A quick after-work lap on the Sunfish at SMSA. Had some trouble launching the boat, but got it worked out and got underway in light-ish conditions. Had a fisherman offer me help as I went out of the harbor because he thought I was a kid. Sailed out to 6A and back in. Made up for my messy launch with a very smooth set of tacks up the narrows to SMSA and a tidy landing. A nice way to relax and unwind a little in the midst of a busy week.
Century Club: Jonathan Nepini
Monday, July 31, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
The paddling fleet
Perfect weather this evening for a well-attended Monday night social paddle. Our biggest group yet, and I went with my partner Ruby and my friend Joe. A nice leisurely paddle up McIntosh Run. We saw lots of interesting wildlife, including a couple of up-close bird encounters. I towed Ruby back for the last bit. A fun time was had by all!
Sunday, July 30, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Digging in and headed for home
Yours truly taking a turn at the helm
Lelia & the Lighthouse
Took my friend Lelia from college and my brother out today on Dangerous for a run to Hooper's Island Lighthouse. Heavy conditions in the Bay, with winds in the high teens and several foot chop. We ran the boat very conservatively with only a main up for a long broad reach out to the light. Took some pictures, gybed around, and put up the #3 headsail to beat back up to Solomons. A heavy, wet beat through 3 foot rollers made for an exhilirating ride. Once back in we sailed up to the bridge, and then motored home in light air.
A fantastic way to spend a Sunday on the water, and Michael and Lelia learned a lot about running the Olson and how a responsive boat performs.
Saturday, July 29, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Today's route
Took my brother and a college friend out for a paddle at SMSA. Very hot weather but a nice steady breeze, and a great paddle up Back Creek and back.
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
The best picture yet of Dangerous
Good racing conditions tonight on Dangerous with a crew of 4 and enough breeze to really get moving. A decent start to the race, followed by a tactical upwind leg. The second leg evolved and we ended up putting a kite up, and made good progress to the second mark. Twisted off the top of the genoa a bit to manage power and heel as we tackled the third leg back upwind, followed by a close reach along the shoreline of the base. A very fast spinnaker run to a second place finish. The basics are getting very solid on the boat, now it's time for us to focus on nailing the details.
Monday, July 24, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Tonight's crew
The first of the official, newly-reformed social paddles at the wharf was very well-attended, with about 14 kayakers present. We went up the usual route towards McIntosh Run, and due to the high tide we were able to go went north of the Rt 5 bridge, the furthest I’d ever been up the run. Perfect weather and a great evening of meeting new paddlers.
Saturday, July 22, 2023
Number of days:
2 days
a Dangerous crew
Back out for my first distance race on Dangerous and my first SMSA distance race since Sharp’s last year. The race started with wind in the mid teens, and we elected to go with a #3 for the beginning. As we were crossing to the Eastern Shore conditions lightened and we executed a peel to the #1, our first on the boat. Did our best to play the shoreline and stay out of the current, but much of the rest of the fleet played the western shore to a greater advantage. Conditions continued to lighten throughout the day until the wind shut off late in the afternoon. Our patience was rewarded as the breeze slowly came back later in the day and we made the top mark. We retired from the race at 9pm due to persistently light conditions that showed no sign of improvement. We got back to the dock shortly after midnight.
The race was a great tune-up for Governor’s Cup, I got to practice helming, and we uncovered a few issues to be addressed before the big race in two weeks.
Friday, July 21, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
A quick lap around Solomons harbor while helping dive Dangerous for Sharp’s Island tomorrow.
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Sailing into the sunset
Out with John again on the Interlake. Nice moderate conditions for the evening. Drove the boat out and to the start and crewed for the races. A slow spinnaker set cost us the first race, but I got my act together and we scored two bullets for the next two races. A great evening of sailing as always.