SMSA Frostbites #2. Light conditions and four on the boat meant we were back to flying a spin. We headed out early to get warmed up and put in some practice work to knock the cobwebs off. A touch late to the start as a result of my calling the line badly, but clean nonetheless and off to a fairly tidy race. We had a couple small hiccups but generally sailed well, and had a particularly satisfying spinnaker run, but a dirty bottom and stiff fleet of competitors left us with a 12th place result. This series is proving without a doubt that sailing is a "use it or lose it" sport.
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Would've been a great shot if we weren't pinching...
Spinnaker dueling with Rakali
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Michael was in town this weekend and in posession of his fancy new SUP, so we decided to go for a lengthy test run off Forest Landing. Breezy and cool but otherwise pleasant conditions for a 7mi run from one end of the creek network to the other. We set a pretty quick pace and were able to cover a lot of mileage pretty quickly. A great day to be out there enjoying the scenery.
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Brought a long sleeve shirt as my change of clothes for a brief after-work paddle and found myself overdressed. Strange for it to be this warm in November. A quick but pleasant paddle, though leaves kept getting stuck on my fin and slowing me down.
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Getting together with some friends for a sail to distract from the heavy election news. Great conditions on the river, with ample breeze and warm temps. We sailed a reach up to the bridge and a reach back. It feels strange to be on the dock in darkness by 6pm, I'm not especially looking forward to the winter ahead.
Monday, November 4, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
A quick paddle at the now very early sunset. Took a brief lap to one of the coves off Clarke's Landing. Really working to maximize my season this year on account of the warm temperatures.
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
The fleet as viewed from the bridge
Nice weather and great breeze for SMSA Frostbites #1. We were running Dangerous pretty shorthanded so we raced non-spin in a varied fleet. We decided to tough it out with the big genoa, and got a workable downwind start. Conditions lightened on the leg, and we worekd to sail gybe angles, until we eventually realized we were making better progress putting the boat wing-on-wing. We rounded the mark into a close reach, and kept the boat powered up but were rolled over by a couple faster boats. We put in a clean beat to the third mark, then caused some trouble rigging the pole to the genoa, losing some time. We put in one more fairly tidy beat to a third place finish. Not our sharpest ay ever on the water, but fun nonetheless.
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
The last embers of the sunset
I didn't have much on the schedule today for Halloween and temps were very warm, so Dewey and I decided to get one last paddle in for the season on the SMSA boards, as today is the last day they're available for use. We set off in breezy conditions down Mill Creek, and had to work a good bit paddling into the wind on the way back. A nice way to get in the last of the paddles off SMSA.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
New(ish) and old
In the sunset
Just Steve and I out this evening on Barba Roja for a short light-air sail. We saw Elan in the distance, and decided to go chase them down as they tested what looks like a new headsail and a crusing asymmetric spinnaker. We also saw the museum's classic racing yacht Witchcraft out, and eventually the three of us converged for some great pictures in the sunset. Not much wind to be found, so we motored home shortly afterwards. A nice quick sail to undwind after work.
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Back at Leonardtown Wharf again this week for a quick paddle down a ways on Breton Bay and back. Stopped by to see Breaking Aweigh - a Beneteau First Class 10 I'd love to see fixed up and sailing again. Daylight is waning and my time is getting short, but glad to get out here while I can.
Monday, October 28, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Took a quick after-work paddle from Forest Landing to Clarke's Landing and back. Conditions were a little cool but nothing unreasonable. Lots of pretty fall scenery as we've reached the peak of the changing leaves. I brought my phone with me - a mistake, as I received incessant notifications the whole time I was out. My padles are typically my time to unwind & disconnect.