Friday I was on the road by 7 am to Essex Ct. There I met my crew and we prepped for a 140 mile race to Marthas Vineyard Gay Head Light house and back. The weather was ominous and calling for 50 MPH gusts along our route and 5 foot waves on short periods.
Finally right before the start they announced a shortened course around Block Island. About 90 miles. This would get us finishing about Midnight and get us off the course before the nasty stuff really started.
We had good pressure from 12-25 knots which is ideal for this heavy boat. We struggled with getting one of the sails down after we changed tacks and tried to put our “Code Zero” away. The boat was pitching and after Steve and I wrestled it down and put it below, I was out of gas. I could barely catch my breath and I was not right for a few hours. Like when I was a cyclist and pushed too hard on a ride (trying to keep up) and “bonked” or “Crashed” meaning all the energy was drained and I could barely function. (Note to self, get back in the gym) . This is when all your glycogen gets depleted and you get exhausted and brain fog.
The excitement died down and we found ourself toward the back of the pack. We finished and then motored 3 hours to home port. I was home by 3 am.
Saturday I worked on getting the Whaler ready to go. Meena helped me paint the bottom last weekend and I buffed the sides. Stacey helped me get all the snaps landed with the special tool so I could install the new boat cover on the snaps. She and I then waxed it. I will splash it next time I have a second and she needs a good interior and floor cleaning but otherwise is ready to GO!
I can never get IMGUR videos to post. Anyone know how?
Offshore Video here if you click. We had our rail buried from being heeled over so far.
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