From sloopscoop@jewellgems.com Tue Jun 17 03:36:16 2008 From: sloopscoop@jewellgems.com (Sloop John B) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:36:16 -0500 Subject: [Sloop Scoop 2008] #4, June 18 - 25 Message-ID: <20080617022529.ADE584CE3E@braxton.siteprotect.com> Sailors & Would-be sailors-- It's been a wet and breezy June, but we have gotten out a few times since I last wrote, getting an early season visit from the Vangpire and Maureen for one of those rarer light air days, and Thomas (aka Scott Free) for one of those typical heavy air days. I can't get the Sloop Scoop out as often when work gets busy like it has been, but I do plan to get out and sail even if I don't announce it so be sure to check with me to see if I'm sailing. On the same token, if I put a date on the Sloop Scoop and you don't tell me you plan on coming, you may show up to find out that I'm not there. I often cancel sails if no one lets me know they want to come by at least the day before, and I often go sailing some other time or on some other boat instead. So be in touch. FULL MOON SAIL It's the Vangpire's favorite treat, meeting Luna as she begins her fully illuminated trek across the sky. It will be on a Wednesday, which is a casual race night and everyone is welcome. We need to leave by 1845 hours to make sure we make the start of the race. It looks to be a perfect sailing and moonwatching night. SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNRISE AND A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S CRUISE To date my most memorable midsummer's night was 25 years ago, when I watched A Midsummer Night's Dream performed in an open-air theatre in Regent's Park in London. At one point I turned to my friend beside me and *almost* said "Look it's a full sun tonight!" as I watched it set huge and red behind the stage. Night fell and the faerie lights went on on the stage and it was magical. This year I'm not in London, but magic is still possible. I've always wanted to celebrate the longest day of the year by greeting the sun in the morning and wishing it farewell in the evening. This year I'm planning both a sunrise and sunset cruise. For the midsummer night's cruise I'll bring along a copy of Shakespeare and we can laugh along with Puck and the faeries. RACING BEHIND We had an accidentally good start for our first race of the year last Wednesday, and a good first leg until we tacked over to pass the crib to the south only to find that the other boats were taking the crib to the north. I had been told marks to starboard, but they must have changed their minds. Anyway, we never caught back up, but we did finish the race. It was breezy, 15-20 knots, and we had a reef for the windward leg and shook it out for the leeward leg and then put it back in to sail another hour or so after the race was over. Wednesday night races are essentially cruising with a place to go, and you'll get to sail points of sail that we don't usually do on cruises, and get to activate that competitive spirit. If you want to come on Wednesdays, try to bring a watch--you know, that thing you used to strap on your wrist to tell time before you had a cell phone. We need to know minutes AND seconds and we don't want to lose cell phones overboard. COME SAIL WITH US The general information (what to do and bring) and directions to the harbor (long-winded but interesting and accurate) can always be found on the Sloop Scoop site at http://www.jewellgems.com/sloopscoop/index.htm Sail on . . . Skipper Schuy/Lisa ----------------- SCHEDULE (many things permitting . . .) ___Wednesday 6/18 Evening sail. Be at the harbor at 1815 hours, we'll leave the dock around 1840 hours. They will be selling burgers, etc. We should be back by 2130 hours at the latest. ___Saturday 6/21 Summer Solstice Sunrise. Meet at the harbor at 0415. We'll go on either the Sloop or Isle Marie. We should be back by 0830 hours at the latest, probably earlier. A Midsummer Night's Cruise. Meet at the harbor at 0730 hours. We'll try to stay out at least to see the fireworks from down south at 2200 hours. We'll be back in at 2245 hours at the latest--probably sooner. ___Wednesday 6/25 Evening sail/beer can race. Be at the harbor at 1830 hours. We need to leave the dock by 1845. They'll sell food at the harbor beforehand. We should be back by 2130 hours at the latest. ON THE HORIZON A few races Fireworks A great sailing season!