Okay … Windows Live Writer … Why?

Does this make it easier for me to post to my blog? Can I change fonts and formats?

Lets try Alibi at 14?

and how about a video?

I sailed today ...

After the small fiasco with WAY too long lines for the mark anchors last Friday, I decided to try something different. I had some goals:

One rode for each mark that will work in the big basin, the fairway by the club, and in the basin by my dock.

Easy to store (no more friggn tangles)

Water depths range from 6-7 feet off my dock at low tide to about 12 feet in the large basin. I figured that if I ran the rode through the eye on the mark and put the anchor on one end and a counter weight on the other that I would have a self-adjusting rode. The counter weight will sink and keep the anchor rode tight (and near vertical). For a 12 foot depth about 14 feet of rode will have the counter weight 2 feet under water and both weights will be on the bottom in 7 feet. Shallower than that the marks will have some scope.

Another Idea I had was to use a very long rode and set the counterweight about 2 feet deep. This (in theory) would allow the mark to drift to be dead downwind of the anchor, the counter weight will keep the rode below the surface so the keels won't hang up on it. A nearly self adjusting Leeward Mark!

I set the long rode first (after fighting the tangles) and let it get "happy" in its downwind position. cool ...

I set a weather mark upwind of where the leeward mark ended up and set a short reach mark/turning mark for practice.

My plan was to practice some starts, and sail a few "laps" of the course to see what the average time would be.

First observation. A 2 minute start sequence is more than enough.

All was going well until I missed-judged the Leeward Mark and sailed too close and to weather of it ... the mark started to follow the boat around. Rats ... I tried to sail out of it and thought I was free several times put after a time it became obvious that I had to rescue the boat. Into the dink. I had 3-4 wraps around the keel. I go that sorted out and sent the boat off to look after itself while I sorted out the ground tackle. I had managed to get the rode in the prop of the dink too. I checked the boat while I unwound the prop, stopping a few times to give the boat some guidance to keep it out of the mangroves. Got things sorted and went to reset the mark when ... the engine quit ... :(  It turns out that you have to put gas in them now and then or they don't run. So now I have a mark and weights in the dink, I'm drifting into the lee shore, and my boat is self tacking into who knows where.

Steer the boat. Try to start the dink. Steer the boat. Find the oar (yes, singular but that is a different story) and start to paddle back to the dock. Steer the boat, set the radio down, paddle, pick up the radio, steer the boat, set the radio down, paddle ... busier than a centipede at a toe counting contest. I made it back and sailed the Laser back to the dock. Refueled the dink and reset the Leeward mark. Back to sailing ...

Got about 90 minutes of sailing in. Had a great time and no one was laughing too hard.

After I finish my well deserved cocktail, I'll check the course length and lap times so I have an idea of length for 5-7 minute races.

R

Spam is not worthless!

Spam Primavera - Toss with linguini, serve immediately

It never ends!

Savory Spam Crescents - Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown

More spam?

Today's Choice:

Spam Imperial Tortilla Sandwiches - To serve, cut each roll in half

We can start a cookbook!