Planned on skippering the Barba Roja today for the SMSA Vice Commodore's Cup. Got out in the river and found thick fog, with visibility less than 20 yards, and no wind whatsoever. After picking around in the fog for 20 minutes, the crew and I decided to head back in. Our only potential competitor did the same and invited us to a christening ceremony for their new boat. I'm disappointed I didn't get to run the course but I also don't regret coming in.
(Photo courtesy of Benjamin Green)
Another week of SMSA Thursday night races. I crewed with Tommy on Hydra Beast and he brought along another kid as a passenger. 3 in that boat is a crowd, and we had to do our best to work around each other. For the third race, I was told to jump on another compeitior's Buccaneer to crew, and did my best to quickly get up to speed on that boat's controls.
(Photos courtesy of Steven Birchfield)
SMSA Wednesday Night Series A-5. A very full crew on the boat. Another downwind start, with decent breeze for the first couple legs of the race. The wind started to die on the last leg, and we didn't quite make the finish how I wanted to. Still a fun race! Pictures coming later.
Woke up early planning on participating in the CRCA Herrington Harbor to Cambridge race, but the event was cancelled in the middle of the night due to the forecasted heavy weather. Steve had already delivered the Barba Roja to HH for the race, so most of the race crew went up and helped deliver the boat back to Solomons. We ran under full main and a #3, and rocketed down the Bay on a broad reach with following seas. The trip usually takes about 6 hours and we got it done in 4. I took a turn at the helm and surfed the boat down a wave to 12.3kts, an all-time speed record. I got to practice driving in heavy air and larger swells (by Bay standards) and was able to test out some new foul weather gear. It was a cold, damp, and blustery trip, but I had a great time anyway.
(Photos courtesy of Steven Birchfield)
It seems that I'm becoming semi-regular crew for Tommy Birchfield on his Mutineer. Tonight was a real drifter, but we were still able to get two races in. One of Tommy's high school teammates joined us and we worked on optimizing the boat in light air with a third crew member. A couple friends from the Barba Roja crew raced against us on one of the club's 420s and we had some nice friendly competition. Hoping they both continue to race on Thursdays.
(Photos courtesy of Steven Birchfield)
SMSA Wednesday Night Series A-4. A great fleet of 16 boats, and both of our usual rivals were out, making for interesting racing. The wind shut off just before a crowded first mark rounding, costing us first place, but we had a great spinnaker run and the wind built nicely for a beating leg to the finish. We managed a solid second place finish. Overall a fun race!
(Photos courtesy of Steven Birchfield)
As the lightest member of the Barba Roja crew I took a trip up the mast to retreive the jib halyard that unclipped itself on Wednesday & did a brief survey for a new electronics package that will be installed soon. 42 feet feels much higher at the top than it looks from the bottom! Afterwards several of us took a nice relaxing Friday cruise up to the bridge and back. Great way to decompress after a hectic week.
First successful Thursday night of the season (got rained out a couple weeks ago). Crewed on Tommy Birchfield's Mutineer for the first time and had a blast. 15kts of breeze and 180lbs combined crew weight made things pretty interesting for the first two races, but the wind died down a bit for the third and we had our best results of the evening. I've only been out on small boats a few times so I did lots of learning & getting up to speed with the boat. Looking forward to crewing again & pushing the boat faster.
(Photos courtesy of Steven Birchfield)
Another Wednesday in the books. RC put us on a long course, with a reaching start & long upwind & downwind legs. A full crew meant we could carry full sail into the low 20s in the gusts. Our downwind run was a bit tricky, and we had to put in a gybe and an early douse due to shifting winds. We had a few problems & equipment glitches, but still managed a win in our class. Overall a good race.
(Photos courtesy of Steven Birchfield)
Took a quick lap around Back Creek before the SpinSheet crew party to enjoy the summer-like weather.