"katy" wrote in message
...
Maxprop wrote:
Saturday and Sunday were our first races in the new (to us) one-design
class. Fortunately they were pre-season, and not scored. We were
abysmal for the first two. My three additional crew are two young men
with extensive dinghy experience and a middle-aged woman who has
forgotten more about sail trim and tactics than most sailors will ever
know. I'm lucky to have such great people. I hope they'll stay with me
for most of the season. Some crew changes are expected and normal, as
peoples' schedules have conflicts, but good crew seem to be plentiful
where we race.

Both days saw light air, which is always tough for me. I'm constantly
searching for the wind and by the time I've re-trimmed, the wind has
altered substantially. I tend to believe the better sailors are more
consistent and trim less aggressively in such conditions.

Race one began on Lake M. with less than 4kts. out of the south. The
water was flat as four of six boats crossed the line early to receive a
general recall. The restart was equally poor, with no one at the line at
the gun. We were blanketed by another boat and held our tack too long
before escaping to clearer air. And it seemed everywhere we went the
wind was elsewhere. We finished dead last. Race two was a bit better.
We started well and maintained good boat speed until the final gibe. For
some reason it was as if the wind died and the sails went slack. Other
boats kept moving, but we slowed frustratingly. We finally got the boat
moving again, but too late to make up the lost time. We finished fourth
after a very good final windward leg. Sunday saw slightly more wind, and
predictably we sailed better. My foredeck man seemed to come into his
own and worked brilliantly. Our four spinnaker legs were near flawless.
To weather we moved very well, about 3.5 kts. in 4.5 kts. of wind,
passing two boats in the process to take second place. We were elated.

The post-race 'party' was a great experience. The fleet is made up of
serious sailors, but very decent and friendly folks. Everyone was
complimentary of our first efforts and made us feel like we've always
been part of the fleet. We're looking forward to the upcoming summer
series, which begins in two weeks.

Max
No more late nights on A dock for you, bucko....

Wanna bet? Where did you think we went after Saturday's races?

Max