Yo Ho Ho!

Full Moon crew Randy “Tilt Pack” Olsen, Dave “Knot In It” Pulsifer, Kristin “Beer Ear” Gasper, Kevin “Drop Beer” Gasper and skipper John “Artful Dodger” Mengedoht sported the requisite big pirate flag and attempted to take no prisoners on a port tack, pin-end start for the Pirate Night Duck Dodge. Unfortunately, numerous other pirate vessels had the same idea, parlaying for room and keeping the gun ports clear for vessels coming in on starboard tack. Booty intact, Full Moon had a decent start, though ships closer to the middle of the line did a bit better.

Yes, there really was canon fire from this pirate ship!

The fleet converged for a congested rounding at the Freeway buoy and then spread out a bit upwind to reach the Aurora buoy with only a couple of tacks. The Equalizer was launched to good effect, Full Moon gaining on several boats, but a relative giant (Oxo-something or other) cast an equally giant wind shadow to slow things back down. With a conservative but clean drop of the Equalizer, Full Moon ended up third boat on the outside of a pinwheel to round the AGC buoy, which allowed stealthy Selchie to slip inside from behind.

Ahhrrrr, mateys!

The long upwind leg back to the Freeway buoy was relatively uneventful, apart from the occasional cannon blast, as was the leg to the Aurora buoy. The Equalizer was a bit slow going up for the second downwind leg but still very effective. Oxo-something or other was present yet again, having passed by upwind, but this time Full Moon was able to get more lateral separation to easily pass the big boat. Full Moon was also able to get the inside position at the AGC buoy for a tidy rounding before heading back upwind to the finish.

Full Moon (beyond) stays in front of Gift Horse upwind.

In the end, it was another great evening on the water enjoying a nice breeze, friendly fellow-pirates, and no rain. It was also the longest Duck Dodge Day of the year, remaining light until well after Full Moon returned to her dock.