Summer in November Sailing

November 28th, 2016

Blue skies, 80 degrees, northwesterly sea breeze 6-10.  Can't get too much better than that.

We got in 5 races, windward-leeward twice around.  The Kelly's ruled the day.  Mark & Greg took them out of the start on one race but that did not stop them.  Bob and Bob got a bunch of seconds and they didn't even capsize.  We missed Janet and Bruce but their kids brought home some bug from college so they were home in bed. 

Stu and Andy in the lead-- wait Kelly's took that picture.  Kelly's in the lead, Stu second.

Bob & Bob in the lead-- better get that spinnaker drawing if you want to stay there.  Wait-- Kelly's took that picture.

Getting ready to douse the spinnaker after the finish

 

Mark Rother and Greg Graham in light blue. The "Squid" is a substitute boat while "This Side Up" is being repaired. Greg is a substitute crew for Lil, his hotshot crew. (visiting family).  This is Greg's first time in a centerboard boat.  Mark's boat still under reconstruction.

Stu's handi-work under way.  Stu removed the top of the seat to get to the job.

Finished product coming soon.  We won't tell Mark but Stu added 20 pounds in the seat before closing it up.

Not real sure what this is?  I think it is inside the seat.

 

Next fleet race:  Sunday December 13

 

One-Design Championships at Boca Ciega Yacht Club

November 14th and 15th, 2015

The first day of the One-Design Championship brought strong challenging winds about 15 to 20 with some higher gusts.  Mark and Lil broke a spreader at the dock and almost did not make it out.  Good thing he fixed it because he proved he was fast on Day 1.  With three bullets, a 2nd and a DNF (oops), he was pretty unbeatable.  The race committee kept us out for 5 races on Saturday, hoping to get three in on Sunday which would then allow a throw-out.

Bob & Bob hiking in perfect unison

 

The Kelly's in the foreground and the Kreutzers in the background.

There's the Kreutzers

Stu and JJ

Stu and JJ just ahead of the Bobs

     A collision took Team Mark/Lil and Team Kreutzers out of the 5th race.  A capsize on the starting line took the Bob's out of the third race.  Day 1 finished with a tie for first place.  Team Mark and Lil had 11 points as did Team Stu and JJ. Three races was the goal for Sunday.  

     Sunday brought more wind and the Windmills and Sunfish made the wise decision not to go out.  Team Mark/Lil borrowed the Kelly's loaner boat Squid so were able to sail.  On the way out the Kelly's foolishly decided to dry out their spinnaker.  It was quite a ride on the edge and no one moved on the boat for fear of upsetting the balance.  They finally had to douse and  broached when the spinnaker was mostly in the bag.  They took on some water but managed to stay on their feet.  Team Stu/JJ decided on the way out that it was not a good choice to race.  The Bob's turned back, then the Kelly's reported to the committee boat that they were also going in.  Mark and Lil stayed for the one race held and took a 1st.

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Team Mark and Lil in "Squid"

Report and pictures of boat repair coming.

Next fleet race Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015

 

Fleet Races Oct. 24th and October 31

October 24th

The loaner boat debuts and gets a first in the first race but went downhill from there.  Stu did a good job teaching Chris to fiberglass because the boat did not leak but it had other issues.

 Here is its good side.  It is never good when the skipper is holding the blade for the rudder in her hands. 

Some of the gang.  Where is Mark, Dave and Chris?

The winners for the Day.  

We had those crazy easterlies at 10-18 with 30 degree shifts.

For some reason all those great shots taken on the water were not in the camera.  Got to do better.

October 31 Halloween

 Bob and Angie are back in town so Bob was sailing with Bob today.  It was a great surprise when they were at the docks readying their boat.  That dumb photographer forgot her camera so no sailing pictures.  We had four boats and those crazy easterlies again.  The Kelly's sailed the loaner boat again after ironing out the problems from last week.  It is ready to sail now except it needs a longer topping lift (easy fix) and we are going to change out the cleat on the tiller that holds the rudder down.  It is a fast boat and the Kelly's took 3 firsts and one second.  

Florida One Design Championship and Day Sailer Florida State Championship

November 14-15th, 2015 

Boca Ciega Yacht Club in Gulf Port

The Competition Continued into the night---

Ping Pong tournament at Bruce & Janets

Lil has on her game face