Pleasant, fast delivery up to the South River in glassy conditions towed by our friend on the Barba Roja. We did a couple small maintenance tasks and rigged a nice shade canopy for the ride. Getting excited for Gov Cup tomorrow!
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Was hoping for a nice easy race before Gov Cup. We got out and RC set a two-lap windward-leeward in light-ish conditions. However, as the race progressed a squall line started moving in. Boats started dropping out, until RC finally abandoned the race, and shortly afterwards the 30kt squall line hit while we were headed in. We fought to get the main rolled and put away, and all sat on the back of the boat to keep the motor in the water and get in. Exciting, but not the nice easy pre-delivery day I was hoping for.
Up in Baltimore today after a concert last night, so I decided to tag along with Michael for BCYA Tuesday night racing on Incorrigible, a j/35. After getting the boat fully rigged and ready to sail we found out the race was cancelled due to chance of scattered thunderstorms. After some deliberation and looking at the forecast, we decided to go out for a practice sail anyway. I trimmed main, and did my best to keep the boat on her feet with breeze in the mid teens and the light #1 up. We did a little spinnaker work, then headed in. Interesting to spend time with a different crew on a new boat.
Photo by Lynn Radbill Crosby
A quick paddle up Back Creek off SMSA before going out of town for a few days. Beautiful morning conditions and scenery.
Out racing the Meatball today for the Rum Runners Regatta. The event is a fun distance race inspired by the escapades of Capt. Bill McCoy and his efforts to sell alcohol during Prohibition. Light, fluky condtions prevailed for most of the race, and the progress we made over a great start and large initial lead were slowly eroded by the halfway point. We maintained a great second half, and finished third in fleet. A fun day on the water, and an enjoyable challenge to do some random course racing instead of the usual windward/leewards I usually do on the boat.
Took a quick lap off SMSA this evening after looking at a boat with a friend (No luck, the boat wasn't worth further consideration). Ran into some friends who are getting ready to launch their boat after a long time on shore, and had a nice paddle out to Drum Point in the cool temps. Got some surfing action going on boat wakes on the return. Nice to be out there and enjoy the beautiful weather.
After getting rained out for smallboat racing I took a quick sunset paddle at Leonardtown Wharf. Nice to get out on the water and enjoy the cool temps, and I got to take a peek at an old racing sailboat that's lingering on a lift on Breton Bay.
Dewey was out of town so I took the meatball out for the Out 'n' Back fun race. After a small rainstorm blew through extremely light conditions prevailed. We got a tow out to the course, and hung close to the line to make the start. I ended up having to port tack the whole fleet, but given the light conditions I was able to make it work without issue. We spent the next couple hours looking for the breeze whenever we could find it. We made it about halfway to the bridge, aided greatly by putting a spinnaker up on a reach once we made it above 6A. Once Vlad rounded the bridge, winning the "out" honors, we headed back. A fun, relaxing day on the water and a nice sail.
A short paddle off SMSA today for a quick workout and some water time before an evening meeting. A short lap out to SMSA T and back. Pretty hot and humid but nice nonetheless, and I spotted a J/35 that's new to the area.
Despite the rain when I was loading up my car, the forecast looked promising and I decided to persist and drive to the boat ramp. Just as predicted, the rain let up about 5 minutes after I arrived, and we were able to enjoy perfect, glassy conditions on Mill Cove Creek. We paddled back to the beaver dam again on account of the high tide allowing us to do so. A pleasant and relaxing Monday night paddle, and a great way to unwind after Screwpile.

