Guitar Surf

The Tequila Derby has two parts: a race from Ventura to Santa Barbara on Saturday and another back to Ventura on Monday.
As we motorsailed out of the harbor and headed for the start line, we were faced with choppy seas and about 15 knots of wind. Everyone donned foul weather suits as we took [...]

When you combine a whacky race format like the Rotten Ralph Race with a great crew on a fun boat, the only possible result is cheek-itis (a condition caused by grinning too much).
Thanks to Harry, Bunni, Nannette, Dave, Sandra, Brian, George and Kyoko for having me along.

First, some quick information.
Maine Squeeze sailed eight races in 3 days
Crew included Mike Hopper, Bill and Tina, Mike and Cherri, Bruce, Doug, Chuck and me.
Nine boats competed in this one-design regatta.
Mike Taylor was named “Rookie of the Year” (nice trophy)
The Schock 35 organization and crews were great!
Santa Monica Windjammers [...]

The conditions were good. The wind came up early and held at 10-13 kts. from NW. Maine Squeeze’s main competition, XS, harassed us before the start of the first race, but our crew was not upset because we were using this race as practice for the nationals in Marina Del Rey next week-end. [...]

I like this race because it is long and there are many boats sailing. The eighty-one mile course takes the fleet around Anacapa Island before turning into Santa Monica Bay and Redondo Beach’s King Harbor.
Bruce and I helped Taylor deliver Maine Squeeze to Santa Barbara under light conditions on Thursday, Aug. 30. After [...]

Been sailing on other boats for the last two weeks because Taylor has been out of town (his son got married in Hawaii). So I raced with Harry Krum (Fusee, Beneteau 38) in two Wet Wednesday races and with Mark Coleman (Wainui, Cal 48) in the Frenchy’s Rum Run. All races were fun; [...]

Since my last post the Wet Wednesday races have gotten into full swing, with three races completed. The first scheduled race on May 6 was called off because of sloppy conditions left over from a 4 day blow and small craft warnings. The next three races were held in more benign conditions. [...]

Maine Squeeze is at the San Diego Yacht Club for the Yachting Cup Regatta May 2 and 3. Updates will be posted as events unfold.

UPDATE
After three races ok Saturday, the Squeeze is 7-7-6. Stategem broke a shroud in the last race and had to DNF. The conditions were almost perfect, with winds in the 8-15 [...]

This race, sponsored by the Ventura Sailing Club, is a little different. Each boat is required to throw a bottle of rum overboard, then retrieve it, before sailing the race course. I was invited to sail on Just Whistle, a Catalina 42 owned by Nick with crew members Marc Ean and Bruce McKenzie.
We [...]

A couple days ago I received this picture of Tokerau, a Block Island Cutter owned (at the time) by good friend Ken Cartee. Click on the picture to enlarge it. I had some serious fun on this boat. I remember sailing her up to Long Beach for the Ancient Mariners’ Race. After [...]