No Sailing in the Snow

The snow is mostly melted off the boats.  Here's a before and after photo of Maranatha, Joel's boat.  The SSSS race for Saturday this weekend was cancelled..........

Debra's boat, Liberte, at Swantown Marina

Snow and fresh water on top of the salt water does freeze!

Mary's boat, Sonrisa, at Martin Marina - she's all clear now

First Sail Race for 2012

Yesterday was the first Sail Race of the South Sound Sailing Society's Inlet Series.  It was a relatively short course of 11.1 miles to Flapjack Point in Eld Inlet and back.  Despite the forecast for snow, there were lots of boats out ready to race.  And boy did we sail...... the winds were fluky but pretty constant (10-15? with gusts of more? - I wish I was better at judging the wind speeds) for the entire race (except of course at the turning mark where they got extremely light).  I was crewing for Joel on Maranatha, a Ranger 33.  I was the newbie crew on this boat and was sailing along with Sandy, John, and Webb.  I wanted to take a photo of the skipper and crew, but my phone was not cooperating, so maybe next time.  It rained most of the first half of the race, but just a steady light rain.  Then it started clearing up a bit to the north.  However, as we were putting the boat away it started raining again and harder, then snowing, then the skies cleared and the sun appeared.

Thanks Joel and the Maranatha crew for a great day on the water!

First Sail for 2012

My first sail for 2012 was with Capt. Mary, Wendy, Michelle, and Cyndie on Claire McDougal, Mary's Newport 30 sailboat.  We left the Olympia Yacht Club about 11:30 am on Sunday, January 8th, with sunshine, and light winds.  Mount Rainier was out and so were the Olympics.  We had a wonderful sail and of course the obligatory good snacks and lots of laughs. What a great way to start the new sailing year!
THANKS Mary.

Wendy, Mary F., Barbara, Michelle

Mary 

Wendy, Cyndie, Mary

Michelle, Mary, Wendy

Mary Campbell's adventures

So isn't there a saying about if you can't do something to live vicariously through someone else.  Well since I can't be out cruising now, but Mary is, I am following her stories closely.  She is having some great adventures in Mexico and if you get a chance read her latest blog posting where they save two whales near San Blas, Mexico.
http://sonrisachronicles.blogspot.com/
Update - January 9th, 2012
There is a video posted of their whale rescue here:  http://vimeo.com/34811494

And I saved a photo of Mary from that video.