West River Sailing Club Cruise Report
On Saturday morning, June 25, four boats, au Lapin Agile, Bright Leaf, Joie de Vie, and Lazy Bones embarked on a race up to Whitehall Bay. This was the start of the Spring Rendezvous Cruise, (even though it wasn’t really spring.) Southern Girl started the race and Otter finished.
Although the wind was light, Southern Girl had a delightful sail across the Bay, on the way up. After tacking, one had to get through regattas, crab traps, and other activities, so (according to the Mate in Charge) the engine was required.
Eventually these four boats, minus Joie de Vie, ended up with Southern Girl, Night Wind, Otter, Moon Song, and Miranda for a lovely raft-up in Whitehall Bay. It may have been a tad warm, but that discomfort was easily alleviated with a refreshing dip in the Bay, to be followed by all manner of yummy delights! Everyone converged on Otter for a long happy hour filled with much conversation and frivolity.
One would’ve thought that appetites were filled, but everyone went to their own boats to rustle up dinner as he or she saw fit. After dinner, back to Otter we all went to indulge in truffles dipped in a seven pepper hot sauce, followed by Madoudou chasers, (bois bonde flavored rum from St. Maarten!) compliments of Pat Paris. Oh the decadence of it all!
Finally, each sailor retired to his and her boat, to be lulled by the soft lapping of water against hulls, interrupted by an occasional rude (read !@#$%) power boater who shook our rafters (masts). But we needn’t have worried, because Joe Casey and his mighty anchor held (though it did take additional rode).
Next morning, everyone had a nice breakfast in their own cockpit, while neighbors chatted back and forth. We didn’t really want to move, but move we had to. Another successful cruise was completed.
We missed Lazy Bones that night, but Collin and Fan had to get back for a race the next day. We have officially made them cruisers now, along with Rich Acuti!
Race Report
The race started near West River’s Red “4” in a good easterly breeze. However the breeze shifted NNE to NE and started dropping once the fleet made it to Thomas Point. With the wind dropping the finish RC made the decision to shorten the course to Whitehall Bay’s Red “2W” at the entrance. However the word didn’t get to everyone, so Lazy Bones gets special mention for sailing all the way up Whitehall bay to Red “2”.
By Kyrah Drasheff and John von Senden
