Solo Sailing

Marlon sailed a Rhodes single handed this evening.

Noe sailed a Laser single handed this evening.

These kids are awesome!

Noe's the Skipper - and Don't You Forget That!!!

Noe is skippering a Rhodes in the upcoming Sears Cup.  They have been out training to get better on the use of a spinnaker.  That's her on the far left cajoling her crew.

Don't cross this little cutie pitootie!!!  Or she'll make you walk the plank (and actually you'll have to deal with me)!

Custom Trimaran

Randy Smyth from the Gulf Coast of Florida was sailing his custom trimaran in the Everglades Challenge and had a capsize that was unrecoverable.

Pretty cool!

Hobie Tandem Adventure Island Sailing Around

While I was watching Noe race, I noticed there was a Hobie sailing around dragging a line. These are some awesome platforms to move around and try and pick up some fish. I can't wait to get one of these (after I pay off the solar panels, and the motorcycle, and the 4Runner, and the .....) - still it's important to dream!

Noe Sailing

La has the kids in sailing lessons, but they have classes on different days. I got a chance to see both of them this week. This was Noe on Monday. I'll post some of Marlon when I can get to the pictures on La's phone... didn't I just say that.... Update - Here are some more pictures of Noe sailing from La's phone.

Second Sailing of the Hobie Tandem Island

I got the opportunity to sail the Hobie Tandem Island sailing kayak again on Saturday. I paid attention to the smaller things this trip - how well do the controls work, how much do the components and joints flex, and how comfortable were the seats and pedals. Being a kayak first and foremost, you quickly realize you are much lower to the water than any other sailing vessel out there (even a Laser - I think). The person in the front position will get wet (but the spray skirt kit from Kayak Bob on Maui should keep most of the water from hitting). And the trampoline positions are not designed for accommodating people long term unless they are smaller. But knowing that this isn't a larger sailing vessel and accepting those differences makes this very portable, highly damage resistant boat a hoot to take out anywhere. I stuck around to watch the crew disassemble the kayak and load it up on the trailer - didn't take long at all. But it did look like a two person operation. I am considering this as one of the options for our next water craft - but as the time draws nearer to pulling the trigger (I gotta move the family out here as priority one, after that comes saving for a down payment or earnest money on the house, then another vehicle - maybe, AND THEN A NEW WATER CRAFT), I'll try bringing the kids out and see how they like it. Either way this is a fun boat and having propulsion options to make a trek out to catch ono, ahi and mahi makes eating the fish even nicer!!!!

Sunday Regatta

Cruising pretty close to the break zone at Diamond Head - I bet the crew was having a blast! Over the course of the couple of hours we were out, I saw 25+ boats going back and forth between Waikiki and Hawaii Kai. Makes me want to get a boat... oh wait - I already wanted to get a boat!

Old Skipper

We had an opportunity to enjoy dinner with Roger and Michele - owners of the Farrier 27 Trimaran that I used to crew on. We were trying to get a sail in - especially since he got some new sails, but as you saw in the previous post, the air was light. I learned a lot about jib and reacher sail management from this guy. I look forward to the next time we meet Roger! I'll have to fly back for one of the long races!

Aloha HOOYAH!!!!

We sold the HOOYAH!!!! this past Thursday. I'll miss this boat, but we be a whole lot more flexible as we transition to civilian life (and the current uncertainties of where we will live, whether we buy a house or rent, when can we get into a house, so on and so on). ALOHA good boat - we had a blast with you!

Last Race in the America's Cup is Today at 4:15 pm EDT

This could be the biggest comeback ever... Make sure you check the weather out in San Francisco and if everything dials in, watch this race -

Weta Trimaran for Sale - Blades

I'll post a reference to this on the yahoo groups site, but in case you are browsing via a web search, here are some pictures of the blades - daggerboard and rudder.

RC Sailing Regatta

Marlon had a particular interest in the racing going on - light winds so the action was slower.

Afternoon Sailing

Small Craft Warning out all day. No fishing boats allowed out. Alas - there are other ways to enjoy the water!

Today - shore fishing (previous post) and sailing.

Wind is currently offshore in the lagoon, compared to onshore just a few months ago.

Got an hour in before a squall pushed through.

Combat Sailing

Blustery winds this afternoon - 17-20 kts.

Still sailed in the regatta - Laser Pico was my weapon of choice.

The first one I took out was rigged with a jib. After warming up and dunking after every tack, I took that one in and swapped it out for a jibless one. Control vice speed.

I held my own - first Pico over the line, and 3rd out of seven boats.

I did pay a price - I left some shin skin somewhere out there. Last time I sailed a Pico I did the same thing - the ridge amidship of the small boat and my right shin don't mix well...

I am thoroughly beat now (and blissful for it)!

Another Regatta Saturday...

Came in third.

We got 9.7 kts out of the wind today (11.5 kts from the NDBC site).

What's up with that????!!!!!!*(*^&*%$&^

Although number 2 cheated by throwing up a spinnaker (this series had a 'no head sail' rule).

Another good excuse would be 'it was really hot' or 'the wind was light'.

How about 'the wind clocked around and gave the lifts to everyone in front of us, but not to us'?

Seriously - I though we (Roger, Camille, me) sailed a good race - we didn't blow any tacks, or screw up (too many) lay lines - we just got beat.

Pictures taken with the GoPro (I love this camera!!!).

Oh and did I say 'it's hot down here!'?