Hey all, as usual I was really prolific with my updates here!  : /  Anyway, another terrific year!  Snatched a class win for JYC Spring, a really respectable 2nd in the blustery (and 190nm long!) Ida Lewis Distance Race, a second to Cutty and a second overall for Block.  Also a third for IYAC and a well-earned 4th for the always competitive Sail for Hope.  No complaints as we continued to sail respectably and generally are always the best dressed.  ; )  We sailed with a couple of new folks and brought back some folks who make it out just occasionally.  The family (albeit somewhat dysfunctional) continues to grow!  I’m genuinely thankful for what we have together.  

As I look forward, I see more of the same (good) for the upcoming year.  Basically many of the same races.  Regrettably, there is a terrible conflict between Cuttyhunk in 2024 and the EGYC Annual Regatta.  I love both events but we’ll need to pick one as they are both July 13th.  I’m leaning slightly towards Cutty as it is a little bit less work, a great destination, and usually a fun race for us.  I request your inputs on which you prefer!  I’ve got both in the schedule for now.

I’ve got a bit of travel in May and Bermuda in June, so there will be some modest impacts there — I will give early notice and try to minimize the churn for you.  Thank you for your continuing flexibility.

I’m “contemplating” the Spring and Fall Mitchells.  It may seem counterintuitive since these are non-spin events, but what you don’t know is Spirit was gifted a large, sprit-flown gennaker.  Just like the big ocean racers!  ; )  This was a surprise from our friends the Maguires/Scarlet Begonias.  They had it made, never used it and didn’t deliver it with the boat when they sold her.  It was sitting in the Doyle loft for some months and they (and Alex) decided it should come to us.  I can’t wait for us to fly it and get a look see.  Anyway, it doesn’t rate as a spinnaker — that’s both good and bad.  Good because it is considered a jib (albeit a very big one).  Bad because it will be an appreciable ratings hit to our non-spinnaker rating of 114.  How much I don’t know, but it brings these non-spin races potentially into play.   We’d need to score a support boat for these events but the idea of a couple more visits to Block is appealing!  More as this develops. 

As a reminder, we are doing a calendar distro at Beech in Jamestown on January 4th at 6:30pm-ish.  I’ll be working the annual spring crew meeting dates soon (and the video even sooner).  I will send out a note when the site here is open for you to mark your availability — not quite ready yet!

All for now — sailing again in just a few months,
EC