Invited out on Jimmy Gubelmann’s lovely Huckins “Mahubas” to watch the final day of racing for the swan 42 club boats. 19 countries represented. close sailing; the NYYC entry Phil Lotz won by sailing very consistently.
This Nor’ Easter just will not move away. Another day of racing with NE winds, at least in or near our wind range.
The wind is still in the north east 14-20 knots. Yesterday we nearly tore the gooseneck off the mast. This morning the solution was underway, a bronze strap drilled and tapped around the mast.
Yesterday we broke our spinnaker pole and worked the vang attachment too hard. Having solved those problems. Today we still had a lot of wind although not as much as yesterday, we were working the gooseneck hard and the chocks at the mast partners came loose.This allowed the mast to twist against the gooseneck making the problem worse. Had it not been for the seizing of spectra we might not have finished the day’s racing.
The second day of the world’s opened with wind. 18-25 knots from the NE. There was a delay but finally started a race between Gould Island and Prudence Island. There were a number of breakdowns. We broke our spinnaker pole. Stout Scout hull # 1 has beaten a few boats so far; not bad for a boat over 100 years old.
Today was the first day of racing for the six meter world championships. we started in two divisions, the moderns and the classic and vintage boats. We were not able to start a race until 3:45 pm as the wind never filled and settled. it moved from north to SSE at 5-7 knots.
I have been informed that we finished second in our division for the series.
Sunday, brought a pressure driven NNE wind 12-18 knots. In the words of the English it was “snakes and ladders” Despite the wind strength of the wind it was very shifty and puffy.
After the skipper’s meeting we set out for halfway rock rendezvous with the race committee. I am skippering “Madcap” with Jay Sharkey , Jonathan Hough, and Bill Hartnett as crew. After a postponement waiting for the southerly to fill, which never happened, we started in a light northerly. We nailed the start, a general recall. I never imagined that the other boats would let me in again. Nailed the second start, and rounded the first windward mark in third place, beating many modern boats. This is where or problems started. we were four and a crew of five can make all the difference. We will try to have a fifth for tomorrow and for the world’s, which start on tuesday.
Tomorrow is the first of two days of racing for the North American Six meter championship; followed next week by the six meter world championship, here in Newport.
