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.