In his book Mayflower, Narragansett youth Sunfish great (and Brown sailor) Nat Philbrick describes that around 1621 the Pilgrim's William Bradford declared Thanksgiving. Though half his people, including his wife, had perished over the previous months, and their retirement savings had been shot all to Heck, he declared there would be a feast and that Flying Scots would be raced at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron and the Davis Island YC.
Give thanks all.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Flying Scot Racing at Lake Eustis
Saturday and Sunday, November 8 and 9, brought excellent sailing weather and things both familiar and new to Lake Eustis. The familiar: Ray Laguna and Dean Grimes taking two bullets on Saturday. The new: the first weekend of our Hartge series, and Ron Baerwitz – sailing with daughter Melissa and son Jerry – announcing his first appearance this season by taking the two bullets on Sunday.
Saturday saw nine Scots racing. Along with Ray and Dean on 5770, they included Dave and Jay Asaibene on 5179, Randy and Ronnie Boekema on 5697, Chuck Smith and Tony Tussing on 5125, Jack Bazner (finally back from somewhere cold) and Joe Lobato on 3387, Chris Erichsen on 5339 (I failed to write down the name of Chris’s crew – sorry), Francois Simon sailing solo on 3362, Pete Smith solo on 715, and me sailing with Todd Hunter and his son Jake – Jake’s first time sailing – on 5810.
The first race on Saturday was two laps to a mid-course upwind finish. Ray and Dean took an early lead and held it the whole time. The breeze was patchy but slowly building, and choosing the correct side of the course was critical. None of us by Ray and Dean seemed to get it right on every leg, so the fleet finished fairly spread out. Ray and Dean crossed the line first in 5770, Todd, Jake and I managed to follow in second on 5810, and Jack and Joe came in third on 3387.
The second race was more of the same patchy breeze, with more of the same need to choose the right places on the course. This time, though, more of us seemed to choose correctly (or at least to choose in the same way . . .) and the fleet was closer together. Pete Smith on 715 and Francois Simon on 3362, our solo skippers, were fast upwind in the light air. Francois even braved the spinnaker on the downwind legs and held his own there as well. On the second upwind leg, Todd and I made Jake’s introduction to sailing more exciting than we planned when we fixated on finding the layline as we neared the mark on port and neglected to look below us. Francois came in on starboard and did not see us under his sails until too late. When Todd and I finally did look below us all we could see was Francois’ orange bow, about ten feet away. T-bone! Right in front of God and the committee boat. But, no injuries, no damage, and our fault entirely. We did our penalty turns and kept going, although our learning experience cost us some time. At the finish, it was Ray and Dean first on 5770 (overcoming an OCS start), Chris Erichsen and crew second on 5339, and Jack and Joe third on 3387.
On Sunday we had another good turnout. All the boats from Saturday raced except for Chuck and Tony on 5125, Pete Smith on 715, and Jack Bazner on 3387, though we had a couple of crew changes: Joe Lobato sailed with Randy on 5697, Chris Erichsen on 5339 was ably supported by wife Becky and daughters Samantha and Megan, and Stephen and Annie Britigan sailed with me on 5810. In addition, we were joined by Anne Ireland and Joe McConkey on 5366 and Ron Baerwitz with Melissa and Jerry on 3360.
The breeze on Sunday was stronger but still variable across the course. Again, choosing the right part of the course to sail in was rewarded. In the first race, Ron, Melissa and Jerry clawed their way to a close come-from-behind victory at the upwind finish, crossing about ten seconds in front of Stephen, Annie and me. Great work by Melissa and Jerry, who were in their first race ever! (Although – and I’m just guessing here – their father may have sailed once or twice before.) Ray and Dean on 5770 placed third.
In the second race, the breeze was building and puffy, capsizing several MC scows. All the Scots stayed on their feet and more of us made good choices on the course, so we enjoyed several crowded mark roundings and finished with a parade of boats spaced a few lengths apart. Ron, Melissa and Jerry on 3360 again crossed first, followed by Randy and Joe on 5697 and then Ray and Dean on 5770. All in all, another great day of racing, and an impressive debut performance by Ron, Melissa and Jerry. We hope team Baerwitz will have the time to join us consistently through the rest of the season.
Finally, thanks to all who joined us for food and drink after racing on Sunday, when we awarded trophies to the winners of the Keenan Series. It was nice to take a deep breath and spend a little quiet time together. Thanks especially to everyone who supplied food, including Dave Asaibene for cooking a marvelous brisket, and to Ronnie Boekema and everyone who set up and cleaned up. Finally, many, many thanks to Frank Keenan, one of our club founders, for joining us to present the trophies.
Remember to visit our Fleet 150 website: http://fs.tmcentral.net/. Randy has been doing a great job keeping it up to date with our latest race results and other information.
The next racing weekend is November 22 and 23. We’ll look forward to seeing everyone then.
Saturday saw nine Scots racing. Along with Ray and Dean on 5770, they included Dave and Jay Asaibene on 5179, Randy and Ronnie Boekema on 5697, Chuck Smith and Tony Tussing on 5125, Jack Bazner (finally back from somewhere cold) and Joe Lobato on 3387, Chris Erichsen on 5339 (I failed to write down the name of Chris’s crew – sorry), Francois Simon sailing solo on 3362, Pete Smith solo on 715, and me sailing with Todd Hunter and his son Jake – Jake’s first time sailing – on 5810.
The first race on Saturday was two laps to a mid-course upwind finish. Ray and Dean took an early lead and held it the whole time. The breeze was patchy but slowly building, and choosing the correct side of the course was critical. None of us by Ray and Dean seemed to get it right on every leg, so the fleet finished fairly spread out. Ray and Dean crossed the line first in 5770, Todd, Jake and I managed to follow in second on 5810, and Jack and Joe came in third on 3387.
The second race was more of the same patchy breeze, with more of the same need to choose the right places on the course. This time, though, more of us seemed to choose correctly (or at least to choose in the same way . . .) and the fleet was closer together. Pete Smith on 715 and Francois Simon on 3362, our solo skippers, were fast upwind in the light air. Francois even braved the spinnaker on the downwind legs and held his own there as well. On the second upwind leg, Todd and I made Jake’s introduction to sailing more exciting than we planned when we fixated on finding the layline as we neared the mark on port and neglected to look below us. Francois came in on starboard and did not see us under his sails until too late. When Todd and I finally did look below us all we could see was Francois’ orange bow, about ten feet away. T-bone! Right in front of God and the committee boat. But, no injuries, no damage, and our fault entirely. We did our penalty turns and kept going, although our learning experience cost us some time. At the finish, it was Ray and Dean first on 5770 (overcoming an OCS start), Chris Erichsen and crew second on 5339, and Jack and Joe third on 3387.
On Sunday we had another good turnout. All the boats from Saturday raced except for Chuck and Tony on 5125, Pete Smith on 715, and Jack Bazner on 3387, though we had a couple of crew changes: Joe Lobato sailed with Randy on 5697, Chris Erichsen on 5339 was ably supported by wife Becky and daughters Samantha and Megan, and Stephen and Annie Britigan sailed with me on 5810. In addition, we were joined by Anne Ireland and Joe McConkey on 5366 and Ron Baerwitz with Melissa and Jerry on 3360.
The breeze on Sunday was stronger but still variable across the course. Again, choosing the right part of the course to sail in was rewarded. In the first race, Ron, Melissa and Jerry clawed their way to a close come-from-behind victory at the upwind finish, crossing about ten seconds in front of Stephen, Annie and me. Great work by Melissa and Jerry, who were in their first race ever! (Although – and I’m just guessing here – their father may have sailed once or twice before.) Ray and Dean on 5770 placed third.
In the second race, the breeze was building and puffy, capsizing several MC scows. All the Scots stayed on their feet and more of us made good choices on the course, so we enjoyed several crowded mark roundings and finished with a parade of boats spaced a few lengths apart. Ron, Melissa and Jerry on 3360 again crossed first, followed by Randy and Joe on 5697 and then Ray and Dean on 5770. All in all, another great day of racing, and an impressive debut performance by Ron, Melissa and Jerry. We hope team Baerwitz will have the time to join us consistently through the rest of the season.
Finally, thanks to all who joined us for food and drink after racing on Sunday, when we awarded trophies to the winners of the Keenan Series. It was nice to take a deep breath and spend a little quiet time together. Thanks especially to everyone who supplied food, including Dave Asaibene for cooking a marvelous brisket, and to Ronnie Boekema and everyone who set up and cleaned up. Finally, many, many thanks to Frank Keenan, one of our club founders, for joining us to present the trophies.
Remember to visit our Fleet 150 website: http://fs.tmcentral.net/. Randy has been doing a great job keeping it up to date with our latest race results and other information.
The next racing weekend is November 22 and 23. We’ll look forward to seeing everyone then.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sarasota District Regatta
Picture perfect weather with highs around 80 and breeze mostly between 8 and 14, can't get much better than that. Twenty three Scot teams enjoyed it to the fullest see the District website for results and a report.
I have a little story of my own. During Saturday's racing I noticed a couple small areas on the main sheet that were beginning to fray. Not thinking too much about it but I did make a mental note to replace it some time in the future. Since we needed only one more race on Sunday to get the five races scheduled it would be no big deal. Or not...
Here is a look at the sheet after the one race on Sunday
Here is another with the damaged area laid out on the aft deck
During the first beat on Sunday, I noticed the sheet was deteriating at an alarming rate. By the beginning of the second beat I was afraid it would not make it to the top mark. The damaged area is where the sheet is gripped by the cam cleat and ratchet block. Another hazard was easing the sheet may or may not work because the broken cover would sometimes jam in the cleat or ratchet. We could see that a couple of the core strands were also breaking, the breeze was about 14 so we vanged more to try to reduce the sheet load.
As the race is unfolding Jim Egan and I are in the hunt to win the regatta, we had started the day tied. Marshall had been ahead but we now have boats between us so the door is open. Jim and I are working the right side and we are close. Kim and I are watching the sheet and chanting/praying; "please make it to the mark" I have given up playing the sheet and just cleat it except for tacking when I tried to absorb the "pop" of the main filling on the new tack. When puffs hit we just feathered up and did or best to keep the heel reasonable and boat driving.
We are three quarters up the beat when Jim tacks to starboard with us on port and not able to cross. Afraid the sheet would jam I do a big early duck and we pass his stearn safely. We tack and we are both on starboard (Jim is ahead but slightly to leeward)trying to fetch the mark and banging into some big waves, I think I hear a strand pop, then some more; "please make it to the mark" chants. Jim looks like he is going to try to shoot the mark but goes into a tack instead, we take his stearn again and shoot the mark and barely make it. Now were ahead but since we were hiking and pinching the pole is not set up. We launch anyway and get an hourglass that take about 15 or 20 seconds to clear, that's all it took for Jim to pull even. Drag race to the finish.
Jim pulled ahead in the last 100 yars or so and took the race and the regatta. Awesome job by him and his crew Richard, not to mention Jeff Penfield who battled his way into an overlap with Jim at the finish line.
Results and Season standings have been posted on the District website.
I have a little story of my own. During Saturday's racing I noticed a couple small areas on the main sheet that were beginning to fray. Not thinking too much about it but I did make a mental note to replace it some time in the future. Since we needed only one more race on Sunday to get the five races scheduled it would be no big deal. Or not...
Here is a look at the sheet after the one race on Sunday
Here is another with the damaged area laid out on the aft deck
During the first beat on Sunday, I noticed the sheet was deteriating at an alarming rate. By the beginning of the second beat I was afraid it would not make it to the top mark. The damaged area is where the sheet is gripped by the cam cleat and ratchet block. Another hazard was easing the sheet may or may not work because the broken cover would sometimes jam in the cleat or ratchet. We could see that a couple of the core strands were also breaking, the breeze was about 14 so we vanged more to try to reduce the sheet load.
As the race is unfolding Jim Egan and I are in the hunt to win the regatta, we had started the day tied. Marshall had been ahead but we now have boats between us so the door is open. Jim and I are working the right side and we are close. Kim and I are watching the sheet and chanting/praying; "please make it to the mark" I have given up playing the sheet and just cleat it except for tacking when I tried to absorb the "pop" of the main filling on the new tack. When puffs hit we just feathered up and did or best to keep the heel reasonable and boat driving.
We are three quarters up the beat when Jim tacks to starboard with us on port and not able to cross. Afraid the sheet would jam I do a big early duck and we pass his stearn safely. We tack and we are both on starboard (Jim is ahead but slightly to leeward)trying to fetch the mark and banging into some big waves, I think I hear a strand pop, then some more; "please make it to the mark" chants. Jim looks like he is going to try to shoot the mark but goes into a tack instead, we take his stearn again and shoot the mark and barely make it. Now were ahead but since we were hiking and pinching the pole is not set up. We launch anyway and get an hourglass that take about 15 or 20 seconds to clear, that's all it took for Jim to pull even. Drag race to the finish.
Jim pulled ahead in the last 100 yars or so and took the race and the regatta. Awesome job by him and his crew Richard, not to mention Jeff Penfield who battled his way into an overlap with Jim at the finish line.
Results and Season standings have been posted on the District website.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Lake Eustis Series Results
Fleet 150 Members and Friends:
Here are the results for our Keenan Saturday and Sunday series, the first series of our 2008-2009 Season. Summary results are below and detailed results are attached.
Congratulations to all – but especially to Ray Laguna and Dean Grimes on 5770, who dominated the series. Great sailing!
Please remember that we will have a cookout to celebrate the Keenan series after racing on Sunday, November 9. Chuck has previously sent out information, but let me know if you have questions. Dave Asaibene will cook, so we should have great food as well as great fun. Hope to see everyone there. Spouses and crews are most definitely welcome!
Our next series is the Hartge Series, and again we will have prizes for Saturday and for Sunday. The Hartge Series begins the weekend of November 8 and 9, and also includes the weekends of November 22 and 23, December 6 and 7, December 20 and 21, and January 3 and 4.
Flying Scot Fleet 150
2008 Keenan Saturday Series Results
Place
Skipper
Sail
Series Score
1
Laguna
5770
3
2
Erichsen
5339
7
3
Asaibene
5179
9
4
Boekema
5697
9
5
Golder
5810
12
6
Simon
3362
12
7
Smith C
5125
17
8
Ireland
5366
19
2008 Keenan Sunday Series Results
Place
Skipper
Sail
Series Score
1
Laguna
5770
7
2
Golder
5810
9
3
Boekema
5697
13
4
Erichsen
5339
15
5
Simon
3362
15
6
Asaibene
5179
23
7
Smith C
5125
28
8
Ireland
5366
40
Here are the results for our Keenan Saturday and Sunday series, the first series of our 2008-2009 Season. Summary results are below and detailed results are attached.
Congratulations to all – but especially to Ray Laguna and Dean Grimes on 5770, who dominated the series. Great sailing!
Please remember that we will have a cookout to celebrate the Keenan series after racing on Sunday, November 9. Chuck has previously sent out information, but let me know if you have questions. Dave Asaibene will cook, so we should have great food as well as great fun. Hope to see everyone there. Spouses and crews are most definitely welcome!
Our next series is the Hartge Series, and again we will have prizes for Saturday and for Sunday. The Hartge Series begins the weekend of November 8 and 9, and also includes the weekends of November 22 and 23, December 6 and 7, December 20 and 21, and January 3 and 4.
Flying Scot Fleet 150
2008 Keenan Saturday Series Results
Place
Skipper
Sail
Series Score
1
Laguna
5770
3
2
Erichsen
5339
7
3
Asaibene
5179
9
4
Boekema
5697
9
5
Golder
5810
12
6
Simon
3362
12
7
Smith C
5125
17
8
Ireland
5366
19
2008 Keenan Sunday Series Results
Place
Skipper
Sail
Series Score
1
Laguna
5770
7
2
Golder
5810
9
3
Boekema
5697
13
4
Erichsen
5339
15
5
Simon
3362
15
6
Asaibene
5179
23
7
Smith C
5125
28
8
Ireland
5366
40
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