Tag Archives: boating

PRSA Spring Series # 8 Sunday, June 6 – Last One for Spring Series!

Updated June 7 — 

Albacores did RC. The AccuWeather forecast called for mostly cloudy skies, a high of 91 degrees, and westerly winds at 19 – 22 MPH. A few thunderstorms were possible, some severe. The river flow was below normal for this time of year, at 6.310 CFS (gage height 3.5 ft) and the water had warmed to 82 degrees.  Low tide was at 10:34 AM and high tide at 4:21 PM.  Actual winds were from the SSW at 13 MPH up until 2:30 PM when a front came through, kicking up 29 MPH winds with gusts to 45.  PRO Nathan Marsh and his crack Albacore RC set up an Olympic course with the leeward mark close to (but outside) the channel near the green channel mark off East Potomac Park, and got off four races in quick succession, for the 7 Lightings, 2 Buccs, one Albacore and one Hobie that sailed.  All but 4 Lightnings had retired by the end of race 3 and were back at the docks before the front came through. For the four (Nabeel; Rick; Pat; and Peter Lallas) there was a wild ride home after race 4, but they all made it back without capsizing.  Results to be posted soon.

PRSA Spring Series # 6, Sunday, May 16!

Updated 5/19/10 —  Sunday was a day when the weatherman promised much and delivered so little.  The forecast was for partly sunny and pleasant conditions, a high of 76 degrees, and winds from the northeast at 8 – 10 MPH.   Seven Lightnings, six Albacores, and three Hobies splashed and made their way up to the race course, while  PRO Bob Astrove and RC crew set a windward-leeward course along an ENE axis, with the windward mark close to the deepwater channel and the leeward mark close to the airport shore.  But they only got off one race before the wind died.  At 2 PM the N flag went up and boats were towed back to the dock.  Results after the break:

Continue reading PRSA Spring Series # 6, Sunday, May 16!

2010 Leukemia Cup Kickoff Party Saturday, May 15!

The 2010 Leukemia Cup kick-off party was Saturday, May 15 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Capital Yacht Club to kick off the 2010 Leukemia Cup Series, benefitting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This luau-themed party was FREE to all Leukemia Cup supporters and was the best opportunity to learn about the exciting events on the Potomac this summer organized to be enjoyable while helping fight leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.  

You wouldn’t want to have missed this party!  There was live music by Deja Blue , Mt. Gay Rum drinks, a Pig Roast and the best company around!  You had the chance to meet boaters and sailors from up and down the Potomac River (more than 10 local clubs involved!) as well as some of the 2010 Honored Skippers for the Leukemia Cup.  There were opportunities to win Mt. Gay and Leukemia Cup door prizes, find out all you want to know about this year’s events, register early to participate, trade fundraising secrets and get a head start on making 2010 the best year yet! 

SAVE THE DATES: 2010 Leukemia Cup Series
3rd Annual Jr. Regatta
August, date TBD.  Washington Sailing Marina
4th Annual Power Boat Poker Run
Sunday, August 29th.  Old Dominion Boat Club
17th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta
Friday, September 10th & Saturday, September 11th.  Washington Sailing Marina.

PRSA Spring Series # 5 Sunday, May 9

UPDATED May 10!  Two days of strong northerly winds had pushed a lot of the tidal Potomac River water south, and that, coupled low tide around noon, made for the lowest water level we have ever seen on the river at the marina. The mud flats adjacent to the airport pier were actually above water; a windsurfer was seen walking his rig upstream in chest-high water in the middle of the channel; the ribs of the sunken wreck were two feet above the water surface.  The AccuWeather forecast had called for sunny skies, with winds from the NW at 15 – 20 MPH, and gusts to 25, and they got the sunny skies part right, but the wind turned out to be stronger and gustier than predicted.  Three Lightnings, four Albacores, and two Cats splashed, and RC did set out for Haines point to try to set up a long windward-leeward course as far upriver  as they could, but the strong gusty winds and low water made them change their mind, and racing was canceled at 11:30 AM. 

PRSA Spring Series # 4, Sunday, May 2

Good wind, good temperatures, good waves and good race committee work made for great sailing this Sunday.  We had 4 or 5 Bucs, 2 hobies, and 5 albs out on the race course sailing 4 windward leeward twice around races and 1 Triangle.  5 races total.  With the wind picking up later in the day only Heinsdorf, Harris and Hesse stayed for the final race.  Must be something about ‘Hs” The albs brought a ringer skipper from Toronto and a ringer crew from California. Harris, in his new state of age,  showed a little  mind slipping as he overstood the finish in race 2  and wanted to go around again.  Don’t know what that was all about.  Heinsdorf once again demonstrated his quick reactions as he dunked his brother crew while he scrambled to the rail for safety during a leeward mark rounding capsize.

Thanks to the race committee:  Bill Buck; Susan Graham, Nathan Marsh, and mystery girl (Heinsdorf’s brother’s friend).  And to the use of a GW crash boat.  After racing, Lee pulled out the leftovers including BEER from the monster party on Friday for everyone to feast on.  Thanks to everyone for the good time.  Results after the break:

Continue reading PRSA Spring Series # 4, Sunday, May 2

PRSA Spring Series # 3, Sunday, April 25!

Updated 4/26/10 — Seven Lightnings came out along with 4 Hobies, 3 Albacores, and a Laser on a day with a NOAA forecast of heavy weather arriving sometime after 2 PM (which it did, but north and west of DC).  Before 2 PM, the winds were predicted to be from the south at 8 – 9 MPH under cloudy skies, with a high temperature of 75 degrees, and that’s exactly what we got, except that the clouds dissipated by the end of the first race.  PRO David Thompson and RC set up a windward-leeward course and got off three races in quick succession, finishing the 3rd race at exactly 2:00 PM, then sending boats home to ensure a safe ride and retrieval at the cranes before the heavy weather hit (which never did here, except that winds increased to 20 MPH after 3 PM).   Results to be posted soon.

PRSA Spring Series # 2, Sunday April 18!

UPDATED 4/19/10 —   The AccuWeather Forecast called for sunny skies, a high of 60 degrees, and winds from the NW at 14 – 18 MPH, and that’s about what we got, except that it was cloudier and chillier than predicted.  The river flow, at 9,150 CFS (gage height 3.9 ft)  was below normal for this time of year, and the water temperature was down to 62 degrees.  High tide was at 11:26 AM.  10 Lightnings and 3 Albacores came out.  Yates Dowell and the Hobie fleet set up a triangular course and got off three races in quick succession, and we were all back at the docks by 3 PM.  During docking on the return, Erich Hesse in his Albacore came screaming straight in to the slot between two of the crane docks, made an incredibly tight U-turn, and stopped the boat along side the north dock with bow pointed out — stunning!  Crew Lars Rathjen, standing on Eric’s forward deck, then  stepped neatly off the deck — and right into the water!  It was a site worthy of a bloopers video.   Fortunately, no injuries, other than to Lars’ psyche.  Results after the break:

Continue reading PRSA Spring Series # 2, Sunday April 18!

2009 PRSA Awards Banquet and Annual General Meeting – Saturday, November 14!

Saturday night 47 PRSA Skippers, crew, and guests came together at the Marina Towers for an evening of socializing, dinner, awards, and PRSA business. See details and  who attended here.  Congratulations to Lighting skippers Nabeel Alsalam, Rick, Welch, and Pat McGee for their top 3 rankings in the Spring Series, and to Frank and Rick for their top 2 finishes in the Fall Series, and to Tom Berlin, for his first place award for the Albacore Fall Series.  Rick was given the Fleet Captain’s Award for outstanding service as Race Committee Chair for Spring Series 8; Tom Berlin was awarded the Founder’s Trophy for service above and  beyond the call of member duty, for his continued work , and success, all fall in getting the engine of the 16 skiff working again.  Officers elected to the board for 2010 were: Pat McGee, Commodore; David Thompson, Vice Commodore; Scott Snyder, Rear Commodore; Yates Dowell, Treasurer; Robert Bennett, Secretary; and Jim Graham, member-at-large.

PRSA Fall Finale Regatta, Today, Saturday November 7!!

Today (Nov 7th) is the PRSA Fall Finale Regatta. This is the last regatta of the year  for our fair weather sailing friends, and the first of our winter Laser frostbite season.   Right now the weather looks perfect, A high of 59 degrees is predicted, with sunny skies  and winds from the S at 8 – 9 MPH all day.  We should have a big turn out for this regatta.  Last year we had 3 Albacores, 2 Buccs, 3 Hobies, 3 Lasers, and 5 Lightings show on a day with  questionable weather.  This year we should do better than that!  The Skippers Meeting is at noon and the first warning at 12:40.  Frank is PRO, with Mladen, Brenna, Barney, and Jill as helpers.  We’ll be sailing in the cove or down by the power plant depending on the weather  and how many boats show up. Bring hot Chili and cold beer for the party after.   Hope to see you on the water!