New bottle opener

I know that all of you were eagerly waiting on this update - yes Elise has a new bottle opener. It will make its debut during the Vallejo race.

The police is still investigating the cause of the sudden death of the previous one and hasn't ruled out suicide. The poor thing was up against wine so often...

Resin Regatta Day Two (Apr 19) and Summary

Day two went much better for us. We were shorthanded again (3) and DFL'd but felt much better about it- a very nice day and good chance to practice/train up.

Light-medium, #1 weather, and not enough oomph downwind to take off: the fleet mostly sailed pretty deep. Courses, as for Saturday, were windward-leewards with gates at the leeward end. We had good upwind speed, with a little trouble pointing at times (not surprising given how short of weight we were). Downwind speed was very good. Maneuvers (tacking, gybes, sets) need a little further practice but it's the beginning of the season, and Elise is still transitioning from doublehanded ocean racing to the 2009 E27 round-the-buoys circuit.

Thanks to both groups (different crews Sat and Sun) and also to Tom+Peggy from Opa- always friendly+helpful and even loaned us a crewman on Saturday. Hopefully Eric wasn't too traumatized.

Anyway, we don't have to hope for better luck next time because it's just about guaranteed.

Resin Regatta Day 1 (Apr 18)

Ever have a day when nothing goes right?

How about:

outboard stuck below cockpit (mounting bolts frozen). Neither pliers nor "persuader" accomplishes anything but bending the handles. Resolved with a corrosion-dissolving product, time, and jiggling.

changing jibs (#1->#3) takes longer than expected, late for first start

bad douse, kite a drenched, twisted pile at end of race (change to new kite because there's no time to pack)

small tear in jib, growing (fix with sail tape). late for second start.

very slow douse at last leeward mark. blow up new kite.

struggle across finish line, within 20 minute time limit (get horn, salvage some margin of dignity, sail for home)

catch life jacket release in mainsheet, set off (inflatable jacket)

try to open beer for rest of crew. bottle opener disintegrates in hand.

(posting from boat, please forgive spelling issues.)

***

(side note: boat next to us at dock broke tiller bolt and a few other things today- haven't talked to anyone else)