"DSK" wrote in message
...
Is that how far apart your destinations are, or how many miles over
ground, or miles thru the water?

Donal wrote:
Miles through water.

I don't have an accurate count on that, the dinghies don't have a log,
the H19 knot log keeps getting stuck & the tugboat has only a primitive
GPS.


My longest leg so far has been St. Malo, which was about 150 miles.

That would be a good sail. Are you planning to do another Round The
Island race?

Not this year. My main motivation for doing it in the past was to get
experience. I would now like to do some winter racing, which can be very
competitive.

I'm really a cruising sailor, but I like to try to get the best out of the
boat. So I view racing as a means to sharpen my skills.




Last year, I had my worst sailing season ever. A combination of work,
and
private commitments conspired to prevent me getting out on the water. I
think that I only did about 500 miles.

The year before, I only missed two weekends between the middle of
February
and the end of October.

When do you haul out?

I usually have the boat out for 3-4 days to get her antifouled, the shaft
anode replaced, the cutlass bearing checked and the hull polished. It was
done 3 weeks ago.

I like to have her in the water through the winter, because we can get some
beautiful sailing. We have some days where the air is crystal clear, the
sun shines, and the Solent is empty. If you don't mind the cold, then it is
absolutely fantastic.





I'm determined to get more sailing in this year. However, I have two
teenage sons who have discovered that girls are interesting. When I
ask
the family if they would like to go for a sail, I just get grunted at!!!
[sigh]

Grunt back. Get a club.

Believe me, I'm tempted!


Better yet, get one of them to invite a girl
sailing. In my experience women find sailing very romantic (at least, up
until it involves throwing up).


I will force the issue(a bit) this year.


Regards


Donal
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