Friday Harbor Sailing Club has tough time at Single Handed | Around the Waterfront

Tough conditions for Single Handeds

The Friday Harbor Sailing Club sailed its next-to-last race of the season, the Single Handed, on Saturday with a thud.

Nothing to do with race committee or the racers; just the lack of predictable winds so characteristic of sailing in the San Juans.

When the wind finally came in at 3 knots, Fleet Captain Paul Barger signaled the start in North Bay. Most of the boats were ahead of me at the start, but I saw a patch of wind and headed for it.

When almost to the first mark, the leaders stalled in a hole while I speeded along making 1 knot. I’m thinking, “I’ve got them now,” until I woke up to the fact that I was headed for the wrong mark.

The second race was started in the same conditions as the first. I would surmise that for the race committee, watching these two races was about as exciting as watching paint dry.

One newly minted and the last race of the season, the Mitchell Bay International, is scheduled for Oct. 4 when the prospect for wind should be much better. This race calls for navigational as well as sailing skills.

I would like to see more of you boaters check out the Sailing Club. Its Bylaw Purpose tells it all. “The purpose of this club shall be to organize, promote and encourage amateur sailing, racing and powerboat activities to include race and cruises and to provide regular social and educational meeting for its members and guests.”

The monthly meetings feature a social period followed by a potluck dinner and educational entertainment or speakers. Special seminars are held in the spring on Racing Rules of Sailing and racing tactics. A full calendar of short- and long-distance cruises for power and sail can keep one on the water all year.

The following officers are happy to give you further details:

n Commodore Susan Eberhard, 378-3608, eberhard@rockisland.com.

n Vice Commodore Bob Querry, 378-7043, bobq@rockisland.com.

n Fleet Captain Paul Barger, 378-4333, pbarger@centurytel.net.

My suggestion: Come uncommitted to a meeting held every second Tuesday of the month, 1745, at the Grange Hall and check it out. Enjoy a courtesy dinner with your first visit.

— Fred Hoeppner is a retired Navy captain and competitive sailor. Contact him at fphoeppner@interisland.net.

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