Century Club: Tim Etherington

OPCYC cruise to Cape Charles. Winds were light going over. Motored the entire way. Coming back the wind was right on the nose. Tacked back and forth across the bay a few times before stating to motor sail and then just motor. 9 boats made for a nice weekend.

Raced the Saturday part of the race on Luna Blu. A Bristol 39. Winds were over 20 and raining when we started and we were in the start area early when the race was postponed for 2 hours. We just got more wet. 

10 boats showed for a new race. Each boat was provided a unique start time to simplify and allow cruisers to not have to worry about a crowded start line. It allowed everyone to concentrate on a perfect start. Postponed for a half hour due to light winds. The winds finally filled in a little but the start was against a flooding tide. The flood helped getting around the Hanpton Bar but then getting back out Hampton Creek and then around the bridge tunnel was a challenge. Many places were won/lost rigtht at the end. If a boat tacked too far out, they were swept sideways back up Hanmpton Roads. Tacking in dangerous shoal waters right next to the bridge tunnelt island was the right tactic. Jeff Rogers managed to best the fleet even in those conditions by almost 15 minutes. The next 7 boats all came within a minute of each successive boat. 35 seconds was the difference between first place cruiser and second place.

Short sail with Jamie and Bill Kunz. Light winds beat them to G3 but tacking to R4 Jamie was able to point while I was footing off for speed in the current. He rounded R4 first and he was headed to the beach.