Rum Race 10/17/12
Thirty rum races completed this year, only two left in 2012. The last Rum Race will be Halloween and that brings a new question to light. What are we going to do on Wednesday night until daylight savings time starts up again? Suggestions are welcome. However, if the weather continues to be like last night my suggestion would be
go sailing anyway.
The parking lot sweep found Matt assisting Andy with rigging the Laser. Norm assisted Richard with rigging the Fat Cat, and Ron assisted himself rigging the Laser II.
Getting some instruction from Matt about rigging the Laser
Getting ready
the Crew always does the work.
Once Andy was in the water, Matt and I went to Millihelen to rework the backstay adjuster and check out Matt’s new genoa.
Matt and Andy launching the MiniMatt
We had enough breeze to be fun, and comfortable, apparent wind was abeam as we headed west. After rounding we were closed hauled heading east. The predictable header in front of the condominiums kept us from making the finish line on one tack, unlike the Fat Cat which scored a perfectly unusual lift right up to the flag from well below the lay line. I hear Rolling Stones, “You can’t always get what you want”. The most excitement we had was being rolled by Maryann and Brent in the 29er. At least it was quick.
I am strongly advocating a change in the course for next year. I believe it would be easy to create an equilateral triangle by adding one more mark. We have sailed the existing course some ninety times in the past three years, I think a little change would go a long way.
Looking for that lift
Fat Cat managed to steal Black Jack’s victory this week by two corrected seconds and Andy scored the Malibu Red. The diversity of boats that participate in the Rum Race is fairly unique and we do have a good time doing this. So bring a boat or catch a ride, you only have two Wednesdays left, this year.
Patrick has provided some video of this Rum Race from a slightly different perspective…
My crew and I am all for a longer rum race course.
Not that I get to participate much these days, but I would suggest the club continue sailing on Wednesday nights through the winter. Should probably require boats to have appropriate running lights in good working order, and maybe change to a shorter course, but otherwise just keep on sailing.