Saturday, June 5, 2010

Eeked one in -



The forecast called for a 90% chance for rain and thunderstorms today.

Upon initial inspection (around 0800), the sky was blue with puffy cumulus clouds pushing through fairly quickly. Checking the GWPM6 weather station (Gulfport Harbor), it was reading 15-18 (Kiting weather).

After we gulped down a breakfast of carne asada, omelts and hash browns, we were loaded and on our way. On reaching HWY 90, the surface wind was not 15-18, more like 8. We doubled back and hooked the boat up.

We decided to try Courthouse Rd parking area for the launch today. What a huge difference! Paved, sand free parking and only 10' of sand to drag the boat dolly through (no burning calves or upper back).

Took the entire family out for the first run - 2 nm out towards Biloxi in SW winds blowing 8-12 mph (steady).

I learned something today - La, Marlon and Noe are stink'in land lubbers! Noe was literally foaming at the mouth (not puking, just solid foam), Marlon gets very sleepy when on the boat and La as big a hooter as she is, doesn't like fair winds and following seas (downwind runs) - too much bump and dump today (short period, 1-2' waves stacked on each other - the 14'5" boat will surf a bit, then fall off the wave in the light-ish winds - ALMOST seasickness inducing water...)

Anyways, got them back to shore and then took the boat out on a solo run, this time East towards Gulfport Harbor. Got up to 9.9 mph - not bad for winds hovering between 8-12.

Turned back because of the massive cumulonimbus column pushing up from the South. It ended up bypassing us to the East, but it never hurts to sail safe.

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