Just wanted to update since it has been a few since the last post. I've been sailing on Cool Change Thursday Nights for the DIYC Race Series. We have done well in all the races, coming in 1st place each week. As a team we are definitely sailing well and with no major mistakes costing valuable time. I have been real light on the duties, only trimming the Spinnaker on our downwind runs. Although I'd like to be more involved with Jib or Main trimming, my weight is more valuable it seems on the rail.
Speaking of weight, I am down about 40 pounds and hitting the scales now around the 235 mark. I have been active since maybe February or March, doing between 1 - 1 1/2 hours of cardio 5 days a week. I started doing some weight training last week and dealing with the aches and pains of that. I'm not lifting any heavy weights and making myself do just enough to get 15-20 reps out of each set. Ideal situation is to be down to about 215-220 and tone from the weights by my 40th birthday, which is 5 months away. I'm not looking for any size or bulk, too old for that shit, just tone and fit looking plus in better cardio health.
I met with Jessie yesterday and we caught up with the guy who installed the instruments on her boat. We got the engine started up and took it out for a sail. Things seem to be going better with her boat and this new boat specialist is going to do some more work that is going to make it even better. The sail was awesome with 15 knots of breeze and building to 20 knots because of a pending storm cell sucking up some air in the distance. The boat sailed well and we made it to the dock just in time to avoid any showers.
On the near future agenda is the continued Thursday night races, any weekend sailing and getting ready for the Labor Day race at DIYC. I need to update some pictures as well and make it a point to bring the camera out more often. It appears that Rocket, the J35 sailboat is about ready to start doing Thursday's Races soon and I might need to make a decision on whether to continue to do Thursdays on Cool Change or switch to Rocket if the opportunity is available, have more sailing duties on the latter. Previously on Rocket I trimmed Jib and did Spinnaker. Let's see how the wind blows.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
DIYC Labor Day Night Race
I just got the email from Cool Change and I have been asked to race in the Labor Day Night race that happens every year. I quickly responded yes and that I can't wait to race. It appears that we will be doing some Thursday night DIYC races for practice and throwing in some weekend practice sessions as well.
Hopefully I get to do some jib trimming or other duties in addition to the Spinnaker trimming I have been doing lately.
Hopefully I get to do some jib trimming or other duties in addition to the Spinnaker trimming I have been doing lately.
Awesome Sunday Sail
I wasn't able to meet up with the crew from Cool Change this past Thursday and from what I understand, it was just a booze cruise. I did however make plans to sail with Pat on Rebel Rose this past Sunday. The day looked kind of crappy with overcast skies and a light drizzle when I left home. At DIYC there was no rain but you could tell that it was not too far off. Since we both really needed the sail, we said the hell with it and took off. The winds were kind of light when we started, probably in the 5-7 knot range but were picking up. I was at the helm for the sail to a privately maintained marker past MacDill Airforce Base.
It was a great sail to the range marker with the boat heeling most of the way and beating to windward for an exhilerating ride as the winds kicked up. As the day progressed we could see that clouds were building and there was going to be some storms closing in on us. There were storms cells over the St. Pete area which looked like a huge downpour, there were some cells towards the Brandon and Apollo Beach area moving our way and there was a cell over the downtown Tampa area.
Our decision to gybe around and head back was a good one since it looked like all of these cells would converge and give us a huge soaking when they met. The ride back was even faster with more heel and a great wake. The sails were trimmed nicely and it was just a matter of sailing the headers and lifts. In all it was almost a 12 nautical mile sail from the DIYC to the Range marker and back.
We pulled into a dead calm basin and docked very easily before the storm. You could say it was the calm before the storm. As we walked up to the Tiki bar, the skies opened up and gave a huge soaking to the area.
It was a great sail both ways and much needed given the stresses of the past week and looking forward to the week ahead. If things settle down to successful work weeks and great sails, then you could just about say, "I'm Living a Dream!"
It was a great sail to the range marker with the boat heeling most of the way and beating to windward for an exhilerating ride as the winds kicked up. As the day progressed we could see that clouds were building and there was going to be some storms closing in on us. There were storms cells over the St. Pete area which looked like a huge downpour, there were some cells towards the Brandon and Apollo Beach area moving our way and there was a cell over the downtown Tampa area.
Our decision to gybe around and head back was a good one since it looked like all of these cells would converge and give us a huge soaking when they met. The ride back was even faster with more heel and a great wake. The sails were trimmed nicely and it was just a matter of sailing the headers and lifts. In all it was almost a 12 nautical mile sail from the DIYC to the Range marker and back.
We pulled into a dead calm basin and docked very easily before the storm. You could say it was the calm before the storm. As we walked up to the Tiki bar, the skies opened up and gave a huge soaking to the area.
It was a great sail both ways and much needed given the stresses of the past week and looking forward to the week ahead. If things settle down to successful work weeks and great sails, then you could just about say, "I'm Living a Dream!"
Monday, August 2, 2010
Thursday Night Booze Cruise
Not much to report on the sailing front, as far as racing is concerned. I met up with the crew from Cool Change this past Thursday but since we were a little light on foredeck crew, we decided to make it a social sail with appetizers and drinks to watch the race and sunset. It was a great time and a lot of fun to just socialize.
Some conversation went on about the upcoming Labor Day Night Race at DIYC and getting some practices coordinated with plenty of time in advance. I hope that goes well and to be a part of a cool group for the race.
I spoke to Jessie who seems to still have some battery issues on her boat but progress is being made in that department so the engine will start and not have any more problems. She is also getting instruments put on the boat which should be cool. She will be out of town for the next two Saturdays so it seems that Saturday sailing will be on hold for the time being unless Cool Change gets into some practices or I can meet up with Reggie and sail on his baby.
Let's see what the next few weeks holds for sailing.
Some conversation went on about the upcoming Labor Day Night Race at DIYC and getting some practices coordinated with plenty of time in advance. I hope that goes well and to be a part of a cool group for the race.
I spoke to Jessie who seems to still have some battery issues on her boat but progress is being made in that department so the engine will start and not have any more problems. She is also getting instruments put on the boat which should be cool. She will be out of town for the next two Saturdays so it seems that Saturday sailing will be on hold for the time being unless Cool Change gets into some practices or I can meet up with Reggie and sail on his baby.
Let's see what the next few weeks holds for sailing.
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