3-3-2018 Racing

                                                                                                                                                    by Cathy

Sandy, Gary, and Doug on the starting line of the first race.

Nice warm March day with SE wind 10-15. The wind picked up after awhile and it was very shifty according to the sailors. It was a great day to be out on the lake. We had 5 Butterfly sailors off and on. It was surprising that more did not turn out for such a nice day.

It was gusty and shifty enough that we had one capsize. Nancy, Ken, and I handled it pretty well, considering we are not that expert. We got the sailor up using the nice new ladder and between the 4 of us righted the Butterfly and then the sailor could easily step in and sail away. It is always a good idea to put a bottle on the top of the mast to keep the mast from getting stuck in the mud. Or the flotation device designed for the Butterfly can be used. If the boat does get stuck then the chances of the sailor being able to get the boat up are slim and once in the boat - at least everyone is safe and there are extra hands on deck to help with the sailboat recovery.

Doug won every race with Gary and Sandy trading places for 2nd and 3rd. Great to see Miles and Joyce out and Joyce was catching up at the end. Small piece of advice: pull that sail in more to point higher when going upwind.

Joyce, start of the 2nd race, Miles in the background.

Race committee - Ken managing the anchor. 

Race committee - Nancy after setting up on the finish line.