We put our Express 27 Elise in the water at the Saint Francis and reattached the vang which was getting measured for replacement. One of our awesome crew had brought some pain au raisin from La Farine in Oakland. Coffee was shared. We headed out for the start area off of TI.
When we arrived, the pin end of the start line was already graced by one sunken mast which would augur for an auspicious day. So I suppose we weren't that surprised when we found the pawls on the port winch were stuck. That would mean cross sheeting all the way up to Point Bonita. We were already three handing so the #1 was going to remain below for the day. Needless to say we didn't fare all that well racewise. But we enjoyed it all the more.
We started at the pin end. Great minds think alike. So did everyone else.
The building flood meant heading straight to Yellow Bluff and then short tacking from there, keeping an eye on the gps vs speedo delta as to know when to tack back in. Winds definitely swirl near Yellow Bluff.
Once we set the kite at Bonita it was a sleighride back. The South Tower Demon was taking a nap when we passed under the Gate. A lot of boats then headed to Treasure Island and gybed + reached. We found excellent speed and separated from the group we'd rounded with by staying in the channel. Nat got some really nice surfing runs.
Things always slow down in the Estuary. But it wasn't that slow. There was even a nice gust near the finish line.
Skipped the Encinal party and delivered back to the Saint Francis. We noticed that one of our sister ships was getting a tow back courtesy of Zamazaan. On the hand, we had a bracing sail back. With winds over 20 and the some nice Bay chop the crew elected to get good and beat up on the outside instead of heading in for relief. Put the boat away, showered and had some burgers. A good day.
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