Rick and Jared pushing 20kts boatspeed in flat water on the approach to the finish
Capt. Pablo in Transit’s nav station
Transit of Venus is Rick Waltonsmith’s beautiful Corsair 37. On this day we had the 2014 PacCup crew aboard for a 30 mile jaunt out to Dux Reef, the SF approach buoy, and home. Just six hours on the course despite mostly mellow—and at times, becalmed—conditions.
Seven Wetas sailed seven races over Memorial Day weekend in beautiful conditions at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, Long Beach.
Pierpont Performance Sailing customers Dean and Dan had some moves on the fleet of regulars!
Orange rested at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club guest dock for the two days leading up to The Hardway Race. Its a lovely spot to lounge in the sun, people watch, and do boat projects while waiting for race day. On Friday evening our charter crew Caryl arrived in time for dinner at the yacht club and a couple beverages before turning in.
The maxi-reacher is rigged for a total of three headsails: small, medium, and huge.
Race morning dawned brilliantly sunny, with a light breeze out of the southeast—the exact direction we were to head. The forecast called for strong northwest wind, and the observations were already confirming that (26kts on Anacapa at 9am). This was a case of the hard wind outside “eddying” around the islands and folding back on itself. This can create areas where it is extremely light—lovely for morning coffee, but not very welcome at our start time of 11:25.
Approximately 25 boats started in these light conditions. A few were to head around Santa Cruz Island—the traditional Hardway route. A fair number were on the coast-wise course, and a handful of would be sailing the Anacapa route. Due to retirements, only two of us finished on that course!
West end of Anacapa as seen from the main salon of Orange
It took three hours to move away from the light stuff inshore and out to the synoptic breeze of the Santa Barbara Channel. When it filled, it filled big, and we were soon jib reaching at 15kts headed right to the island. By 4pm we were gliding through the Anacapa Passage and proceeding down the backside of the beautiful island. It was strange to be there by ourselves, with no other racers in sight.
On the last leg. Here you can see Anacapa on the left and part of Santa Cruz just to its right.
Before rounding Arch Rock at the east end of the island we nipped in one reef for what we knew would be a fast last leg. One nice sunset later and we were soon crossing the finish line at 10pm. Orange lives in front of the Pierpont Bay Yacht Club (the host of the Island Series) and it’s always a treat to be treated to treats upon arrival, no matter the hour. This evening it was homemade chili—and a Pierpont Ale, of course.
Caryl and Paul with our ORCA First in Class award
Molly and Seamus filled out Orange’s 2013 Newport to Ensenada crew.
Racing charter guests Molly and Seamus joined us for a great race. And the weather gods smiled on us all.
LoeReal, an ORMA-60 trimaran
One of the best things about the Newport to Ensenada is boat watching. The race attracts the biggest, fastest, and most expensive boats on the West Coast.
BadPak and N2E regular Taxi Dancer
Aboard Orange, we go fast and have fun—without having to sit on the rail hunched over the lifelines like the crew on some of these big monohulls!
Orange cruising comfortably at 15 knots
2013 Weta National Championships in Florida
Despite limited experience in these boats, Paul decided to treat himself to an early Spring Break by participating in the first-ever Weta US Nationals, hosted by the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club in Florida.
Participants in the 2013 Weta National Championships
Paul came out 8th (of 21 entrants) and a whole lot wiser about boat handling in high wind. The best part of the experience was spending quality time on and off the water with Weta designer Chris Kitchen who traveled from New Zealand to join the event.
Wetas going for the weather mark. Photo by Rick Saez
Weta #738 Ginger took her first road trip. We drove up to the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco and joined eight other Wetas for some racing in classic, high-wind San Francisco conditions.
Paul lost his virginity (pitchpoled), but since nobody caught it on camera, did it really happen?
It’s a boat! It’s a plane! …It’s a boat on a plane! Photo by Rick Saez
Blasting toward the cityfront. Photo by Rick Saez
Nailing the start. Photo by Rick Saez
Plenty of other GREAT photos were taken by professional photog Rick Saez.
Couples match racing
Dueling Wetas were seen all weekend long in Ventura Marina. Jared and E.G. came down from San Francisco to challenge Paul and Jenn over two glorious days of warm weather and light breeze.
November, with its gentle winds and crystal-clear skies, is often one of the best months for sailing the California Coast—or Mexico! It is an especially fine time to sail our Corsair 31 in the Sea of Cortez.
A week of skipping along the Southern California coast, hopping between harbors on the islands and the mainland. It’s all the fun of the Ha-Ha, but with less of a time commitment and you don’t need a passport. See Latitude 38’s event site for all the details.
The theme this year was Reggae ‘pon da Ocean, so in the spirit of the event, we changed the boat’s home port to Spliff, CA…wherever that is.
Where in the hell is Spliff, CA?
Overnights alternated between hopping vacation spots like Avalon, which full of party people for Beerfest, and the serene natural beauty of Santa Cruz Island.
Reflecting on Santa Cruz Island
Avalon’s harbor is popular and has room for many boats, but the water remains stunningly clear. Johnny can see the bottom beneath him, 25 feet below.
Crystal-clear water at Avalon
The lazy schedule allows plenty of time for recreation, whether it’s playing the Kraken with remote-control Lasers or trolling for fish.
Watch out little sailboat!
Fish on!
Kelp has a bad reputation as a troublesome water weed that wraps itself around the propellers and rudders of boats. Seeing it from the top of the mast gives another perspective.
Kelp as seen from Orange’s masthead
All the fun of Newport to Ensenada without the need to race at night or bring a passport!
Another SoCal classic, this 90-mile spinnaker run begins with a pre-start party hosted by the always-pleasant people at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. The finish, typically after sunset, is hosted by the King Harbor Yacht Club in Redondo Beach.