Dropped in off SMSA for a paddle around the harbor after showing a perspective member around the club. Took a meandering lap all the way up Back Creek and Mill Creek. Did lots of boat watching, including a close-up look at Pursuit and a brief inspection of a little boat I'd like to buy.
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
A Dangerous sandwich
Light-to-moderate conditions for the fleet building night. After our recent string of late starts we headed to the line with the mission of within 30 seconds or OCS. We started 35 seconds late so close to goal, but quickly found ourselves sandwiched between two big cruisng boats. We hung with them for a bit until we could get enough clearance to get into fresh breeze. We lured one of them into a hole and tacked back into good air. A nice mark rounding and a tight close reaching leg where we reeled in our rival J/29. A nice beat to the finish and a solid race all around. Jason and I are working better and better together and we're getting into the nitty gritty of what the boat wants for sail trim. Hoping to finish the spin hardware and put a kite up next week!
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
A cool and breezy paddle off Clarke's Landing. Went out towards Myrtle Point to get out of the breeze and did some sightseeing up in the back of the creeks. Spotted a pair of gorgeous Tartan sailboats, plus some herons, osprey, and rays. A good workout heading upwind on the return trip. Glad I chanced it and got out there.
Monday, May 29, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Barba Roja & Friends
Out with my brother, Steve & the Barba Roja crew & alumni on a meandering cruise up the river. Puffy conditions and a bit of spitting rain here and there didn't deter us from a long and pleasant trip around 20nm. My brother got to drive the boat for a bit and got a lesson in keeping a good course. A great afternoon on the water with friends.
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
First Bucc around the mark
Crew today on Steve's Bucc for the Thursday Night races. Ideal moderate conditions for 4 W/L races. I had a great time on the boat and was able to get in the groove quickly, and we had two great upwind legs during two of the races. No spin hardware is set up on the boat so we suffered on the downwind legs, but still finished respectably. A fun evening on the water and nice to get to enjoy some small boat racing here and there.
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Playing games with Making Waves on the downwind leg
Last race of SMSA Wednesday Night Series A. A crew of 3 for a light race. Timed the start poorly so we ended up well behind the fleet but made up good time on the upwind leg. A long, slow downwind leg as we got caught a little below the breeze. Tried to make it up on the last upwind leg but couldn't quite manage it. A 5th place overall. Still slowly chipping away at making the boat go well in varying conditions.
Monday, May 22, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Today's paddle took me out in the river around Myrtle Point and over to Little Kingston Creek. Saw some herons, a beautiful house up on the hill, and got to check out a spot I had never been before. I'm glad the weather is warming up and I'm able to get out paddling regularly.
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
A great early afternoon paddle off Leonardtown Wharf. Pretty breezy so I started upwind, but quickly ran out of water as I reached McIntosh Run. Turned around and took a nice long ride down Breton Bay and did some boat spotting aong the way. Tons and tons of rays like I've never seen before all over the place. Had a bit of a fight into the wind coming back up to the Wharf but overall a nice relaxing afternoon on the water.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Parked near St. Leonard Creek.
Sailed on Dangerous for the SMSA Frost-Goode Race. Light conditions at the start, but we caught a good breeze and had a very nice upwind sail for the first hour. Nearly missed a mark and had to make a big move, costing us a bit of time. The wind slowly ground to a halt near the top mark and we drifted up to it over the course of an hour or more. As we rounded the mark at St. Leonard Creek the owner was concerned about running aground, so we briefly fired the motor (unknowingly forcing our retirement). Eventually the wind filled back in and we sailed another nice upwind leg back down to the finish. Overall a nice day on the water, but frustrating that our effort couldn't be counted as we would've been first in nonspin class.
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Dewey and I came down to the club intending to help out with RC, but ended up deciding to crew on an Interlake instead. Wind close to the teens made for a good bit of work, but we had fun putting the boat through her paces and did pretty well overall. We got 3 good W/L races in and had a nice evening on the water.