Foggy Fleet Racing, February 22, 2014

Fog in, Fog out- Wind up, Wind down
     That was the nature of the racing on this warm Saturday in late February for the 7 boats out sailing for the day.  We waited to rig because of no wind and no visibility.  By 12:45, the fog had lifted some and the breeze came up.

Welcome Back Andy.  Looking great!

Stu, Scott and Andy discussing tactics?

Weather on the smart phone.

Fog- where is the top of the bridge?

Our guide

Fogs lifted- rigging time

     Marks were set for the first race with wind 5 or so and we could see the marks--so far.  As the wind picked up just a bit the fog rolled in again so it was anyone's guess where the marks were.

Bob and Angie getting ready for the start

Searching for the marks in the fog

Nice breeze came up.  You can see the mark now.

Spinakers coming out of the fog

Plessners with the white spinaker

Found the mark and the finish

Fog horns going off as a boat was towing another in the nearby channel.  They did not know what was emerging from the fog

Great race.  The Kellys found the the finish first

     We had two good races and the wind had shifted.  Optimistically we adjusted the course and eliminated the reach and tried another.    Windward leward, twice around was the plan.  Plan changed to 1 x around.  The Plessners actually managed to finish without paddling.

Big Mistake

Hank and Bob found a little breeze

Becalmed

Adrift in fog

Where are the margaritas?

Wake me up when the wind comes in

Hank working hard

No comment

Beau and Dedee actually managed to finish the race without paddling.  

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Ping Pong News Bulletin

Just received some pictures from the Ping Pong Tournament at Bruce and Janet's Fun House.

  The Fleet That Plays Together Stays Together!

Happy crowd enjoying a feast at Bruce and Janet's house

Check-mated by a smart college student in under 5 minutes

Having a toast to the ping-pong champs whoever they are

Lil in action

This is Why We Live in Florida!

     Our race was scheduled for Sat., Feb. 8 at Belleair Causeway.  We awoke to a dreary, cold, drizzly day with little to no wind.  We decided to cancel the races and possibly postpone to Sunday.  Hank and Lil moved their planned dinner feast up a week so we all got together at their house that night.  We all left healthier than we came.  Lil served stuffed peppers, black rice with other healthy grains  along with a healthy fruit and vegetable salad.  Any side effects from Mark's coconut rum and mango juice were eliminated.  True to form, Lil served her home-made cheese cake with assorted fresh berries.
     We all agreed to re-schedule the races for the next Day.  On Sunday the fog quickly cleared to a beautiful sunny blue day.  It was a little chilly in the low 60's but the wind was perfect at about 10-15.  We could not have had a better day.
     We had 5 boats on the line.  The wind was shifty but there was plenty of it.  A modified Olympic course was set but with a downwind finish.  Course was perfect.  Great job Mark and Lil on setting the gybe mark.  We could carry the spinaker on both reaches.
     Bruce and Janet had a breakdown in Race 3 and had to retire early but they had a good day otherwise.  We managed to get in 4 races all taking about 30 minutes to complete.  Lets do this again!
                                           

 Skippers Meeting

Setting the marks

Bruce and Janet warming up before the start

 

Swamp Thing

 

Spinaker Run

Bruce and Janet under spinaker

 

The Bag Method

The Famous Drawer  (patent pending)

The Laundry Basket Method

The Chute Method