Posted: 10 Nov 2007 at 10:04am
Well, I am sad to say the season is over for me here in Michigan. I thought maybe I would share some reflections from my first season racing the Dolphin. All in all it has been a successful season. We did well, placing in the top three on many races. Won a few flags, learned a lot, and had a ball! One of the highlights of the season was a first in our class and second overall in a 20 mile downwind race. It was a light air run, and the only boat to beat us was modern ultralight boat. The best part was actually catching up to a S2 7.9! The Dolphin rocks in a light air run! I also found that this boat starts getting really fun in a 20+ knot breeze! One particular race we had a poor start in light air. it was a reach to the firs mark, when a storm cell rolled through and was suddenly blowing 25-30. We were able to stay on our feet much better than our competition and passed three of them taking a second place! Probably the hardest thing to learn for me is getting good starts. I lost several races with poor starts. Something to work on next year. It is time now to work on some of those winter projects. Minor repairs and replacing and updating this and that. The little things to help us go faster next season. So, I guess the winter is not a total bust, at least I can work on the boat, even if I can't sail her! As a final note, hopefully you all can share some of your stories from your sailing season.
Yankee Dolphin Hull # 203


Posted: 11 Nov 2007 at 12:26pm
Sorry to hear your seasons over, went out a two weeks ago and will be going again tomorrow if the weather coaperates ( and I finish shingling the back wall today) Have had several excellent sails this year the best I think was an eight mile run over the bar and offshore on a broad reach with the tiller lashed. Last year I left the boat on the dock all winter and did some sailing but I will trailer the boat home by the end of the month for some overdue maintenance.

Well, the forcast for monday was supposed to be a little breezy but we now have winds of 30 to 40 MPH and the highest gust I've seen is 71 so maybe I'll get a chance next weekend

Yankee Dolhphin Hull #93