I met up with Dion at Red Baron to help get some gear together on the boat. When I arrived, I found the gas can had flipped over and dumped some into the bilge, so we spent soem time cleaning that up, then decided to give the boat a pass for organization and to remove some extra equipment. A pretty evening to spend some time by the water, even if it wasn't for sailing.
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Running to the finish
Out on Red Baron for another Wednesday night. Our esteemed foredeck Ben from Dangerous came out on Red Baron today, as well as a very competent Naval Academy alumnus. We were a bit late getting out to warm up, and our spinnaker halyard shackle popped open while aloft, so we had to switch to non-spin at the last second. We got off a clean start, and worked to maximize with the resources we had. We started with the 3, but ultimately decided to switch to the 1 for the downwind leg. Despite some challenges and working through a few issues we managed to put the boat on the podium for the first time this year. I went up and retrieved the halyard after the race. Lesson learned, tape the shackles!
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
The Bay Bridge as we approached the Magothy
I was in Baltimore for a concert and was able to join in for the inaugural sail on Eighth Deadly Sin. Conditions were heavy, so we did all of our setup work at the dock. We left Rock Creek in the early afternoon, and headed south on the Bay back to the Magothy. We pushed the boat close to double digits, and were able to sail almost the whole way back in to the Magothy and Broad Creek. Great to get some time on the boat before a big upcoming trip and enjoy a sporty afternoon on the Bay.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Resting at the dock with her shiny new name letters
On account of the gorgeous conditions today I decided to take a quick after-work lap on Dire Straits. I got smart this time and paddled out of the inlet and set sails once I cleared Cole Creek. Nice, if sporty, conditions for a sail today, with gusts to 14 in the middle of the river. I sailed out to the middle, put in a tack over to Snow Hill Park, took another tack into the river, and a deep reach home. I still have some lingering issues to sort out on the boat, but she's a fun ride and just the right thing for simple sailing at my neighborhood waterfront.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Running to the finish
After Dion cancelled racing on Red Baron due to an unfavorable forecast, John H put out a call to assemble a pirate crew and race on Harm's Way. I joined, along with a mix of Red Baron and new sailors, and we put the boat around the course in heavy conditions, with gusts to 20. With a Naval Academy offshore team alumnus on board calling tactics, we managed a great start and led the fleet to the windward mark. We set a jib top for the ride downhill, and worked hard to defend our position. We decided late in the leg to shake a reef, and experienced some trouble that cost us time and hurt our mark rounding. We clawed some back on the upwind leg, but had additional trouble setting the jib top for the second downwind. Ultimately we pulled off a third place finish despite our setbacks, not bad at all given the circumstances and most of us being very new to the boat.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
On account of a later start and cool conditions I opted for a paddle in Cole Creek today, and enjoyed exploring the shoreline at low tide. I was a bit limited in the back of the creek by the water depth, but still managed to get a nice quick lap in.
Monday, April 27, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Took a nice lap this evening up to Sandgates Inn & back - pretty weather and a gorgeous sunset, a great evening to be out there!
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Pacing Cheetah at the start
Due to a last minute opportunity I hopped on Red Baron today with James for the SMSA double hander. We left the dock in sporty conditions, and motored out to a start off PR3. RC (also Red Baron crew) sent us on a river course, and we started on a deep reach to T. We gybed around the mark and headed up on a close reach to V, followed by a run to K. I made some mediocre choices on the run, but didn't lose much time. The last leg was a close reach to the finish, and I paced a J/33 & J/35 nearly the whole way. We managed 3rd overall, and had a blast doing it. Glad we were able to race today.
Friday, April 24, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
Back in her natural habitat
I spent much of the afternoon getting my new boat, recently named "Dire Straits" after what she was saved from, ready to splash this evening. I rigged up and headed to the neighborhood ramp, and dropped the boat in. Not finding any catastrophic leaks, I proceeded to push off the dock and after a bit of trouble managed to make my way out of the inlet and into the river. I sailed an easy reach about a mile out, and set a course for a reach back. The current in the river pushed me up, and I had to tack a couple times to make the harbor. I finally made it in after a messy landing. The boat performed great, any issues I had were entirely operator error. Much practice to do, but I think I'll really enjoy sailing this little boat.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Number of days:
1 day
A competitive downwind leg
Hopped on the safety boat for Thursday night RC this evening. We checked on a capsized Laser right out of the harbor, then milled around for much of the race and took pictures of the competitors. We did have to perform one rescue at the end, as a cold, tired sailor struggled to get back on his boat. A gorgeous evening with a great sunset and a nice way to unwind after a busy week.