Crew: Geoff, Murray, Jamie.
Forecast: Southerly 5 kts backing to SE 10 kts.
Jamie joined me at Chaffers Marina at 1030 hrs. He has just completed the Ocean Sports Introductory Keeler Sailing Course but as it was his first time on Halo we spent half an hour on safety briefing and general boat familiarisation. The lines and genoa no. 1 were still rigged after last night’s EBYMBC Night Race. We cast off at 1105 hrs and hoisted the main and genoa and enjoyed a nice sail round to Evans Bay in the 10 kts southerly breeze.
We rafted up next to Tamerlane at EB wharf where Murray was waiting for us.
At the clubhouse we got the course: Start – Point Jerningham Lighthouse (P) – Mark 16 (P) – Point Jerningham Lighthouse (S) – Shoal Pile (P) – Point Jerningham Lighthouse (P) – Mark 16 (P) – Point Jerningham Lighthouse (S) – Finish. Whew, that’ll keep us busy!
We cast off at 1235 hrs with Murray on helm and hoisted the genoa and mainsail as we positioned ourselves for the 1300 hrs start time.
We started a bit behind most of the fleet but ahead of Incantare. Jamie on bow did a good job hoisting our maxi spinnaker as we crossed the line while Murray handled the helm and I did the sheets.
The kite went up well and after trimming it I called to Jamie, “Ready to drop the genoa now?”. “I can’t”, he said, “I’m still holding the spinnaker halyard!”. Whoops! With all the excitement Murray and I both omitted to realise nobody was tailing the halyard. 🙂
Problem quickly resolved, genoa dropped and we were off.
We had to be careful to dodge between the Port Nick yachts which were simultaneously having their race with a course coming into Evans Bay. Zimmerframe crossed our bow a bit close for comfort.
About halfway up the bay we did a successful gybe of the spinnaker and mainsail to be able to steer toward the next mark.
As we neared Pt Jerningham we hoisted the genoa and dropped the spinnaker. It got a bit wet…
After rounding the lighthouse we then tightened the sheets to sail up to mark 16.
Beautiful sailing conditions and the no. 1 light genoa was pulling well in the 10 kts southerly. We rounded the mark with just millimeters to spare and then back to Pt Jerningham.
We then beat our way down Evans Bay.
After rounding Shoal Pile we were back on a downwind run. We decided to hoist the medium kite as we hadn’t had a chance to re-pack the maxi. Before the hoist we moved the pole to port side and gybed the main as the wind had now backed towards SE.
A faster spinnaker drop this time before rounding Pt Jerningham and mark 16 again and then back into Evans Bay for our last leg to the finish line.
The wind had increased gusting up to 15 kts and I gave Murray a break on helm. We were overpowered by now but no time to put a reef in the main or change headsail as we stormed our way down the bay to cross the finish line at 1450 hrs.
After dropping Murray off at the EB wharf we motored back to Chaffers with Jamie on helm. I went below to make a cup of tea and heat up some bacon and egg pie.
As we passed Oriental Bay we greeted the team on the Muir 8.2 training boat that Jamie had done his course on.
We docked Halo at Chaffers 1540 hrs. Jamie was a great help packing up the sails.
A great day’s sailing!
RaceQs Replay http://raceQs.com/event/1684430
Didn’t go back to the clubhouse for post-race socialising and results as I was feeling a bit tired, but found out on Monday that we came fifth on handicap for the race.
Halo Log Book 