I'm really not into racing sailboats. I know next to nothing about making sailboats go fast and – I cannot emphasize this enough – our 1984 Mac may be the slowest boat on the lake. But I volunteered to help with the 2021 Spring Series Regatta, out of curiosity.
I got to drive the club's whaler, with its 40 HP outboard. This was a wonderful change from the MacGregor, and good experience if you ever have to help a sailboat in distress. Mike Morris and I set huge orange marker balls at various places on the east end of the lake, defining the race course.
During the race, we tied the whaler to the "committee boat", from which the race was managed. I was entrusted with a very important job, to press a button when instructed. It was more complicated than just that. One of the presses had to be longer than the others, thus making a longer loud blast. Mike made sure I was fully trained before the races started. 😀
I also learned some useful stuff during the race, as the other volunteers chatted about the way the competitors trimmed their sails, altered headings, etc, as they sought an advantage over the other boats.
I really enjoyed spending those hours with Fleet Captain Mike and the other volunteers. Also got to know Larry Loven, a long time EYC member and past board member. I knew Larry to see him but didn't know how very kind he was (and generous with food & bevs!) and how much he knew.
– Mark Gordon
I got to drive the club's whaler, with its 40 HP outboard. This was a wonderful change from the MacGregor, and good experience if you ever have to help a sailboat in distress. Mike Morris and I set huge orange marker balls at various places on the east end of the lake, defining the race course.
During the race, we tied the whaler to the "committee boat", from which the race was managed. I was entrusted with a very important job, to press a button when instructed. It was more complicated than just that. One of the presses had to be longer than the others, thus making a longer loud blast. Mike made sure I was fully trained before the races started. 😀
I also learned some useful stuff during the race, as the other volunteers chatted about the way the competitors trimmed their sails, altered headings, etc, as they sought an advantage over the other boats.
I really enjoyed spending those hours with Fleet Captain Mike and the other volunteers. Also got to know Larry Loven, a long time EYC member and past board member. I knew Larry to see him but didn't know how very kind he was (and generous with food & bevs!) and how much he knew.
– Mark Gordon