It has been a few weeks since a post but between work and my sister that got sick and was in the hospital, things have been a little busy. Add to all that my weather course that was getting towards the end of class where everything learned was coming together - needless to say I had my hands full.
As far as sailing has been concerned, I sailed a few weeks ago at the request of family members for my friend that passed away. I was asked to sail his boat so that the family could honor his memory on his boat. I took off that Friday afternoon and it was a spectacular day for sailing. The previous days were affected by a front that came through the area where the weather was obviously crappy but that Friday after the front had passed, the winds were a perfect 15-18 knots out of the northwest with clear skies. We set sail around 2pm and had a direct broad reach all the way from the St Pete Pier to the Skyway Bridge. We crossed under the bridge and headed towards Egmont Key. After our little remembrance for Reggie, I suggested reefing the mainsail and it would be a close hauled point of sail all the way back. We arrived back right at sunset and we all agreed that we could not have asked for a better day.
I was very happy to be invited to such a special occassion but I was also very happy to test my skills at analysing the winds, forecasts, my suggestions for point of sail and the decision to reef the main for the beat back. It is a good sense of accomplishment to know one has the tools and skills to prepare for what conditions are expected and what is actually going on while on the water. The boat handled beautifully and needless to say, I think Reggie would have been proud...
I had a Sunday race that same weekend at DIYC but the wind conditions were much different. It was a slow start just drifting along to first mark but as the afternoon developed, so did an onshore breeze that made the rest of the race a lot of fun. I helmed for some close hauled point of sail and had a great time with the group on Rebel Rose.
On another note, tomorrow is the final exam for the weather course and needless to say I am in the process of reviewing, testing myself and reading the final chapter I did not get to before because of everything I had going on with the family. I'm planning on a good score for the final exam and starting next week, the Piloting class will begin here in Tampa.
That being said, it seems I will have some great sailing experiences to build my skills on this year and as far as course are concerned; I'll have Boat Safety, Seamanship, Weather and Piloting course done in the first half of the year. At this rate I might be able to get advanced piloting in by end of the year and maybe a navigational course. I'd consider it a real successful year if I could get through all the piloting. Then I can focus the rest of my time in reviewing the weather course and the material learned in the piloting class.
I've added some new weather links on the side bar that I know will serve me and hopefully serve anyone who happens to read this blog.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Updated Sail
I met up with Pat and several other sailors for last Sunday's DOYC race. The start was very slow with almost no wind and a very hot and slow beginning. After rounding the first mark, the winds picked up and we had an awesome sail the rest of the afternoon. The winds were a consistant breeze that kept the boat making great progress. I did mostly sail trim but also had some helm time which felt great.
It was a very exhilerating feeling at the helm with the sails full on a close hauled point of sail and the boat healing over. Definitely an awesome rush.
On another note, there are only a few weeks left of the Power Squadron's Weather course and it feels good to have a much better understanding on weather and forecasting. The manual is definitely a great reference source that I will rely on as a refresher and relearning as I go. I was also told that immediately following the weather course, they are going to provide the Piloting course. I'm signed up for that and looking forward to that as well. It seems I'm making great progress on my goal of weather and piloting being completed this year and with any luck, especially since it is early in the year, maybe I can get an Advanced Piloting class done as well.
For anyone out there that reads this blog, stay tuned and more to come.
Cheers!
It was a very exhilerating feeling at the helm with the sails full on a close hauled point of sail and the boat healing over. Definitely an awesome rush.
On another note, there are only a few weeks left of the Power Squadron's Weather course and it feels good to have a much better understanding on weather and forecasting. The manual is definitely a great reference source that I will rely on as a refresher and relearning as I go. I was also told that immediately following the weather course, they are going to provide the Piloting course. I'm signed up for that and looking forward to that as well. It seems I'm making great progress on my goal of weather and piloting being completed this year and with any luck, especially since it is early in the year, maybe I can get an Advanced Piloting class done as well.
For anyone out there that reads this blog, stay tuned and more to come.
Cheers!
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