Century Club: Hank Messick

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Sunday, April 2, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Crew training
  • Smiles all around !

Strong NW wind made for low water conditions and delayed our departure from the slip by two hours. About 150 yards of the WSM channel is shoaling. Putting all six of us on the starboard side to heel the boat made possible to plow through the shallowest stretch. Arcas' draft is 5'3".

Once in the river proper we had 8-10 knot TWS however the gusts were in the low 20s. The first spin set was a disaster and I thought we would have to return to the slip it get everything untangled. Foredeck was resourceful and eventually managed the untangle and douse the chute while we lingered in the lee of Old Town.

The next two attempts at hoisting/dousing were slow but successful. We'll get faster as repetition builds confidence. Beautiful weather  and the return to the slip was made effortless by the rising tide.

 

Sunday, March 26, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Sunday sail

Restepped the mast earlier in the week to wire a wind transponder and today was a perfect day to test it and other modifications. There was a 12 knot northwesterly breeze gusting to 20 knots. Bright sunshine greet us as we headed north to Hains Point to see blooming cherry blossoms. Reefed both main and jib and we went up river at 5 to 6 knots. Water taxis and tourist boats were packed with people enjoying the fantastic weather; only a few sailboats and fewer powerboats sharing the river with us.

Thursday, February 23, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
It’s springtime in February
  • Wilson bridge

It was close to 80F, blue skies, for A day sail down river. About 12 miles total, mostly motor sailing except for about 90 minutes. Almost no wind. Top speed was a momentary 4 knots! Should have worn shorts and a t-shirt.

Saturday, February 11, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Saturday Sail

Cold sail around Annapolis Harbor on Kokopeli. Plenty of sunshine but no warmth.

 

Saturday, January 21, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Cold Saturday sail

David, Josh and I braved the cold weather and logged 20 miles on the Potomac. Wind was from the NW blowing  ~10-12 knots; turned more westerly  and faded toward the end of our fours hours on the water. One Flying Scot made a brief appearance but no one else was on the water. Temperature was low 40s.

Sunday, January 1, 2023
Number of days:
1 day
Hangover Regatta
  • Smiles all around!
  • Nearing the finish

Beautiful day on the Potomac. Light breeze but not a problem as no powerboats were on the water! We took third out of four boats total. Poor turn out by DISC members but we had fun.

Friday, December 16, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Friday sail

Bob, Wolf, and me shoved off a noon. Sun shinning, wind blowing 15 knots from the NW and gusting higher. The main was reefed and we headed to Hains Point at a leisurely 5 to 6 knots. Once in a while a gust would round us up but most of the time they were easy to anticipate. On the return leg the wind backed to the west making and we reached back to the slip after almost three hours on the water with wind chill in the mid-30s. Top speed was 7.2 knots. Saw one water taxi, a Spirit tourist boat , but no other recreational boaters. 

Saturday, December 3, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
SaturdaySail

Southwesterly 15 knot breeze with gusts of 25 knots. With the temperature in the upper 50s it was a good day on the water! When returning to the slip, festive lit boats were heading out to "Parade of Lights" on the Old Town and DC water fronts.

Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Arcas Alone

Afternoon on the water. No boats in site.

Sunday, November 20, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Sunday sail
  • Smiles all around: 7.2 knots with reefed Genoa and main!

Sunny and cold with 15 to 25 northwesterly breeze and mid-30 temps. Whitecaps on the Potomac. Aside from a tourist ferry we were the only sail or power boat on the water. Returned about a half hour before sunset and the mercury was dropping fast.

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