Third (and still DFL) ...

[Concordia...41]

Oh well, at least we're coming up in the standings. Third is our best finish to date.

This picture makes us look like we're making a little headway... ;) We're the little yellow boat - third from the right - holding our own for the most part against the blue Hunter 386 :D

http://www.sayc2000.com/schooner_freedom_on_the_course.JPG

This is from last week's race - rescheduled around T/S Ernesto - and we've another this week. Claudia and I were out tonight practicing and had quite a nice time.

I don't know if she's broken the news to David about the waves crashing over the bow as I tried to prove a point going out the cut, so I can't say more, but we had a couple of hours of good practice.

Last week we went out an hour early and practiced the start. We weren't on the favored end, but I had it down to where I was holding the speed down and then heading up on que. However, at the last minute the breeze freshened, and, afraid of being over early, we ended up tacking, running up the line, and crossed midline about 3/4 of the way down the fleet.

Then there was the incoming tide (and the course runs out the cut and back). The boats that made it shot across Salt Run, hugged the rocks and made it out. We bobbled a bit and between a wicked eddy about 40' off the shore and a tree covered rise that took our air if we got too close, we just couldn't make it against the current.

We weren't the only ones though, and the RC ultimately shortened course and the four of us in cruising class got to turn and shoot for home. One boat declared himself DSQ because he somehow managed to get blown / pushed way the heck off the course and had to start his engine just to make it back to the course and join the other three of us jocking back and forth between the shore and the eddy. Hey, we weren't going anywhere, but we were on the course :D

Initially we had some NASCAR-style success drafting the big black schooner in the photo, but after giving his paying guests plenty of photo opps, he tired of the racing game and motored out the cut.

Win, loose, or draw, it is pretty safe to say that we've raised some eyebrows on the local racing scene :D ;)

http://www.sayc2000.com/start_4.JPG

:D :D :D

As Scarlett O'Hara would say, "Tomorrow is another day." ;)

[Figment]

DFL or not, at least you're still out racing. Weeknight racing ends after labor day at this lattitude. Nothing left but the awards dinner tomorrow night.

[S/V Laura Ellen]

Just think of the pressure that you are taking off the other skippers and crew in the fleet.:D

[garland reese]

What ever the finish place, you girls look right shippy. It is so nice to hear of your adventures on the water! Just being out there is winning..... Be well Ms. M!!

[Hwyl]

I can't see any tell tales on your jib. I sazed the picture and zoomed in. They really help.

The driver should be sitting further forward, you seem to have yout arm draped on the tiller. You should be holding it ligtly.

my preference is to sit to windward when steering

[Wild Wassa]

Cool. You are starting to sound like a real Racing Skipper, Margo.

Call the favoured end of the line your own though, don't give an inch, it will make such a difference to the entire race. Win the start and win the race ... so start gassing the other boats. You will have a win on handicap before long. Unless you already have?

Hwyl, said it. Dump the dead ballast. When racing, the only good ballast, is the movable ballast, so make her jump ... and when she thinks she is moving well, tell Claudia to move ten times faster.

"Bobbing" ...? I presume that was hobby horsing? That will serverely ruin your race day.

Warren.

[rbgarr]

As Scarlett O'Hara would say, "Tomorrow is another day."

She also said, "As God is my witness, I will never go hungry again!!"

That's an even better racing motto, don't you think? Get aggressive out there Margo! Concordia sailors give NO QUARTER! EVER!! AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!! :mad:

;) :D

[Meerkat]

Win, loose, or draw, it is pretty safe to say that we've raised some eyebrows on the local racing scene :D ;) Oh foof, you raise eyebrows even without a boat. ;) :)

[BrianW]

You 'sheilas' are just the coolest thing I've seen here.

[Concordia...41]

Well, my racing and skippering skills can be summed up in two words:

I suck

Back to the Tomorrow (actually today now) is Another Day theory... :(

[geeman]

Ya ,but your out there givin it yer best!!!!!!!! .Go out every time and make SURE you have as much fun as you can.Do it for all the rest of us that would love to be able to try it.

[Leon m]

Well, my racing and skippering skills can be summed up in two words:

I suck

Back to the Tomorrow (actually today now) is Another Day theory... :(

You gotta start somewhere...you'll learn just keep at it.:)

[davidagage]

Margo, seems like you have better luck sailing on Tuesdays than on Wednesdays. Think you can get them to change the schedule?

Hey! anybody wanna buy a slightly waterlogged VHF?;)

[geeman]

David , was you sailing with JOE? LOL I thought he's the one that tends to throw valuable "tools" overboard LOL

[Concordia...41]

No, it was me that dropped the handheld VHF overboard. And to my credit, I had checked in with the RC and recieved race instructions, so I had that much under my belt.

And I didn't really "drop" it. It was more like the stupid gravity thing took over... :rolleyes:

David's heard the story.

Angi and I kicked butt for the hour+ pre-race then the wind died, the current caught us and we drifted past the starting line (outside), had to start engine within the five minute sequence (which they probably would have let me get away with, they're pretty slack with the rules), but when I had to fire the engine again post gun to avoid a series of docks that inconsiderate people choose to build out from their houses, I chose to retire - since someone, whose name is Claudia but shall remain nameless, made sure the poor smuck who got blown off course last week and who had to start his engine to get back on course got a DSQ for his trouble. :p

So we powered up to the RC to let them know we wouldn't be starting and they even encouraged us to start, but having fired the engine post gun, I declined. Fair's fair.

Soooooooo we head for home toward the Bridge of Lions and Angi, my bright and beautiful daughter/step-daughter, poses the interesting question, "How are we going to get the bridge to open?"

I was trying to recall the horn series to request an opening (three short?), but just circled the RC (AGAIN) and had them hail the bridge for us.

Sooooo we putter around and make the 6:30 bridge opening, drop sails, and Angi's doing a fair job of taking Claudia's place putting out fenders and dock lines when the engine dies :eek: :eek:

We exchange looks :eek: :eek: and I just told her, "Sweetheart, you need to get the main up." (Easier to talk her through than the jib).

She got the main up without incident, but again we have no wind and current pushing us back - like toward the bridge :eek: :eek:

I get things remotely under control and our constant savior - a liveaboard there at the marina - just happens to be walking down the dock with a friend. I ended up drifting us close enough to the end dock for them to grab lines and pull us in. Minor usual drama involved there, not worth rehashing. We re-fueled, motored around to my slip, discussed the multitude of things that can go wrong while boating, and finally convinced them to accept a beer.

During all of this time, there's no sign of any of the performance boats returning and it turns out they were close to two hours on a 1.5 mile course, so I'm still pretty secure that my election to retire and take Angi to dinner vs risking a protest and DSQ was valid.

Things to do / lessons learned:

Get larger fuel tank. (I had checked and had half a tank, but on a 2-gallon tank, that doesn't cut it.) I have a 6-gallon one already filled and mixed that I just need to wrestle into the car and down the dock. :o

Shop handheld VHF prices. Always leave in cockpit. Do not carry anything in my cleaveage, and if I do, don't expect it to remain there when I lean over to crank down a halyard :o

Practice, practice, practice WITHOUT THE ENGINE. I've been going out as much as possible, but tend to start the outboard immediately when things don't go my way - even something as simple as the boat not tacking around quick enough to suit me. I need to learn to work my way through things - sans engine assistance. :o

Hurmph!

[geeman]

Well, Dolly Pardin? may not have that problem with storage of tools but most gals I know have that same problem,which by the way I dont consider a problem,ballast is ballast LOL

[bamamick]

to learn something every time out. I keep a notebook in the car all of the time and jot down things that I need to think about later. Repairs, equipment changes, etc.

One thing that I would suggest for this winter: take a bunch of these photos to a local sailmaker and get him/her to cut you a little larger headsail. You are very underpowered in light air since you are basically just carrying a 100%. I know that you are just learning and having fun, but going faster makes the fun easier to have. Besides that I have found that buying a new sail every so often makes me rededicate myself to the program just that little bit more. I have a good friend in Pensacola who is very nice and easy to talk to if you are ever interested.

Other than that just keep at it. You have made a lot fo progress this summer whether you realise it or not. It will only get better from here.

Mickey Lake

[Leon m]

. Do not carry anything in my cleaveage, and if I do, don't expect it to remain there when I lean over to crank down a halyard :o

!

Ouch!... I just bit my tongue. :D

[Milo Christensen]

...And I didn't really "drop" it. It was more like the stupid gravity thing took over... :rolleyes:

Do not carry anything in my cleaveage...

...Hurmph!

This has been a very frank and informative post-screwed-up-race-session discussion.

[Concordia...41]

Mickey - Yes, I'm a list maker. It helps.

Our local UK Sails rep is a member of the team I crewed with last year and one of the folks kind enough to take me under his wing.

I have a 155 that should be here next week. Roller furling and foil are ready to be united with the sail upon arrival ;)

In my defense, when we started out last night it was blowing around 15 with gusts to 20ish. It was just Angi and I so we started with a reef in the main and the 105. As we established control and the even before the wind died, I lost the reef and switched to a borrowed 135.

This isn't the biggest thing in the world, but for Claudia and I or Angi and I to go out and have them helm the boat while I do the foredeck dance, etc. is an accomplishment.

[bamamick]

You are traveling up the learning curve pretty quickly. Just wait 'til you get 'Sarah' out there.

By the way, you might need crew every now and again eh? :).

Mickey Lake

[geeman]

She needs volunteers to hold equiptment,I'm sure there will be volunteers lol

[Concordia...41]

Hey Mickey - any time you want to join the "All Girls Team" come on down. Seriously, come down and I'll get you a ride on a real sled! :D My "sailing coach" and the UK guy always need crew on the SR33.

That is a ride!

- M

[Leon m]

and remember to use the force....seriously though, some people get all caught up in the gizmos , and gadgets, but the ones that win the races are the ones that now how to dance with the wind...its not a tango ...its a waltz. ;)

[bamamick]

I would love to. I haven't been to St.Augustine since I was a little kid on family vacation.

Keep plugging away at it. Every tactics and strategy expert will tell you that you are doing the right thing: first, know your boat. Spend time in it and learn what makes it go. Once you can drive and it not occupy but a small part of your awareness then work on the things that will make you a winner. You'll get there.

Mickey Lake

[rbgarr]

And I didn't really "drop" it. It was more like the stupid gravity thing took over... :rolleyes:



My brother is King of All That Can Go Wrong. Winch handles leap overboard from his hand, battens squirm out of their pockets and sail off to leeward, snap shackles burst at his touch on the halyard or sheet, anchors refuse to set, engines overheat. The list is endless. He still loves it all.:D

[geeman]

Your doin fine, dont get so wrapped up in "hows to's " that you forget to have fun while your out there.

[Ed Harrow]

Margo, just try to commune with Barb English - she was one hell of a sailor.

[John E Hardiman]

Practice, practice, practice WITHOUT THE ENGINE.

There is the bit of wisdom that come out of this thread. It ain't a sailboat if your FIRST response is to start the engine.

Edit..If you need a crew at new years..my wife might be willing...First Date...Me: in dry sea boots standing on the top of an overturned 470.."Why didn't you let go of the sheet?..She...swimming in a ice covered lake..."#$%&#$%#!!!"....she has gone on to be fairly good trimmer....

[John B]

Sounds like you're on a fast curve Margo. I don't know why I've never lost anything into the tide. Oh hang on.. I lost a crescent spanner once, perhaps it was the shocking realisation that washed over me, as it disappeared into the depths in slo-mo, that it was a goneburger. gone gone gone for ever.That affects the way you think .Gone.. I loved that crescent.

Kirsty's lost 2 boathooks .and my car ( not into the tide though.. went out with it, came back without it, not that I'd harp on for evermore about it or anything)
Thinking about it, I don't ever carry the technology on me.. I get on board and wedge it or put it where it lives. I s'pose you could put a lanyard on your vhf but gee , I dunno where you'd clip it off..............ahem.

[davidagage]

Claudia is really looking forward to adding to this thread, especially regarding the zig zags through the "dolphins" in the harbour, and the 5' waves cresting over the bow on tuesday night, but after getting up at 4:30 and driving 9 hours with 3 chiahuahuas (thanks Les Nesmond for the pronounciation) not to mention the (4) glasses of wine since her arrival here at home. She will do so tomorrow.:)

PS, ever heard the old Chris Cross song "Sailing".....kinda brings tears to the eyes Margo, don'tcha know.