July 8, 2025
by Earl Thomas #5121
Commodore & Fleet 62 Captain
Commodore & Fleet 62 Captain
There were light winds to start the day and it increased as we raced. Not as crazy as the last races though. Max speed maybe 8 mph. And not as gusty as the last races as well. There was the regular to light public boat traffic today so not to many obstacles. But two rowboats kept wandering into the start line despite repeated warnings. The races went by pretty fast and lasted only 15 - 20 minutes each. It was a fun day with 9 boats total. We did five races with courses 1, 3, 1, 4, 2. The favorite tacks upwind seemed to be more down the center of the lake, as going out to the edges took you so far away. But quick turns were the key to saving time and distance.
The Lido fleet consisted of Simon and Paul Zander; Stephen and Logan; Harold, Maria, Oliver and Fiona; and Ralf and I. Steve and Tony in the El Toros. Ming Liu in a Capri, Ann in a Zest and Richard in his Foam fish rev 3 were in the open class.
Richard was missing a boom vang and it resulted in breaking something else and he got pushed into island. And he got a tow back to the docks. There always seems to be another project during the development phase. Ming and his son Ling rented a Capri and were racing with us but kissed the shoreline below mark 3. But recovered and returned to sailing. Ann and everyone thought the Zests would be zippery then they turned out to be. So she had a slow time of it. Ming and Ling were in a slow Capri. But you don't need to say slow and Capri together, if you say Capri we know it's slow. And if you say you are in a slow boat we know it’s probably a Capri. Don was there to help out with RC setup and teardown. Thanks. Along with being a snack provider.
The Lido battle was good on Sunday. Stephen and Logan dominated with Harold sneaking in one win. Ralf and I were trying but got 3rds until Harold headed in early. Then miraculously some 2nd's. Simon was bringing up the rear but was looking better and closer to the lead. Logan skippered their boat in the first two races. Ralf and I covered Stephen and Logan on the downwind legs and usually caught up with them. But we watched them pull away as soon as they left mark 3. Paul Zander was testing the waters by crewing on Simon's Lido. It was a lot to learn about crewing and jumping around in an old boat. But he did well and perhaps he will be tempted to go to the dark side. “Are you ready for the big boats Mr. Zander?"
We need to get some feedback on the El Toro duel. Steve and Tony any input?
Adrian and Jamie did a good job as RC today after a rough beginning. The timer stopped working and we lent them a watch. Each race got started a little better. Horns and flags were starting to get coordinated. By the end they were happening at the same time. They got a tow out and back by the Shoreline staff for the RC boat. Thank you Jamie and Adrian.
Our next races will be on July 20, Sunday. We need RC and snack volunteers for that day. So we are now accepting applications.
The Lidos will have their Class Championships on the July 25, 26, 27 at Mission Bay in San Diego. Harold and Maria and I are going to compete this year. We'll see if all these Shoreline practices will yield good results. I am trying out a new set of sails for the championships. That's got to be worth a couple of better place finishes. There will be less competitors this year so we will have an even better chance of some kind of trophy acquisitions.
There were great snacks provided on Sunday, a charcuterie board with cheese, salami, crackers, watermelon, homemade peach cookies, tortilla chips, guacamole, turkey jerky, chocolate milk, Oreos, string cheese and somethings I probably forgot. The catering services are improving weekly. I just wish my sailing skills were improving as quickly. Thank you to Stephen Lord, Harold and Maria and Don for the awesome snacks and drinks.
Jamie had an accident on their rowing return trip back after the races. They were trying to push off of the shore, after drifting there on their row back, and he slipped and landed on his elbow. We got him first aid at the Shoreline boathouse but it warranted a trip to the urgent care. Chris with Shoreline helped out a lot with first aid for Jamie. Thank you to him. And thanks to all who helped with the RC boat launching and recovery. And thanks to the late crew who de-rigged my boat as I took Jamie to urgent care. Jamie returned home Sunday night in much better shape and all bandaged up.
I hope to see you all on this Thursday night at 7:30pm on Zoom.
Check out the latest videos from Sunday that are being sent out as we get them. Check out these from Ralf, https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCkJBu
The Lido fleet consisted of Simon and Paul Zander; Stephen and Logan; Harold, Maria, Oliver and Fiona; and Ralf and I. Steve and Tony in the El Toros. Ming Liu in a Capri, Ann in a Zest and Richard in his Foam fish rev 3 were in the open class.
Richard was missing a boom vang and it resulted in breaking something else and he got pushed into island. And he got a tow back to the docks. There always seems to be another project during the development phase. Ming and his son Ling rented a Capri and were racing with us but kissed the shoreline below mark 3. But recovered and returned to sailing. Ann and everyone thought the Zests would be zippery then they turned out to be. So she had a slow time of it. Ming and Ling were in a slow Capri. But you don't need to say slow and Capri together, if you say Capri we know it's slow. And if you say you are in a slow boat we know it’s probably a Capri. Don was there to help out with RC setup and teardown. Thanks. Along with being a snack provider.
The Lido battle was good on Sunday. Stephen and Logan dominated with Harold sneaking in one win. Ralf and I were trying but got 3rds until Harold headed in early. Then miraculously some 2nd's. Simon was bringing up the rear but was looking better and closer to the lead. Logan skippered their boat in the first two races. Ralf and I covered Stephen and Logan on the downwind legs and usually caught up with them. But we watched them pull away as soon as they left mark 3. Paul Zander was testing the waters by crewing on Simon's Lido. It was a lot to learn about crewing and jumping around in an old boat. But he did well and perhaps he will be tempted to go to the dark side. “Are you ready for the big boats Mr. Zander?"
We need to get some feedback on the El Toro duel. Steve and Tony any input?
Adrian and Jamie did a good job as RC today after a rough beginning. The timer stopped working and we lent them a watch. Each race got started a little better. Horns and flags were starting to get coordinated. By the end they were happening at the same time. They got a tow out and back by the Shoreline staff for the RC boat. Thank you Jamie and Adrian.
Our next races will be on July 20, Sunday. We need RC and snack volunteers for that day. So we are now accepting applications.
The Lidos will have their Class Championships on the July 25, 26, 27 at Mission Bay in San Diego. Harold and Maria and I are going to compete this year. We'll see if all these Shoreline practices will yield good results. I am trying out a new set of sails for the championships. That's got to be worth a couple of better place finishes. There will be less competitors this year so we will have an even better chance of some kind of trophy acquisitions.
There were great snacks provided on Sunday, a charcuterie board with cheese, salami, crackers, watermelon, homemade peach cookies, tortilla chips, guacamole, turkey jerky, chocolate milk, Oreos, string cheese and somethings I probably forgot. The catering services are improving weekly. I just wish my sailing skills were improving as quickly. Thank you to Stephen Lord, Harold and Maria and Don for the awesome snacks and drinks.
Jamie had an accident on their rowing return trip back after the races. They were trying to push off of the shore, after drifting there on their row back, and he slipped and landed on his elbow. We got him first aid at the Shoreline boathouse but it warranted a trip to the urgent care. Chris with Shoreline helped out a lot with first aid for Jamie. Thank you to him. And thanks to all who helped with the RC boat launching and recovery. And thanks to the late crew who de-rigged my boat as I took Jamie to urgent care. Jamie returned home Sunday night in much better shape and all bandaged up.
I hope to see you all on this Thursday night at 7:30pm on Zoom.
Check out the latest videos from Sunday that are being sent out as we get them. Check out these from Ralf, https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCkJBu