Out on the Barba Roja this evening for #150. Cold conditions and light-ish wind prevailed, and we took a short sail up to the bridge and back as the sun went down. I got some helm time and despite the frigid temps was glad to be out there. Spending so much time on the water has been perhaps the greatest joy of my year.
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Sunset under the clouds & through the bridge
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Dueling with Pony Express at the windward mark
Yours truly holding down the bow
SMSA Frostbites #4, and the last keelboat race of the season. Hard to believe it's come and gone already, it seems like it just started. RC made us work for it this time around, with a 3 lap W/L course. I was up on the bow, and put in a ton of work getting the spin up and down. We had several problems early, but got consistently cleaner as the race went on. A great day on the water, and a solid day of racing to end the season. I already can't wait for March!
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
The fleet charging out of the harbor
Out on Dangerous for SMSA Frostbites #3. Our summer-like weather from the past couple weeks is gone, with actual fall temps and corresponding strong breeze. A downwind start, with a bit of a late run to the line and spinnaker set. A clean douse, followed by a quick upwind leg where we made up some pace. Tried a spinnaker set innovation and it failed spectacuarly, somehow getting about 15 wraps in the spin. Did my best to get it worked out, before dousing and resetting. Got back in the game and had a strong finish.
Friday, November 10, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Had the day off work but spent it running around. Blocked off some time to go sailing with Steve despite the cold temps. We had a nice sail up to the bridge and back and enjoyed catching up. I'm glad to still be getting out there but I'm not looking forward to the cold winter temps!
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Decided to go for another paddle with temps in the low 70s when I got off work. Launched from Forest Landing and paddled out to a cove I hadn't visited in a while. Kept getting slowed down by leaves and had to keep clearing my fin. Likely my last paddle for the year but I've said that a few times before so who knows?
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
The view in the last of the dying light
Today's route
Out for a quick solo paddle after work this evening. Launched off Forest Landing and paddled around some of the creeks for an hour. Enjoyed the mild temps, gorgeous fall colors, and a great sunset. It's a shame it gets dark by 5:30 now.
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Looking picturesque with a spinnaker up
SMSA Frostbites #2. My brother was in town this weekend so he raced with us on a four-person crew that also included our usual foredeck. Light conditions at the start built slightly and allowed for a great triangle course with a beat, a spinnaker reach, and a close reach. A great race for Michael to do lots of learning about headsail trim and get to go through the spinnaker set and douse process. A mid-pack finish, at 9th of 18 boats.
Monday, October 30, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
One last ride for 2023
Today's route
Last 'official' Monday night paddle for 2023, back at Leonardtown Wharf. Windy conditions and the slightest bit of rain served as a reminder that the warm fall this year is becoming increasingly sparse. We fought up McIntosh Run a bit and then had an easy ride back downwind. The Monday night paddles helped me extend my paddling season by about two months over last year and I hope they will continue next year.
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
SMSA Frostbites #1, with weather in the low 80s. Shoreside start in the tight harbor mouth starting area made for some hectic traffic crossings. Got started and had a light close reach most of the way to the first mark. The breeze got extremely fluky just before the first rounding, with several tacks to stay on relatively the same course. Things stayed similarly weird on the next leg, with seemingly random shifts in wind velocity and directon. Finally picked our way through the shifts up to the next mark, and rounded to another close reach to the finish. Tied for 6th of 14 boats for the day.
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
A solid spinnaker run
A Le Mans style start, complete with paddling
Racing a pirate Scot
Flying by RC
Sailed the spicy meatball in Bucctoberfest, an annual fun regatta at SMSA. The event is truly unique, including a scavenger hunt, beverages stashed in the race marks, floating flamingos and unicorns, and even some racing. The rules are pretty flexible, including mark roundings by personal preference, paddling, and creative starting strategies. We had a fantastic day fooling around on the river, and enjoyed a great party afterwards. Bucctoberfest scoring gets pretty creative, and I managed to win the day by finally closing the deal and doing the paperwork on my boat. A super fun and day on the water and a funny way to score my first event victory with the new boat.