Some weeks things go our way, some weeks not. This was a 'not' week, in that we had to do two penalty turns after mis-judging a port-starboard situation, and then on the downwind run, we ended up in a localized wind hole where we weren't moving, within 100 yards of the finish, while 3 other boats came down on the right side of the course, with wind, and finished ahead of us. Darn!
Century Club: Richard Turman
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
One can never get enough 'time on water,' so took Lark out late in the afternoon for some practice, and found 12 knots apparent, which was enough to keep me busy!
Friday, September 1, 2023 to Saturday, September 2, 2023
Number of days:
2 days
Picked up the boat on Friday from the boatel, so we'd have it for the weekend. Drove up the Severn to Smith's Marina, where I put in $25 gallons of regular for $115. Then nice ride home.
Took a bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers out and enjoyed the sunset after wandering around Valentine and Plum Creeks a bit. Great lifestyle!
Took the boat back on Monday. Found that reverse gear had failed on the boat, which made all the manuevering that much more interesting.
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
The days are getting shorter, and sunset is coming earlier, but that didn't stop me from going ou about 10 minutes after sunset on a still evening with no boats out. Just geese, ducks, and heron. Did a speedy circuit up to the headwaters of Valentine Creek and back and tucked in before it got really dark.
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Had more wind than in recent weeks (e.g, 11-12 knots), and from the northwest, rather than from the South. Further, the breeze built during the race!
Had a decent start, though not as close to the favored boat end as I should have. Not over the line, though. Decent tacks to start on our way from N to A, getting better as time went on. Good spin hoist, and decent jibe down. Angles weren't great, and took us a while to find the mark in the distance. Good douse and shift back into upwind mode. Pointing not as good upwind as it should have been, but decent final downwind run.
The after-race sunset watching, however, was spectacular!
Sunday, August 27, 2023 to Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Number of days:
3 days
is the best. Was able to go out three nights running, and didn't see a single powerboat out. Just heron, geese heading south, and ducks. And fish jumping. So lucky to have access to the Chesapeake!
Saturday, August 26, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Enjoyed my Sunfish for the first time this year, since I've been taking my Tartan 245 out instead all year. Nice to have a boat that I can rig and take down in fewer minutes. Nice 6-8 knot breeze got me moving, and reminded me that Sunfish sailing is about being one with the boat.
Friday, August 25, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
I do love it when I get to use my kayak to deliver something. In this case, it was my extra Danforth anchor and two large fenders that were needed for an RBSA race the next day. Fit everything in the kayak and took off -- and felt a tad overloaded. But got there fine.
Sunday, August 20, 2023 to Monday, August 21, 2023
Number of days:
2 days
Took Lark out two nights running to try to get some more solo practice in. One night didn't take the spin and should have, since we had 6-8 knots of breeze well after 8 pm. The second night got the spin up and she filled. Then the wind died!
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Happened to be in NYC and went to the South Street Seaport museum, and caught a two hour ride on their two-masted 1885 schooner, Pioneer. Great trip out to the Statue of Liberty and up the Hudson -- and they even let me steer!