This past Friday after work, I helped Martin move Cool Change from her slip to one of the docks at Davis Island Yacht Club. We motored over and rafted up to another boat so that we could all meet at the club in the morning and be set to start the race from the club. If Friday after sunset was any indication of the temperatures, it was going to be a chilly race as the day progressed.
Saturday morning before the race was beautiful. We met at the club and had a hearty breakfast prior to loading everything on the boat and getting her ready. The winds were forecast to be in the mid teens throughout the day, which would make for a much faster race then previously thought. The direction of the winds and the directional forecast throughout the day meant that there would be very little Spinnaker sets, if any. Our start was competitive and we held close to the competition from the start to the first mark. One of our competitors reefed their mainsail a little early and we stayed with the full main until just prior to rounding the first mark. That was a wise move because the distance from the first to the second mark was a beat to windward. This is Cool Change's strongest point of sail and we really put some distance between us and our usual competition. After rounding the second mark we sailed straight for the Skyway Bridge but not without throwing in a tack for good measure, allowing us to make the span and prevent a necessary tack in the traffic of other sailboats competing and fishing boats camped out close to the bridge.
It should be noted that the day was sunny and beautiful but not without some wetness. Because of the winds and the long fetch of the winds over the bay, it made for choppy conditions. The deck got soaked as did I with my spot on the rail. I went below and put on my foul weather gear. It was great, I was now warm and dry. We rounded the bell at Egmont Key and started out climb back up the bay. By this time the winds were clocking further north meaning a Spinnaker set would be difficult. never the less we set the Spinnaker and I trimmed for this leg between the bridge and the mark. It was difficult because the winds continued to clock northward and I was flying a symmetrical Spinnaker like an Asymmetrical. We ended up dropping the Spinnaker and using the jib because we were not making the mark given the wind direction and our line. After rounding the mark we reset the Spinnaker and had an awesome sail to the final mark. It was short but quick because of the Spinnaker. This sail increases our speed by a little more then half a knot and over time, it makes a big difference.
Our sail from the last mark to the finish line was also a beat to windward and there was no need for a tack. We continued to head to windward in the lifts and very little falling off when the wind would take a small shift forward. By this time the sun had set and the temperature was dropping. I was still very warm in my foul weather gear. We crossed the finish line and were able to take the boat back to her slip immediately following the race. We headed back to the club for a bowl of chilly and drinks with friends.
It was an awesome day and even though we were the first in our class across the line, our finish put us in 4th because of corrected time. We sailed fast and efficient, the only thing that beat us today was rating and time we needed to give the other boats in our fleet. Still, I had a great sail and awesome experience today. It was beautiful, windy and long. It helped a lot that I was warm and dry. I didn't take any pictures but Jennifer did and once they are posted, I will add them to the blog.
Cheers!
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