What we got was 20 -25 knots and 4 to 6 foot waves. Oh yea and lets’ not forget the S to SE winds. This means for those of you landlubber types that since we are sailing south and pretty much directly into the wind, you must tack almost to the Bahamas, and then after beating into the SE wind and waves for what seems like hours, you tack back to the south and end up on the shore in what seems like 3 minutes and then start the SE beat into the wind and waves again, doing the Zig Zag all the way down the coast line.

 We started out with 7 boats signed up for this race, Nemesis, Moody Blues, Victoria, Free&Eze, Lady Anne, Latitudes and Mo-Hedo. After some serious consideration, equipment problems, late nightshift work and one early (probably the smartest) decision, we ended up with three boats beating to Jupiter Inlet where we decided that the crews and boats had taken enough salt water and punishment to last us all weekend. Lattitudes, Nemesis and Moody Blues stuck to the course and made the race.  

Now I have heard many comments on this race about the weather, well gang, that’s ocean racing. It’s the decision of the captain on whether his boat and his crew are up for that kind of race. No one made a bad decision, those of us who raced it had a lot of fun and an adventure to talk about and those who chose to turn around or not race, that was a good decision for them. Free&Eze probably made the best decision of the day when they decided to just cruise up the ICW and hit the party at Palm Beach while the food was still hot and the band was cranking. Ocean racing is not for everyone and every boat. It can be unpredictable and a challenge for the crew. Sometimes you get the nice sunny cruise with the wind and the weather at its best and other times its beating into the wind and waves with no rest until you are finished. This is what makes great stories and unforgettable adventures. 

 I do want to thank all the members who showed up at the party to support our club, it was nice to hit the shore and see a lot of familiar faces, also a big Thank You to the Palm Beach Sailing Club whose members stayed until all our sailors were in and had food and drinks waiting for them.

Fair Winds, Ann Bolduc