More Havasu photo's. Fun on the water.

Tried, but could not catch me 8>)

Havasu Photo's 2013

Here is a photo from the long distance race batteling with a Vangard 23, Pretty boat.

Making the first mark. It was close going around. Closer than I was comfortable with.

In the middle of the pack trying to stay out of trouble and traffic

Here is my track from the short race on Friday

Oceanside sail 2/23/2013

Nice sail out of Oceanside today. Light winds, under 10 knots. Sailed at an average of 3 knots or so. Travelled a little over 5 Nmiles. Out with Bill Shultz today. An experienced sailor and a pleasure to sail with. He is interested in buying a Swallow Boat. So, if he does buy one, it will be nice to have another boat locally, (LA area), I can sail with.

Home again.

Left Havasu early on Saturday. Drive back took a little over 7 hours at 55mph. I was a little concerned about the agricultural check at the California border. Lake Havasu has zebra mussels that are an invasive species and California is trying to keep them out. I emptied the ballast and kept the access open to help dry out the ballast tank. I felt under the water line, once the boat was on the trailer. I could not feel anything, but you never know. My fears were unfounded, the officer took a look at the boat, felt under the water line, as I had, and waved us through. I arrived home in time to wash down the boat before putting into the storage area. I had a fun time in Havasu. Learned a lot about sailing the boat and my sailing skills! The seminars were also informative. I really enjoyed the seminar on GPS from Garmin. Added a few tricks for me. The cold water survival seminar was also very informative. I just hope I never have to use this information!

2/15/2013 Friday sail, Lake Havasu.

Nice wind again today. The forecast was for 25+ winds. I put in two reefs and filled the ballasts! Yesterdays sail made me tentative about the wind. Denny of the Potters group joined me for the sail. Always nice sailing with Denny. The event today is a short distance race. Well I was not really racing, just following along. It turned out that the two reefs were not needed. We shook out the reefs for a full sail just before the second mark. We were at the tail end of the fleet. Once the main felt the wind, we quickly started to make up ground. Caught up and passed the two Monty’s in front of us. Sailed across the wind then downwind to the third mark. Rounded the mark and tacked back up to the finish line. Passing a few more boats on the way. A nice finish to the sail. Good wind and fun sailing.

2/14/2013 Thursday sail Lake Havasu

Good wind today. Sailed to the south end of the lake with Martin, both in our own boats. Great downwind sail, south at over 5 knots. Beating back into the wind was a slog. The wind increased to the point that I was over powered with the full main out. I had to spill wind like crazy, out of the main and have just the jib and mizzen do the work. It was an exhausting sail. No ballast meant that I was at the limit and uncomfortable. I had to really concentrate to keep the boat level in the wind gusts. Still, it was good experience for me. Added to my sailing skills!!!

Long Distance Race, Wednesday Sail 2/13/13, Lake Havasu

Long Distance race event today at the Lake Havasu Pocket Cruisers event. I started off with flotilla B. Which was for the less serious racers? The start was hectic with over 80 boats starting off in flotilla B. I waited for them to sort themselves out and get started, before I ventured up to the start line. There was a lot of close sailing and jockeying for position at the start line and it was just sailing too close for me. Several, what I thought, were close passes. Some did not even see each other until the last minute and changed course to avoid contact. The weather report called for winds gusting over 25mph. I put in a reef to be safe. It turned out that the wind was mild, with one leg of the race downwind in about 4 mph winds. I lost a lot of time on this leg of the race. I did not need the reef. But, better safe when sailing, so no regrets on the reef. We sailed a little over 14 miles. Looking at the race results, it looks like I came in 60 out of 80. Not sure if that is with handicap/Portsmouth ratings or not. My top speed was 6.1 knots. A fun sail.

Tuesday Sail in Havasu, 2/12/13

Nice easy sail today. I met up with Martin, who has a Cape Cutter 19. A salty boat with traditional lines. I sailed with him last year at the Havasu meet and really enjoyed his boat. We met out on the lake a sailed saide by side for a couple of hours. Sailed a l A little over 9 NMiles. Some nice wind gusts pushed me up to 5.6 knots as a top speed.

Lake Havasu Pocket Cruiser event Feb 10 - 17, 2013

Here for the week. I am excited about getting to sail most of the week. It took about 7 hours to drive here from my house. At 55 mph towing the boat. No issues on the road, so just a long, slow trip. A little stiff this morning after the drive. Need to stretch out. It was a glorious sun rise.

Not much happening on the water today. I launched with no wind and messed about a bit before putting in. The engine would not work after I shut it off after coming out into the lake. I ended up rowing in to the shore by our room. First time I have rowed the boat. It acted fine and was not a problem to row after getting the hang of it.

The wind finally came up around 2pm. I tried to launch but the engine would not work Bad gas. I changed the gas and it started right up. Backed out of the slip, wind caught the stern and pushed me almost into the shore before I could get the engine up to speed to move the boat out. It was a lee wind blowing at 15-20 mph. That was exciting and I expect to see it on U Tube if anyone had a camera! Lol it was a mess. One of those things that you laugh about unless it’s happening to you. OK I did have a chuckle after it was all over and no damage was done. So, my boat is now safely beached in the cove. No more slips lol

Mission Bay Feb 2 2013

A fun day sailing in Mission Bay. Wind at 10 knots, gusts to about 15 knots. Top speed 7.4 knots. Started out with no wind and great sun. Clouds came in, wind picked up, coats went on, sun disappeared. Sailed with Dave and Richard today. Kevin was also out on his boat with Deb and Mitch. Sailed out of Clairmont boat ramp. Sailed up and into sail bay. Some great wind as we came up to the bridge. Healed over and exciting.

Photos taken by Kevin, from his boat. Sorry to say I did not take any photos today, of Kevin's or my boat. Just too exciting!