Michael and I decided to take a paddle off SMSA before some potential afternoon weather. We headed all the way up St. John's Creek and back in gusty conditions, and tucked up Back Creek to Spring Cove on the way back. It was a bit cool & blustery, but sunny and not otherwise unpleasant, and we got a great workout in.
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Michael came down for the weekend, and he, Dewey, and I took a lap off Clarke's Landing. Conditions were calm, so we decided to head for the bridge, and paddled out under the center span. We followed the shore back up, and ended up checking out Little Kingston Creek on the way back. A great, relaxing paddle for a start to our long weekend.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Misty, choppy conditions on the course
I headed to Zanheiser's with the intention of helping the Neptune's Wager crew out with race committee, and ran into the Whirlaway crew debating whether they should sail given a very light crew. I hate seeing a boat skip a race, and I had always wondered how the old Frers sails, so I hopped onboard with the. We sailed nonspin with a crew of four, and started in moderately choppy conditions at the top end of the #1's range. We stayed in the breeze and managed to round the top mark first, and set off on a deep reach to the second. Misty rain made it difficult to find the mark, but ultimately we did and stayed in the mix. The breeze lightened as the race went on, and left us with a bit of a slow finish. The race went very well overall, and though our 5th place finish wasn't fantastic I enjoyed my time on the boat.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Glass at the launch
A quick late evening/night paddle off Forest Landing after the rain to get out for a bit. Exceptionally glassy conditions after the storm moved through.
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Most of the Little Wing crew today
Even on vacation I couldn't pass up the opportunity for a sail, so we took an invite to sail on Little Wing, a Pearson 365 ketch sailed by a friend of a friend out of Lewes, Delaware. The forecast was quite heavy & choppy, with gusts into the mid-20s. After an enthusiastic launch off the dock, we motored out of the inlet and to the Bay. Given the heavy conditions, we sailed with a reefed main and a partially furled headsail. The boat handled the chop well, and we reached a ways across and back. Unfortunately my brother and I both got a little seasick (big chop + a dodger that blocks forward view = not good), but still lovely to spend a couple hours on a totally different kind of boat from my usual lightweight racing fare and to enjoy a new sailing venue.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
The fleet in the breeze & chop
Dion pulled the plug on today's racing on account of big conditions and potential for storms, so James and I hopped on Neptune's Wager instead. We got in the mix at the start better than prior races, but were still a little late. We sailed a reasonable upwind leg, and turned down to head on a long-ish downwind. I talked Jay into setting a spin, but we had used up most of the leg by the time it was up. Unfortunately I was the only person on the boat who understood the whole spin process, and trying to explain it to everyone live as it was happening went about as well as one might expect... As we reached the mark we got into a rights situation with Cheetah and executed a quick, if messy, douse, and headed up to the bridge. One more upwind home and we finished the race. Challenging conditions and subpar performance on our part, but it made for a fantastic learning experience for everyone involved and got us to have a great conversation about the spinnaker process afterwards. Always good to learn something out on the water, even if it is the hard way.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Breezy conditions today off Forest Landing for a quick after-work paddle. I headed out to the marinas and a couple of the shorter coves, and fought a bit of chop making my way out of the creek. I had a faster, more pleasant ride back.
Monday, May 19, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Wicked conditions off Clarke's Landing for a quick paddle before an evening meeting. I hugged the shoreline and fought my way upwind, anticipating a speedy ride home, but naturally the breeze backed off as I made my turn and my ride back was a bit slower than intended. Still a fun paddle and a great workout.
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Hanging out on the rail
Oiut on Neptune's Wager again today in honor of Sam's late mother. We headed out to the Bay in heavy conditions for a quick run out to Hooper's Island Light and back. The way out was a nice pleasant deep reach with following seas and borderline surfing conditions. The way back was a bit tougher, and we settled on a slightly wider close reaching course to keep the boat and its occupants more comfortable. Another great day on the water made for an ideal sailing weekend.
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
The crew working on our tans for summer
SMSA Frost-Goode Race up the river on Neptune's Wager. We started the morning diving the boat for the first time this season and getting her cleaned up and ready to go. Hot weather and plenty of breeze prevailed, allowing for reaching conditions for much of the race. We spent lots of time adjusting trim and keeping the boat happy in the gusty conditions, and were rewarded with a third place finish. A fantastic day on the water, followed by a nice picnic lunch and cool off in the Spring Cove pool.