[Rhodes22-list] But I just had to go sailing

[Rick Lange]

I took this week off because mid June is normally ideal for sailing on
Lake Erie.  That was the case last Sunday, but ever since there has been
one wet and windy cold front followed by another.

This morning, as she packed me a lunch of a sandwich and a pear, Karen
kept worrying about Cleveland shoreline water spout sightings and
warnings by the NWS.  But I just had to go sailing.
 
I went to the boat and putz around until the water spout warnings moved
to Willowick and farther east.  Out of the FCYC harbor the wind was west
at 10 kn and I was at hull speed as soon as I unfurled.  Beyond East
Light, it was 15 kn with waves at 1 ft.  I furled both the main and
genny down to about 50% as the wind kept shifting north.
 
When I approached White City beach, I fell more off the wind so I could
go below and eat my lunch with the boat flat.  I ate the sandwich just
fine, but the pear kept rolling off the table.  I set the pear on the
counter, threaded the port genny sheet through the inner track ring,
dropped the pop top, furled the main and lowered the boom.
 
I gibed around, unfurled the main to about 50% again and settled down
for a back massage during the ride back.  Hull speed all the way as the
waves built and moved more abeam.  By the time I got back to East Light,
the waves were at 4 ft, but except for a couple white caps that got me
en passant, I stayed dry.
 
Completely forgotten during the thrill of the return trip, I ate the
pear back at the dock.

Regards,

Rick 


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