It's a Trap!

The Race Committee thinks pink.

The rule is abundantly clear: a sailing vessel that is to windward shall keep out of the way of a vessel to leeward. However, it is also true that your options are very limited if another skipper won’t sail by the rules. And so it was that Full Moon was pinned on the leeward side of a red Harbor 20, prevented from sailing close-hauled or tacking across the starting line for the Pink Boat Regatta Duck Dodge.

 

Deception with their usual minimal decor.

Crew Randy “Fruit Salad” Olsen, Dave “Summer Ale” Pulsifer, Daniel “Blue Box” Mengedoht, and skipper John “Four-fifty” Mengedoht made the best of the circumstances, eventually clawing ahead of the Harbor 20 and gaining a bit on the leaders on the puffy windward leg to the AGC buoy. After a brief delay, the Equalizer was hoisted to good advantage heading north, Full Moon passing several boats. Unfortunately, passing giant (40’) Thundorca on their leeward side greatly slowed forward progress (passing to windward was not an option given the need to dodge drifting power boats).

Full Moon charging from behind to pass Thundorca.

 The Equalizer came down cleanly and the chase was on for the leg to the Aurora buoy, though big blue Crystal was threatening from behind. Crystal finally got past after tacking at the buoy, though they had to work hard for it. In the end, Full Moon was seventh, not at all bad given the start. Meanwhile, it was another gorgeous evening and the wind never shut down, providing wonderful sailing conditions. Full Moon also made a donation to the cause, of course, and happily added a new hot pink duck sticker to the mast.