Century Club: Hank Messick

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Wednesday, July 30, 2025 to Sunday, August 3, 2025
Number of days:
5 days
Governor’s Cup
  • We took 3rd in Potomac Nonspin class!

We finished at 02:28 AM Saturday morning; second in our class to cross the line and taking 3rd place on corrected time. Winds 10 to 15 and mostly on a beat down the the Potomac and on the beam going up the St Mary’s River. Only made two tacks in the river! Best Gov Cup I have sailed. Even the clouds parted and the stars shown as we headed to the finish line. 

Took two days to transit to Colonial Beach and made it back to WSM from CB in 11.5 hours on Sunday. Rode the rising tide all the way back. Beautiful day.
 

 

Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Summer II Race 5

The SE breeze was a bit stronger than expected and after a crappy start in which I was squeezed out at the pin by a boat that was going to be OCS, we restarted and kept windward of the fleet. Passed all boats except one by the windward mark, and passed her there on the second lap.  Finished three and half minutes ahead of our nearest competitor (owe her 66 seconds/mile) and she corrected ahead of us by 4 seconds! Frustrating but we're still in first place for the series.

Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Summer II Race 4

Frustrating light breeze on the North Course. We were second to finish but I think we'll end up in 4th place on corrected time. 

Saturday, July 19, 2025 to Monday, July 21, 2025
Number of days:
3 days
Patuxent Pursuit

Raced on a friend's boat, Moovin, Saturday and Sunday. We took third place overall in our class of 10 boats.  About a 14 mile course. More enjoyable than buoy racing.

Monday we moved Moovin from Solomons back to Colton's Point which took only 9 hours compared to 12 last year. Saw a bottlenose dolphin for the first time in the Potomac!

Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Summer II, Race 3
  • Leading the fleet!

The first two races were cancelled because of storms however, the weather behaved tonight. A steady 4 to 7 knot southwesterly breeze on a flooding tide provided pleasant conditions for racing. Dave raced foR the first time this season. He had a successful recovery from his April open heart surgery and was looking fit. We will race in non-spin A this series and return to spin fleet in the fall.

Had an excellent race beating all our competitors.

Sunday, July 13, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Back to Swan Creek

Jake, Dana and, me return "Juniper" back to her slip at Tantallon Marina/Swan Creek today after leaving her at WSM overnight. A pleasant 90 minute trip. Need to take more day trips this summer along the River.

Saturday, July 12, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Fireworks
  • Partying on the upper deck
  • Relaxing at the helm station

Jake and I  brought his "Biloxi trawler" up from Swan Creek to WSM to pick up the Porters, Clements, Zehra, & Greg to anchor off of Old Town for the city's annual birthday fireworks. By evening the temperature and humidity diminished, a nice breeze swept over the upper deck as we snacked and drank. Fireworks launched at 2130. At least 150 boats were at anchor to watch the show.

Saturday, July 5, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Shakedown day cruise

Jake and I took  his "Biloxi trawler" out for an afternoon. Departed Swan Creek went north, stopped by WSM, then went north to the busy DC waterfront. We chugged along around six knot upriver and back. About 22 miles all told. Beautiful day.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Number of days:
1 day
Summer I Race 7

My crew decided a sweat-free evening was preferable and stayed home. I caught a ride on a non-spin boat that was short handed and we took first place in our division.

The heat index was in the triple digits and the temperature hovered 98F. The good news, there was a seven knot northerly and, gulping water between tacks/jibes, we were comfortable and hydrated. 

All and all a delightful evening on the water!

Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Number of days:
0 days
Summer I Race 7

My crew decided a sweat-free evening would be more enjoyable and stayed home. I caught a ride on a short handed nonspin boat. The Heat Index was in the triple digits however, there was a seven knot northerly and, gulping water between tacks/jibes, kept us comfortable and hydrated despite the 98F temperature. We took first in our class!

All in all, I had a delightful evening on the water.

 

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