Spring Regatta on a Star

I sailed on Jazz, a Star 22, with John for the SSSS Spring Regatta.  It was a pretty slow day, looking for wind, etc., but when we did get some breezes, we were gliding through smooth water.  It was a light turnout and there were less boats in the 2nd race than the first. We were a little unsure whether the committee was going to race again or not, some boats went back in to dock.  But we hung around and yes, there was another race.  It was a very enjoyable day on the water, some sun, no rain, but a little more wind would have been nice.
The most excitement was on the way back to the dock, sailing into West Bay Marina, the call came to take the main down, but yikes, I couldn't get it down. It was jammed at the masthead.  So he depowered the main and we sailed into the dock.  John prepared the mast to be removed, and after help came, he and Norm got the mast out of the boat and down on the dock.  We got the main off the mast and rolled it up, that's about the time it started to rain.
We were racing in the PHRF class, only one other star out.  I'm not sure how we did because the results haven't been posted yet.  My first race in a Star, thanks John.

Friday evening sail on Khamsin

There wasn't much wind (as you can see in the photo), but there was lots of food and laughter. Micki, Rob, Jayne, Glenn, and Erik. A good time was had by all and it was great way to end the week.   Thanks Erik.

Race to the Straits - Update

Two days of sailing; what a great way to spend a weekend.  There were 98 boats registered for this race from Shilshole Bay to Port Townsend and back (about 30 nm one way).  This was their 10th anniversary race.  They are all double-handed classes (only 2 crew allowed), and also a single-handed class.  Saturday was great sailing with S/SW winds and we reached a mark at Double Bluff Point around 3 hours after our start (about 18 nm).  So did about half of the other boats at the same time and it was a swirling mess/washtub with lots of boats trying to get through, quite interesting, but no one hit anyone (that we heard of) and soon we were off to finish the 2nd half.  It had been sunny and dry for that first half, but it started raining and continued for the rest of the race and into the night, darn. We finished after 6 hours and then got the boat, Mariah, settled in at Point Hudson Marina in Port Townsend. There was a party around 8pm and the first day awards.
Sunday the race started again at 8:30:46 for us and we headed out in light N winds, more downwind sailing.  We were happy that there was wind, the reports were for very light wind.  We weren't flying a spinnaker though.  Most of the boats were flying spinnakers, so we watched them pull away from us...........  It was a slower wind day, but the winds were always present and there was sun most of the day, and most important, no rain!  We certainly didn't win, but weren't last either.  Great fun!  Thanks John.

Race to the Straits - May 7th-8th

Another busy weekend coming up.  This is a two day race from Shilshole Bay in Seattle to Port Townsend on Saturday; then back on Sunday, with a stay at Point Hudson over night.  It is a little over 30 nm one way and is a Sloop Tavern Yacht Club sponsored race.

I wish the weather forecast were better than it is, but it should be a good race despite the cool weather.  There are 90 boats registered for the race. I'll be crewing for John on Mariah, a Naja 30 which I haven't sailed on before.

I'll post more after the race..............

Sailing a Star

With some desire to learn more about sailing smaller sailboats, I have chartered a Star from one of the South Sound Sailing Society (SSSS) members.  The owner, Jim, took me out once a couple weeks ago, but I have been too busy to get back out there.  I am anxious to get comfortable with sailing these boats, they are so quick compared to what I am used to sailing. (and I am not used to ducking from the boom....) It is hull #31 in the water at West Bay Marina in Olympia and I will be going out again as soon as I can.  They have Stars races on Mondays starting soon.

A Star is an Olympic class sailboat, 22 feet long with a 31 foot mast.  The main is big and the jib is small, comparatively speaking, to other 22 foot boats.  I have several non-sailing friends that would like to join me for a sail, but I think I need to go out with other sailors a few times to get comfortable with these boats first........  I know as soon as I get more time to get comfortable, it is going to be a lot of fun.

Women's Boating Seminar in Olympia - May 21

This is a great opportunity to get together with other women boaters (sail or motor) and learn more about boating.  I missed last years because I was not in town, but will definitely be there this year.
http://www.ssssclub.com/wbs.htm

Boatless Barbaras

I realized this weekend when I drove to Coos Bay Oregon to visit a friend, that I wasn't the only boatless Barbara.........  Barb and I went to high school together and I think it has been about 8 years since she's owned a sailboat.  But she's planning on getting one again soon and I told her I would gladly crew for her.  She has done an Atlantic crossing and Pacific crossing in years past, and spent some time in the South Pacific (I am so envious), and is now anxious to get back out cruising again.  We lost touch for 30 years, but reconnected almost 4 years ago at a high school reunion (oops, giving away our age, but we are who we are).  We discovered our common passion for sailing then. I was preparing to leave for my Mexico trip and she had just settled in Coos Bay Oregon.  She started her sailing long before I did and even has her 50 ton captain's license.  I am looking forward to the time when we can go sailing together instead of just talking about it.  She even has built in crew, a son (11) and daughter (15).