Sunday, September 26, 2010

Morning's Glory and impromptu midship race

YouTube Video: Morning's Glory and impromptu Midship race! (1:51)

YouTube video Dong made: showing the whole weekend's experince (7:28)

Mark Twain Lake:


A 'Trophy Series II' race was scheduled for Saturday, September 25th. Angie was out of state with her mom and sisters so I enlisted the help of a friend, Dong. He's a former co-worker and originally from Thailand. Dong had expressed interest in learning to sail.


I drug Galactica to Work on Friday where Dong met me after work. This already put me 30 minutes closer to the lake! We grabbed Sub sandwiches and headed up to Mark Twain Lake; arriving at sunset. We rigged the boat up, slipped her into the water and headed across the Florida pool towards Sandy Creek cove. There was a full moon out and we approached a Catalina 250 on a late night sail, exchanged greetings and continued on. The cove I was going to anchor in was already inhabited with a boat at anchor and dark. Probably turned in already for the night.


We swung around and found a cove to anchor in; about three quarters of a mile up Pigeon Roost Creek.



I awoke before sunrise and climbed out the vberth hatch to sit back and watch the sunrise. It was gorgeous with lake affect fog ghosting around. I wished that Angie could have been there. I sat there for an hour and a half enjoying the sunrise and watching an eagle along with water fowl and some fish near the boat.

I lost an old grappling hook secondary anchor but was able to unstick my primary danforth with bit of persausion and aid from the Etec 60.




I showed Dong the basics of foresail handling and we set off towards BlackJack marina many miles away. We enjoyed a light sail while Dong learned what to do while tacking.


We arrived at the marina precisely on time for the pre-race Captain's meeting only to be met by some of the MTLSA sailors who told us the race was canceled due to the light winds of the morning.



That didn't matter, I was putting Galactica on the water no mater what...high water or gail didn't matter...we went through both. chuckle. The lake was high and it stormed quite heavily Saturday evening.




After a lunch while Galactica was docked and after watching mast repairs on Wild Goose; we headed out for an afternoon sail. Karl, the vice commodore, said that we'd do an informal midship 'race' from A dock to the C mile marker and back.




Look in the Rear view mirrors on two of these photos:)




I lost ground due to 3 necssary tacks away from a lee shore due to my poor placement of Galactica but was determined to make up for it.

I should have tacked a 4th time but managed to hold Galactica as far into the wind as she'd sail.

We skirted the promotory with the C navigational marker with less than 50 feet of clearance to the shore line (a Lee shore with storms brewing).




Notice a slightly concerned look on my face... close hulled, rocky lee shore, storm blowing in...



After a tack we passed the marker again with more wiggle room. Fortunately, the promotory was a cliff and and 56' deep as close as we were. It was an extremely fun sail!




We had a very good run back where we made up more time; during which, it began to rain. By the time I had the sail boots on and bimini top opened, the wind picked up and it rained- hard.


We enjoyed a great fish fry at the BlackJack Marina.



The storm force us inside for the fish fry and pot-luck meal. Margaritas were passed out to all who wanted -- and I wanted a couple times!




Later, a number of us boarded the 37' Tartan, Higher Porpoise and spent time swapping stories and enjoying Dark and Stormy rum while waiting for the rain to ease up.




Eventually, we cast off from the marina and enjoyed a late night, albiet cold and wet, steam back to the ramp where the tow beast awaited us. We were the only ones foolish enough to be on the lake. There was an aft port quartering wind which made the night time docking at the ramp very interesting.



After loading Galactica on to her trailer, we derigged and headed homeward. I needed to get back and unfortunately, couldn't wait until morning. Dong seemed to really enjoy experiencing a pocket cruiser sailing experience.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Exploring Truman Lake with Grandma and Grandpa


18 September, 2010
Truman Lake: Warsaw, MO



Angie had to work, Damon had homework so I took my Mom and Dad to Truman. It was a couple days before my Dad's birthday and my Mom's first time on a sailboat. We arrived at the ramp in the northeast corner of the lake around 10:30am. We rigged Galactica.
I was wondering what the day would present. One weather website said "0 - 1 mph winds from the South with chance of Thunderstorms late in the day." Two other sites stated, "winds would be 5 to 6 gusting to 8 with a chance of Thunderstorms later"

It was hot and calm so we motored to a large island where I splashed Galactica's Danforth in a shallow cove and made a tasty ham & swiss lunch for the three of us! Afterwards, I finished rigging the headsail's sheets and furling line, stripped the canvas boots off and debated swimming or sailing. I really wanted to get some sail time in so I chose the latter. Winds were light and sporatic.



We beat to windward for 20 or 30 minutes and finally when becalmed, I dropped the sails and spun up the Etec for a highspeed trip to the Highway 7 bridge which was 5 miles away. I wanted to check to see if we'd fit under. Nope...too tall. :)


We explored the bluffs along the main channel around the 4 mile marker. It was getting late so we started back. I kept stopping and checking for wind as the water began showing signs.
We raised both sails and enjoyed a leisurely run wing on wing until the lake turned east and we jibed back into the wind for a relaxing 5 mile tack back to the ramp! I thought I'd have to tack and beat our way to the NorthEast arm but was able to adjust sails enough to either beat close hulled or on a beam reach on the same starboard tack!!! Though a slow sail, 2-4 knots, I relished the chance to improve my seamanship!!!


It was a great trip! The light winds protected Grandma who is terrified of water.

Galactica is now a member of the MTLSA (Mark Twain Lake Sailing Association) fleet so she is flying the MTLSA pennant on the new halyard I hung from the spreader. I used a stainless block and a purple line since the Admiral's favorite color is purple.


Here is a youtube video I made with videos and pictures set to a song from Battlestar Galactica!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm3Ejal7Mo8 Enjoy!

After stopping at an Inn cafe in Lincoln for a tasty dinner and an awesome Sam Adams 'Oktoberfest', we headed homeward. About 25 miles north of the lake, we ran into a whopper of a thunderstorm! The lightning show was so vivid and branching that it looked like a fake animation. We missed the hail and returned Galactica to the ranch safely!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Gusty Sailing, Labor Day Weekend!

Mark Twain Lake:


We put in at Robert Allen access and proceeded out into the Florida pool where we sailed around for a couple hours before heading to the raft up location.

Winds got sporatic so we furled the sails, lowered the Etec and rocketed over to Ski Cove a few miles away.

There were a dozen sailboats ranging in size from 19 to 37 feet. Galactica is 26 foot long.
Angie suggested trying a wooden TV tray from home for a pedestal table in the cockpit. The pedestal tables are extremely costly, several hundred for a decent one. The TV tray worked Perfectly!!!

We enjoyed a 'pass the dish' meal with the rest of the fleet. It really hit the spot. At sunset, Babe 2 fired a cannon in sunset salute! That was REALLY cool! I know what I want for Galactica... a nice little brass cannon! Here is a quick video of that cannon salute! Cannon Salute!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG408qWVJCs

Here is a picture of my Galley mod before I mounted the 3 burner stove onto it. Worked GREAT!



We spent in the night in sailor fellowship with song, booze, snacks, guitar and stories.

The next morning, the raft up broke up and we spent the day sailing. The winds were 15-20 knots. We started with the Mainsail reefed and the Genny partially furled. After tacking out of Ski Cove, we reduced headsail more as we reached the main lake.


We beat to windward for a couple hours, here is a video link as we were nearing the Dam and preparing to tack, close to the shore! Preparing to Tack Galactica! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3FdiJv3R8w

After breaking for lunch and nap in twin forks cove, we rejoined part of the fleet for an 'easy' sail under full Genoa only. A gust washed our leeward windows as we heeled over 45 degrees! It was a lot of fun tacking in succession.

Here is a link to a video from Galactica, following the fleet into the cut by the silo into Indian Creek cove: Sailing with the fleet! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA-Ys34hiQM



Galactica rafted with Wild Goose, a 32' Oday and Higher Porpoise (tartan37) Everyone toured Galactica and Tom told some humorous stories.


We left early Monday morning and swung by Indian Creek Marina for a peek at a Mac 26X which we were told berthed there. I couldn't see a name on the boat.


We loaded onto the trailer with no difficulties...probably because nobody was waiting to use the ramp... :)
 
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