A nice Monday paddle from Forest Landing to Clarke's Landing and back. Pretty breezy on the way out, particularly at the mouth of the river. For my work paddling upwind on the way out I enjoyed a relaxed downwind ride back.
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Headed out of the river
Up in Baltimore this weekend to sail the BCYA Icebreaker race on the J/35 Incorrigible, one of Michael's usual rides. We set off in pleasant but gusty conditions for an all-reaching course, and worked with some brand-new sailors on active trimming to keep the boat performing in the gusts. We briefly launched a spinnaker on a short leg on the way back up, but didn't have much success and had a difficult douse as the angle was too high for it (not my decision to launch). In the end we managed a third place finish. Overall a fun day on the water, and I got to learn more about how to execute dip-pole gybes.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
A cool shot of a helicopter training during the race (courtesy of Steve Birchfield)
Out for a very sporty Wednesday night on Red Baron. We got out early despite some motor trouble, put some tacks in to decide if we were comfortable racing, and ultimately decided to go for it. We pulled off a tidy, if slightly late, downwind start, and sailed a clean, conservative leg to the first mark. As we were rounding up to beat to the bridge, we tore our jib on the pulpit and had to retire. We had a leisurely sail back in under just the main. Disappointing to have to stop what was shaping up to be a promising race, but still glad we got out there and put the boat through her paces in some heavier conditions.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Light conditions allowed for a paddle out on the river to both Kingston Creeks. I wanted to check out a piece of waterfront property (just window shopping!) and enjoy some different scenery. A nice evening workout.
Monday, April 14, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
A relaxing sunset paddle off Clarke's Landing. I made a lap around the basin and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Nice to get out there after a stressful afternoon.
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
In the fleet on the first leg (red spin on the left)
SMSA Spring Invitational on Harm's Way, the new J/109 in Solomons. We had a full crew, and several newer folks on the boat. After a little trouble with one of the battens on the main on the way out, we got set up and got underway. The race started downwind, and we launched a spin at the start. With some coaching (and in his first time driving a wheel boat), Dion drove us on a pretty clean leg and we executed a tidy douse. On the beat up the Bay, we looked to balance pressure and angle to the mark, and made a gamble going inside to line our tack up better. Unfortunately it didn't work out in the end as the pressure fell off closer to shore. We set up the big kite at the top mark, anticipating a speedy ride to the finish. Unfortunately the wind clocked and increased violently towards the middle of the leg, resulting in an extremely messy douse. Ultimately we got the sail out of the water and into the boat and finished the race. Not the cleanest effort, but still an interesting time on a new boat.
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Powering across the finish
Wednesday nights are back! A great race with solid breeze to start the season. I was on the helm as per usual lately, and we sailed a clean, fast race, and managed to be the first B boat across the line. Our first downwind leg was a little deep and a little slow, but we sailed gybe angles on the second downwind to useful effect. In the end we were corrected over by one boat, and pulled off a solid second place finish. A great start to the Wednesday night season!
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Michael and I decided to use the very last of the weekend's warm temps to sneak in a quick paddle off Forest Landing. We made it about 2/3 of the way to the river before turning back due to gusty breezes and rapidly freefalling temperatures. We took a lap up one of the smaller coves, and landed after about an hour. The temperature was 15 degrees cooler when we returned than when we left the dock - I guess we're finished with the summer temps for now. A nice way to cap off a fun weekend.
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Spinnaker sailing into the haze
A practice sail on Red Baron today to tune up our spinnaker work ahead of the first race next Wednesday. We did three laps of windward/leeward work, three sets & douses, and six gybes. I drove and made some recommendations from things I've learned from Dangerous, and we made great progress in getting the crew up to speed and making some improvements. A nice afternoon on the water and a productive tune-up prior to Wednesday.
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
(Most of) tonight's paddle crew
With the SMSA boards open for checkouts again, Dewey and I planned a paddle with Michael and some Dangerous friends off SMSA in near 80 degree temperatures. We introduced a couple friends to paddling as well. It was pretty gusty, but we couldn't plan a route that allowed us to go upwind first, so we set off on a downwind course and accepted the consequences of that decision. We enjoyed a pleasant ride out to the end of Leason Cove, and a casual ride back. When we turned to the main channel of Mill Creek we had to work a little, and hugged the edge to stay out of the breeze as much as possible. The breeze was funneling around Molly's Leg as it often does for the last bit, and a couple folks in our group were getting tired and had to put in some good work to make the final crossing. It was a great evening on the water, and I look forward to many more opporutnities this summer to get out and play on the river.