Spring winds are here! Leaving the marina at 12:30, Waffle (dog) and I sailed up Broad Slough in 15-18 knot winds. The northernly dirction required several tacks to reach the Sacramento. On the way, we caught up to and sailed with new Antioch sailors Bruce and Suezette. Both boats turned at the top of the slough and sailed up river. I cheating the tide by hugging the shore and soon I met up with with Steve and Martha (Beneteau 323) sailing toward me. They came about at the Windsurfer beach and we both continued up river to the windmill. Great weather, sunshine, high clouds, and temperature in the mid- sixties. We turned to weather at the windmill and beat our way home with the tide. The Beneteau was fast to weather as the best I could do was to stay in sight. The wind picked up to 22 knots at the top of Broad Slough where we all turned, fell off, and headed home for Antioch. I got these pictures while things wern't so hectic. Dr. Waffle gets under foot and sheets too often when things get busy in the cockpit.
(Larger Image) New Anticoh sailors Bruse and Suezette on their Newport 27 "Sail Salsa".
(Larger Image) Meeting up with Steve and Marth (Misty II) on the Sacramento.
(Larger Image) Martha at the helm
(Larger Image) The Dual: Winds were WNW at 15-20 knots on this cool Spring day when Mike and I set sail upriver toward the Antioch Bridge. We sailed under the bridge and turned back just short of buoy 16. I had trouble putting a reef in and found it difficult to get back under the bridge with the westerly wind direction. A starboard tack dirctly under the bridge got me to the west side where Mike was waiting - just in time to see him go back under to meet up with another westward bound sailboat. The boat, a 30+ foot catamaran and in true Antioch style -a race was on. Mike turned even with the cat as both boats approached and passed under the bridge. He passed the cat and stayed in front to west end of West Island in a classic upwind tacking war. The cat - flat and fast on the water but slow to come about. Mike, rail in the water and pointing high into the wind.
