Sailing in a Blow 7-21-08

We set sail on Monday evening under full main and a reefed genoa in 20+ knots of wind on Lake Michigan. Waves were 4-6 feet. I was pleased with how the boat handled the rough stuff. We only sailed about 5 miles off shore beating aginst the northwesterly blow and then reached back to Lake Mac.

This is my friend Alun, owner of the boat I race on, a J/100

Here is some of the wave action! It is amazing how much bigger the waves are than what the pictures show.

This lady likes her high heels!

Another shot of the port rail which was burried at times

Another beautiful sunset just after docking

Guy's Weekend 7-19 & 20

I took a trip this weekend to South Haven, MI aboard Julianna, my friend Tim's Beneteau 361. Both of our wives were out of town and we thought we would set out for a guy's adventure! We had a great trip together and it was good to get to know Tim a little better. On the way to South Haven, we had all kinds of weather. It started out with no wind on Lake Mac to mild winds on Lake Michigan to a stiff breeze building to 20+ knots and waves were solid four footers. We got rained on and the fog rolled in and reduced visibility to a mile or two. We didn't see land most of the way down and relied on Tim's electronics (chartplotter, autopilot, etc.). Although it was raining most of our way down, atleast it was warm! We wore our foulies and stayed dry underneath. We never questioned why we were doing this! We really had fun...thanks Tim!! Here are some shots of our trip...

On Friday night, I slept aboard Latigo. This was the sunrise on Saturday, the morning were were leaving for South Haven.

Here I am making myself at home in the gally aboard Julianna

While Tim was sailing in this!!!

Here is Tim looking very sailorly as we were leaving the Holland Pierhead

Hot breakfast on a rainy day! The menu was Greek omlettes, sausage and english muffins

Here is one of the cells that we sailed into...there was no avoiding it!

Here the wind was blowing like stink and we had a reef in the main and genoa

This is Friends Good Will, a ship that was just outside the South Haven pierhead. It is part of the Michigan Maritime Museum at South Haven. They had a crew doing a pirate cruise. A pirate left the ship on a dinghy and attacked the power boat that is in the lower right corner. It was kinda cheezy, but they seemed to be fascinated!

Here we are leaving South Haven on Sunday morning. We enjoyed an easy sail as winds were at about 15 knots and blowing from the WSW. We reached at speeds over 7 knots.

Captain Tim enjoying a cup of coffee!

Pics from Julianna 7-6-08

Here are some pics that Tim took from Julianna. He was sailing next to us on our port side and cranking some Eminem rap music!

Leah begins to feel the beat...

Leah definitely has it going on now and Eileen is feeling it...

All together now...

Captain Rizzo goes gangsta!

First couple to dance on the bow!

Little of Everything 7-6-08

Last day together before Leah and Matthew head home to NC. Stehpanie leaves on Tuesday. All hung out at the pool while I did some maintenance (changed the primary fuel filter). We then sailed for a couple of hours before we came back to enjoy the pool, a little table tennis, and some tasty treats from the Piper (pizza).

We met up with our friends on Julianna, Tim and Julie. Tim is rocking out to Eminem!

First, second and third mates out on the foredeck

Two peas in a pod...

Stephanie with one in the oven...can't wait to meet him!

Eileen and Stephanie pool-side

Jamie and "The Eileen"

This is the belly stroke!

More pool fun

This was a serious match. Leah struggled to make legal serves! Steph and I won by a sliver!

Sailing Lesson 7/5/08

I am not sure, but I think Matthew is hooked on sailing. Talk ensued between he and Leah relative to buying a sunfish for their anniversary! Here are some shots of the sailing lesson...

What a difference a day makes! Just look at the confidence!

Nap time!

She is her mother's daughter!

"Boy...stop looking up already!"

"Give me that wheel!"

July 4th, 2008

Independence Day, "it is so cool, it's awesome" (Zoli, circa, constantly)! We were joined by Leah and Matthew, and surprised by a visit from Stephanie (and crew)! We sailed in fantastic conditions, winds NNW at 10 kts and waves less than two feet!

Jamie and Leah on the way to the marina.

Avast, a shot of Matthew not looking at the top of the mast!

Now here is a shocker!

Stephanine and crew manning the wheel on a reach back to the Holland harbor!

Back on land at last! "Not sure I enjoyed that!"

What is with the lanyards guys?

Our shy guests, Linda and Maggie, joined us for dinner and fireworks.

The grill master and the not-so-shy guest, Greg. He goes with Linda and Maggie!

One happy mom!

Hey, are you smoochin with my daughter...again?

Cruise to South Haven

Okay, so we took our first distance cruise. We joined our friends Tim & Julie on a trip to South Haven which is 25 nautical miles from pierhead to pierhead. On our trip down, we beat against a fresh South-Westerly breeze in heavy seas and registered 40 nautical miles. It took a while, but we made it! It started to rain once we arrived in South Haven. Eileen took Shiloh for a much needed walk as I was preparing to get Jamie off of the boat, hurrying as it was starting to rain. Here is where I get the “Bonehead of the Year” award. I stepped off the dock, my foot slipped, and I smacked my knees on the toe rail on my way into the drink, cell phone and wallet in pockets of course. Tim had the presence of mind to lower my swim ladder so I could get out of the water! Thanks Tim!!
We enjoyed our time in South Haven and headed home on Sunday. We had West-Southwest winds and reached all the way back to Holland on one leg (no pun intended)! It was a very nice sail at impressive speeds! All-in-all, it was a great trip. Here are some photos of our adventure!

Jamie hanging out in the cabin on Saturday

Julianna headed south

The captain icing his knees and bruised ego!

The port at South Haven (facing west)

South Haven facing East

Tim & Julie, Chris & Eileen with our boats in the background

Another shot of our boats

Tim cooking bratwurst on the trip home!

Shiloh trying on my racing shoes!

The best wife in the world. She puts up with my desire for adventure!