Suzanne had to work yesterday and the girls were tired of the rain, so I set
out for a quick sail on my own.
The radar showed patches of rain and I set out to meet a few friends on a J30
and Pearson 10M (33). We hooked up nearby at Stepping Stone and cracked off
toward's execution rocks. What fun weather!!! Blowing 12-17 with eratic puffs.
I sailed under full main and jib furled down to about 110. As we came to
Manhasset Bay winds increased to 20 knots. We tacked around. My boat was
clearly faster than the Pearson. I struggled a bit to trim-damn cabin top
traveler sucks for singlehanding. He had just completed a race. I expect in
lighter air he might be faster. The J30 was so very slightly quicker, but on a
reach we sailed side by side for 2 miles. The Pearson 10m fell back a bit. Hard
on the wind, the J30 showed it's stuff. I couldn't flatten my furled jib enough
to get that high....ahh well!
We all met afterwards at Styv. Yacht club for dinner.
Earlier in the day I met a VERY aged fellow who needed help putting his tanbark
sail on a Menger 19 catboat. I actually sailed with him briefly so he could see
if all was right. Neat little boat that actually sailed pretty well and had a
cockpit as big as China!
Sailing again tomorrow. Some people are pulling their boats for fear of the
storm expected to kick-in later this week. If I get very worried I might grab a
mooring for a couple of days.

Capt RB