9, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
A beautiful day to be on the water except the breeze was fickle. We'd launch the spin and 30 seconds later the wind would veer 180 degrees! Spent more time motoring than sailing to find a stretch of the river where the light breeze was blowing.
Sunday, April 2, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Smiles all around !
Strong NW wind made for low water conditions and delayed our departure from the slip by two hours. About 150 yards of the WSM channel is shoaling. Putting all six of us on the starboard side to heel the boat made possible to plow through the shallowest stretch. Arcas' draft is 5'3".
Once in the river proper we had 8-10 knot TWS however the gusts were in the low 20s. The first spin set was a disaster and I thought we would have to return to the slip it get everything untangled. Foredeck was resourceful and eventually managed the untangle and douse the chute while we lingered in the lee of Old Town.
The next two attempts at hoisting/dousing were slow but successful. We'll get faster as repetition builds confidence. Beautiful weather and the return to the slip was made effortless by the rising tide.
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Restepped the mast earlier in the week to wire a wind transponder and today was a perfect day to test it and other modifications. There was a 12 knot northwesterly breeze gusting to 20 knots. Bright sunshine greet us as we headed north to Hains Point to see blooming cherry blossoms. Reefed both main and jib and we went up river at 5 to 6 knots. Water taxis and tourist boats were packed with people enjoying the fantastic weather; only a few sailboats and fewer powerboats sharing the river with us.