So little wind

We started the Rogue season of Wednesday evening races last night. These races are more relaxed in pursuit style and start between pier 6 in Charlestown and a daymark across the channel. It’s on an honor system, no race committee. As the slowest boat in the fleet we were off at 6:18:03. Unfortunately at the start line the true wind was 3 kts and the tide was against us.  We made a great start, even if it was slow (its much easier when you are not jockeying for position with other boats).  But then a big barge came behind us and we had to tack away to the edge of the channel to avoid it. Now the faster boats were starting and soon over took us.

Winds increased (up to a roaring 6kts) as we sailed and the crew – Rudy and Yolande – did a great job of spotting wind holes and we took the tactic of staying near the north side of the channel until we could make one last tack over to green buoy #13 that is on the southside where there was little to no wind (2kts). The ploy worked and we made significant ground on the other boats that had headed to the south side of the channel early.

We rounded the green mark and headed to red 12. Well we slowly drifted at 0.5kt. Now the current turned in our favor but the highest wind was 3kts. It was an hour and a half into the race and only one boat had turned and deployed its spinnaker and set sail for the finish line. Yes, Shout was in the lead. She is an amazing boat that seems to be able to sail under the breath of her crew. But even she was having problems. We too were having our own problems – thirst. We decided to turn on the iron genny and head home. Well the sunset was beautiful and the beer was very tasty. Congrats to the hardy crew that finished the race/drift.