PJ RandR
The annual Port Jefferson Race & Rendezvous was a success as usual, thanks to the tireless work of all the volunteers. Here's a few pictures from the crew of
Full Tilt, where we were Race Committee as usual.
Joyce and I had Janel as crew again this year, and we all brought our kayaks with us. I was happy to see that all three fit on the deck and didn't interfere much with our #1 genny, which we easily tacked several times on the way over.
I like that there's no chance of a wind hold on this race, so I started the race exactly on the hour per GPS time, regardless of the lack of wind. It did make for a tough start for many boats, as the current was moving west at about 3/4 of a knot and tended to drag them down the line towards the bell buoy, which was the pin again this year.
By around 2PM the wind finally started coming up, and Secret charged through the fleet to an eventual first place victory.
Janel scopes out the finish at Mt. Misery Shoal as we approach PJ.
This is a closeup of that really cool tri that was in the background of the previous photo.
Defiant and another boat have a bang-bang finish at the buoy. We were about 1/2 mile away, so the photo is a bit blurry.
Busy weekend at PJ, as this typical raft-up indicates.
Fun with glowsticks. Yes, this group is fully engulfed in a life-long state of goofiness.
Nobody liked the flash on my camera, so they all looked away. I decided to put the camera away at that point.
Gary and Carol from
Shamles making way home the next day. We left around 11AM under the forecast threat of thunderstorms, which didn't materialize until evening. And the wind was light, so we motored in the heat most of the way.
After stopping mid-Sound for a very refreshing and much-needed swim, we found this balloon floating along.
Have a nice day!
Thursday 7/23 - rainout!
The weather is what meteorologists commonly refer to as
"shitty", so we decided to give it a pass tonight.
Especially because, 1) the weather is destined to get
worse tonight before it gets better; 2) there won't be more than a handful of boats racing even if they DO decide to head out; 3) we've sailed enough in the rain already, and finally; 4) we're doing the Port Jeff Race & Rendezvous this Saturday, so it's not like we won't get in some nice sailing in about a day and a half.
And as for the weather forecast...it's likely to be
"non-shitty" by then!
Thursday 7/16
Yesterday was the first day of summer.
Well, technically speaking, summer started nearly a month ago. But yesterday was the first day that actually
felt like summer. Temps in the mid-80s, threat of thunderstorms, high humidity, etc.
...and, of course, a diminishing breeze.
Joyce, Janel, Liz and Lee before the pre-start. We had about 5 or 6 knots of breeze at that point.
After rounding the first mark the wind got fluky, and pretty much died altogether before sunset.
As we headed in, lightning played within this approaching thunderstorm. Around 11PM we started getting a pretty good storm here in Milford.
And because they were so good last night despite the frustrating conditions, I'm going to treat the crew to ice cream at
Baskin-Robbins! 
Woman at the Helm II
WAH II last Thursday, July 9th. Beautiful night to be on the water!
Pre-start, with Janel, Derek, Liz, and (foreground) Liz's dad Gib, who's visiting from Minnesota and was a welcome addition to the crew.
Kari, flying their Polish Burgee!
(hint: the fender!)
Pre-start, the boats slowly get ready for the race.
(L-R) Liz, Gib, Janel, and Derek's hands.
Lee checks the sail trim or looks for UFOs, I'm not sure; while Joyce concentrates.
My obligatory self-portrait. How ya likin' the goatee? (don't answer)
The obligatory sunset photo. We sailed around for about 45 minutes after the race, enjoying a few ice-cold beverages while the temperature plummeted during twilight.
Vacation Photos
We spent the entire week at our mooring in PJ, and we were joined by our friends Pete & Teri from
"Wild Eyes" for the last three days.
I was worried that transporting our 9.5 and 10 foot kayaks would be difficult, but they fit nicely on the foredeck and barely interfered with our #1 genny. We tacked several times and had no problem with them. Relief!
Joyce on her kayak near Windjammers Beach (where we have the annual PJ R&R).
Joyce's patriotic pinwheels were really humming in the near-constant breeze!
Cormorants sunning themselves on the wrecked wharf on the east side of the channel. The guy on the left is lightening the load right before taking wing!
A typical PJ sunset. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy the sunsets here?
Joyce finds a wrecked channel marker near Pirate's Cove. It's a bit too big for us to hang on our garden fence. I'm sure at some point someone will reclaim the thing.
I don't know why I do this. I guess because Joyce hates to operate the camera, so if I want any photos of me,
someone has to take them!
Wild Eyes rafted up to us on the mooring. It looks twice as wide as
Full Tilt, but I think the angle makes it look so much beamier when it's only 2 feet wider. Plus, they have a very spacious stern.
P & T on the beach at PJ.
P & T watching the big July 4th parade in Port Jeff. We spent about half a day in town, for the parade and lunch. The parade is great, with just about every single piece of fire apparatus on Long Island making an appearance. God help them if a fire breaks out somewhere!
I took the previous photo from across the street in front of the cigar store. I fired up a good 90-minute stogie, and found that I cleared about 20 feet of sidewalk while smoking it. Helpful tip for those that wish to repel families, especially those with kids!
The colors that they come up with for the evening twilight is way better than any fireworks I've ever seen.
Wild Eyes chuting home, with their big sail and a great breeze!
Branford Fireworks cruise
A week ago Saturday we made our annual pilgrimage to Branford for the annual fireworks extravaganza. Again we rafted up to our good friends Pete and Teri's boat
Wild Eyes at the mooring stakes across from the Branford Yacht Club.
The clouds threatened rain but stayed well east of us, allowing for perfect viewing of the fireworks. Joyce is wearing her souvenir pink
Buffalo Bills hat that I bought her when I was in Buffalo the week before for work.
Because, you know, she's a
Patriots fan.
Joyce with Jackie and Janel. Jackie was with us the first time we went kayaking earlier in the month.
Pictures rarely do fireworks any justice. But it was a great display, as usual. We stayed the night and returned home on Sunday to prepare for our week on the boat. Photos of that trip coming soon.
Joyce and I had Janel as crew again this year, and we all brought our kayaks with us. I was happy to see that all three fit on the deck and didn't interfere much with our #1 genny, which we easily tacked several times on the way over.
I like that there's no chance of a wind hold on this race, so I started the race exactly on the hour per GPS time, regardless of the lack of wind. It did make for a tough start for many boats, as the current was moving west at about 3/4 of a knot and tended to drag them down the line towards the bell buoy, which was the pin again this year.
By around 2PM the wind finally started coming up, and Secret charged through the fleet to an eventual first place victory.
Janel scopes out the finish at Mt. Misery Shoal as we approach PJ.
This is a closeup of that really cool tri that was in the background of the previous photo.
Defiant and another boat have a bang-bang finish at the buoy. We were about 1/2 mile away, so the photo is a bit blurry.
Busy weekend at PJ, as this typical raft-up indicates.
Fun with glowsticks. Yes, this group is fully engulfed in a life-long state of goofiness. 
Nobody liked the flash on my camera, so they all looked away. I decided to put the camera away at that point.
Gary and Carol from Shamles making way home the next day. We left around 11AM under the forecast threat of thunderstorms, which didn't materialize until evening. And the wind was light, so we motored in the heat most of the way.
After stopping mid-Sound for a very refreshing and much-needed swim, we found this balloon floating along. Have a nice day!
