Since I have become a big fan of sending out recaps of club events, here is my first summary of one of our Social Sails.
Saturday morning was a bit overcast, but a few of us were hopeful that the sun would win out. Michelle showed up for her first PSC club event with her cute kids in tow. Her and Jake took 'Ol Yeller (hull #5), while Troy and Andzej took out Andzej's American 27 as our safety boat.
Jake, Michelle, and kids were soon in the water zipping out of the marina. The wind was great, although coming from the south, we knew it would make for a bit of work to get down to Ilahee. Troy and Andzej hoisted the sails and shut off the motor, killing whatever forward momentum they had. From my vantage in the C-Lark, they might as well have come to a complete stop.
Michelle and Jake powered ahead keeping a tack on the wandering wind. Our crew quickly sprang to action tensioning the boom vang and outhaul.
Eventually, Troy and Andzej realized that the American 27 refused to sail upwind and was not holding up its end of the bargain as safety boat. They lowered the sails and motored back up to the C-Lark. By that point the rain had come through twice and we were all getting a little chilly while the kids were getting hungry. We decided to take refuge aboard the safety boat.
Although we were threatened by a shoreside seamonster, we were lucky to have our bravest member aboard. The children were unafraid.
We were treated to some of Troy's specialty Guacamole that he shared with the group. We all kicked in some fruit and veggies to make quite a delicious healthy spread.
After much debate, we decided that the weather looked as if it would permit us to get the C-Lark back without too much of a drenching. It was smooth sailing for a majority of the return trip. Once the marina was back in sight, Andrzej and Troy had kicked in their motor and caught back up to us. They threw us a line so we could make haste back to shore. Unfortunately the wind decided to take that moment to start blowing pretty hard from the north. The C-Lark was quickly cast off, then it was a good little race back to Brownsville.
Everyone arrived safely and I think the kids even had a good time. Michelle got an excellent lesson in the difficulties, and rewards that come with bringing kids along for the sail. It is awesome to see things through their eyes. Kids see and understand the world differently, and when you stick them in a tiny boat for a couple hours, you can't help but try out their perspective for a bit.
Big thanks to Andzej for the use of his boat for a break from the rain. And big thanks to Troy for keeping Andrzej in line... as best as you could anyway. Once again I had a blast and love this club.
