Fat Bottom Girl #30812

Tighten Up Spar

2014-07-27T19:27:00.001-07:00

Better late than never. I finally centered the mast and applied the Spartight. I bought the kit at Boaters World when they went out of business and the rig has been in the boat since September of 2012. This was way overdue.

The process was a little messy but not too difficult. One thing I didn't realize was the mast was off center and about an inch to starboard. I used the boomvang to center the mast by attaching it to a port block and giving it a good tug. I was able to split the difference and the mast is now centered relative to the rigging.

To move the mast forward a touch, I used the spinnaker pole downhaul. By attaching it the mast and using one of the primary wenches, I was able to more the rig forward about an inch. The instructions also mentioned putting on backstay and that seemed to give it a little more forward position.

Next I put petroleum jelly on the rig so it will slide when pull the rig out. I used modeling clay to seal up under the deck and taped a dam around the boot to keep in the Spartight. I mixed the 2 parts together and filled in the cavity from around the mast. In the summer heat it set up in less than an hour. I was really happy to get it set up as we have been dodging rain showers all weekend. I am going to leave the rig set up with the vang, downhaul and backstay on until Wednesday night to give it plenty of time to fully cure. Can't wait to see how this helps the boat perform.

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

Wednesday Night Talent Search Continues

2014-07-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

The only thing better than reconnecting with an old friend is discovering your old friend has solid
sailing skills. After last nights adventure, hoping to have a new add to the a-roster. It was a fun night on the water.

We continue to be getting underway by sail only as the HRBT had a couple of crew members hung up and all the viable tows were already underway. The last option was Mirage who was also having engine issues and sailed out. The breeze complied as well sailed out of the slip for our 2nd time this season. We did have a little oops on the way back that resulted in a man almost overboard (dipped in up to his cell) Lucky. We got him back on the boat and the boat into the slip. All while "Fat Bottom Girl" played on the radio. Sailing!

Continuing to look for and build a-roster talent for a serious run in 2015. Open auditions as well as training will continue on most Wednesday nights and other dates TBA. If interested, let me know.

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

Long Time Coming

2014-06-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening there was a 55% chance of thunderstorms. The HRBT was backed up, then stopped, then finally moved. And I said

"lets go out sailing". At first, the clouds looked like it could get interesting; but then the sky opened up as if to say "you've earned this boys, enjoy".

Tyler, Mike and I ventured out with no motor and completed the course with the B-fleet spinnaker and all. It was very enjoyable. The light air made the short-hand handling of the kite easy work. Tyler and Mike did a great job getting back into the groove. Thanks to our neighbor John Henry on Valkerie for the tow out and to our new friend Allen for the landing assistance.

Since the last post a lot has happened and I have been too busy getting life together to post. Since last time I did get out of the boat yard; and if I didn't mention it before, I highly recommend Dandy Haven Marina on Back River in Hampton. Andy, the owner, is super accommodating and there are several professionals in the yard who can help you do it right. Also big thanks to Kathy. Kevin, Mike, Scott and Chris for all of their help at the boat yard.

It was wham bam back in the water as the ring saga continued. Thanks to V-12 Engineering I now had the rings. Rich sent a 2nd set after the 1st came in damaged. But getting the BMW started is a whole different story. And hopefully one that will be resolved shortly. Only in Fox Hill would you see a sailboat named Fat Bottom Girl being towed out by a fishing boat named Dirty White Boys. Big thanks to Richard and Crew for the tow out.

Light on crew, we managed to get out for 5 of the 7 races of SBRW. Huge thanks to Tim, Glen, Rob, Allen and Rodney for coming out and getting the boat around the course and not in terribly bad fashion. Our results in phrf b fleet. Also Photo-Boat took some great shots. Not sure why they hid the ones of us going around the mark ahead of Bad Habit with the Incentive III shots. I suppose the 2013 High Point Champion has some pull.

SBRW was an eye opener to what I need to do to get serious about being competitive in phrf b. There are numerous small projects on the boat that need fixing as well as establishing some crew depth. Wednesday nights crew training. All are welcome.

Give it all you got!

Fat Bottom Girl

USA 30812

Openly Heterosexual Amateur Race Skipper Enters Southern Bay Race Week!

2014-05-12T16:40:00.001-07:00

And my wife is stoked! Much like, ESPN I am hoping that my sensationalized story will drive advertisement revenue so I can buy a new 3di. I got a peek at Stardancer's new one at the loft Friday and it is sexy. I want one! So please support anyone who dares to advertise on this racy post. We're up to almost $5.00 on Google Ads. #Capitalism!

Boat update - With 17 days (and counting quickly) until 2014 Southern Bay Race Week we've got the drama of a world-class reality show. The D7 rings came in but the oil ring had a broken piece so no go. Thankfully Rich at V-12 got a new set out lickety-split but Chris leaves for Charleston SC tomorrow and will not be back until Memorial Day. We got the motor wrapped up in latex gloves, rags and tie wraps so no parts should move should I decide to sail back to HYC with no motor. Or put it all on the line and wait for Chris on the hard, go screaming into race one with a brand new bottom? Oh the drama! What will we do?

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

Lord of the Rings

2014-05-04T08:19:00.001-07:00

Anxiously awaiting the precious set of new rings from V-12 Engineering. The weather has been pretty crummy and I have been very busy, so a couple of weeks break from the boat has been okay. Still with the weather getting nice yesterday and today, I'm Jonesing for a sailboat race. The CCV spring #4 and #5 are today finishing up the 2014 Spring Series. I had hoped to get out for at least one of the days. Being on the sidelines sucks. I am more that ready to get back into the game.

The ring troubles stemmed from an overheating that came when the thermostat failed just after New Years. The head got really hot and the D-7 became hard starting. When Chris pulled the head, he found water so the first thought was o-ring failure. This made sense, but as he was replacing the o-rings he noticed a broken piston ring. The overheat caused the piston rings to get brittle. At first it looked like 1 compression ring and I was able to pick up a couple of matches from Hop's Place. But when the oil ring broke, as Chris was installing the compression rings, we decided to go with a new ring set from V-12.

The new rings are expected to arrive Tuesday. Chris should be able to get the Filthy Whore running that evening with a new goal of dropping Wednesday or Thursday. Better late than never!

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

Smooth as butta, II

2014-04-21T20:19:00.000-07:00

After x2 wet sanding and burnishing

Butta! The bottom came out great. Last Friday, as soon as the temp nudged above 55 degrees and I was able to land a loner compressor, coat #3 went on very well. I cracked gallon 2 and have about 1 and 1/3 gallons on now. The 3rd coat felt great as I was finally getting a feel for dragging the wet edge around the boat. The thin this time was at about 15% and I used a high-velocity gravity feed gun.

I still need to hit under the pads and expect to have the boat back in the water this week. The high tides are running in the afternoons. Sailflow has a good wind predictions too. It will be good to get back to HYC!

My neighbors reflection in my bottom paint. Yes!

Thanks to Mike for his help wet sanding and burnishing the Easter Egg. If you want to come sail with us back to Hampton the most likely day is Thursday. Saturday may also be an option. Come on out.

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

Going to miss the Back River Sunsets though

Tripp'n in the Tent

2014-04-16T19:39:00.001-07:00

Paint Den

The Back River decided we would haul at Dandy Haven. I could not find my way down the channel to Hampton Cove even though I launched from there back in September 2012. I hit bottom 4 times and when we did haul there was no paint on the bottom 4 inches of the keel. The ride from Hampton River was cold with the breeze off our nose it was almost laborious. But the view as we rounded Factory Point made well up for it.

I am really enjoying the Marina. Andy, the owner, is a super nice and very knowledgeable guy. He got FBG on the hard right away and was very helpful in setting up the tent. I also met Scott who owns Raven Marine, helped get me started on the painting by setting up the gun and getting the thin right. That and some great tips on prepping between coats has this paint looking much better than the last time at 2 coats into it. If it ever warms back up I am going to work on getting another 2 coats on.

Inside the Den

Also I have to thank my good friends Kevin and Kathy. There design (paten pending) for the tent stood up to the gail-force winds that hit Tuesday night. It has worked out very well.

Between the blown down den (mod I) and the frequently breaking compressor the setback on this project have been many. But despite them all, I have 2 of the best coats I have applied on the boat. The people at the Marina have been amazing and I appreciate the creek sending me to Dandy Haven. I am positive this will be my go to marina for haul out.

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

Diver Down

2014-04-02T19:15:00.004-07:00

Hudd's Foot?

Nothing like a Wednesday night on the water. "Cool breeze and tasty waves" met us on the Hampton Bar for a wonderful and much needed mis-week excursion. The HRBT did her part to try and "reck" the evening but we made it out just the same. Last time the sails were up was New Years Day. 90 days can feel like forever on shore, in the snow while listening to entirely too much Buffett. Some beers on the water, well they were good.

Rob's pic sums it up. Hampton Roads is a pretty cool place on a Wednesday Night and after 90 days of separation this was well deserved. Thanks Tyler, Rob and Rodney for your company. Million Dollar Idea. Purchase the old Fisherman's Warf that's falling into the Hampton River and call it "The Hampton Bar" (okay, it would take a lot of cash; but the Hampton Bar? Come on-pretty cool) Idea courtesy of Rodney.

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

CCV Books Racing Rules and more Snow

2014-03-25T21:37:00.002-07:00

It was great to pick up my 2014 CCV book and see so many of my sailing friends. The question

of the night; how's your boat coming along? At least I'm not the only one behind as several other skippers sneered at the question and pointed outside at the snow. The weather has not been accommodating.

Rob Overton gave a presentation on the sailing rules, his "top 5 most asked questions" and we the audience did a fairly good job not running Rob down every possible rabbit hole although admittedly, I liked the three boat-length zone scenario with the Opti leading the Queen Elizabeth; creative.

So 2014 is gong to start a little behind for FBG as hauling out is not going to happen until after April 1st. There's a new gremlin in the farfendiesel that's causing an overheating issues. I think it's the thermostat as I hope to get the exhaust manifold off this week. Transiting the narrows of Back River to haul out is not an under sail option, so I hope to get the diesel strait this week, as soon as the snow stops.

Give it all you got!

Fat Bottom Girl

USA 30812

Snow is a four letter word

2014-03-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

Finally got back on the water last Sunday for some boat racing. HYC's adult sailing program has been hosting a frostbite series on Sunday afternoons since January. This was my first time out since the Dana Dillon 2014 race. It felt great! Although hardly a frostbite with the mercury climbing to 70 degrees, I had to shed my hoodie when we we got in and started folding the sails up. It was a great time on Wine Taster with Mike and Nick. The four Sonars and one Albacore rounded out the fleet; we raced 4 windward-leewards off Strawberry Banks with the last race finishing at the HYC dock. Good sailing or a fast boat? We got a 2-2-1-2. And then it snowed on Monday - Really?

Olivia and I have managed to step up our ski game this winter. With all of the snow this year it seemed only natural to get out and play in it. Lib successfully skied her first advanced slope, Showtime. And only a week later her first diamond, Paradise. We've had a couple of great trips this year . I know Olivia will have me stepping up the skiing over the 2014-15 winter andI'm looking forward to it. Otherwise I'd hibernate.

As soon as the mercury rises and snow melts, I'm planing a quick haul, paint, sand and back in before racing starts back up in April. Come on weather. #ready for spring. Leading the fleet in 2014! #GoFBG!

2014 Dana Dillon New Year Madness Regatta

2014-01-05T08:01:00.002-08:00

New Years Madness is a great way to describe the racing that went on last Wednesday in Hampton Roads. The light and shifty breeze combined with a ripping outbound current made for some interesting strategy including tactical anchoring. Let us not forget Dana Dillon.

Dana was an Army DELTA / Airborne badass awarded the Silver Star; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star for Valor; Soldier's Medal; Purple Heart; and other medals and awards, including the Combat Infantry Badge and Master Parachutist Wings. He skippered his Catalina 30, Amarylyn competitively in the PHRF C fleet out of OPCYC. Additionally he started the New Years Day Race back on Y2K, rumor has it. I first participated in the race on Pterodactyl in 2011.

This years race was FBG's first time attendance. The pre-race skippers meeting was special as Dana's crew shares "Danaisums" that were pretty cool. Then we're off to the Hampton River where we stagger starts (based on ratings) racing from the HYC bar, around Hampton Roads bar and finishing at the OPCYC bar.

Also this was the first race I used the raceQs app on my phone. The starting line and wind shift function was pretty good but the playback is awesome. I am still learning how to download the track and put it on the blog. Hopefully by spring I will figure it out. Reviewing the track was really cool.

We did a great job on the start, about 20 seconds late with the traffic we had was not bad and we were in clear breeze the entire way out. Thankfully it was light as the crew of three, Tim, Mike and myself, were able to tack out of the Hampton River competitively. We were the 4th boat to pass the first mark and 2nd in our fleet behind Callinectes.

On the 2nd leg we took a deeper line in an attempt to fly our spinnaker but this proved to be the wrong move as the boats that sailed higher gained. This has Wham Bam getting around us just before we rounded the 2nd mark. The reach to the 3rd mark was uneventful.

But the run towards Ft Monroe was amazing. We were making 2.5 knots over ground with no wind in our sails (all current). Eventually we drifted up to the leaders. We managed to find a couple of little puffs that put us in the lead.

This would be short lived as we missed the exit; the current would not let us make the turn into Mill Creek (Ft Monroe). All of the leaders were stuck at the Mill Creek entrance. Callinectes was able to get into the entrance a little before they started being pushed out and smartly dropped anchor awaiting the new breeze. When it filled it provided enough power to beat the current. We went out to try to catch that breeze early but the current was much stronger in the bay so we ended up dropping out. Congratulations to the race finishers and Happy 2014.

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

Gaboon

2013-12-01T17:21:00.000-08:00

Hey it worked for the Red Sox

The 36th Gaboon race is in the books and what a great time on the water. We nailed our staggered start and took no prisoners on the beat out of the Hampton River. At the 1st mark we were boat number 3 and gaining fast on the leaders.

The trip to mark #2 quickly became a snoozer as the wind drooped way out. The slowing of the pace got us ahead of one boat and a little closer to the leader; but one crept up from behind. We were #3 again as we headed to the 3rd mark. It was then we noticed the slowing of the race had caused a catastrophic failure. We did not have enough beer to finish the race...Key dramatic tone.

Tragically our race was done. Oh and everyone was sailing so slow that there was no way they were going to make the 4:30 time limit. Be it the grace of the Gods or the wisdom of the race committee the race was abandoned as we motored into the creek. First to the bar!

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

Where's the breeze?

Fat Bottom Girl pre-start Gaboon 2012

Frostbite #5 - Blow Out

2013-11-24T17:28:00.002-08:00

And by blow out I mean the wind blew the race out. I was excited to get out for a true frostbite (temps in the 30s) but the gale force winds forecasted arrived with the cold temps making racing a bad idea. Next week Gaboon and then the New Years Day Race.

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

Frostbite #4

2013-11-17T17:02:00.000-08:00

The race that almost wasn't. We arrived on station just before 12:00. No one on the boat bet

against the "cat in the hat" being posted by the race committee. As expected at noon the race was postponed and abandonment looked likely. Ah, the indian summer was nice but we came to race not drift. Bantering with competitors and watching a pod of dolphins did provide a little entertainment.

Then the breeze filled. Dave called a great start and we closed the door on 3 competitors. We were the 2nd boat around the 1st mark just behind Cool Change. The bow truly runs the boat and while Mike did a great job for a first timer, we really missed having a seasoned bowman at the set. It didn't help that while I did think about setting up for a port pole, I never actually moved the rigging. The angle was tight and it didn't hurt us too bad but we let Jonathan and Orion nudge by and Callinectes get in close, really close, about 6" close. Rubbings racing!

Beat Orion!

The drag race that followed allowed for little tactically although I did manage to spend a bit too much time getting gassed by Orion. We crossed 4th and corrected 5th. Our best finish so far in the series (8,7,DNC, 5). I'll take it. Big thanks to Mike, T-Byrd, Rodney, Lee and Dave for sailing the boat and my boss for letting me take a conference off. It was a great day on the water. Final Frostbite #5 next Sunday.

Give it all you got!
Ready to jump into action

Fat Bottom Girl

USA 30812

Looks like this guy has the right rig for the breeze

Frostbite #2 - Long Strange Trip

2013-11-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

Falling the clocks back was bitter-sweet. It's never fun stowing away "daylight time" for the winter but it did made it easy to hit boat time; most arrived early. The strong breeze also helped get us out to the start line quickly but admittedly, it got in my head a little watching a neighbor get blown out of control while attempting to dock as we were getting ready to go. The FBG team helped him into the correct slip and a 6 pack of ice-cold reward was at the dock for them when we returned. Karma!

The course was long and fun. First mark was at the opening of the Elizabeth River and made for a great running start downwind. The rest was beating and reaching to Middle Ground Light, another mark off the Navy Base, back to Newport News Channel and then home to the Hampton River entrance. It was a nice ride that provided some heavy-air sailing experience for me.

The frequent gusts over 20 mph and the base-line of 12 made sail selection a challenge. We went with the blade but I think a #2 would have been a better compromise (if we had one). The heavy #1 was defiantly too much. With the blade we had great control in the puffs and kept the boar level. And we moved up from an 8 the week before to a 7. Next week 6? Thanks to Tim, Hammer, Rodney and Mike for getting us around the race course. See you next week!

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

Good Bye October - And Hey, Thanks Alot!

2013-10-30T19:40:00.001-07:00

Oh what a great end to a great series. While our 3rd place finish on the first night ended up being our best, the final race tonight was epic. It was an amazing October night on the water, light breeze, warm air and dark sky.

It was running lights on at the dusk start; the air gently filled the spinnaker on a beam reach letting us enjoyed good boat speed considering the light breeze. Shorts in October, the end of October, courtesy of the mid 70 degree air temp.

The first mark gave us a little trouble as the spinnaker halyard got a little stuck. Tim fixed it and we two tacked to the second mark. A shift in the breeze gave us a 2nd spinnaker run to the finish.

Quietly the boat slid across the flat water, through the darkness with reflections of running lights, clouds and stars. The remaining IPA's in the cooler, Ranger, Shipyard and a few other stragglers went down really smooth. Thank's to Christian and the CCV for hosting the series and Brian for starting and finishing the races. Congrats to the series winners and others who kept Wednesday evening racing going "just a little bit longer".

And of course a huge thanks to the FBG sailors, Tim, Glenn, Dave, Mike, T-Bird, Rob, Megan and anyone I missed. I enjoyed sailing with you very much. What a great series. What a great night.

Give it all you got!
Fat Bottom Girl
USA 30812

Breaking the sound barrier on the last Octoberfest Wednesday

Frostbite # 1 - Shifty Finish

2013-10-27T18:33:00.001-07:00

We nailed the start but gave a bit back at each of the marks. Heading towards the finish, the wind up front died and we had a nice breeze fill in from behind. It was kite up and a mad dash to the line. At one point we were out in front. But as quickly as it came it went and we got stuck just before the line. At one point I believe the boat was going backwards. Karma? It was a great time on the water and we still managed an 8. We'll work our way up next week. The team did a great job getting the boat around the course and the sails up and down.

Round the Lights yes we did...

2013-10-20T07:16:00.001-07:00

Thanks to OPCYC for putting on one of my favorite races on the Southern Bay. The "round the

lights" race has skippers making the call on going left or right. This year right was right and after referencing and evaluating data on tides, currents and wind we decided to follow Rusty. A strategy that paid off and got us a 4th.

This race is a staggered start so rather than adjusting handicap based corrections our finish is our place. Siri nailing our start time. Also, this was the last race we did in 2008 before the haul-out; getting out this year was an important goal.

Congrats to Margarita (1), Cool Change (2) and Bad Habit (3). Also big thanks to FBG crew Tim, T-Byrd, Mike, Hudd and Bree who all did an awesome job sailing the boat. It was an amazing day on the water and I hope Hudd enjoyed enough food and sprits for us all at the post race party.

-Give it all you got! Fat Bottom Girl USA 30812

Margarita PHRF B Winner

Our Start in 2008

CCV Fall Series 4 & 5

2013-10-06T18:58:00.000-07:00

A great day on the water for the final CCV race of 2013. It was hot, near 90 degrees, as we drifted and waited for the breeze to fill so the race committee could get a race off. After about an hour and a half it finally filled 5-7 from the west.

It was a windward-leeward with a 180 degree wind shift; sails went up and down. The light and fluky wind kept the racing tight. We were in the front, in the back and finished somewhere in the middle. It was a blast!

The 2nd race, and last race of the season, was dedicated to Pete Wallio. Pete was a life-long Hampton sailor who recently lost his battle with cancer. The race committee announced a moment of silence. It was perfectly quiet. Unfortunately, soon after the b fleet start the breeze dropped back off and the day was done.

Octoberfest!

2013-10-05T07:09:00.001-07:00

FBG frat-house the morning after

What a great idea. The CCV continuing Wednesday evening racing with Octoberfest. It's like a night out that you just can't let end. And in starting our Octoberfest traditions, we had a few beers.

While O'Connor Punkelweisse was the intended brew of choice, a fail at Harris Teeter (they didn't have it) caused a change of plans. Rather that scour the city, I chose the very available Sam Adams Octoberfest and that turned out just fine. Also in cans (safety call) it's a pretty good brew.

The race started out light and down-wind. We were good off the line and Tim, pulling double duty as mast and bow man, did a great job getting the kite up. We got lucky and picked the correct side of the race course. The breeze filled in as we rounded mark 1 and headed back upwind. We were the 5th boat to finish and corrected to 3rd place out of race #1. Sweet! Congrats to Pterodactyl and Stardancer for their 1st and 2nd Finish.

If you can't join um - watch um -

2013-09-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

Sunday's CCV # 3 distance race was a great start to watch. It was a down wind start in 10-15 mph breeze. There was even an over early which was followed by some challenging kite work. The breeze built up; so while I was green with envy, deep-down glad we were not on the line. We're getting closer but still not there - not yet. As fun as it looked, I would hate for people to get hurt or gear to get broken. Congrats to the racers who made it out.

With the race underway, I decided to go back to the boat and take care of some housekeeping. The ladder of death...has been tightened up and should be good for the remainder of the season. Also the strange vibration with the filthy is a missing transmission mount bolt. The old bolt is stripped so I'm going to hit Fastenal this afternoon with hopes they have one of these rare metric BMW bolts.

Sunscreen - Gotta spare sail? The need for breeze

2013-09-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

Baz Luhrmann had it right on the sunscreen. After having a basil cell carcinoma removed fromWhat do you use? Don't forget your sunscreen!
my face last week, I am reassessing my relationship with the sun. I'm looking for the maximum protection from direct and reflective sun.

After the procedure, while I was hopped up on the pain killers, I had the idea to borrow a sail and sail in the fall series. Thinking we were out of contention, I soon learned we could race with other sail numbers. A crew came together so with the loaned sail and race committee's blessing, we hit the water. Boo, race abandoned. No wind.

Light Air Devils

2013-09-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

What a great performance for FBG last night. The mighty 1-5 mph conflicting breezes converged on the middle of the race course resulting in a big dead-air hole. Nick called a great start and tactics for us as we maintained momentum while puff-hopping. We managed to skirt around the hole and the majority of the fleets. Putting the spinnaker up and down depending which breeze appeared to win out kept Tim busy. He did a great job especially considering the frequency of our spinnaker sets and take downs. As the first of our fleet to drift past the mark we pointed up and caught the light sea breeze that eventually partially filled in for the ride back. Olivia provided instant performance feedback on our every move and Mike (I'll be rail-meat tonight) was back for his first race since 2008. Everything but rail-meat, Mike did a great job sail trimming and working the mast. I drove okay. Thanks for a wonderful night.

Wow- Look at all those boats back there.

Life is better in the breeze

Great Sunset

An eye on us and an eye on the competition. Is that Pterodactyl way back there?

Newport no News

2013-08-14T10:03:00.002-07:00

Working in Rhode Island this weekend we took a pre-conference trip to Newport. What a sailing

town. The memory of my last visit being so distant; it was like a new experience.

One of the highlights was an unofficial, self-guided, tour of the "Coronet". This supreme undertaking is a keel up restoration of the 190+ft all wood gilded age schooner. I'm typically not a wood boat guy but the "Coronet" is a testament to early American sailing might. I can't wait to see her sail.

And nothing says Newport like a stylish robe. Our boy Ed go a lot of attention. Don't try this in Newport News.

Victory @ sea in 2013 on hold for a new jib....See ya tonight for the mid-week round the Hampton Bar.

Headsail Blues

2013-07-15T18:16:00.001-07:00

Jib Hole

T-Byrd

The only thing worse than only having one racing jib is having no racing jib. The rookies did a great job getting the sails up and down for the CCV Founders Race.

The Rookies in action

While the hole in the jib did not slow us down, it did cause some problems crossing the mast. Going from starboard to port the hole started fouling other gear making a huge mess and causing issues for Tim on the bow. This became unsafe. I made the call to abandon the race on Tim's concerns. Tim, Tyler (Miller), Rob, T-Byrd, Cliff and Hudd did a great job getting the boar around the course. Thanks guys, for getting out on the water with me and enduring the sunburn. There were plenty of raccoon eyes at the Monday morning meeting.

Hudd

Tim and Tyler

Adding insult to injury, a loud thud as we crossed the HRBT on the way home left a grape size hole in the leading edge neat the bottom of the keel. The Silver Lining, the next morning I received an email from North Sails on their "save the bay" promotion. Victory at sea in 2013!