Drifting in the Dark

Full Moon is fourth across the starting line, though to leeward of a lot of boats.

Full Moon crew Ian “Beer Meister” Mengedoht, Rebecca “Mom Texts” Herivel, Daniel “Double Deluxe” Mengedoht, Kaylee “Snacks” Charlesworth, Troy “Coach” Charlesworth, and skipper John “Patience” Mengedoht opted for a relatively conservative starboard tack approach to the start for the final Duck Dodge (“Martini Night” aboard Full Moon) and this paid off somewhat in avoiding a cluster of boats on port tack at the Committee Boat. With decent wind, the fleet spread out, tacking back and forth. A final tack nailed the layline to the Freeway buoy, Full Moon pulling ahead of 22’ Anakena and overlapped on the inside of a 29’ Dragon.

Full Moon then continued north to Gasworks before tacking west nearly to the Westlake shore, then tacked north on another perfect layline to the Aurora buoy. This enabled Full Moon to round just (barely) ahead of Necessary Evil (Catalina 30) with Slingshot (J30) just behind. Unfortunately, both 30 footers came in ready to launch their spinnakers while Full Moon still needed to get the pole up, having just tacked at the buoy. This allowed both 30-footers to pull ahead and to windward.

Full Moon trails Necessary Evil and Slinghot to the AGC buoy.

Thus began a long battle south, Full Moon not quite able to punch through the wind shadow of both boats while Necessarily Evil could similarly not escape Slingshot. The good news is that all three were slowly reeling in Makima (26’ T-bird). Approaching the AGC buoy in fading wind, a Beneteau 423 from second start entered the mix. Makima made it around safely in front. A (very) late spinnaker drop on Full Moon allowed rounding inside the big Beneteau, but the ensuing cleanup also allowed them back out in front. Full Moon tacked away but by this time the wind had dropped to nearly nothing.

The final leg was agonizingly slow. Makima eventually crossed the line first, followed by Necessary Evil many minutes later. This left Full Moon and Slingshot to battle for third until Brushfiire (Mirage 24’) snuck past toward the Eastlake shore. Full Moon ultimately prevailed over Slingshot to take fourth, both boats barely moving.

Lots of boats never made it to the AGC buoy before abandoning the race.

This was Full Moon’s 30^th year of dodging ducks going back to 1995. (There were no races in 2020 due to COVID.) We sailed in seventeen out of eighteen races, skipping just one when the boat was hauled out for bottom paint. Amazingly, we also only had rain for one race in May. Keeping with tradition, twenty different people rotated through the crew, including four “newbies.” We managed to score one gold duck, two silvers, and five bronze ducks. Our average finish was 4.5 and our mean finish was 4^th place. Not bad for a 47-year-old boat!

New Moons

After replacing the vinyl letters for the name and the registration numbers, I finally got around to replacing the crumbling moons. I bought the vinyl online and cut it myself - not bad for an amateur.

Oops, We Did It Again!

Full Moon is over the line just a bit early...

After two poor starts recently (and one incredible comeback), Full Moon crew Anne “Birthday Girl” Gustavson, Ben “Coach” Spicer, Poorva “Muscles” Joshi, Daniel “Renaissance Man” Mengedoht, and skipper John “Comeback King” Mengedoht went for a relatively aggressive port tack start for the LED Night Duck Dodge. Unfortunately, traffic and the need to avoid starboard tack boats led to Full Moon being over the line early. WAY early!

Full Moon leads the red J24 (no name) to the AGC buoy.

Quickly whipping around the Committee Boat to restart, Full Moon was still in a lot of traffic but, multiple tacks later, finally got out into the middle of the lake and better wind. By the Freeway buoy, Full Moon had somehow crawled back to about sixth, though it was difficult to tell at that point. After rounding, Full Moon tacked north toward Gasworks to escape the wind shadows of a white T-bird (Makima?) and Great Expectations (SJ 24) and in hopes of catching Amorillo (Moore 24). This didn’t pay off in the short term, but Full Moon went nearly to the Westlake shore on the next tack, which set things up for a perfect approach to the Aurora buoy. This brought Full Moon up to Amorillo, just ahead of the T-bird, and a fair way ahead of Great Expectations.

Daniel reaches for the Silver Duck.

The Equalizer was quickly launched for the beam reach south and Full Moon soon pulled away from the others and then powered past a red J24. With a clean drop, Full Moon rounded the AGC buoy to head for the finish line. Unfortunately, the wind then went extremely light, making for a painfully slow final leg. Full Moon kept slowly moving, though, and eventually crossed the line in growing darkness, in second place for the Silver Duck!

A 505 dinghy responds well to the LED Night theme.

Mission Improbable

Full Moon is at the far right middle of this photo taken right after the start.

Full Moon crew Michael “Jack Nicklaus” Medina, Marcelle “Dry Drop” Van Houten, Kristen “Deck Ornament” Rue, Daniel “Topo Chico” Mengedoht, and skipper John “Late Again” Mengedoht suffered a poor start for the Medieval Knight Duck Dodge, crossing the line in 19^th place a full 1 ½ minutes after the horn and at the disadvantaged end of the line. The silver lining to this dark cloud was having relatively clear air, enabling Full Moon to pass a good number of boats before rounding the AGC buoy.

Heading for the Freeway buoy, Full Moon will pass all but one of these boats!

The Equalizer was quickly hoisted for the long beam reach north and Full Moon began picking off more boats in the relatively light breeze and then passing a cluster of boats approaching the Freeway buoy. With a clean drop of the spinnaker, Full Moon rounded the buoy and was on to the final leg south.

Full Moon about to round the Freeway buoy, chasing the J22.

Next up was a J-22 from SYC, usually difficult to pass upwind, but Full Moon got past to leeward and pulled away. On this final leg, there was a large gap ahead and a ton of boats behind. Could it be? Approaching the Committee Boat, we heard one horn then another, and, finally, one more horn for Full Moon for the Bronze Duck! An amazing comeback!

Cap'n John reveals the bronze duck on one of the few bare spots left on the mast (without a ladder).

New Hatch Seals!

The vintage 1978 forward hatch seals on Full Moon haven't been fully watertight for years and I finally got around to replacing them. They are taller than the originals but fairly squishy so I think they'll be fine. Besides, they were inexpensive so it won't be a big deal to swap them out. Now to chase down the leak at the mast!

Rock The Boat, Baby!

Band Night featured a smoky sun, lots of heat, and minimal wind.

Full Moon crew Randy “Go Behind” Olsen, Ian “Starboard” Mengedoht, Daniel “Port” Mengedoht, Rebecca “Day Camp” Herivel, and skipper John “Whatever” Mengedoht were stuck in a windless mess for the start of the Band Night Duck Dodge on the second hottest day of the year. With numerous “tacks” to avoid other boats, it was over 10 minutes before Full Moon oozed across the line. Deciding that a top three finish was not remotely possible, Daniel employed serious “kinetics” (rocking the boat) to propel Full Moon forward and out of the drifting pack. (This would, of course, be cheating in serious racing.)

Since we were out there anyway, it was decided to proceed at least to the Freeway buoy. This took a long time but then the wind filled in enough to keep going to the Aurora buoy, and then to hoist the Equalizer for the long leg south. This worked well until the wind died again on approach to the AGC buoy. Full Moon barely kept moving, just enough to reach the buoy.

The final leg, however, looked dismal. There is typically a 9 PM cut-off for racing, though, and kinetics were put into play once more in hopes of "finishing" before then. Unfortunately, and unbeknownst to us, the Race Committee had decided to call the race at 8:30 and no boats from third start were scored.

Fortunately, we had ample supplies of assorted cold beverages aboard to help beat the heat!

Tropical Fun

Full Moon crew Michael “Mariners” Medina, Daniel “Cup Control” Mengedoht, Troy “Rat Poop” Charlesworth, Poorva “Observer” Joshi, and skipper John “Calm” Mengedoht had a mediocre start for the Tropical Night Duck Dodge, all boats easily crossing the line on starboard tack. A few boats were passed on the first leg to the AGC buoy, though Full Moon lost some ground due to Thundorca apparently motor-sailing with no jib blocking our path!

Full Moon in eighth place just after the start.

The second leg was a straight shot downwind to the floating “island” dispensing beer, Full Moon opting not to hoist the spinnaker until safely past. With multiple Solo cups aboard, the Equalizer was hoisted to good effect, though gusty wind shifts near the Freeway buoy required a slightly early take-down.

Full Moon was able to hold a relatively southward (windward) course past Gasworks and this paid off by not requiring any tacks to make the Aurora buoy and allowing Full Moon to pass Sommerfugl (29’ Dragon) and Necessary Evil (Catalina 30’).

Cap'n John having fun!

The final leg featured lulls and gusts, Full Moon working hard to hold off a J-22 and Necessary Evil. In the end Full Moon was fourth behind Makima (26’ Thunderbird), an excellent result in a large fleet.

Photo Finish

Full Moon (behind SYC 6) has just tacked for the start.

Full Moon crew Randy “1995” Olsen, Daniel “No Bungie” Mengedoht, Mike “Long Hair” Tracy, and skipper John “No Cigar” Mengedoht went for a conservative starboard tack start for the Toga Night Duck Dodge, tacking to cross the line sixth. Choosing when to tack on the way to the Freeway buoy was more about dodging paddleboards and drifting power boats than strategy but Full Moon maintained relative position.

Cap'n John trims the spinnaker, steering with his knees!

Full Moon opted for a northerly track past Gasworks, following Necessary Evil (Catalina 30). Two tacks later, Full Moon rounded the Aurora buoy and launched the mighty Equalizer. On the long beam reach to the AGC buoy, Full Moon gained on the leaders and slowly worked past Necessary Evil and a 29’ Dragon.

Full Moon (right) works past Necessary Evil and the Dragon.

Rounding just inside Necessary Evil, it was a straight shot to the finish line with the Dragon slowly converging from windward, having rounded the buoy on a tighter line. In the end, the Dragon scored third just inches ahead of Full Moon, making for a very exciting finish!

It was a gorgeous warm evening, capped with a great sunset.

Fresh Bottom Paint!

Full Moon skipped the Duck Dodge this week in order to finally get some fresh bottom paint. It is embarrassing to say how long it had been since it was last painted. On the lake, you don't really need it if you clean the bottom regularly but it's still not good if you've worn through the paint in places! Unfortunately, the new paint won't make us any faster - roller jobs are just too rough - but it looks much better plus it is ready for upcoming adventures on the Sound.

Full Moon returns to the water, looking pretty good apart from the worn out blue moon. Not bad for a 47-year-old boat!

Two Laps of Fun

Full Moon (far left) avoids carnage at the Committee Boat.

Full Moon crew Randy “Halyards” Olsen, Daniel “Packer” Mengedoht, Eileen “Port” McHugh, Michael “Starboard” Ward and skipper John “Busy” Mengedoht enjoyed a solid start on starboard tack for the Pink Boat Duck Dodge, avoiding the pile-up at the Committee Boat. With decent wind, however, it wasn’t long before much bigger boats caught up, though the Capri 25 Tailwind was holding their own, eventually taking first place.

Daniel retrieves the bag after helping launch the Equalizer.

With a Paddleboard Rave happening off Gasworks, the first buoy was the Aurora buoy, Full Moon rounding with speedy Iskra (S2 7.9) and just behind Makima (Thunderbird). With the Equalizer deployed, Full Moon passed Makima and then traffic slowed Iskra, allowing Full Moon to round the AGC buoy ahead. Unfortunately, skipper John briefly forgot about the Chandlers Cove buoy before correcting course. It appeared that some boats forgot about the requirement to cross the finish line on the first lap, though it didn’t matter all that much.

Full Moon gets the inside line at the AGC buoy on the first lap.

The second lap was similar to the first, Full Moon losing ground to some boats upwind only to pass or gain on boats downwind. In the end, Full Moon was about tenth on a beautiful warm evening.

Full Moon (left) on approach to the AGC buoy on the second lap.

Full Moon will miss the Summerween Duck Dodge next week, getting a long-overdue haul-out for fresh bottom paint. We’ll return to third start for Toga Night, having completed our second start penance for doing a little too well earlier in the season.

Post-race, several boats drifted among the hundreds of paddle-boards.

Crazy Wind!

Counterclockwise: Rebecca, Ian, John and Michael in the prestart.

Full Moon crew Michael “Bun Dip” Medina, Daniel “First Aid” Mengedoht, Ian “I Can Do It” Mengedoht, Rebecca “Two Beers” Herivel, and skipper John “Crazy Ivan” Mengedoht were bumped up to second start for the Pirate Night Duck Dodge, having scored two bronze ducks in third start. The wind was strong out of the Northwest and Full Moon secured a good position on port tack near the favored Committee Boat end. Full Moon did well on the first leg to the Freeway buoy, despite some amazing wind shifts. The second leg featured a huge round-up before the main could be released. Did I mention the wind was strong?

Full Moon passes the Committee Boat to start about fourth.

Once around the Aurora buoy, there was no need for a spinnaker, Full Moon reaching over 7 knots at times with just the jib and main, flying south to the AGC buoy. By this time, the 40 foot and larger boats had finally caught up (sometimes size does matter), with Leo Kai forcing a squeeze around the buoy, causing side-to-side contact between several boats. Once around, it was nearly a straight shot back to the starting line to begin the second lap.

Full Moon is "wing and wing" approaching the AGC buoy. Tight squeeze ahead!

The wind was a bit lighter at this point, apart from gusts, and Full Moon had good speed around the Freeway buoy. Approaching the Aurora buoy, an inattentive power boat driver forced an unplanned tack and a cabin cruiser was making apparently random turns. You need a head on a swivel on Lake Union!

With the pole set for starboard jibe and wind now lighter and directly out of the north, Full Moon headed toward the center of the lake with jib and main before jibing and finally hoisting the Equalizer. This worked fine until the wind inexplicably shut down completely for several agonizing minutes! Down came the Equalizer as Full Moon drifted slowly southward. The wind eventually filled back in enough to reach the AGC buoy. The final upwind leg was uneventful, Full Moon finishing somewhere in the middle of the fleet though well behind the leaders.

Flag Day

With a variety of flags flying, Full Moon crew Randy “Fender” Olsen, Daniel “Conch Republic” Mengedoht, Robert “Groom” Leykam, Lucienne “Bride” Grace, and skipper John “Tight Squeeze” Mengedoht made certain not to be over early for the Red, White and Blue Duck Dodge but still managed a decent second-row start. The unusual northeast wind made the “pin” end of the line favored but Full Moon only needed two tacks to reach the Freeway buoy, passing a boat or two in the process.

Full Moon in the prestart before hoisting sails.

Initially favoring a northward track, the Aurora buoy was spotted farther south, and it was easy to fall off to the layline. Unfortunately, Leo Kai and another large boat from the second start were clogging the works near the buoy, moving very slowly. With another boat coming in on port tack from the north (which should have avoided all the starboard tack boats), there suddenly was no room to maneuver, resulting in a bit of bumper boats action.

Full Moon is in the second row for the start.

Once around, Full Moon hoisted the mighty Equalizer, though the wind angle and strength made it a struggle to hoist the final four feet. Meanwhile, Full Moon still had great speed southbound which only improved once the hoist was completed. Takedowns can be challenging in reaching conditions so Full Moon was a bit conservative with a slightly early drop but there didn’t appear to be any direct competitors nearby. Leo Kai had managed to get barely back ahead at the AGC buoy (sometimes size matters) but Full Moon tacked after rounding for clear air while Leo Kai rumbled eastward.

Full Moon (blue, black and white spinnaker) getting past Leo Kai approaching the AGC buoy.

Approaching the finish line, Full Moon needed two tacks to cross but had to yield to the Capri 25 Tailwind as well as an unnamed J30. Since Tailwind also needed a couple of tacks, this led to a tacking duel, Tailwind prevailing at the end (they’d had the advantage from the beginning) to take second place with Full Moon third for another Bronze Duck. By virtue of the new Duck Dodge rules, this means Full Moon will have to be in second start for the next three weeks.

Best Comeback Ever!

Wigs provide some Pride Night color on Full Moon.

If you’re never over-early, you’re probably not trying hard enough. So it was that Full Moon and one other boat were across the starting line just before the horn for the Pride Night Duck Dodge, requiring us to circle around the end buoy to restart and costing a few minutes. Full Moon crew Michael “Who, Me?” Medina, Marcelle “Eagle Eye” Van Houten, Daniel “Big Six” Mengedoht, Leslie “Shutter Bug” Synnestvedt, and skipper John “Legendary” Mengedoht nonetheless found a nice upwind groove to the Freeway buoy, which was placed a bit farther west than normal. This apparently confused quite a few boats, which proceeded farther north than necessary to round the fixed Gasworks green buoy rather than the official Duck Dodge buoy. The good news for Full Moon was that this allowed us to advance from near the back of the fleet to closer to the middle.

Full Moon and a Hobie 33 were just barely early across the starting line.

Well-placed tacks to pick up the wind shifts brought Full Moon past a few more boats to the Aurora buoy where the mighty Equalizer was soon launched. Favoring the middle of the lake to escape the wind shadow of boats to windward, Full Moon got past a few more boats on the long broad reach south, culminating in passing speedy Necessary Evil (Catalina 30) just before the AGC buoy.

Getting past Necessary Evil.

A straight shot upwind to the finish line widened the lead over boats behind and, much to our amazement, we received the horn for third place! Given the disastrous start, this was surely Full Moon’s best comeback of all time.

Skipper's Choice

Early on the first leg to AGC. Can you spot Full Moon?

Full Moon crew Randy “NA” Olsen, Chad “Amber Ale” Harnish, Carey “Azimuth” Reibman, Daniel “Dry” Mengedoht, and skipper John “Not Dry” Mengedoht intended to set up near the middle of the starting line for the Skipper’s Choice Duck Dodge but ended up a bit too far back and in a crowded pack of boats near the “pin” end. Starting eleventh isn’t a recipe for success but Full Moon soon moved up to eighth on the first upwind leg (SW wind) to the AGC buoy.

Daniel at his normal station when not on the bow.

The Equalizer was quickly launched for the long second leg, Full Moon threading through boats heading in the opposite direction. The wind was just right for great speed, Full Moon nearly getting up on a plane at one point. Nearing the Freeway buoy, Full Moon had moved up into fifth place.

Cap'n John with a post-race cold beverage.

The third leg was a straight shot nearly close-hauled to the Aurora buoy. Full Moon managed to pass one boat only to have a J22 squeeze inside to round the buoy ahead. The final leg was upwind where Full Moon crossed the line still fifth but way ahead of the rest of the fleet.

Late For the Prom

Full Moon is beyond the red J24 at the start.

Full Moon crew Michael “Almost 70” Medina, Daniel “Chaperone” Mengedoht, Kristen “Perfect Drop” Rue, and skipper John “Early” Mengedoht prepared for the Prom Night Duck Dodge with Tux t-shirts and our traditional mirror ball. Unfortunately, skipper John approached the starting area a bit early and ended up near the “pin” end and trapped to leeward of relative giant (Catalina 36) Tranquilitee. Once able to duck behind and to windward of Tranquilitee, which appeared unable to point very well, Full Moon was near the back of the pack.

Michael holds the jib sheet.

This intolerable situation didn’t last too long, Full Moon gaining on the first leg and passing Tranquilitee via a well-timed “slam dunk” tack. Rounding the Freeway buoy meant just continuing straight for Gasworks and tacking near the shore. This reduced the number of tacks needed to reach the Aurora buoy. With a starboard tack approach locked in with sufficient time, the spinnaker pole was raised and the Equalizer launched just after rounding the buoy.

Daniel mans the "pit."

Full Moon then managed to pass three boats with spinnakers on the broad reaching leg south while gaining nicely on a fourth boat approaching the AGC buoy. The Equalizer came down perfectly but there was an issue yet again with the pole after jibing around the buoy. (The extra long “turbo” pole can be challenging to stow.)

Full Moon (blue, black and white spinnaker) heading for the AGC buoy.

The final leg upwind was a straight shot, and Full Moon crossed the line in what we believe was seventh place, not at all bad given the poor start. Meanwhile, it was a gorgeous warm evening with a nice breeze, a welcome rarity in June.

Barbie and Two Kens

Full Moon crew Daniel “Steady On” Mengedoht, Anne “Socks” Gustavson, and skipper John “Golden” Mengedoht were a little short-handed again and opted for fourth start (no spinnakers) in the Barbie Night Duck Dodge. The wind was very light out of the northeast for the start and Full Moon opted for better clear air over the advantaged but crowded pin end of the line. Unfortunately, a couple of larger boats got past in the first hundred yards.

Full Moon approaches the starting line.

The wind improved slightly approaching the Freeway buoy but a boat close behind to leeward prevented a tack until getting close to Gasworks. This proved helpful, though, as the resulting course heading west generally had better wind than some other options. A tack near the Westlake shore ended up bringing Full Moon right to the Aurora buoy for a tight rounding to avoid traffic.

Slingshot (left) and Necessary Evil (right) sneaking up from behind.

Once around, it was difficult to escape the wind shadow from third start boats Slingshot and Necessary Evil, both flying large spinnakers. Heading toward the middle of the lake (always a good idea) eventually brought clear air and Full Moon passed both boats, at least for a while, despite not flying a spinnaker. Unfortunately, speedy Summer Salt (Harbor 20) got better wind from behind and ended up ahead at the AGC buoy as the breeze finally filled in.

The wind slowly fills in. That may be Full Moon on the far left.

It was a straight shot to the finish line where Full Moon expected to be second (at best) behind Summer Salt, but it turned out they were in third start and Full Moon got the horn for first place!

Daniel holds the proof - a Gold Duck!

Sunny Mardi Gras

Full Moon (far right) on approach to the AGC buoy. The eventual third place boat is on the left with the blue spinnaker.

Full Moon crew Michael “Zoomer” Medina, Marcelle “Origami” Van Houten, Daniel “Holy Hell” Mengedoht, Kristen “Sta-lo” Rue, and skipper John “Not Sorry” Mengedoht went with a starboard tack start for the Mardi Gras Duck Dodge, sixth across the line. This was a safe choice, given a crowded start line and strong wind, though boats able to get through on port tack enjoyed an advantage. Others (behind us) were apparently not so lucky with some collisions and close calls!

Daniel enjoys the post-race sun.

Three tacks later, Full Moon passed the Freeway buoy, then tacked westward near Gasworks to head to the Aurora buoy. After rounding, the Equalizer was soon launched, providing excellent speed on the long broad reaching leg south and allowing Full Moon to gain substantially on boats ahead. With a smooth spinnaker drop just before the AGC buoy, Full Moon nearly passed a couple of boats heading into the final leg.

Marcelle also enjoys a golden glow.

Unfortunately, jibing around the buoy, the jib sheets fouled badly on the spinnaker pole. The resulting lack of speed dropped Full Moon back to seventh at the finish, not at all bad, all things considered.

Missed It by That Much!

Full Moon crew Randy “No Pull” Olsen, Daniel “Pull” Mengedoht, Chad “Shrimper” Harnish, Ben “Gold Hat” Spicer, and skipper John “Consistent” Mengedoht were slightly delayed for the start of the Western Night Duck Dodge due to an untied jib sheet but well positioned for clear air. While crossing the line in sixth or seventh place, this helped with gaining on the boats ahead on the first leg to the AGC buoy.

Full Moon and the Equalizer.

After rounding the buoy, the Equalizer was soon hoisted to good effect, the breeze having shifted from southwest to the west. The question then became whether the center of the course would be best or more toward the east side of the lake. Full Moon passed and then fought off the Catalina 30 Necessary Evil in the middle and was looking good to maybe take the lead when the wind veered strongly into the northwest. This made the spinnaker untenable, and the takedown was ugly, the spinnaker pulling backward then taking a bath. This allowed two boats from the east to slide ahead as well as Necessary Evil before rounding the Freeway buoy.

You can't see the finish line but Full Moon (left) was maybe 10 feet behind Necessary Evil (right).

The leg to the Aurora buoy was hard on the wind and Necessary Evil inexplicably sailed a lower course. (Perhaps they had issues of their own?) Two tacks later, Full Moon was back in front and around the buoy. The final leg was mostly a run but in much lighter wind. A spinnaker would have been beneficial but the Equalizer was a thoroughly soggy pile in the bottom of the cockpit. Necessarily Evil, on the other hand, was able to get a spinnaker up and slowly gained from behind. At the finish line, they were barely ahead to get the horn for third place with Full Moon fourth. All things considered, this was an excellent finish as there were a lot of boats behind us!