Summer is not over yet

The temperature might be cooling but Nauti Dog is still out on the water! We raced out of the harbor with only the main hoisted while meeting increasing waves. From the distance a similar sized sailboat was charging towards us. After they passed us port to port it continue a ways before turning back to chase us. They slowly closed the distance between us but when there was a chance of them catching us we unfurled the jib. Nauti Dog immediately jumped forward. Speeding away and increasing the distance between them they gave up their pursuit and turned back towards the harbor. We continued pass a few more governments marks before returning to the harbor for the evening. Unfortunately there was some bottom growth of the speedo so we never knew what our speed was. Also we accidentally erased the track on the plotter so didn’t a total distance either.

 

Evening Practice

We made quick time leaving the mooring. Sky has been awesome at the helm holding heading like no one’s business. Tonight, were practiced tacking and sail handling. We made countless tacks out before surfing back in.

Race Practice

With the Small Craft Advisory ending in the morning we hit the bay again! The goal was practice tacking and rounding marks. Steve took the helm for most of the sail guiding us out of the harbor. Finding a low traffic area we looked at the chart to setup a course. We sailed a simple 1.43 NM windward/leeward legs rounding the marks four times before heading back into port. It was a great sail to close out the long weekend! 

Bending Sails

Waiting for the weather for to clear we made a trip to Buzzards Bay Brewery. While listening to the band play under the tent the clouds started break! We headed back to the harbor but low clouds rolled back in. We hoisted and furled the jib and bend the mainsail. Also, a general organizing and tidying up the of boat from yesterday’s race. 

2017 Buzzards Bay Regatta Dick Fontaine Distance Race!

Our first major regatta! Crewed by a 100% veteran team of three, Nauti Dog competed in the 2017 Buzzards Bay Regatta Dick Fontaine Distance Race.

The Dick Fontaine Distance Race is its own standalone trophy race within the Buzzards Bay Regatta (BBR) held on the first day of BRR in memorial Dick Fontaine. Points earned during distance race are carried over too day two and three of BBR. BRR is a total of three days starting on a Friday and concluding Sunday afternoon.

Approaching the yellow racing circle late we watched Class 1 start from a distance followed by Class 2 and 3. Thinking we missed the start of the Distance Race only Class we saw the 50 and 53 boats doing circles. So we waited and circled too. Finally we saw all three classes return to finish. Later the Race Committee broadcasted the Distance Race start would start 12:45. Also that Distance Race boat were combined with the other Classes. The course and Lat/Long of the W drop mark were broadcasted and noted in hieroglyphics on the cockpit side. We were assigned to Class 3 thankfully since we only has our homemade Code 3 signal flag. Class 3 started at 12:55 and Nauti Dog crossed after what felt several minutes.

Watching a fog bank rolling in, W mark was nowhere to be seen. Hearing other boats requesting visibility status at the mark and also another boat “guiding” two other boats using their radar I made call to RETIRE given our position was close to our home port than the finish. Changing course we motor sailed straight to the harbor barley beating the fog.

COURSE: U-W(p)-K(p)-H(p)-W(s)-U

DISTANCE: 18.05 NM

CLASS START: 12:55 at Mark U

RETIRED: approaching Mark W

2017 Buzzards Bay Regatta Dick Fontaine Distance Race

2017 Buzzards Bay Regatta Dick Fontaine Distance Race!

Our first major regatta! Crewed by a 100% veteran team of three, Nauti Dog competed in the 2017 Buzzards Bay Regatta Dick Fontaine Distance Race.

New leash

With Gale Warnings, Small Craft Advisories Thunderstorm forecasts Nauti Dog has been tied up on the mooring for a few days. So, I have been using the time to learn how to splice. Using 3 strand nylon braided line and an old swivel snap hook I made new leash. For my first project it was a little messy but works.