First photo: Grace E 2nd from the left.
Second photo: Our last photo of our spinnaker in the background.
Third photo: A bad wipe out, thankfully not us!
This is a late posting, but I wanted to share a little about the Duamish head race last Saturday, January 5th.
Weather Forcast: Strong wind warning 30-35 knots with gusts to 40, sideways rain, possible snow, 35-40 degrees. Oh joy!
The Crew:
Skipper: Brian, actually requested Jim and Cheryl to do tactics so he could concentrate on driving.
Main Trim: Erryn E. He is one with that main. The main also had a new repair, so...
Jib Trim: Jim McC., Cheryl, Michael T. Spinnaker Trim: Cheryl, Michael T.
Pit: Christy F., she rocks!
Mast: Chris B, jack of all traits!
Foredeck: Mr. Vonk
The day started early with Brian and Chris taking to boat from Tacoma to Des Moines. I believe this was an hour and a half trip on a downwind leg. The weather was crazy even at 9am. There were squalls, and a beautiful rainbow that arched over the bay, you could see the whole thing. Everyone else drove to Des Moines and we were on the water between 9 and 9:30. The marina was buzzing with activity. Everyone was getting ready for what was to come, if you can even properly prepare for that.
How to prepare? NO COTTON! Smart sailors were in their best winter gear, with hand warmers in their pockets, at least 2 hats on protecting the ears, turtles around the neck, layer after layer which made your maneuvering on the boat a little tricky. And of course, the best foul weather gear you can afford. Michael T. had some new duds, and he was certainly happy for the investment by the end of the day, even though his wife was not as happy! Finally, yes mom, life jackets!
Out we went, trying to navigate the starting line, knowing we were the 3rd start, trying to stay near our competition. I'd say we had a fabulous start, as this is certainly one of Brian's strongest (of his many strong) attributes. We were in the thick of it and off for the 35 mile race to Seattle and back.
The first leg north was a downwind leg. Up went the chute. Red, white, and blue. Old faithful. The wind came, and went. We hit an all new speed record on Grace E, some 13 plus knots. It was incredible. Right up until the chute exploded. I guess we should have seen it coming as the boats behind us, a fair distance behind us, started emploding. POP! Down she came, to her demise in the cold Puget Sound. We fished her out so she could have a proper burial, or perhaps become a curtain or two. With the gusts as strong as they were, we decided to run with the Number 3 jib and not our back-up spinnaker. The fleet started to pull away. But we were safe, and we watched several boats lay it down on several occasions.
North we went to West Seattle. Around the Duamish Head mark, and in preparation for 35 knots at the beam, we put a reef in the mainsail. It wasn't pretty, but it worked. We observed several difficult reefs, those who waited just 5 minutes too long. Across we went to Blakely Rocks. The waves were incredible, I swear some were 4-5 feet. And it was wet. And cold.
After rounding the rocks we headed south, dead into the wind. The waves crashed over the deck, as we sat on the rail, contemplating our next tack. The wind howled. Fingers and toes began to suffer, and the tacks were welcomed as it offered an opportunity to get up and allow some circulation to occur. We were safe, and many, many boats retired due to the conditions. Of the 11 boats in our class, only 4 finished. Yes, we were fourth, but we didn't retire.
Back at the dock every boat within talking distance was describing their carnage. Dozens of ripped sails, broken bow pulpits. Very cold crew, almost too cold to hold a beer. Now that's cold!
Brian and Chris braved the waves and headed south to Tacoma to put Grace E back to bed for the night, or likely for the month. She was soaked, battered, tired, but I'm sure she was happy, as she performed well in the worst of conditions. The crew was ideal together. We are lucky to have such great, talented people on our boat.
See you at the boat show this month, we'll be shamoozing with North Sails et al!
Weather Forcast: Strong wind warning 30-35 knots with gusts to 40, sideways rain, possible snow, 35-40 degrees. Oh joy!
The Crew:
Skipper: Brian, actually requested Jim and Cheryl to do tactics so he could concentrate on driving.
Main Trim: Erryn E. He is one with that main. The main also had a new repair, so...
Jib Trim: Jim McC., Cheryl, Michael T. Spinnaker Trim: Cheryl, Michael T.
Pit: Christy F., she rocks!
Mast: Chris B, jack of all traits!
Foredeck: Mr. Vonk
The day started early with Brian and Chris taking to boat from Tacoma to Des Moines. I believe this was an hour and a half trip on a downwind leg. The weather was crazy even at 9am. There were squalls, and a beautiful rainbow that arched over the bay, you could see the whole thing. Everyone else drove to Des Moines and we were on the water between 9 and 9:30. The marina was buzzing with activity. Everyone was getting ready for what was to come, if you can even properly prepare for that.
How to prepare? NO COTTON! Smart sailors were in their best winter gear, with hand warmers in their pockets, at least 2 hats on protecting the ears, turtles around the neck, layer after layer which made your maneuvering on the boat a little tricky. And of course, the best foul weather gear you can afford. Michael T. had some new duds, and he was certainly happy for the investment by the end of the day, even though his wife was not as happy! Finally, yes mom, life jackets!
Out we went, trying to navigate the starting line, knowing we were the 3rd start, trying to stay near our competition. I'd say we had a fabulous start, as this is certainly one of Brian's strongest (of his many strong) attributes. We were in the thick of it and off for the 35 mile race to Seattle and back.
The first leg north was a downwind leg. Up went the chute. Red, white, and blue. Old faithful. The wind came, and went. We hit an all new speed record on Grace E, some 13 plus knots. It was incredible. Right up until the chute exploded. I guess we should have seen it coming as the boats behind us, a fair distance behind us, started emploding. POP! Down she came, to her demise in the cold Puget Sound. We fished her out so she could have a proper burial, or perhaps become a curtain or two. With the gusts as strong as they were, we decided to run with the Number 3 jib and not our back-up spinnaker. The fleet started to pull away. But we were safe, and we watched several boats lay it down on several occasions.
North we went to West Seattle. Around the Duamish Head mark, and in preparation for 35 knots at the beam, we put a reef in the mainsail. It wasn't pretty, but it worked. We observed several difficult reefs, those who waited just 5 minutes too long. Across we went to Blakely Rocks. The waves were incredible, I swear some were 4-5 feet. And it was wet. And cold.
After rounding the rocks we headed south, dead into the wind. The waves crashed over the deck, as we sat on the rail, contemplating our next tack. The wind howled. Fingers and toes began to suffer, and the tacks were welcomed as it offered an opportunity to get up and allow some circulation to occur. We were safe, and many, many boats retired due to the conditions. Of the 11 boats in our class, only 4 finished. Yes, we were fourth, but we didn't retire.
Back at the dock every boat within talking distance was describing their carnage. Dozens of ripped sails, broken bow pulpits. Very cold crew, almost too cold to hold a beer. Now that's cold!
Brian and Chris braved the waves and headed south to Tacoma to put Grace E back to bed for the night, or likely for the month. She was soaked, battered, tired, but I'm sure she was happy, as she performed well in the worst of conditions. The crew was ideal together. We are lucky to have such great, talented people on our boat.
See you at the boat show this month, we'll be shamoozing with North Sails et al!
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