PYXIS

Ships Log 1998 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

4/30/98
LAUNCH DAY 1998
Launched boat at 1430
Motored over to dock D18 (used to be D26, was re-numbered).

5/8/98
Motored to mast crane to step mast, then back to dock.

5/22/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH.
Wind ENE 4-9 knots , waves 1-2', visibility 20+ mi, temp 55-60.
Main, 130
1900-2130
First sail of the season. We motored down the river slowly waiting for a freighter to back out ahead of us. We raised the main after the salt dock. At the end of the river we tacked to the east raising the 130 in the tack. The internal halyards seem to work fine. We headed off close hauled for about 5 minutes. We then tacked towards the main entrance on a close reach and headed NNE for about 1/2 mile. We then tacked to the east to stay clear of the freighter and head towards the race course. We made 4-5.5 knots on the wind. Helm was neutral. We tacked about a bit then headed back to the main entrance wing-in-wing making 2-2.5 knots in the variable wind. Once north of the entrance we jibed the headsail and came up to a broad reach making 3-4 knots. Inside the entrance we came up onto the wind at 5.5 knots and headed to the east a bit. We tacked and dropped the jib then headed off on a broad reach to the river entrance at about 2.3 knots with just the main. We started the motor and motor sailed up the river dropping the main on the way. The main seems to drop faster, maybe there's less friction now with the internal halyards or the slides are traveling easier.

5/23/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH.
Wind ENE 4-9 knots , waves 1-2', visibility 25+ mi, temp 55-60.
Main, 150
1840-2130
Raised main in river and 150 in harbor. We sailed out the main entrance and headed NE on a close reach at about 4.5 knots. We fell off to a broad reach so we would not have to run back to the harbor. We went east about 1.5 miles and jibed back towards the light house close hauled making 3-5 knots in the variable wind. We were headed as we approached the lighthouse and tacked to the north for about a mile then headed back to the main entrance on a beam reach at about 4 knots. Once inside the harbor we came up to a close reach at 5-5.5 knots. We went east inside the harbor for about 1/4 mile and dropped the headsail and motor sailed back to the river. We dropped the main about 1/2 way up the river. The log is working but registers about 1 mile for every 4 actually sailed.

5/25/98
Fairport, OH to Mentor Harbor to Fairport
Wind WNW-W 15-20 knots , waves 4-8', visibility 10 mi, temp 55-60.
Reefed main, WJ to Mentor, full main, WJ to Fairport
1400-1720
Followed Chuck, Chris and Jon Duer delivering the Newport 28II Serendipity (PHRF 186?)to Mentor Lagoons. We left the dock at 1400 and raised the reefed main in the river. We raised the working jib in the harbor and motor sailed out the main entrance. Once clear we cut the motor and sailed NNW close hauled making 6-6.3 knots. The waves were 4 to 6 feet with occasional 8 footers. Once we were about 2 miles out and the bearing to Mentor was about 120 deg relative, we tacked (as measured on the GPS track log we tacked through about 120 degrees). We crossed behind Serendipity by about 10 boat lengths. We made 5.4-5.8 knots on starboard through the waves. Helm balance was excellent and it was easy to steer over the larger waves to keep from slamming. We were heeling about 15-25 degrees. We had a little bit better boat speed then Serendipity but they were pointing higher(GPS track log shows average speed of about 5.5 for the leg). We were on the lay line to the Mentor entrance but tacked about 1/2 mile out to get a better approach angle and better evaluate the harbor entrance. We crossed in front of Serendipity by about 10 boat lengths. Once past them we tacked back for the entrance. We started the motor and luffed to drop the jib then motor sailed in the entrance. There were 3-5 foot waves in the narrow entrance and we were dropped on the bottom about 1/4 of the way in. We were to the right of center in the channel. The next wave carried us right off and we scooted over left of center of the outer channel and straight into the inner channel. We did not hit bottom very hard but rather were dropped on it as the wave trough passed. It was still unpleasant. Once inside the entrance we followed Serendipity around to the lagoons and their dock.

We were on our way again, back to Fairport at 1610. We watched a J/24 (Afterburner) head out the entrance under full sail. We raised the full main and working jib and motor sailed on a close reach out the entrance at full throttle through the 3-5 foot waves. It was a lot easier then coming in. However, if we could not have sailed out (wind between 310 & 50) it would have been much harder to get out. Once clear of the entrance we fell off to a broad reach for Fairport with apparent wind at 120-150. The waves were manageable but the largest (7-9') rolled us quite a bit. We made 6.3-6.6 knots and saw 6.8 a few times. Some of the waves were large enough to obscure our view of the Fairport lighthouse. We sailed out a bit as we approached Fairport and jibed for the main entrance. The Coast Guard was on their way out on the 41 footer to check out a sailboat that had reportedly called in with trouble about 1 mile north of Mentor Headlands. They asked us if we were OK on the PA and if we had seen another boat. We signaled yes about 2-3 miles east where we last saw Afterburner. The CG 41 headed to the west. There was also a boat to the east of the Fairport entrance. We came in the entrance at about 1705 (GPS track log shows average speed of about 6.3 for the leg). I called the CG station on the radio to give them a description of Afterburner in case that was the boat they were looking for, they asked if we had observed any boats in distress and I told them no. They seemed un-interested in a description of Afterburner. We saw the CG 41 heading back to the East and then heard them tell the station they were escorting the sail boat to the east into the harbor. We dropped the jib in the river and motored on dropping the main as we approached the turning basin.
We sailed a total of about 15.7 miles. Trip log on knotmeter registered about 3.2.

6/7/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind WNW-W 20-25 knots, 16-22 behind wall?, waves 1-2' behind wall, visibility 20 mi, temp 55-60. 1600-1730
Main, Storm Jib
Went out to test storm jib setup and sheeting points. We wet the main in the river in the lee of the freighter Canadian Century and motorsailed out the river. We cut the motor and fell off to a broad run making about 4 knots. We jibed our way east a bit and set the storm jib flying unstayed on the port jib halyard. It flew OK reaching and running (we made 5-5.5 knots) but close hauled the luff sagged too much without the support of the headstay. It was also difficult to raise unstayed as it filled part way up. Head to wind doesn't help. I doubt we could set it in conditions that we would need it. It needs to be attached to a stay. We tacked about with it for 25 minutes or so. The tacking angles seemed pretty big, maybe about 120 degrees. This is pretty bad in the flat water behind the wall. I think the sagging luff hurt pointing ability. We dropped the jib on the deck in a tack, it was a bit of a pain to gather it up since it was flying free. As with hoisting it, I doubt we could manage it in the sort of conditions we would need the storm jib for.

6/13/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind W-WNW 8-12 knots, waves 2-4', visibility 20 mi, temp 70.
1600-1850
Main, 130, Spinnaker
Set main and 130 in harbor and sailed out main entrance on a close reach and continued north. We tacked our way upwind and rigged the spinnaker for a broad reach back to the harbor. We carried the spinnaker through the main entrance on a close reach and headed off the east to drop it in the lee of the main. We then came about and motored to the river dropping the main on the way. We made it in just ahead of some weather on the lake.

6/18/98
Motored out to F mark to clean bottom.
Made 6.4 knots with clean bottom in flat water.

6/19/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind WSW 7-10 knots diminishing to 2-4 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 30 mi, temp 75.
1900-2130
Main, 130.
We raised the main in the harbor and the 130 outside the main entrance and started out making 4-5 knots close reaching. We sailed west pacing a Catalina 27 in the lightening wind making 2-3.5 knots. we were gaining on them and pointing higher. We passed about 5 boat lengths ahead after about 1.5 miles and tacked back towards the entrance. the wind was diminishing and we were making 2-3 knots. Windshadow was near the entrance and as we passed they jibed and followed us flying only a headsail(150?). We were pulling away from them and saw Charlie Engle in his P26 coming towards us. we jibed and matched their course. The wind was very light now and we were making 1-2 knots. We were pulling ahead and after about 15 minutes dropped the 130, started the motor and headed in dropping the main in the river.

6/21/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind S - W 4-15 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 30 mi, temp 85.
1230-1500
Main, 130.
Raised main in basin and 130 in harbor. We motor sailed out the main entrance and turned west to follow Corsair (Swede 55) who was about 1/4 mile ahead of us. There was also a new Tartan 41 headed west about 1/2 mile north of us. We seemed to be keeping up with both of them and actually gained a bit. The wind was quite variable in velocity and fairly variable in direction. When seemed to be trading lulls and puffs with Corsair which let us catch up a bit in the lighter periods. In the puffs we were near the top of the 130's range and were making 6.5-6.8 knots close reaching. we hit 7 once. We were on port tack and the knotmeter reads higher on port then on starboard, don't know which is closer to correct. While steering to the sails our heading would range by 30-40 degrees due to the variable wind. We were doing very well compared to the Tartan. We started a bit ahead and were at least even after 3 miles. The corsair was about 1/3 mile ahead. We spotted Windshadow coming at us from the West. About 1/4 mile after they passed we tacked and followed them back towards the harbor. We were keeping up with them pretty well, gaining a bit in the lulls and loosing a bit in the puffs. In the biggest puffs we hit 6.4-6.7 on the knotmeter on starboard tack. We sailed past the main entrance about 3/4 miles then tacked and headed back. About 1/4 mile from the entrance we dropped the 130 and started the motor rather then trying to sail into the main entrance with the shifty winds. We dropped the main in the river.

6/30/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind NNW 15-20 knots, waves 4-6', visibility 20 mi, temp 70.
1930-2100
Main, WJ.
Raised main in harbor and WJ just before going out the main entrance. We close reached to the NNE about 2 miles making 6.4-6.8 knots on port tack. WE tacked and started to run towards the east entrance at 5.5-5.8 knots at 150 deg app. We came back up to a close reach for the main entrance making 6.2-6.5 knots. As we approached the freighter Richard Reiss was came out the main entrance and headed off to the west. We were far enough out that we did not have to maneuver to stay out of the way. We sailed in the entrance and up the river to the turning basin and dropped the sails there and motored to the dock.

7/5/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind ENE 7-12 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 25 mi, temp 65.
2000-2300
Main, 130.
Went out to watch fireworks from Fairport beach. Motored down the river raising main and 130 before reaching the harbor. we sailed out the main entrance on a close reach making 4-5 knots. We headed out about 1/3 mile and tacked towards the east end of the wall. The Coast Guard established a safe zone in the harbor from the beach to the breakwall. We first tried heaving too but still were moving forward at 2-2.5 knots and then dropped the headsail. We made 1-2 knots with the main and were able to over trim it and slow to almost 0. We found a good spot clear of boats directly north of the safe zone and drifted about while watching the fireworks. We were about 1000ft from the wall at the finally. When it was done we turned north and raised the 130. We quickly powered up to 4-4.5 knots and headed out away from the traffic. We headed NW on a broad reach to a point north of the main entrance then jibed and headed in on a close reach making 5.5-6 knots. We sailed in the main entrance at about 4 knots and started the motor about 200 feet from the river entrance. In the first luff we dropped the headsail. we dropped the main on the way up the river and motored into the dock.

7/5/98
Racing from Fairport, OH
Wind NNW 5-8 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 5 mi, temp 75.
1830-2200
Main, 150.
First race of the GRSC summer series for 1998. Course was HFDS, a triangle. We came into the start on port ducking the entire fleet (5 other boats) and crossed at the middle of the line. Most of the other boats were involved with each other and about 200 yards after the start we were in 2nd place behind and to leeward of Jagon. We were making 4-5 knots in 1-3 foot disorganized chop. The waves were slowing us a lot. The course was skewed and we were lifted to the mark. We tacked for it about 4 boat lengths away. We were 4th to round behind Jagon, Breakaway and Eclipse. We were about 100 yards behind Eclipse (Catalina 30) on the close reach at 5.5 knots to F mark. We caught up with them but didn't manage to get by. We probably could have with another 1/2 mile. We rounded F about 1 boat length behind them and went wing-in-wing dead down to D mark. We were making 2.5-3.5. We were occasionally rolled by waves and put the jib on a pole. Eclipse pulled away from us and we managed to stay ahead of Nature's Way (O'Day 27) and Free Spirit (Newport 27). We rounded D mark about 3 minutes behind Eclipse and just ahead of Nature's Way. The leg to the finish was a very close reach. We made 3.5-4.5 knots in the varying wind. We pulled away from the boats behind us and passed Eclipse about 3/4 of the way up the leg. They had gone too far right. We also caught up with Fantasia (C&C 34) and had to duck them right at the line. the were coming in on starboard. I thought they would tack ahead of us and shoot across the line which was about 3 boat lengths away. Their course was about 75 degrees off the line. But the crossed us and made us duck them. The ended up crossing about 2 seconds ahead of us but I think they would have been 20 seconds ahead if they had tacked for the line just before crossing us. They were racing spinnaker and started 5 minutes ahead of us. They should have finished about 11 minutes ahead of us. We may have finished 3rd on corrected time.

7/10/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind N 14-18 knots, waves 2-4'+, visibility 25+ mi, temp 65.
2000-2200
Main, 130.
We raised the main after the salt dock and motored out the river head to wind. We fell off at the river and raised the jib and headed east on a close reach making 6.5-7 knots (port tack reads high). We caught up with and passed a Catalina 30 and Pearson 323 and headed out the east end of the wall following after Windshadow. They were in the midst of a headsail change and we caught them just as the were getting the new headsail up. They quickly accelerated and started to pull away from us. We tacked and headed up on a very close reach back to the west to clear the main entrance. We made 5.8-6.3 knots (starboard tack reads low). There was a lot of weather helm in the puffs close to the wind - we were just over powered with the 130 and might have done well with the working jib or the 130 and a reef. But we were fine with the 130 when cracked off about 10-15 degrees. We passed the main entrance and I fell off to a close reach. I snugged the main downhaul, outhaul and backstay and we went back up on the wind. The helm was much better and so was boat speed and heel. I think the biggest difference was from the backstay. We continued west for about 2 miles then tacked and headed back on a close reach making 6.5-7 knots (starboard reads high) and thought about heading in the main entrance. We decided to go back to the east end and fell of to a reach. We were making 6.5-7.2 on the reach with the waves. We jibed at W mark to round the wall and headed for the river entrance on a close reach making 6.4-6.6 knots (port reads low?). We fell off at the river entrance to a dead run up the river. We dropped the jib in a lull and the shadow of the main and continued sailing to the basin with just the main making 3-5 knots. We started the motor in the basin, dropped the main and motored to the dock. The motor ran out of fuel in the primary tank about 30 feet from the dock. We were already in neutral and coasted in to a perfect stop. we had another .5 gallons in the 2nd tank.

7/11/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind NW 7-11 knots, waves 2-4'+, visibility 25+ mi, temp 65.
1930-2130
Main, 150.
Put the main up in the river in the lee of the freighter Henry Jackson(?). Raised 150 at end of river and close reached out the main entrance at about 6 knots. We headed north on a close reach making 6-6.3 knots (port tack) and caught up with O'Nami (C&C 27) about 2.5 miles out. We tacked and headed back on a close reach then fell off to a very broad reach and headed east of the main entrance to keep clear of the freighter Richard Reiss which was coming out of the river. They headed west and we made 2 tacks to sail in the main entrance. We dropped the 150 in the harbor and tacked back to the river. We started the motor at the end of the river and motored back to the dock dropping the main on the way.

7/12/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind E 0-2 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 20 mi, temp 75.
1930-2030
Motored
Added 6 gallons of fuel.
We motored out to the lake to see if there was any wind. There was not so we drifted for a few minutes. The water temperature was 76 degrees and we could see down to 12 feet. Had the sun been higher we could probably have seen to 20 feet. After about 15 minutes we motored back to the dock.

7/16/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind WNW - WSW 3-6 knots, waves 1-2', visibility 6 mi, temp 80.
1845-2130
Main, 150.
With Tim Conner. Raised main in river beside freighter John Boland and raised 150 in harbor on way to main entrance. We sailed north on a close reach making 3-5 knots. I set up the bungi self steering. it worked well. The boat is very sensitive to weight placement in the light air. If I moved to the low side to trim the headsail we turned up 20 degrees. If we stayed put the boat steered itself very well. we headed out about 2 miles then tacked and headed back towards the lighthouse making 2.5-4 knots. The wind was a bit patchy and backing. About 1/8 mile away we jibed and came all the way around to a close reach to the west on port making 3-4 knots. We went west about 2 miles then fell of to a beam reach and headed north on the same course that was a close reach before. The helm was too neutral to self steer on the reach. We were making 2.5-3.5 knots. We jibed and headed back to the lighthouse on a close reach making 3-4.5 knots. I measured the wind speed with the pipette gauge and it said 3-4.5 MPH while we were close reaching at about 3 knots. We had to come up a bit to get in the entrance but could not quite make the river. The wind was now SW. We dropped the headsail in the harbor and motored back to the river and up to the marina dropping the main on the way. The boat moved pretty well in the very light air. We were going as fast as the wind on the reach (about 3-4 knots).

7/18/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind ENE-E 13-18 knots, waves 2-4', visibility 25+ mi, temp 75.
1745-2020
Main, WJ.
With Chris Duer. We raised the main in the basin and the WJ as we cleared the end of the river. We sailed NNE on a close reach making about 6 knots for about 4.5 miles. I rigged the self steering and it worked pretty well but I had some trouble balancing the boat in the waves. We tacked and headed back towards the lighthouse on a reach making 6-6.4 knots for about 2 miles then came up to a close reach and headed towards the east end of the breakwall making 6.3-6.7 (port tack). We rounded the end of the wall and went inshore a bit on a run the jibed to a starboard run for the river entrance. We jibed into the river and sailed to the basin making 2-4 knots in the river. At the basin we dropped the jib and sailed into the dock with the main. The wind was parallel to the dock so we left it up as we came in. The wind was very light at the dock.

7/19/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind SSW 14-25 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 10 mi, temp 75.
1900-2030
Reefed Main, WJ.
With Jon Duer. We put the reef in at the dock. Raised the reefed main in the basin and ran with the motor down the river. We raised the jib behind the freighter just downriver of the salt dock and ran dead down to about 140 apparent out the main entrance. We came up to a close reach to the WNW making 6.5-7 knots (port tack). We went out about 1 mile and tacked back for the east end of the wall on a reach making 6-6.3 knots (starboard tack). As we approached the main entrance we came up to a close hauled course to go in and dodge what looked like threatening weather developing to the west. We dropped the jib and motored up the river dropping the main on the way. The boat was very well balanced with the reef and working jib with finger tip control. Not to mention Jonathon's 270lbs on the high side.

7/20/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind SSW 5-12 knots, waves 1-2', visibility 25+ mi, temp 75.
1900-2200
Main, WJ, 130.
Raised the main in the basin and the working jib as we passed freighter (McNee & Sons ?) in river. We shut the motor off just passed the salt dock and sailed out the main entrance on a broad reach at about 3-4 knots. After we cleared the entrance we came up to a close reach making about 5-5.5 knots (port tack) in 7-10 knots of wind. We went out about 1.5 miles, tacked and headed back towards main entrance on a beam reach making 4-5 knots. The pipette wind gauge read 5-7 mph (4.5-6 knots). We fell off to a broad reach for the east end of the wall. We went to the east end and jibed back to the west. We headed out on a reach. The freighter called on the radio that they were on their way out so we stayed out to stay clear. We went out about 1.5 miles, tacked and headed south (to the east of the main entrance)on a close reach making 4.7-5.2 knots. We changed over to the 130 and made 5.7-6.3 knots. We waited for the freighter to come out then sailed in the main entrance. We sailed back out the main entrance and off to the west for about 1.5 miles and tacked back. We sailed east on a reach then came up to close hauled for the main entrance pinching to make it at about 3.5-4 knots in diminishing wind. We started the motor as we approached the main entrance and saw we would have to do a couple of tacks to make it in. we dropped the 130 before coming in the main entrance and dropped the main as we entered the river.

7/21/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind SSW 12-18 knots, waves 1-2', visibility 10 mi, temp 85.
1845-1945
Main.
We raised the main in the basin and motor sailed down the river on a broad run. We shut the motor off past the salt dock. The weather alert was going off with warnings about storms near the islands (70 miles west) and then a special marine warning was issued for all of the lake Erie counties of Ohio. We jibed at the end of the river and sailed on a broad reach to Windshadow who was set up as committee boat for the dingy race. We advised them of the new warning (they were listening to the weather) and jibed to head back for the river. We made about 5 knots close reaching with the main. We crossed the river channel and tacked for the river. We started the motor and motor sailed up the river dropping the main just past the salt dock. We were tied up at 1945 and got the boat ready for a blow. We had the working jib ready to go but never raised it. About 20 minutes later the storm hit with winds to about 35 knots and lots of rain. The rain cleared and there was lots of lightning that lingered. There were a lot of ground strikes all around us. After about 30 minutes the lightning lightened up and we left for home. The Weather Service warnings did not mention the line of storms approaching our location. After the storm passed they mentioned a line from Kirtland to Cleveland.

7/22/98
Racing from Fairport, OH
Wind SSW 8-15 knots, waves 1-2', visibility 10 mi, temp 85.
1810-2020
Main, 130.
Course FDS.
With Chris Duer. Raised the main in the harbor and motor sailed to S mark for the start. The wind was 7-10 but looked as if it might build. There was rain about 10 miles west (you could still see Eastlake) and I did not want to be wrestling with the 150 in a squall so we put up the 130. We were first at the start crossing on starboard at the pin end. Everyone else was close behind and above us. We went right for a few minutes then tacked and ducked the faster boats that were now ahead of us (pretty much everyone). We went right to the layline and tacked. We barely made the mark and had to really pinch to get it. We were heeling 15-20 degrees and making 5.5-6 knots. The 2nd leg was a broad run (150 app) and we made about 5 knots. R&B&B (Irwin 24) was behind us as we rounded and racing spinnaker. They barely caught up with us on the leg and rounded just ahead of us. The leg to the finish was a close reach. The wind had built to about 13-15 and we were a bit over powered and heeling to about 20-25 degrees making 6-6.5 knots (port tack). R&B&B was sailing flat with 6 aboard and maintained their lead and crossed just ahead of us. They did start 5 minutes ahead of us with the spinnaker fleet.

7/25/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind NNE 10-12 knots, waves 1-2', visibility 25 mi, temp 70
2000-2130
Main, 130.
Raised main near end of river and 130 right after. We motor sailed out the main entrance close hauled and fell off a bit to a NNW course on starboard tack. We headed out making 6-6.2 knots for about a mile and tacked to the east. We saw Journey coming in from the east. We went almost to the east end of the breakwall on a close reach making 6-6.5 knots, tacked and headed NNE again. We went out about 1 mile north of the light, jibed and headed back to the main entrance on a beam reach making 6-6.4 knots (port tack). We came up on the wind inside the harbor, went east about 1/2 mile then tacked and fell off to a broad reach for the river entrance. We jibed and sailed up the river to the basin. We dropped the jib and sailed up the channel to the dock and sculled the last 60 feet into the slip.

7/26/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind NNE 5-8 knots, waves 1-2', visibility 25 mi, temp 70
1700-1900
Main, 130.
Raised main and 130 at end of river and tacked our way out the main entrance. We headed NNW on a close reach for about 2 miles, tacked and headed back on a close reach to the main entrance. Speed was 3-5 knots in the variable wind speed. We sailed in the main entrance, started the motor and dropped the headsail. We dropped the main in the river and motored to the dock.

7/29/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind WSW 8-12 knots, waves 1-2', visibility 25 mi, temp 75
1815-2100
Main, 130.
With Cory, Renee and Kenzie Sterling. We raised the main at the end of the river and the 130 in the harbor and sailed out the main entrance and north on a reach. We came up a bit to a close reach (at 5.5 knots) to the NNW and went out about 1.5 miles. We tacked and sailed back towards the main entrance on a close reach at about 5.5 knots. About 1/4 mile from the entrance we tacked and headed NW again on a close reach. About 2.5 miles out Whitehawk caught up with and passed us and took a photo. They headed up a bit and we continued on a close reach. We caught up with Charlie Engle on his P26 and took a couple of photos. After we passed them they tacked and headed back. We went another 1/4 mile and tacked. They were about 1/2 mile ahead of us now on the way back to the entrance. We were on a close reach (40-50 app) and making 5.5-6 knots. We got to the main entrance about 1/2 mile ahead of them. As we came in Jagon was coming in from the race. We seemed to have very good speed compared to them, they were pinching more to make it in. After we got inside the entrance we started the motor, dropped the jib and motored to the river. We dropped the main in the river.

7/31/98
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind ENE 6-10 knots, waves 1-2', visibility 25 mi, temp 75
1900-2200
Main, 150.
With Jon Duer. Raised the main at the end of the river and the 150 in the harbor. We motor sailed out the main entrance. We shut the motor off and sailed to the NNW on a close reach at 3.5-4.5 knots. We passed an Alberg 30 and continued to about 2.5 miles out. wee tacked and headed back towards the light on a reach to close reach. We spotted the Orloff's Aloha 32 (PHRF 175?) to leeward and slightly ahead of us on the way back to the main entrance. We were making 5-6 knots and the wind was shifting back and forth about 20 degrees ever 5-8 minutes. We got to the main entrance about 1/2 mile ahead of the Orloff's. We sailed all the way up the river to the turning basin, dropped the 150 and motored the last 200 yards into the dock.

8/1/98 (25)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind ENE 14-18 knots, waves 3-4', visibility 25 mi, temp 75
1800-2000
Main, WJ.
We raised the main at the end of the river and the WJ in the harbor. We motor sailed out the main entrance through the entrance chop (4-6' confused waves) then cut the motor and sailed to the NW on a close reach at about 6 knots (starboard tack). We went out about 2 miles tacked and headed to the east end of the breakwall. On port tack we made 6.2-6.5 knots. I ran a second starboard sheet through a snatch block on the inboard padeye to see what difference it would make on pointing. The sail sheeted well with the clew just outboard of the shrouds and the sheet leading over the lifelines. We were making 33-36 degrees apparent and the upper inner ticks were lifting just ahead of the lower. With the WJ sheeted at the rail the angles and speed seemed about the same. Difficult to measure a difference. A better experiment might be to sail with each sheeting position for a mile (in steady winds) and look for differences in the GPS track log. Also, lee and weather helm seemed somewhat random. The boat could go either way. The tiller was very neutral. We cracked off a bit heading for the east end and were hitting 6.6-6.8 knots (port tack reads high). We rounded the end of the wall and fell off to a broad run heading inshore. We jibed and headed for the river entrance on a broad run on port making 4.5-5.5 knots, better in the flatter water behind the wall. We jibed to head in the river and sailed in on a beam reach at 6 knots. We sailed to the basin and dropped the main. We carried the WJ into the channel, dropped it about 5 slips away and coasted into the dock without the motor.

8/2/98 (26)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind ENE 8-14 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 25 mi, temp 75
1900-2130
Main, WJ.
We raised the main and WJ near the end of the river and cut the motor as we entered the harbor. We sailed out the main entrance close hauled (at 4-4.5 knots) and fell off to a close reach to the north making 5-5.4 knots (starboard tack reads low). We headed out about 2 miles and tacked towards east end of the wall. On port we were making 5.5-5.8 knots (port tack reads high). We spotted Windshadow and fell off to a broad run towards them making 4-4.5 knots at 150 app. We went wing-in-wing making 3.5-4 knots, then jibed the jib to a broad reach on starboard making 4-4.5 knots. We paralleled them a while but the were faster then us with their 150 up. We tacked and headed back towards the lighthouse close hauled to close reach making 5-5.7 knots (port tack). We were headed as we got closer to shore. Windshadow was catching up and when we tacked to make the entrance they were about 200 yards away. On starboard we made 3-4 knots and they caught up with us but were to leeward. We tacked when we could make the entrance and mad 5-5.5 on our way in. We sailed in the river, started the motor and dropped the jib. We dropped the main on the way up the river. There was a lot of activity on the VHF with many coast guard calls to stations from Ashtabula to Sarnia. One CG (or sheriff - Macomb Co.) communication on one of their working channels spoke of a man in a large power boat threatening to shoot a man in an inflatable. I think it was in Lake St. Clair.

8/8/98 (27)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind NE 12-16 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 7 mi, temp 80 (90 inland)
1800-1930
Main, WJ.
Raised main in harbor and headed off to the east. Raised the jib and tacked back towards the main entrance on a beam reach at about 5-5.5 knots (starboard tack reads low). We came op to a close reach at the entrance and headed out to the NNE. We went out about 2 miles on a close reach making about 5.75 knots. We tacked and headed back to the main entrance making 6.3-6.6 knots (port tack reads high) on a close reach. We fell of to a beam to broad reach in the harbor and sailed up the river. At the basin we dropped the main and sailed into the channel with the jib. We lost all the wind and sculled the last 75 feet to the dock.

8/12/98 (28)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind NE 10-16 knots, waves 2-4', visibility 20 mi, temp 70
1800-2000
Main, 130.
We set the main in the river and raised the 130 in the harbor. We sailed out the main entrance and headed of to the NNW on a close reach making 5.3-5.5 knots (starboard tack reads low). We went out about 3 miles, tacked and headed back to the main entrance on a beam reach making 6-6.6 knots. port tack reads high but we were pretty far off the wind and I think the error is smaller when there is less leeway. We sailed in the main entrance and in the river at 5.5 knots. We sailed to the basin, dropped the main and headed into the channel with the 130. We dropped the 130 about 75 feet from the slip and coasted in.

8/15/98 (29)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind NE 3-5 knots, waves 1-2', visibility 10 mi, temp 75
1830-2030
Main, 130.
Added 5 gallons of fuel.
Raised the main near the end of the river and the 130 in the harbor. We shut the motor down after we passed out of the main entrance. We sailed NNW on a close reach at about 3 knots. The wind diminished from about 5 to 3 knots but we managed to maintain 2 knots and were much faster then a Macgregor 26 (motor/sail) on a parallel course. About 1.5 miles out we tacked and headed back on a beam reach at about 1.5 knots. We came up on Free Spirit near the entrance and I think we were faster then them with their 150 but they rolled it in and motored back to the entrance. We sailed in the entrance at about 1.8 knots and dropped the jib in the harbor. We started the motor and dropped the main in the river and motored to the dock.

8/18/98 (30)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind NNE 18-24 knots, waves 4-8', visibility 25+ mi, temp 70
1915-2115
Main, WJ
We raised the main at the end of the river after passing the freighter Richard Reiss unloading on the right bank. We sailed on a reach to the east and raised the jib. We came up to a close reach making 6.4-6.7 knots (port tack reads high) and sailed out about 1/2 mile past the east end of the wall. We tacked and headed WNW on a very close reach outside the wall. We were slightly overpowered in the biggest puff. We sailed west past the main entrance making 5.5-5.8 knots (starboard tack reads low) and tacked to the NE on a close reach then fell off to a run towards the entrance. Rather then sailing through the choppy entrance dead down, we came up to a reach then jibed and sailed in on a broad reach. Inside we jibed and made a run down and back behind the wall. We sailed in the river wing-in-wing, then jibed the headsail and dropped it in the lee of the main. We sailed to the basin, started the motor and dropped the main, then motored to the dock.

9/4/98 (31)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind N 3-7 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 25+ mi, temp 65
1840-2130
Main, 150
Went out with Charlie Engle and Bobby. Raised the main in the harbor and shut the motor off just outside. Raised the 150 and headed off to the NE on a close reach in ver light wind making 1.5-3 knots. The wind came and went every 7-10 minutes and we made up to 5 when it was up and 2-3 when it was down. We headed out NE for about 3 miles and tacked back to the main entrance. We sailed in and up the river past the CG station then started the motor and dropped the sails on the way to the dock.

9/11/98 (32)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind W-WSW 18-24 knots, waves 4-6', visibility 25+ mi, temp 65
1630-2030
Reefed Main, WJ
Set the reef at the dock and raised the main in the basin. I had pre-tensioned the outhaul on the reef clew and this caused the gooseneck to bind. I had to slack the outhaul to raise the main with the reef in place. We motored to the harbor, raised the jib and sailed out the main entrance on a reach to close reach. The waves were 3-5 rollers outside and they didn't look that big because there were no white caps. We came up to a close reach and headed NE. The waves were bigger further offshore. We turned back for the main entrance about 2.5 miles out where the waves were 4-6 foot with the occasional 7-8 footer. We sailed to the entrance on a reach to close reach and came up to close hauled inside the wall just on course for the river. We dropped the jib at the river entrance and motored in dropping the main in the lee of the freighter John J. Boland who was at the salt dock.

9/12/98 (33)
Motored out to G mark to clean bottom. Made 5.9-6.1 knots on the way out, 6.6-6.8 on the way in with clean bottom.

9/17/98 (34)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind ENE 6-10 knots, waves 1-2', visibility 25+ mi, temp 65
1830-2030
Main, WJ
Went out solo. Raised the main at the dock and motor sailed down the river. Motor sailed out the main entrance with the tiller tied off with the bungie rig and raised the jib. The boat held course as I raised it. I headed up to a close hauled course, shut the motor off and sailed off to the north with the tiller tied off making about 5 knots. The boat steered itself once I got it properly balanced with rudder and sail trim. Once set I could walk around the deck and it held course. I sat on the cabin top on the low side for 10 minutes and could have stayed till I was in Canada if the wind held. I tacked and headed for the east end of the wall to stay clear of the freighter Buffalo who was heading in. The course to the east end was a close reach (about 65 deg apparent) and it was harder to get the helm balanced out for self steering but once I got it it was good. I was making about 5.5 knots in 6-9 knots of wind - not bad with the working jib. I walked around the deck and sat on the pulpit for 3 or 4 minutes before the boat fell off to a broad reach and needed correction. About 400 yards from the end of the wall the wind had settled and clocked and I could not make the end. I tacked but the wind was very light and I dropped the sails and motored in the east end and back to the river. the motor stopped running after I throttled back in the channel to the dock. I coasted into the slip. I think the plugs might be fouled. It ran again when I started it, it just wouldn't idle that well.

9/20/98 (35)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind Variable - SSW 0-4 knots, waves <2', visibility 8 mi, temp 80
1730-1930
Main, 130
Raised the main and 130 while motoring down the river. We motored out to the NNE of the main entrance about 1/5 miles. We dropped the jib while motoring out. We shut the motor down and drifted a bit while the freighter McNee Sons was coming in. After it passed we raised the jib and were able to sail on a close reach at about .8 - 1.2 knots in about 2-3 knots of wind. We were up to about 2 knots and tacked towards the main entrance and were making 2-3 knots in 3-5 knots of wind. As we came past the entrance we dropped the jib and motored in. We dropped the main in the river and motored up to the dock.

9/26/98 (36)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind WSW 14-25 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 8 mi, temp 75-85
1500-1830
Main, WJ
We raised the main in the basin, shut the motor off and sailed down the river at 4 knots on a broad run. The freighter Oglby was near the end of the river and we raised the jib in it's lee. We sailed out the main entrance on a broad reach at about 5.5 knots and came up to a close reach. We were making 6.4-6.8 knots on port (port reads high) heading to the WNW. We went out about 3 miles. The lake was flat close to shore and running about 2-3 feet a few miles out. We tacked and headed back to the main entrance on a starboard beam reach at about 6 knots (starboard reads low). About 1/8 mile from the entrance the wind picked up and went forward a bit. We pinched to get in the entrance then fell off to a broad reach heading east behind the wall chasing Journey (Hunter 37.5). They were about 3/4 mile east with just a main. The wind was puffy and in the puffs we made 6.5-6.8 knots on a broad reach (I think the speedo is better the further off the wind you are). We jibed and came around W mark and broad reached out a bit hitting 7.2 knots. We came up to a close reach and were catching up with Journey until they unrolled their jib a bit and pulled away again. We were getting a bit overpowered in the puffs and fell off a bit. After passing west of the main entrance Journey tacked and as they passed to leeward of us we tacked. We held even with them on the way back to the east end of the wall. we got a good look at their bottom and it was easy to see why we were keeping up with them with our relatively clean bottom (2 weeks). They rolled in their jib and eeeked passed them. We came up on the wind at W and headed inshore to get room to tack for the west end of the harbor. We tacked and were well clear of the breakwall and making 6-6.4 knots close hauled. We were pulling away from Journey but they seemed to be pointing a bit higher. As we approached the main channel we put the motor in. We dropped the jib in the tack for the river entrance and dropped the main in the lee of the freighter Oglby still in the river.

10/10/98 (37)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind NW 8-14 knots, waves 2-4', visibility 25+mi, temp 60-65
1700-1900
Main, 130
Raised main and 130 in river and killed the motor as we exited the river. We sailed our the main entrance and headed north on a close reach at 5.5-6 knots for about 3 miles. We tacked and headed back to the light on a beam reach and came up to a close reach inside the wall. We sailed up the river almost to the overhead wires and motored from there dropping the sails on the way.

10/11/98 (38)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind N 6-12 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 12 miles, temp 65-70
1530-1830
Main, 130, spinnaker
Motored down river and raised main near the mouth. We motored out the main entrance, raised the jib and headed off to the WNW on a close reach making about 5 knots. We continued for about 5 miles then tacked and headed NE for about 2 miles. We fell off and set the spinnaker and reached back to the main entrance. I raised the spinnaker around the jib then dropped the jib. This worked very well but another winch would make it easier. We sailed in and about half way up the river at about 2-3 knots dead down wind. We dropped the spinnaker as the wind fizzled and motored to the dock dropping the main on the way.

10/17/98 (39)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind SSW 10-20 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 12 miles, temp 65-70
1200-1530
Main, WJ
Added 3 gallons of fuel.
With Gary and Joan Gazan. Raised the main in the basin, cut the motor and sailed out the river at about 3.5 knots. We raised the jib at the end of the river and sailed out the man entrance wing-in-wing then came up to a close reach heading west at about 5 knots. We headed out about 3 miles, tacked and sailed on a reach to the east end of the wall. We tacked and sailed back to the river behind the wall. We started the motor, turned up into the river and head to wind and dropped the jib, then the main. We motored up the river past the marina to Grand River Yacht Club and then back to the dock.

10/18/98 (40)
Racing from Fairport, OH
Wind SSW 20-30 knots, waves 4-6', visibility 12 miles, temp 60-65
0945-1200
Reefed Main, WJ
Raised the reefed main and jib in the harbor and sailed out the entrance. Course was from Fairport to Mentor and back. The start was a line extending from the west wall. Start was at 1025 and we were on the right side. It was close hauled in 4-6 footers and 20-30 knots making 5-6 knots. We were a bit over powered hard on the wind. We were not able to point well in the waves and were getting pushed way to the right. We decided to tack and get closer to shore in seek of smaller wave. We went pretty far inshore and did find smaller waves but it didn't last long. Our tacking angle was about 120 degrees. We were back in big waves soon and should have stayed out. We lost a lot of time. We got to Mentor and being so far behind we turned back and had a great broad reach back. We caught lots of great surfs to mid 7s and 8.5 on one exceptional ride. We sailed in the main entrance, headed up, dropped the jib, motored to the river and dropped the main. We were on the dock at about 1200.

10/23/98 (41)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind WSW 15-23 knots, waves 4-7', visibility 15 miles, temp 60-65
1630-1830
Reefed Main, WJ
With Al Brenninger and Mike Gulley. We motored down the river and raised the sails in the harbor and sailed out the main entrance on a port reach. We were making 6.3-6.7 knots and the waves were large well formed rollers. We headed out about 2 miles then tacked and headed back for the main entrance on a close reach. About 1/4 mile out we fell off and to a broad reach for the east end of the wall. We came around and beat back up inside. We moved the sheet lead from the rail to the inboard car outside the shrouds and over the lifelines and were pointing several degrees higher. The lead was clear close hauled but might be troublesome and interfere with the lifelines on a reach. We sailed to the river entrance, started the motor and headed to the dock dropping the sails on the way.

10/24/98 (42)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind W 12-20 knots, waves 3-6', visibility 15 miles, temp 60-65
1500-1800
Reefed Main, Full main, WJ
Raised the reefed main and WJ at the harbor and sailed out the main entrance on a close reach. We were a bit under reefed main so we shook it out. We sailed close hauled to the NE making 5.75-6.25 knots. We were making a comparable course to Avalon who was to windward of us. We went out about 3 miles, tacked and sailed back to the main entrance on a reach making 5.5-6 knots. Inside the wall we ran down to the east end and beat back to the west to test the tacking angle. We had the WJ sheeted on the inboard blocks, the traveler at the edge windward seat and the boom almost on center with a slight bubble in the front 2 feet. We were making 5.5-6 knots in about 14 knots and were tacking from 315C to 225C. According to the deviation card we made 4 years ago the deviations are -8 at 315 and +8 at 225 so the tacking angle was about 90 degrees. We beat back to the west end of the harbor, tacked and sailed into the river. We started the motor and dropped the sails on the way up the river.

10/25/98 (43)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind W 8-18 knots, waves 2-4', visibility 15 miles, temp 60-65
1500-1630
Main, 130, 150
With Nathan Duer. We raised the main and 130 in the river and sailed out the main entrance and headed NNE close hauled. We went out about 2.5 miles, tacked and headed back. The wind was diminishing and we changed over to the 150 by raising it on the inside, tacking and bringing the 130 down on the inside. Speed went from 4-4.3 to 5-5.5 knots. We were about even with Tachyon on the way in and managed to get about 4 boat lengths ahead of them at the entrance. They were flying a working jib. We made the river ahead of them but the coasted past us in the lulls. We were on the right side and I think they had better air. We managed to catch up with them again but did not pass them and they pulled away in the next lull. We sailed to the basin, started the motor and dropped the sails.

10/29/98 (44)
Daysailing from Fairport, OH
Wind NNE 8-12 knots, waves 1-3', visibility 25 miles, temp 55-60
1500-1650
Main, WJ
The wind was on the bow at the dock so I rasied the main at the dock and motored out of the slip. I motor sailed down the river around the frieghter Richard Reiss. Avalon was on the way out about 1/2 mile ahead of me. At the end of the river I set up the stearing bungi rig and headed off to the east on a port tack close reach. I got the boat balanced and went to the past to raise the jib. I had pre-sheeted it and it set well. The boat held it's course as I rasied the jib. I went back to the cockpit and tacked, heading for the main entrance. Avalon had just gone out and another boat had just come in and headed east a bit. I had to do a couple of tacks to get out the entrance then I headed off to the NE on a close reach for about 3/4 mile. Avalon was on the same course about 1 mile ahead. I tacked and headed to the east end basically close hauled. I made 4.5-5.5 knots in the cycling wind. Avalon had tacked just before I did and was slowly closing with me. As I aproached the east end of the wall I fell off to a beam reach and pased inside. I went about halfway inshore of the wall and jibed to head west. Avalon headed farther to the east. I made 2.5-4 knots behind the wall on a broad reach. As I aproached the river entrance I started the motor and dropped the jib. I left the main up and as I aproached the marina the wind was almost dead and I left it up as I came into the slip so I could remove it for winter storage.

10/30/98 (45)
Haulout '98. I motored around to the mast crane, unstepped the rig and then motored to the travel lift for haulout at about 1520.

Ships Log 1999
Ships Log || 1994-1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | Maintenance Log | Racing Log ||
|| Pyxis Home Page | Dan's Home Page ||