A quick trip to Sarasota (our favorite FL venue)

It has been too long since we sailed in Sarasota, which happens to be our favorite Florida venue. With the summer behind us the fall fleet racing schedule has the start at 1 pm. Low tide was also around 1 pm and the lows have been real low this week so everyone took the eastern route around the sandbar. We found ourselves a little late leaving the dock after visiting with Linda, Katherine and Jeff Penfield who just arrived back in town. The breeze was a light easterly, getting a little impatient I cut the corner but having sailed here so often it was "no problem".


Heading north with some skinny water ahead, the light areas are sand and the dark spots are sea grass. The board was mostly all the way up as it usually is for crossing the bar. Why take chances?


Hmmm... Getting a little more shallow than I expected, board all the way up. Sort of committed at this point, sailing higher towards deeper water will need some board and that isn't happening.


The rudder is now mostly up and Kim is questioning the picture taking thing. What else to do? You have to be there but it is an odd feeling crossing the grass at 3 to 4 knots.

I will say I had the mental image of me in ankle deep water with the bowline over my shoulder pulling the boat along as Kim is snapping photos! Not good. Happily for me we didn't bump.

The ten boats had a great day, mid 80's full sun and for the first race a light easterly. The sea breeze filled in shortly after the first race ended and we had about 8 knots the rest of the afternoon.

We will be back in Sarasota in two weeks for the Florida District regatta. Looking forward to that one and hope to see you there.