Spring Series Race 1

It was a great day for a race. The sun was shining and a stiff 25-30 knot "breeze" was blowing.  No one was available to be crew on Pathfinder so it was pleasing that I was offered a sail on Wyvern. Racing was very competitive with a few really good groups of yachts challenging each other. This is the weather that Wyvern relishes and there were some really good opportunities to tussle with others.  It is not often that the boys get to pass other yachts but the conditions were just right.  

I was really only of any assistance in the setting up and packing up at each end of the day as Wyvern is usually managed very effectively by two crew.  However I learned a lot.  We were 5th on the day.  A poor start probably robbing the boys of a higher place.  A new person in the start box meant that the hooter went off  a few seconds early as against our timer and so we were not in the ideal position. As most race sailers would say - the handicappng - undertaken by a new person - was against us!  

I have asked an elderly gentleman who has been racing all his life if he would like to captain the Pathfinder for the racing and teach me to sail.  He does usually race with one of the other crews so I am not sure that this will be a possibility but fingers crossed!

'Till next time...

The Season has begun!

It is with great anticipation that we face the new sailing season.  With much agitating on my behalf I convinced the significant other in my life to pull out the Pathfinder for a bottom scrub. Before we progress too far on the explanation, remember that the last pull out was in March 2008.  

We had the sailing club open day on Sunday 12 October and we decided to take out Pathfinder as the Wyvern was on the slip for a clean and the boys still wanted to get on the water. The boat sailed like a lump of concrete was being pulled along! What an embarrassment.  I knew she would be a bit slimy but that could not have made such a difference. After the opening short course race, which was just a fun event, the club holds a social get together over a lovely meal. We had a pleasant afternoon but then as the Bosun was about to leave he suggested he could pull her out then and there! Well how embarrassing - the mussels, weed, baby barnacles etc. All the remaining members were amazed.  See the pictures here:- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/columbiasailigyachts/photos/album/746710938/pic/list

The saga of the antifouling purchase is just too much to put on this blog.  Suffice to say that we had lots of different and conflicting advice from experts and  non-experts alike. Two trips to the chandlery and three days of hard work and she looks like a new boat.  Now all we have to do is the brightwork and deck and she will be a beauty. 

I am hoping to race this season on Sundays and have a couple of people who have expressed an interest in crewing for me.  I need to ring a few before the weekend as the first serious race is next Sunday. 

'Til then ....good sailing