A northerly breeze gusting up to 18 knots was challenging at times esp when raising and dousing the main. The tiller pilot couldn't react fast enough when hit with a gust. Motoring faster might have helped.
Cruised off of Old Town Alexandria under a reefed main sail.
Century Club: Hank Messick
Monday, November 27, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Jibless!
Friday, November 24, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Started to get cloudy when I shoved off today. A northerly 8-12 knot breeze blew down the river. Sailed all the way with just one tack from the WSM gate to the Frederick Douglas Bridge. Anna Marie, Waypoints and one other sailboat were out plus water taxis. Beam reached back to the WSM gate.Temperature was 52 degrees.
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Dave, Bob, Carey, Sara and I spent the afternoon on the water. Sunny and in the mid-50s, with 4 to 7 knots mostly WNW breeze which backed and veered preventing us from flying the spin. Good times.
Friday, November 17, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Warm weather and a southerly 8 to 12 knot breeze made for a delightful sail. Two S.C.O.W. Boats also were out and about.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
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.
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.