Rum Race 10/24/12
And they’re off… The Laser II is out front with the Hobie 18 rapidly overtaking. The Laser is next followed by the Viper, and the Scorpion is trying to dig its way out from under the Catalina 25 genoa. The unique sail plan of the Sea Pearl tri comes into view and then the first time Rum Racing JY 15 is sneaking in from the back.
The San Juan 21 Swamp Boogie Queen is resting comfortably on the trailer, as is Mike Padgetts Eloise, while I make these observations from Wolfy’s deck. In spite of the past few weeks of work on SBQ in preparation for just such an opportunity to sail, the outer bands of Hurricane Sarah were adequately discouraging. I have come to a profound realization concerning the justification of my actions. I realized that “I want to” or “I don’t want to” is all the justification I ever need to convince myself that my choice is the correct one. I am aware that many people seldom have that conflict. I suspect that those people spend less time considering potential opportunities or consequences than I do. It is OK, everyone sails their own race, whether they know it or not.
The recent mods to the Swamp Boogie Queen: the newly custom fabricated keel cable pulley, the blazingly fast and fair keel, the trunk fairing, aluminum gasket, fiber gasket, new ultra-light spinnaker pole, rerouted spinnaker sheet and blocks, freshly pressure washed interior, and resealed transom, would just have to wait for a little better weather. The green blob on the radar screen extended from well off shore through Lake Monroe. The rain ended up being less than expected as did the wind. About thirty minutes into the race Bob’s Mon Cheri sat motionless halfway to the rounding as the clouds opened up. The planing boats and Hobie 18 managed to finish eventually under cloud cover so complete it seemed to even darken Sanford’s light pollution.
At Wolfy’s, the conversation turned to helping Frank look for the ideal boat, and repeating some of our old stories to friends of Tom Dyll who had come to sail with us. It was later than usual that the competitors turned in elapsed times which resulted in the Laser 1 and Laser 2 finishing respectively and ahead of the Viper. Myaisland, the Hobie 18 finished 4th and our new server Ardele drew 4 out of the bin and Bruce Pemberton won the Malibu Red.
Next week on Halloween is the last Wednesday evening Rum Race for this year. We are still considering options for continuing a Wednesday evening get together of some kind for Daylight Deficit time. Please, feel obligated to offer a suggestion.