Pushing the Envelope
Last weekend was about as nice as you can get in February for sailing on the Columbia River here in Portland, Oregon. Temperatures in the high 50’s, sunshine and a good stiff east wind. Friday we got a steady 18 to 20 knots with gusts to 26. We put in a double reef and three rolls in the head sail and went upriver fast. It was a lot of work because even though we were making good progress upriver the tacks were coming fast and involved a lot of grinding on the winches to get the jib trimmed for the new heading. It was definitely pushing the envelope for us, but so much fun to get out and see what Cinnamon will do. We beat about 5 miles upriver and then turned and ran for a quick trip back down river to Hayden Bay.
Saturday conditions were the same. We were feeling a little beat so we just took it easy and recuperated.
Predictions for Sunday sounded better and it is always fun to get out with the Sunday race fleet. The winds were still 15 to 20 from the East, but not quite as gusty. After the confidence builder on Friday we went with only a single reef and full head sail and still felt very comfortable. We got out just after the start of the racing so I got some good pictures of the race fleet.
