Labor Day Fleet Race (Pummeling) in Tampa

Sound familiar? Fleet race at 3pm, thunderstorm shows up right on time. Go figure.




More later...

Ok, its a little later. Andy has this to say:


43.5 knots at 1532, or so says the anemometer at the club. Having left the dock at around 1500, team #38 has no reason to doubt it!

When I close my eyes and think of sailing, I fancy blue skies, fresh breezes, and sparkling water.

I SWEAR ONE OF THESE DAYS IT WILL HAPPEN!

Around 1330 most teams were setting up, rigging boats and got chased into the club by a stout boomer. The consensus was that it was good to get that out of the way.

The skies cleared up a bit so it was back out to the boats and in the water they go.
It wasn't very long once out on the bay that it became evident that another storm cell was forming from the North. The wind ramped up pretty quickly and the conversation on #38 was if we could somehow skirt the storm...

Nope, no fringes, solid gray from Bayshore to the channel. Everyone has their stories of tested seamanship and valor. Ours from old #38 was how awful the boat shakes with a flogging main and how the un-sheeted main was trying to drag us over.

Match the quotes: This is a test. There is a prize.

1. "any other centerboarder would have tipped over"
2. "last ones in, we WON!"
3. "this is the last time Jeff will loan me his boat"
4. "time for a new suit of sails, SHUCKS!"
5. "how does this halyard thingy work"
6. "50 year old chainplates don't fail us now"
7. "my green crew and I are outta here!"
8. "the police car on Bayshore has his lights on for us, how nice"
9. "Hike like he__ Dad!"

A. #5026 Paul Silvernail and Leslie Fisher
B. #4321 Mark and Tom Taylor
C. #812 Bo, DeDe, and Alyson
D. #38 Andy and Lisa Hayward
E. #4156 Dave Bell and Susan Cintron
F. #4925 Dave and Kim Thinel
G. #2007 Josh and his buddy
H. #5477 Dean Bell and nephew Mike
I. #504 Al Thompson and Cameron Salmon

Everyone was eventually accounted for and only a few sails were damaged. The weather remained gray and rainy for the rest of the afternoon, but this did little to dampen the spirits of the hearty bunch known as Fleet 168! Thanks to all for the good eats, and to Lisa Hayward for her efforts with the cookunder.

Thanks to Henry Moore and Jay Tyson for their efforts on RC and the tow in of the unnamed Scot with the red waterline.

****Please review the class rules in regards to anchor requirements, this was a problem for some boats.****

Our next Fleet Race is September 20th @ 1500 and I promise the weather will be horrible, but the company will be great! We hope to have Jay Tyson as RC again.

Sarasota Fleet Race

Well it finally happened... we actually went sailing! This summer has been cursed when it comes to sailing the Scot. Between thunderstorms, the flu, Kim's hangovers, no wind, RC duty and whatever, we have not sailed since May.

The day didn't look that great as we were leaving the house, heavy overcast that had the threat of storms but generally brighter to the south, the direction we were headed. Within about 10 miles the overcast was gone leaving bright sun and only a few clouds, better, but no wind yet. When we were atop the Sunshine Skyway, with its excellent view, we noticed only little puffs upon the mostly glassy bay. Not again!

We get to the club and it is HOT with only the slightest breeze from the NE. By the time the six boats are ready to leave the dock at 1:30 the breeze is picking up.


Here is the wind graph from the Sarasota airport. Seems to me we saw 2 or 3 knots better than this most of the time

By about 4:30 we had 4 races complete and it was time to get out of the sun. A spinnaker run is always a nice way to return to the club, especially to hop over the sandbar. We all enjoyed some shade time under the pavillion and possibly a beer or two...



Remembering the camera for the first time today, I took this one looking north just before we hit the road.

August Fleet Race in Tampa

We arrive at the club and keep an eye on this cell to the south. We expected it to move south and away from us but it seemed mostly parked. Wind is from the south which seemed a little odd.



We set the boat up and notice a rapidly building cell just to the north which is heading our way


Pig Pen strapped down to the trailer again and we head for cover in the Clubhouse


Here is the wind graph for DIYC. The start was scheduled for 3:00pm, the thunderstorm pulled in right on time. UGH!

Here is Andy's report of the day including the new Fleet 168 scoring system;

Well we tried! 10 Scot teams were ready, willing, and able this Saturday, full blame on Paulie Silvernail
for thumbing his nose at Mother Nature!
A strong storm cell crossed over the southern tip of the island taking the electricity and the wind with it, no hoists, no wind, a bad combo.
Talk of ramp launching was halted as the bay turned into a mirror, so we chilled, some of the girls got a little out of hand and Toni had to cut off the rum drinks, don't worry Amy, Leslie, Lisa, and Penny, I won't tell a soul.

Results:

1. Mark and Tom Taylor, #4321 Only briefly unbuckled their boat cover.
2. Andy and Lisa Hayward, #38 Removed cover, (for repairs) moved boat, no sails rigged.
3. Leslie Fisher and Penny Ruark, #5026 Removed cover, snapped jib on.
4. Nate Vilardebo, #2007 Removed cover, moved boat down drive, no crew.
5. Jeff and Amy Linton, #4925 Cover, Moved boat, rigged sails, was the ramp launch ringleader.
6. Dave Clement and Cory Thompson, #2339 Moved boat swapped out mainsails.
7. Dave and Kim Thinel, #812 Really moved their boat, put mast up.
8. Dave Bell and ? #4156, Boat in the water.
9. Dean Bell and Kat Malone, #5477 Boat in water, paddled to the boat ramp to remove.
10. Al Thompson and Cameron Salmon, $650 Boat still in water late Sunday morning!

Our next "event" (I won't mention sailing) is Saturday August 30th @ 1500. I'm sure we will have food and drinks, sailing... who knows.
Covered dish info to follow soon, and we are lucky to have Jay Tyson and his considerable connections with Mother Nature for our Race Committee!

P.S. Forgot to add Matt Dalton and Dawn #2262, that makes 11 boats! They tied for 7th with the Thinel's
as they trailered in and had their mast up!
Man, I hope that's everybody!

Oops! Another P.S. Some fairly reliable sources have informed me that Tom and Janet D'arcy #5828 trailered in and had their mast up, making it a three way tie for 7th place! I do recall seeing them milling around "that other boat"!
Dave Thinel also thinks that Robert Hobbs had #2456 in some state of readiness before the monsoon, that would make 13 boats!
Be sure to buy Mark Taylor a rummer next time you see him if you left your Scot at DIYC during Fay.
Markee personally checked and adjusted tie downs on all of the Scot's Monday night, Thanks Mark!!