Don't you just love this passage from Wind in the Willows:  "Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING--absolute nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats"?   This is the way I feel on one of those perfect Thursday evenings on Dolphin, or even during a Grade 3 when the adrenaline is flowing and you are working completely in sync with everyone on board.  This was also how it felt last Sunday at the Bucket.  You can read more about it on my personal blog.

And also read below to set yourself up for some special times just messing about in boats.

Yes he is a bit of a funny guy and he will be here THIS Sunday, April Fools Day, but you will also learn a lot from his perspective on the Match Racing Game.

 I might add that we can ask him about the match race he had at the St. Barth's Bucket where I believe he was on the inside boat insisting that he had room on another 130 foot boat as they were coming barreling into a leeward mark that happened to be a VERY LARGE rock!

to hear all of the stories and learn along the way.  Sunday at 2 South Street from 12-5.

Mike Quaglio filed this report:
We had a great time out in Long Beach at the Ficker Cup. The entire venue, from the gracious hosts to the professional and personable umpires, made the SoCal event one to remember.  

We had an incredible 1st round robin with a 6-1 record, but the 2nd round didn't start that well ... the wind was very light and shifty; we felt like we had a slow boat, and to top it off we made some costly mistakes. That being said, I truly believe that it is the mistakes (and losses) that make you grow. 

This indeed proved to be the case. On the last day we needed to go 3-0 to secure a podium spot.  As fate would have it, a similar situation that cost us dearly the day before presented itself again and during one of our most critical matches --- fortunately, the crew saw the scenario setting up and knew what moves were about to transpire. Sure enough, we were able to capitalize on what had been our weakness the previous day.  We managed to go 3-0 on the last day after some tough battles against Nicole Breault and Oakcliff's Mike Komar; it was a well fought and rewarding ending to a great event.  

I look forward to returning  next year for another go at this venue.  The new group of Kyra Goldsmith, Mike Tolsma, Dave Dempsey, Mal Parker, and Alex Nadolishny really meshed together well to transform into a solid team as the event progressed.

Note:  Oakcliff's Mike Komar also reported that it was a great event.  He sailed with 7 and 4 of the team were completely new to match racing.  We fully expect to see them here at Oakcliff next summer.  Congratulations to Team Q and to Koko - All in all a pretty good regatta!

I'm off to Annapolis tomorrow to present the Heavy Weather Sailing Class at one of the largest Safety at Sea meetings on Saturday.  It will be held at the Naval Academy.  I might be out and about for one on Saturday night  and then I'll 'pop back up' to Oakcliff to see you all at Andy's Seminar on Sunday

 

While we watch the various Volvo 70s seek shelter in a bevy of South American Ports we can only wonder, is new really better?  The photo of my friend Bubs on board Abu Dhabi holding their J-4 Bulkhead with a confused look on his face will forever be in the iPhoto of my mind!  It was like he just walked forward and picked up a spare part, not something that was supposed to be fully attached to the boat and designed to hold the force of a headstay!

If you happen to be in the city in the next few days, stop by North Cove Harbor and check out Maserati,  the older generation of VOR 70s and let us know what you think.

Order your Gill Gear Here!
You'll need some fresh cool gear for that messing about in boats and Oakcliff is your one stop shop.  If you are looking for Spinlock Safety Gear or for some sexy Dubarry boots.

 We offer our signature line of Oakcliff Branded Gill gear but we can also order any other items from the Gill line that your little heart desires.  Don't forget, supporters get a discount.  It just keeps getting better!