Avast There!

Full Moon approaches the line on port tack.

The forecast for the Pirate Night Duck Dodge was for another light wind drifter but we were blessed with fairly robust wind out of the south. Full Moon crew Michael “Halyards” Medina, Ben “Takedown” Spicer, Daniel “Pointy End” Mengedoht, and skipper John “Long Tack First” Mengedoht ended up approaching the starting line on port tack and had to duck a Buchan 37 before tacking to cross the line in fifth place. The Buchan proved to be in the way, behind and just to leeward, for much of the first leg until there was finally room to tack westward. Ducking Rajun Cajun (J24) wasn’t too painful but then Honey Bee (Ranger 26) plugged the works with no steerage right at the AGC buoy.

Full Moon has ducked and tacked behind the Buchan 37, still a decent start.

Once around, Full Moon headed northeast with the genoa before gybing and hoisting the Equalizer, which kept Full Moon in the hunt on the long leg north. Tacking after rounding the Freeway buoy placed Full Moon in the center of the lake for the best wind. Unfortunately, the Buchan had reappeared behind and to leeward, once again preventing a desired tack. In the end Full Moon had to duck behind the Buchan and finished fifth, just ahead of Honey Bee.