On Saturday August 15th my son an I went out and sailed around all the SMSA course markers in solomons to update a new GPS mapping system I have on the boat. With winds around 14-22kts, we played is safe and only put out 50% of the genoa... at thats it! we made a steady 5kts of boat speed and had a ballenced boat. What fun! When the rain picked up, we called it quits and headed in.
Century Club: Steven Birchfield
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 to Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Number of days:
2 days
Tuesday August 11th - an hourout for new crew training around solomons
Wednesday August 12th - Wednesday evening race. Start was lite to no wind with it filling from the south to 16kts! Were hoping for 3rd place. We got the breezer late, which our competitors got befor us. We were able to make up some time on the course and finish in a better spot then we started.
Sunday, August 9, 2020
Number of days:
1 day
On Sunday August 9th. We took the boat out to attend the blessing of the fleet hosted by Solomons Island Yatch Club. It was a beautiful day and also my wedding anniversery!
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Number of days:
1 day
August 5th - Wednesday evening beer can race. We did GRRRREAT! First boat to round the mark and still waiting to see if anyone corrected over us during the race. We had a great evening!
Saturday, August 1, 2020 to Sunday, August 2, 2020
Number of days:
2 days
Went out for a cruse with a few friends on Saturday.
Sunday practice for a double handed race in a few weeks. 5 mile course of my own design.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 to Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Number of days:
2 days
A tuesday sunset cruise and a Wednesday race. Nothing fancy. Pics are from the race.
July 28th and 29th
Friday, July 24, 2020 to Monday, July 27, 2020
Number of days:
4 days
Crew excited to see a big ship
almost to the mark
A tire skipper, skippers on
Yay wind!
July 24th - Test and tune for Saturdays race. Sailed around solomons to make sure everything was good to go for Saturdays race.
July 25th thru 26th - The day started early in the morning making last min preparations for the Solomons to Sharps Island and back distance race. We started the race in lite winds of 3-5kts out of the north. It was a slow trip jumping from puff to puff. Around 2pm the wind shut off while we were neer taylors island in the shallows. We hooked a crabpot line with our rudder, saw a sea turtle, dolphans, and sting rays all while the current continued to move us 1-2 kts in the direction of the light house. there was so little wind we struggled a few times to keep the boat from runing aground. At one point i looked at my GPS and it showed us passing over land where sharps island should have been! all the while my depth finder is yelling at me there was less the 2ft of water under the keel. The wind finaly started to fill from the south when we spotted the lighthouse. we had been drifting for 4 hours! It felt good to have some breeze again! We made the light house at 8:29pm.. 10+ hours to go 20nm and now it was getting dark. We sailed in the dark back down the bay dodging large ships comming down the channel, and crossed the finish line on Sunday morning at 2:06am A tired crew was relived and looking forward to getting home befor the sun came up. It was a tough race, but we did it! Im proud of my crew, and my 11yr son who wanted this to be his first distance race!
July 27th - Post race repairs and testing in the creek.
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Number of days:
1 day
On July 22nd we contemplated staying at the dock and not racing. The weather was building and a bad storm was getting ready to pass over head with 40kt winds and lighting. We let the storm pass and decided to still head out after hearing that RC was headiong out on station. Turned out that the storm system didnt want us to race that night. They ended up canceling to race and we went back tot the peir. I found a good opertunity afterwards o take my crew out for a beer and wings as a thank you for the great season thus far and for getting us into second place in the last series. All has a great time.
Wednesday, July 15, 2020 to Monday, July 20, 2020
Number of days:
5 days
Wednesday evening beer can Race on July the 15th.
Spent 3 days making needed repairs to the boat with testing in the evening. July 16th, 17th, 18th
More repairs and testing on the motor on July 20th
Tuesday, July 7, 2020 to Thursday, July 9, 2020
Number of days:
3 days
Momma relaxing
Barba Roja running with the wind
A clean start for "us"
Tuesday evening I took the family out on a "river cruise" just something nic and calm to relax.
Wednesday evening We went racing and did GREAT!!! good crew, good times, and good wind!
Thursday evening some minor work in the boat folllowed by a short test around solomons.