Winter sailing ...

[Concordia...41]

Well, maybe not everyone's definition of winter, but by ours. Bright sunlight, 52 degrees, and 18 knots out at the sea buoy. :D

These shots don't show it very well, but SARAH got a new mizzen this week.

Interestingly, these pictures were taken by our second "paparazzi" in as many times out. :o The attention is flattering and embarrassing at the same time.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc29b3127ccec5845b5595cd00000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc29b3127ccec585c84cf54900000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/



http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc29b3127ccec584a235d54900000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Concordia...41]

After the paparazzi boat left, a pod of dolphins started a love fest with SARAH's transom. :o

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc29b3127ccec585ef9c342200000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

In addition to Claudia, David, Christina, and a friend of theirs from England, Claudia's youngest daughter and a friend were aboard. The foredeck was awash in water, squeals, screams and giggles and never did the girls come back where it was dry. They just clung to each other and laughed louder .... (I think I was a teenage girl - like a million years ago... it's hard to remember that far back... :rolleyes:)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc29b3127ccec585ab6a34f600000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

The mizzen deck contingent is looking a little frosty, but I'm pretty happy with my world. :D

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc29b3127ccec5854443743000000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

It could have been a couple (or ten) degrees warmer, but all in all an absolutely perfect sail.

More pictures to follow if I can find my camera. (Or David Gage may chime in with some...not that we all took turns firing the cannon at the fort or anything... )

[S/V Laura Ellen]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc29b3127ccec5854443743000000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/



Love that smile.
Sarah look great all decked out in her new togs.

[bamamick]

Y'all do look cold. And lovely sliding through the water. Aren't those clear winter days wonderful?

This was my first full weekend off in about 8 months. The Finn fleet scheduled a practice day but I went down and scrubbed the schooner and had lunch with my wife before heading home to watch the SECCG. I'll get out there soon, but I have to admit that I am so behind on varnishing and rigging that it may very well be February or so before I do.

Scrubbing down the schooner on Saturday I remarked to myself that maybe it's not so bad that we haven't sold her (yet!).

Mickey Lake

[John B]

Sweet!
That would be about 10C by my rough reckoning. Coolish to be sure.:D

[Noah]

Sails look really nice!

Thanks for the shots - it was 5 degrees here today, and I had to do more work on my cover. It wasn't holding up to the high winds we have had.

[StevenBauer]

52 degrees!? And everyone is all bundled up? Coats and mittens? :eek: If we saw 52 degrees around here it'd be tank tops and shorts. ;)


Steven

[J. Dillon]

Nice images Margo. Now we're all envious;) What a smooth wake she cuts.

A high of 29 o here today with wind gusts up to 25 kts . Even too cold to go pirogueing.

JD

[floatingkiwi]

I am from New Zealand, our weather is changeable, any one thinks they can successfully predict more than a day out is guessing, I reckon. So we are always prepared for ANY weather when leaving port. With this in mind, I don't have summer winter activities mapped out for me and the sea, I just put more clothes on if it gets a wee bit nasty.http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:DZ2cELhbzkzmmM:http://www.travelbeat.net
Kerry the Kiwi
Say, that dolphin looks like an hammerhead shark.

[FSS172]

52 degrees!? And everyone is all bundled up? Coats and mittens? :eek: If we saw 52 degrees around here it'd be tank tops and shorts. ;)


StevenFrom the forecast I'm looking at, you may get close on Wednesday. If it happens, we'll expect pictures! :D... or on second thought maybe :eek: will be more appropriate.

[Sailing reenactor]

I won't be sailing at all this winter. The last several days it hasn't got above freezing! Bad part is we have GREAT wind here all winter long, and thn you can't find a decent day all summer! Anyway looks like I need to move to Fla with my friends 20'
o-day!

[John B]

I tell you what, I really feel I only made it through the year with some winter sailing thrown in to look forward to. Now its summer , close up the workshop in a couple of weeks and I'm offski sailing for a month.:cool:
Last weekend was 30 miles there and 30 miles back for a Thanksgiving dinner up at Kawau island and this weekend is a mates 50th on Waiheke island... ahahaha.. we'll have to sail to get there . It starts at lunch!

things are looking up.

[rbgarr]

52 degrees!? And everyone is all bundled up? Coats and mittens? :eek: If we saw 52 degrees around here it'd be tank tops and shorts. ;)
Steven

I've noticed that here in Maine folks start complaining a bit about the cool weather in the forties then thirties as winter approaches, and start bundling up. But then in March and April when it's getting up to the thirties and forties folks start rejoicing in how warm it's getting and start going around in tees and shorts (the high school kids are first out of the gate on that!) It's understandable but funny nonetheless.:D

The mizzen looks great Margo. I imagine SARAH sails closer to the wind with fully battened sails than without, but making a comparison given your old sails condition is probably moot.

Yes, you were a teen once, and I bet you were one of the lively, fun ones (said with respect).

[Bill R]

Damn Margo. That is just not fair! I re-covered the boat for the winter over the weekend, and the lake is icing over.

Your smile says it all tho.

[Thad]

Perfect! Real winter clothing can help.

[Christina]

As always I had such a blast! Thank you Margo and Sarah! :D

[hokiefan]

Hey Margo, Sarah looks gorgeous! From your smile at the helm I can see you agree.:) Sunday was a beautiful day. We spent it on the soccer field, it was nice to be outside.


I've noticed that here in Maine folks start complaining a bit about the cool weather in the forties then thirties as winter approaches, and start bundling up. But then in March and April when it's getting up to the thirties and forties folks start rejoicing in how warm it's getting and start going around in tees and shorts (the high school kids are first out of the gate on that!) It's understandable but funny nonetheless.:D

The mizzen looks great Margo. I imagine SARAH sails closer to the wind with fully battened sails than without, but making a comparison given your old sails condition is probably moot.

Yes, you were a teen once, and I bet you were one of the lively, fun ones (said with respect).

When we first moved to Savannah after spending 5 winters in the mountains in Virginia, we laughed at everyone when it got a little cold. People were wearing 5 shirts, 2 sweatshirts, a vest, and a coat; and it was only about 20 degF.:eek: I noticed that I got out my coats a little earlier the next winter. I don't laugh at all any more. When its 35 degF now, its cold. But I can deal with it just fine at 95 degF, bring it on!:D

Cheers,

Bobby

[davidagage]

What a great little 3 hour tour..The girls up front were having a great time getting splashed with each crash of the waves and squealling like on a roller coaster, it was great fun just watching them.
It was a bit brisk, winds out of the west at 18, 4-6 foot seas, and incoming tide. Sarah is such a smooth, stable boat and a pleasure to be on, partly due to her hostess. Ms. M always lays out a great spread (starting with mimosas at the dock:D) Thanks again Ms. M for the opportunities to sail.

(I only used the word "great" 4 times)

DG