July 20, 2025
by Earl Thomas #5121
Commodore & Fleet 62 Captain
Commodore & Fleet 62 Captain
We had clear blue skies and warm temps on Sunday. With a little overcast burning off in the morning. We did 4 races courses 2, 2, 4, and 1. There were slow winds at the start, building all afternoon as usual, +/- 7mph max, not as gusty as the last races. And the wind was coming from the normal direction NNE.
Sunday’s competitors were Simon and Dan, Stephen and Logan, Earl and Ralf in the Lidos, Steve in his El Toro, Richard in his FoamFish rev. +/- 25, Ann and Yossi in Zests, Ming and Ling in a Capri and Adrian in his Hobie Islander.
Stephen and I were having a battle all day. I led some of the races from the start but mistakes made the difference. I missed the turn toward mark 2 in course 4 and lost the lead. Stephen was over early and had to go back in one race. I went to the left side of the lake on two races and it looked like I had them. Stephen got headed on the right side of the lake and thought we were ahead. In the one race where they were OCS I was clearly ahead but they broke right after restarting and found some good pressure and caught us at mark 2 despite our initial lead. We both finished within seconds of each other in all 4 races. It was good competition. My new sails made us more competitive with Stephen but he still beat me in each race but I think he was more worried. I'm just hoping he was a little worried, right? On the last race Stephen and I found ourselves with a little more wind then expected turning mark 2. Ralf and I dipped the rail more than we wanted and got some water on board. Stephen and Logan fought the temptation and hiked harder and kept their Lido dry, but it was close.
Ann and Yossi were doing much better in their Zests which included jibs this time. They're much faster with them. Steve, Adrian, Simon and Ming were having trouble keeping up with the lead pack but are improving each week. Simon and Dan were doing better with a borrowed set of my sails, #5121. These sails were 66 years younger than his other original sails. Richard lost his main's attachment to the boom and had to retire. Ann and Yossi sailed the first 3 races but time was running out on their rentals so they headed in. As did Ming in his Capri rental. The last race was down to just Stephen, Steve and me as everyone else had headed to the docks.
The usual public boat obstructions were on the water today, but not bad. Though I had a windsurfer just lay down right in front of me as I was leading Stephen on the downwind leg of one of the races. So much for the lead.
Thanks to Richard and Ann for snacks. Cheese, crackers and cookies from Richard and homemade chocolate and cinnamon chip cookies from Ann. Mmmm! I brought the fruit and chips & dip course for the repast. Thanks, to John for his RC skills today and his crisp and clear signaling. He was using his 360 degree camera so maybe we will have some more interesting video to see.
Hopefully we will see more boats sailing at our next races on August 3rd. Summertime is dwindling away so take advantage of the fair conditions and try sailing with us. Hopefully the Sunfishes will return, as well as Tony (to give Steve a challenge) and more Lidos. Because “More Lidos!" are always better, just like what Christopher Walken says “More cowbells”, are always better in every song.
The parking was packed today and some cars were parking right in front of our trailers so we had to back out instead. I'm bringing some bright orange cones next time to assert our rights and demonstrate they are the keep clear vehicles. Also Ann was talked to a prospective new crew member Hilary, who came by our table after the races. So maybe another potential member.
The Zoom meeting this week will be again at 7:30 pm and will be hosted by John Christman as I am going to be in San Diego (with Harold and Maria) and prepping for the Lido 14 CCR races the next morning. So bring your tricky rules questions to obtain a definitive answer.
Shoreline is selling a 420 sailboat. It’s the one in the parking lot by the trailer parking. Don’t know the price, contact Chris Nicol at Shoreline for details,
Sunday’s competitors were Simon and Dan, Stephen and Logan, Earl and Ralf in the Lidos, Steve in his El Toro, Richard in his FoamFish rev. +/- 25, Ann and Yossi in Zests, Ming and Ling in a Capri and Adrian in his Hobie Islander.
Stephen and I were having a battle all day. I led some of the races from the start but mistakes made the difference. I missed the turn toward mark 2 in course 4 and lost the lead. Stephen was over early and had to go back in one race. I went to the left side of the lake on two races and it looked like I had them. Stephen got headed on the right side of the lake and thought we were ahead. In the one race where they were OCS I was clearly ahead but they broke right after restarting and found some good pressure and caught us at mark 2 despite our initial lead. We both finished within seconds of each other in all 4 races. It was good competition. My new sails made us more competitive with Stephen but he still beat me in each race but I think he was more worried. I'm just hoping he was a little worried, right? On the last race Stephen and I found ourselves with a little more wind then expected turning mark 2. Ralf and I dipped the rail more than we wanted and got some water on board. Stephen and Logan fought the temptation and hiked harder and kept their Lido dry, but it was close.
Ann and Yossi were doing much better in their Zests which included jibs this time. They're much faster with them. Steve, Adrian, Simon and Ming were having trouble keeping up with the lead pack but are improving each week. Simon and Dan were doing better with a borrowed set of my sails, #5121. These sails were 66 years younger than his other original sails. Richard lost his main's attachment to the boom and had to retire. Ann and Yossi sailed the first 3 races but time was running out on their rentals so they headed in. As did Ming in his Capri rental. The last race was down to just Stephen, Steve and me as everyone else had headed to the docks.
The usual public boat obstructions were on the water today, but not bad. Though I had a windsurfer just lay down right in front of me as I was leading Stephen on the downwind leg of one of the races. So much for the lead.
Thanks to Richard and Ann for snacks. Cheese, crackers and cookies from Richard and homemade chocolate and cinnamon chip cookies from Ann. Mmmm! I brought the fruit and chips & dip course for the repast. Thanks, to John for his RC skills today and his crisp and clear signaling. He was using his 360 degree camera so maybe we will have some more interesting video to see.
Hopefully we will see more boats sailing at our next races on August 3rd. Summertime is dwindling away so take advantage of the fair conditions and try sailing with us. Hopefully the Sunfishes will return, as well as Tony (to give Steve a challenge) and more Lidos. Because “More Lidos!" are always better, just like what Christopher Walken says “More cowbells”, are always better in every song.
The parking was packed today and some cars were parking right in front of our trailers so we had to back out instead. I'm bringing some bright orange cones next time to assert our rights and demonstrate they are the keep clear vehicles. Also Ann was talked to a prospective new crew member Hilary, who came by our table after the races. So maybe another potential member.
The Zoom meeting this week will be again at 7:30 pm and will be hosted by John Christman as I am going to be in San Diego (with Harold and Maria) and prepping for the Lido 14 CCR races the next morning. So bring your tricky rules questions to obtain a definitive answer.
Shoreline is selling a 420 sailboat. It’s the one in the parking lot by the trailer parking. Don’t know the price, contact Chris Nicol at Shoreline for details,