First Cruising JAM

Hi everyone,
Another two weeks have flown past.  We've ticked a few more items off the to-do list and got out on the water twice - once on Ambience, and once on Zen Again.

Work done on the to-do list:

• Serviced the engine - new oil, oil filter and fuel filters
• Loaded FSC marks and courses into the chartplotters
• Started painting the underside of the lid of the small cockpit locker (the last locker!)

On the 26th July we had hoped to take part in our first FSC inshore race.  On the day it was blowing around 30 knots which we decided was not going to be fun, especially for our first race for several years.  We retired to the bar where we met friends Steve and Jane who asked if we'd like to come along with them on their boat Ambience.

It was fun getting out on the water but extremely wet and cold.  Ambience had engine issues and so we decided to return to the club.  Probably a wise decision.  Ambience is a 35 footer - only 1 foot longer than Zen Again but much beamier aft.  I think we'll have trouble keeping up with her.

On the 3rd August conditions were the complete opposite for the Cruising Section JAM (Jib and Main) sail.  About 15 yachts took part in winds of about 10-12 knots initially but down to very light and variable after an hour or so.  We got a good start and overtook three yachts to gain the lead at the end of the second leg.  The third leg was spent trading places with Ambience which caught and eventually overtook us, getting to the third mark 100m ahead of us.

Zen Again track

Ambience passing little jib Zen Again

Fighting back alongside big jib Ambience

The second half of the sail (it's not a race!) was in very light winds.  The course was shortened as the track above shows.  We parked (in a windless "hole") for 10 minutes while Ambience sailed away to cross the line first.  Eventually we got going again and were 5th or 6th over the line we think.  The boat went very well, especially given we're using our yankee No 2 headsail.

Back at the club we joined the BBQ and were awarded a bottle of FSC Cruising Section Olive Oil for the "best start".  Clearly it pays to doff one's cap and say good afternoon to the "rabbit" boat which starts these events!