Century Club: Tim Ford

Saturday, June 3, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
  • rig check aft
  • rig check frd
  • firm lashing
  • main cover finally

Kinda,  On Friday, as a large T-storm wobbled down the northen part of Delmarva, I worried about it crossing the bay and inflicting damage to my god-awful job of lashing the uppers the day before (see below).

So the first thing I did when arriving at PSA yesterday was triple the lashing. That done, I did another thing that SHOULD have been done when the rig went up -- inspect each toggle, especially at the hounds, with binoculars toi make sure each one was seated properly.  Big relief, they are.

So one more boat work day.  That and I am convinced there are some snakeheads in the grasses near the pier.  There are plenty of snakes, that's for sure.  Well, there's one less, as we heard a big splash and saw an osprey carry one off in late afternoon.

Thursday, June 1, 2023
Number of days:
1 day

Taking another boat work day...was on the floating dock for almost five hours dealing with getting my mast stepped.  Thanks to a bunch of fellow PSA sailors. 

It went well, with one person, positioned well forward of the stem,  pulling on the masthead spinn halyard to bring mast to a vertical position, two people wrestling the butt of the mast on to the mast step and one person on another line to keep the butt in position until the forestay can get pinned.  Went pretty well...well, except somehow the starboard upper shroud's T-Toggle pin got severely bent and will need to be replaced.  Hope to do so tomorrow, and hoping Fawcetts has it.  In the meantime the lower and a very questionable lashing will have to suffice...praying for no severe weather or wind until I can get it repaired.

Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
  • Multi start on a short line
  • dreaded calm

Oh boy, another very light air evening.  Certainly not INC's sweet spot, but other boats did well and sometimes we were just in the wrong spot with the worng breeze...or no breeze at all.  Such is light air racing and folks just gotta remember it's a bit of crap shoot out there when the peak gust is 4.8 kn.

 

 

Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Number of days:
1 day

Got my reworked halyard cam cleats back on the boat.  They were looking sad and needed a refurb.  Then racing on the river, we finished 2nd and that was a bit of a victory.

 

 

Saturday, May 20, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
  • should we stay or should we go...if we go there could be trouble

Light air race, good job by the RC to get a race in and not let us suffer too much.  Fun encounter with a bulk ore carrier at G "23."

Friday, May 19, 2023
Number of days:
1 day

Got an impromptu invite to sail on JF's Corsair 27.  Quick ride out to Dobbins and back in time to help set up for the meeting. Gorgeous day and excellent breeze!

Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Number of days:
1 day

Installed a new centerboard trunk cover on an ancient FS (hull number 1249) and then a race in excellent coditions, NNE 11-17 kn and pretty consistent, for the most part.

 

 

Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Number of days:
1 day

Trimmed main for BOXCAR.  Course:  DLDL

We took 2nd, which was nice for their first race of the season.  Those downwind finishes heading into the setting sun are rough on the eyes though.  Fun night!

Sunday, May 7, 2023
Number of days:
1 day

Strapped the 25 foot long mast onto my 15 foot long SUV and made it to the club with no issues, including getting passed by MD State Police and AA County cops.  Apparently my set-up was legal or too minor an infraction to mess with. 

Got a quick paddle in with one of the F1 progeny.  I love the way the marsh (swamp) comes alive in early May.

 

 

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 to Thursday, May 4, 2023
Number of days:
2 days

MId-week vacation:

Day 1 - RC boat with folks from Miles River Yacht Club.  Impressive race management team considering it's WNR.  Separate course for Stars and Handicap boats.  Mark boat and pin boat? Wow.  Docking was fun on the trip back to the club.  Engine took a brief time out as puffs built to 20+ in a very tight spot. FEND!!!

Day 2 - paddle and sail.  Took a brief paddle to flog the creek with a fly rod.  Then a great sail on VOLITION, out to Kent Island and back, arrived in time for Board Meeting within seconds of meeting time.  Thanks Mr. Palmer!

Type of watercraft should read:  power/kayak/sail but who's counting?

 

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