Kat Scratch Litter box: Rock to the Dock Race

This was our first test run sailing the boat and whoa, it's electric! I mean to say that everything is motorized - electric winches, an anchor windlass, a roller furling Jib and Staysail on electric winches, and even a mast furling Main. I wasn't quiet sure what to do, it was so automated.

We got off the dock Saturday afternoon and headed for the evening rendezvous spot to anchor for the evening. Putting up our lovely "Happy Hour burgee", compliments of Lynette (THANK YOU - Love it!), we had absolutely no idea that it would spur an instantaneous party. Good thing I had made up a batch of mango salsa a couple of days earlier. After a few mis steps and at least 2 people going in the drink, we all called it a night. After all, this was a serious race the next morning, starting at the crack of noon - NOT.

This was the first annual race for a new yacht club and 18 boats were signed up to participate in a 11 mile race. Like I said, it was serious racing :). It was a beautiful day but the expected winds were lighter than anticipated, making for an ultra slow start. However, I was not worried about making the 11 miles, we had all day - literally.

As soon as we crossed the start line, we hoisted the spinnaker on deck. It was in a sock but no bag and it was the first time putting it up. All in all, things went fairly well. Coming down the home stretch, everyone was squeezed into a small channel. Then the wind died. You could almost reach out and touch thye neighbor. With the tide against us, we started making negative way. What! Yes, we went backwards and the last boat caught up to us and passed us before the tide changed in our favor and the winds picked up. Then it was game on! As all the boats, all 18 practically, rallied for position down the 2 mile channel towards the finish, Brian passed 8 boats on the outside of the channel in just 10 feet of water( we draw 8 1/2ft) and we rocketed acrossed the finish line at almost 9 knots. Very exciting.

However, due to our size and rating, just because we crossed the line 5th or 6th doesn't mean that's what we placed. Actually, the last place boat that I said caught us and passed us, won. As her Captain later said, "How could I not win, I had a 11 mile handicap for a 2 mile race!"