The Big Finish. (June 28-06)
As the story appears in the "messing-about" forum.
I have recently moved to another
lake....you might say.
We can now launch in a matter of minutes so evening sails are easy and possible
during these wonderful long hot evenings.
I decided to go out Wednesday night as the local hot shot racers perform their between the cans races then. I wanted to get a closer look from the boat and cause as much trouble as possible.
We launched from a small bay north
of the race course. The racing was well under way by the time we showed up and
was a sight to behold. All those tall flat, shiny expensive sails....oh my.
The wind was already a perfect average 8-10 with gusts. We decided to fly the
new spinnaker and fell off on a beamer. We were trying to decide whether or
not to raise the main as well and show these 30 footers what speed was all about....and
then chose in the direction of sanity. The chute was already developing a high
buzz at times and figured it was more than enough.....then minutes later it
was way too much....we took it down and stuffed it, brought out the lapper and
raised the main. Now we had some control. Still reaching but then noticed we
had kind of become part of the race. We happened to be on the down wind, and
last leg of the race.
What we discovered next was the boat in first place passed us like we were still
on the trailer. He then crossed the line between the comity boat and a marker...and
off goes the air horn. Cool. We headed that way too, crossed the line....the
air horn goes off....and I jump up and pump my arms , "Woo Hooo SECOND!!"
Zack laughed but then said sit down Dad. I looked back at the rather regal chaps
in the comity boat and didn't see a single grin....in fact I was now wondering
if in their Pussers Glow they actually thought we were in the race.
I have never raced in a sail boat
race before.....and still haven't for that matter...... But I can now tell you
that the confusion of all those boats once they have crossed the line is interesting.
Here I am, the wind has really come on in the form of these ninja gusts that
require (in our boat anyway) to get some weight out and some creative sail trim
going on...and all these ocean liners are milling about going in every which
direction. Dropping sails, cracking beers, discussing the race and starting
motors. Zach is saying, watch out for this guy Dad, watch out for that one.....I
had no idea where to go. At that point I realized something a little funny.
I had been sailing in a wilderness lake for so long, I had no idea (at least
not a clear memory or idea) what the actual rules of the road were.
Zach says to me, " you have no idea what the rules of the road are do you?"
My reply was, " sure I do, don't hit any of these expensive boats....easy".
I hove to for a break as it became way to windy for the sail we had up. I cracked my own beer and watched the action all around me. Wow. I live in the real world now. This is too cool.
Urban Tim.....boning up on his 'Safe Boating Guide'.
A few images of the area.
Comity Boat with Kelowna and Knox Mountain in the background. Looking a little East of North.
The Race winner. These things are soooo fast.
Always something to watch in this
new area. A local Dragon Boat team.
Looking just north of east, the Kelowna Yacht Club back there as well.
Zack was the picture taker this time
so he gets me as a model. Crooked teeth and all.
There is my Johnson buddy in the background.
The Fleet.
One of the waterfront parks and some
of the new condos in the area.
Check out my little blocks on the main sheet there. I get those from Chuck and
Sandra at Duckworks.
Made by Racelite. They are a few bucks less than Harken and work very well
The end.