More Cold Weather Laser Racing

Laser Frostbiting in Newport, photo by Willie Waw.

The Laser frostbite fleet races in Newport Harbor with the New York Yacht Club's Harbour Court in the background.

To learn more about the New York Yacht Club and why they have a club house in Newport, link here.

Privateer Lynx with Stuns'l

Privateer Lynx with Stu'ns'ls, photo by Willie Waw.

Privateer Lynx racing from Los Angeles to San Diego in the 2005 Tall Ships Challenge Series. Notice the dolphins just to the right of the bowsprit.

The sail alongside her square topsail is a studding sail (stu'n's'l) and is used in lighter air to get the most speed out of the boat.

To learn about sailing adventures and educational experiences on tall ships of all kinds, visit the American Sail Training Association web site here.

Uphaul and Go

Uphaul and Go, photo by Willie Waw.

Son Nico uphauling the 8.4 sq.m. sail on his Mistral Prodigy windsurfer. The board is large and stable and works well in a wide range of wind speeds.

Is 2006 the year you are going to learn to windsurf? Visit the Island Sports website for info on lessons and gear. Island Sports has been in the Newport area since 1974.

Wave Pattern

Wave Pattern, photo by Willie Waw.

Narragansett Bay is so empty at this time of the year -- in the summer you can often see as many as 100 sailboats from this spot.

These waves are about 2" tall -- very friendly.

Have you been following Dee Caffari's adventures with wind and waves? She's circumnavigating the globe in a westerly direction and is going against the wind -- visit the Aviva Challenge website for logs, podcasts, maps and more.

Dutch Sailing Yacht Brandaris

Brandaris, photo by Willie Waw.

The Brandaris is a beautiful and historically-significant charter vessel based in downtown Wickford, RI. These sailing barges were designed to navigate very shallow Dutch waterways -- the draft is only 3 feet, so large wooden leeboards are used in place of a keel or centerboard.

Owner/Captain Doug Somers takes all kinds of groups out onto Narragansett Bay for daysails, evening cruises and trips to see the harbor seals in cooler months.

The Brandaris was built in the Netherlands in 1938 and participated in the evacuation of allied forces from Dunkirk in 1940.

Link here to see more photos and learn how to get aboard the Brandaris -- an amazing vessel.

Let me know if you have sailed aboard the Brandaris and how you liked it.

Laser 2s Sailing in Newport

Laser 2s Sailing in Newport, photo by Willie Waw.

Doublehanded Laser 2s sail in the foreground with the Laser frostbite fleet and Newport in the background.

Laser 2s carry plenty of sail and are very fast especially for a lightweight team.

Visit the Vanguard web site for more information on the Laser, Laser 2 and 49er.

Tall Ships in San Diego

San Diego Festival of Sail, photo by Willie Waw.

During the Tall Ships Challenge port calls, there are often opportunities to sail on some of the participating vessels, either racing between ports or for daysails in port.

In this photo, Schooner Californian is at the dock on the left with the Exy Johnson from Los Angeles and the Spirit of Dana Point (far right) out sailing.

Link here for more information on the Schooner Spirit of Dana Point which is owned by the Ocean Institute.

Skype is Good

I have been having a great time using Skype -- it is a form of VoIP and can be used free anywhere in the world between those who have dowloaded the software (and have a good internet connection).

A sailing/windsurfing friend from Portugal tracked me down recently via Skype and we have renewed our friendship after 5 years without contact. If you have a Mac with built-in microphone, you'll only need a set of earphones (to avoid feedback); if you have a PC, you may need a USB headset. Link to Skype for further info.

Sailing links from my friend Ze, the Dragon sailor from Cascais:

Cascais Yacht Club link here. We will be organizing the ISAF World Championship in 2007.

St Tropez 75th Anniversary site http://www.intdragon.org/anniversary/frameset2.html

Hawaiian Chieftain in Anacortes

Hawaiian Chieftain in Anacortes, photo by Willie Waw.

The square topsail ketch Hawaiian Chieftain and some smaller sloops head out for an evening sail from Anacortes, Washington toward majestic Mt. Baker in the background.

Now that she has arrived back on the West Coast after relocating briefly to Massachusetts, the Hawaiian Chieftain will be based in Aberdeen, Washington along with the Lady Washington.

Link to the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority web site for information on both vessels.

Privateer Lynx in San Francisco

Privateer Lynx in San Francisco, photo by Willie Waw.

The beautiful schooner "Privateer" Lynx from Newport Beach sails in a strong breeze past Alcatraz Island.

The Lynx was launched in 2001 in Rockport, Maine. Her length (including bowsprit) is 122 feet and she carries 4,669 sq. ft. of sail.

The original Lynx was a "letter of marque" Baltimore Clipper commissioned during the opening days of the War of 1812 and served as a blockade runner and offensive weapon of war.

Lynx and Lady Washington will be taking guests out for battle reenactments from now through the 14th in Oxnard, CA -- link here to find out about sailing on the Lynx or supporting the historical and educational programs aboard.

Rockport in Winter

Rockport in Winter, photo by Willie Waw.

Even in the middle of winter, Rockport (Massachusetts) Harbor is full of dinghies and lobster boats. Often painted and photographed Motif #1 is at the back right.

Link here for more information on the famous Motif #1.

Highlander Sea near Kingston, Ontario

Highlander Sea near Kingston, Ontario, originally uploaded by Willie Waw.

Schooner Highlander Sea starting a Tall Ships Challenge race from Kingston across Lake Ontario to the Welland Canal; the 2006 series will be back in the Great Lakes after being on the East Coast in 2004 and the West Coast in 2005.

Schooner Grand Nellie is on the left and Fair Jeanne is on the far right.

Link to Acheson Ventures in Port Huron, Michigan to learn more about the Highlander Sea and link here for more details on the Grand Nellie.

Sunfish Racing on Narragansett Bay

Sunfish Racing on Narragansett Bay, photo by Willie Waw.

These Sunfish are starting a marathon race -- almost 26 miles (including tacking) around Jamestown (Conanicut Island) in Narragansett Bay. The race is run every few years from the Saunderstown Yacht Club. The race is divided into two sections with a stop for lunch in beautiful downtown Jamestown.

What do you think of Josh's hiking style?