Marblehead Nood Regatta.

So off I go to Marblehead to race in the NOOD regatta yet again. This time it was same boat different driver. I was asked to sail with Jason Weisberg aboard USA 82. I have never sailed with Jason before but have raced against him a couple times back in the days I owned a Viper 640 myself.
I arrived on Thursday to chilly temperatures and rain. Jason and I put the boat together and started going through projects to fix. We also installed the newly designed Harken GNAV. It went on just as they said and seemed like this was going to be the answer for the boat. After numerous trips to marine stores we finally wrapped up around 7pm. Off to the apartment for dry clothes and a check on Friday's weather.
Friday's weather was calling for a low that was moving up the coast to be over Boston a good portion of the morning. The weather people finally got it right. We woke up to temps in the 50's (in JULY) and driving rain. On with the foulies and off to the boat park we went. Upon arriving we found out the regatta was under postponement and the race committiee would make and annoucement at noon. I being the true southerner deceided to wait the last 30 minutes in the truck where it was warm. Finally the noon hour was upon us and after reports of gust up to 40kts and 7 to 9 foot seas the race was abandoned for the day. Can I just say that I was actually relieved. These boats are very wet in big breeze and big waves and I was not prepared. We spent the rest of the day tinkering on the boat and I used the time to call on local marine retailers.
Saturday, what a difference 24 hours makes. Warm, sunny and light. Just what a lake sailor dreams of. We had three races on Saturday with ripping current and 6 to 10 kts of breeze. All three races were won by local Justin Scott who is also the class president. We had a 3, 4 and do not mention. Actually, I will mention as we snagged the anchor line on the race committee boat right at the finish. We were batteling for 4th and Jason took the turn down to square up the line a bit to early. After finally getting on hooked and spinning around we ended up 16th in the race. Oh well, we have all done it and I know it won't be the last time I am on a boat that does it. It sure makes you tuck your tail between your legs for awhile once back on shore becasue you know everybody saw you do it.
Sunday started out gray, chilly again, and no air. We slowly made the 45 minute trek out to the race course. By the time the race committee had set the course the breeze came in from about 160 degrees. Race 5 was a 2 lapper and was pretty tough for us. We ended up 7th. Race sixth was better as we were in contact with leaders and at one point had a chance to get a gun for ourselves. By the time it all shook out we ended up 5th. Race 6 started out with lighter breeze and then built to the most we had seen all weekend. So of course the one time I pick to go left the biggest right shift of over 30 degrees comes in from the right. Needless to say we had to claw our way back to 5th thanks to a great move right at the finish by Jason to pick off a boat.

So now I sit here in Boston airport stuck once again. This is it...I am never flying to the Northeast again. Everytime I come up here I never make back home when inteded. At least I had a little time to catch up on emails and write this.