VIVA - J/30

Figawi 2009

2009-05-26T22:43:00.014-04:00

May 20

Delivery crew (Jon, Orhan and Mike) depart Hull Yacht Club at 3:30am. Left a day early due to windy weather in the forecast.

Cold morning with fair weather and smooth seas. Favorable current down to canal, average 6.5 knots.

Passing Minot Light.

Arrive at Canal 10:30 and through Hog Island Channel. Seas in Buzzard Bay were right on the nose and challenging. Arrived at Woods Hole one hour after slack tide. Tide was flooding into Vineyard Sound. Favorable current to Hyannis, average 7 knots. Arrive at Hyannis Marina at 7:30pm.

VIVA spent the night in Hyannis Marina in a tight slip.

May 21

Lazy day in Hyannis. The guys brought VIVA over to Hyannis Yacht Club.

Jon cooking some sausages on the stove...

May 22

Lazy Day #2 in Hyannis

May 23

Race day to Nantucket. Crew: Jon, Lori, Dad, Orhan, Mike, Jack, Colin and Brooke.

Jon, Orhan, and Jack talking strategy...

Winds East 10-15. Straight course, close reach to Nantucket. 3 foot seas. Hit max VIVA boat speed at 9.6 knots while riding waves and taking advantage of larger boat's stern waves. Went far east on the course to take advantage of the favorable current.

The view from VIVA"s stern as we cross the finish line.

The crew watches as Orhan gets interviewed by Plum TV.

The crew hanging out at the dock.

Check out the results...4th place!! What a comeback from last year!
At the tent party...

May 24

Lay day in Nantucket. Jokes at the tent. What a scream! Awards ceremony. VIVA gets 4th place!!

VIVA's Figawi 2009 Crew(Left to right) Orhan, Jon, Mike, Charlie, Lori, Brooke, Colin and Jack.

Dinner to celebrate at Cambridge Street.

May 25

Way back to Hyannis on a calm Memorial Day.

Jon, Mike, Orhan and Jack drop off VIVA crew at Hyannis YC and continue on. Average 8 knots in Vineyard Sound with favorable currents. Arrive at Woods Hole at 4:30. Easy trip through Buzzards Bay. Canal at 6:00. Sandwich Marina at 8:00.

May 26

Left Sandwich Marina at 8:30. Winds E-NE 15. Very steep seas exiting the canal, 6-8 foot seas stacked on top of each other. Bumpy delivery back. Winds faded to SE as day progresses. Arrive at Hull YC 3:30. What a trip!

VIVA sees the VOR off to Galway

2009-05-17T20:50:00.011-04:00

May 16

VIVA heads in Boston Harbor to watch the VOR start on their way to Galway. Dense fog in Boston Harbor.

The VIVA crew enjoying the view, despite the weather!

VOR boats up to a mark in the mouth of Boston Harbor.

A tanker unexpectedly came through Boston Harbor in the middle of the race. It was quite a scene.

Telefonica Blue

Telefonica Black

Puma with a fist pump from Ken Read!

Ericsson 3

Jon needing to quickly get out of the way...

Green Dragon

Ericsson 4

Delta Lloyd

VOR boats are off to Galway! Thanks for a great stopover in Boston!

VIVA at the Volvo In Port Race

2009-05-09T20:38:00.011-04:00

May 9

VIVA heads out into Boston Harbor. Crew: Jon, Lori, Dad, Mom, Orhan, Mike, John, and Kelly!

Mike and Orhan enjoying the stern perches (a great invention)!

Green Dragon heading out...

VIVA flying our HBPHRF battle flag and PC burgee.

Telefonica Black

Ericsson 3

John and Kelly

Puma or should we say "Pew-m-a"

Telefonica Blue

Delta Lloyd

Ericsson 4...flying their leg winner and overall winner flags.

Enjoying a beverage in the main salon...

VIVA at the Volvo In Port Race Part 2

2009-05-09T15:35:00.008-04:00

Starting line in Broad Sound. Hung out in spectator area. 1st race postponed due to light wind.

Puma boats hanging out..

Puma cruising around to check out the spectators.

Puma finishing seconds in front of Telefonica Black.

2nd Race- fog rolled in...

VIVA enjoying a sail!

Boats making their way back to Fan Pier.

What a memorable day!

I took almost 200 pics today but thought it might overload the blog a bit ;-)

Hanging with Ken Read

2009-05-08T14:02:00.001-04:00

May 8

Enjoying Fan Pier the night before the In Port Race. Ken Read was heading over to his interview on Chronicle, but not before we got a picture and an autograph!

VIVA 2009 Season Begins

2009-05-06T21:32:00.003-04:00

May 6

VIVA on its way to the water!

We love the new stern perches!

Mike- thanks for all your help with the launch and mast delivery!

VIVA spending its first night in the water at Hull YC.

VIVA's 2008 Racing Season Summary

2009-01-30T09:04:00.004-05:00

Notable Overall Season Finishes -

1st Place Overall Fleet C - Governors Cup (Weekend Series)

2nd Place Overall Fleet B- Hingham Bay Cup (Wednesday Night Series)

3rd Place Overall Fleet D - Mass Bay Sailing (Season)

Notable Weekend Events Finishes -

1st Place Fleet C - Solstice Regatta, Hingham Bay, MA

3rd Place In class - PHRF New England Championship, Marblehead, MA

2nd Place In Class - Hull Great Chase Race, Hull Bay, MA

Notable Season Superlatives-

First Boat in Figawi Race HISTORY to execute a MOB (And it happened to be my wife !!)

VIVA 2008 Season

2008-10-14T18:22:00.012-04:00

VIVA's Final Numbers:

In the water for 158 days
Covered over 500 Nautical Miles
84 times on VIVA
63 sails on VIVA
31 guests on VIVA

What a great first season!!

Haul Out Day

2008-10-13T18:17:00.001-04:00

Oct 13

Motor to Sunset Bay Marina. Scheduled haul out at 10:30am (high tide at 10:37). Hover around dock, haul out at 11:30. Mostly cloudy day with peeks of sun.

VIVA is out of the water and needs her bottom to be washed!

Successful haul out. Boom truck will come another day to de-mast.

VIVA's Last Full Day in the Water

2008-10-12T18:59:00.001-04:00

Oct 12

Blue skies. 65-70 degrees. Light winds. A beautiful fall day for VIVA's last sail of 2008. On VIVA by 9:30am and pick up Mum and Judy at the dock. Motor out to George's Island. Think about docking but decide not to. Motor towards Spectacle and breeze fills in. Sails up Main and #3. Captain Mum sails around Boston Harbor.

Breeze holds and Judy sails us out to sea to Grave's Light.

What a bonus sail! Winds lighten as enter Hull Gut. Motor through gut. Last sail in Hingham Bay. Sails down and start to derig. Back to mooring and derig to prepare for haul out the following day. VIVA's last night in the water. A great day for our last day on VIVA!!

1st Sail of the Fall

2008-10-05T17:22:00.000-04:00

Oct 4

A beautiful Saturday, especially after last weekend's rain. Windy NW-W @ 15- gusts 20. Main up at mooring and roll out jib once through mooring field. Out West Gut fighting wind and tide.

Up to Lovell back to Hull Gut, up to Fore River- back out West Gut- around Peddocks and into Hull Gut. Main down and back to mooring. Snacks for a late lunch at mooring.

Sail #2 Jib #3 up, Wind simmered down to 10 knots. Out West Gut to Nixon's Mate, Deer Island, Long Island into Boston Harbor.

Main up by Spectacle Island. Under Long Island Bridge.

Beautiful sunset. Twilight back through Hull Gut.

Launch pick up in dark.

What a gorgeous night.

Friday afternoon sail with Mom & Dad

2008-09-23T11:17:00.001-04:00

Sept 19

Beautiful afternoon. Winds NE 7-10 but chilly. Dressed for winter, similar to our Mother's Day sail!

Great sail into Boston Harbor. Quiet and peaceful out in the harbor. A wonderful way to start the weekend!

Great Chase Race

2008-09-07T10:47:00.004-04:00

Sept 6

Cloudy calm morning... hours before Tropical Storm Hannah arrives. Out to VIVA on Hull YC whaler- VIP style -Thanks Brooke!

Course B- Long 1.0 Heading 245 First gun at 12:15- start 28.47 min after first gun. Breeze fills in SSE. Sun peeked through and it became hot!

No spinnaker (cruising class) with some new crew.

Shamrock barreling down on VIVA as we approach the finish line. They passed us and beat us by 13 seconds.

VIVA got 2nd place in B fleet out of 21 boats to Big Bird who stayed out front and never looked back. 9th place overall out of 94 boats.

Excellent party as usually! Hull YC won the Great Chase YC trophy!

Flashlight series

2008-09-04T09:44:00.002-04:00

Race #1 - Aug 6

Course #17 twice around- Jack joins us for his first race. Successful spinnaker runs. 2nd place

Race #2 - Aug 13

Course #17 - light light winds. Drift across line. Drift for an hour and only get about 100 yards from RC. DNF (prepared VIVA at dock for P-Town trip)

Race #3 - Aug 20

Winds 12-15. At start, strong gusts, Jon had no steerage causing us to go above the line. Had to spin around to cross the line. Caught up to entire fleet. VIVA feathered up very nicely. 2nd place

Race #4 - Aug 27

Orhan's last race of the summer. Floater- Race postponed then cancelled

Race #5 - Sept 3

Didn't race- Would have been Mike's last race of the summer. Sorry Mike!

Labor Day Sail with Family

2008-08-31T22:28:00.000-04:00

Aug 31 Sunday

Sail with Heidi, Steve, Luke, Frank, Abby, Mum and Judy

Sunny, beautiful and windy day. 15-20 NNW Jib #3 out

Sailed up to Wessagusset YC- Motored into World's End - Tons of boats rafted up to each other.

Abby had a successful first time on a sailboat. She is a natural!

PHRF New Englands 3rd place overall!

2008-08-29T09:51:00.016-04:00

Aug 21

Skippers meeting at Boston Yacht Club. Check in and receive bag. VIVA will be scratch boat with a total of 8 boats on line 2 fleet 7. Dinner at the Landing with Mike.

Aug 22

Depart Hull YC @ 3:30ish for Marblehead with Jon, Lori, Mike, Colin and Nick. A bit choppy with winds on the nose. Arrive at Corthinan YC mooring at 6:30.

As Jon turns off engine, lights do not come on and engine will not restart. But don't worry, Jon and Mike fixed it within minutes.

Check in to room at CYC. Take launch over to Boston YC tent party. Drinks and more drinks. Dinner with crew at Maddie's. Great steak tips!

Aug 23

Race Day #1 Line location 2.9 NM from Marblehead Bell.

Beautiful day!

1st race- 1.2 NM to windward mark- Lots of mistakes by all. 5th place

2nd race- 1.2 NM to windward mark- Called over by 1/2 a beam at start. Had alot of catching up to do. 2nd upwind leg, port/starboard encounter with Cebu (Colgate 26). Mike went on bow and asked if we could cross. They have a nod and decided to dip us. On 2nd tack back, they hailed us and informed us they were protesting us. Orhan and Jack insisted it would be thrown out because they didn't notify us at first opportunity which would have been at the time of incident. 6th place - Ugh!

3rd race- 1.0 NM for windward mark. Much better start and race. Crossed the line first with a gun with Zot (J24) right behind us. Corrected time: 2nd place! A great way to end a bad day!

Protest at BYC tent party. Judge threw out protest. Great party. Jack rips up the dance floor.

At awards, VIVA received a 2nd place glass for the 3rd race. Crazy joins us at BYC. Hung out at Maddie's and waited for table. Excellent dinner with lots of steak tips! Back to launch to find Jack sleeping very comfortably on the floor of the cabin with lights and radio on!

Aug 24

Race Day #2

Another gorgeous day! Fog had rolled through the harbor in the early morning. Sailed through the fog as head out to race course.

Fog lifted a bit after 10am.

1st race- 1.0 NM to windward mark. Course C- Light air 5-7 knots. Went left and first around every mark. Everyone was right on today. 1st over line with a horn (cannon didn't work). Cebu and Zot right on our tail. 3rd place with corrected time.

2nd race - 1.0 NM to windward mark Course C- wind increasing. Went way left. Great upwind leg. First around windward mark and we didn't look back. We kept the lead and increased each leg (although our spinnaker runs felt slow). VIVA did a horizon job. Got the bullet and waited for time on the 2nd finished boat: 2:40! VIVA went out with a bullet. Last three races: 2nd, 3rd, 1st! Not too bad!

Mike went to awards while Orhan drove us to a family party in Lexington. Got 3rd overall: received a engraved coaster, Atlantis vest, Harken dry bag, and SAIL 2009 calendar, and 2 more glasses. Mum and Judy came back with us to Marblehead. Celebration dinner at the Landing with Mike, Mum and Judy!

Aug 25

Breakfast at Driftwood with Mike, Mum, and Judy. Left CYC mooring about 10ish. Got a few gallons of gas by the Landing. Out of Marblehead harbor by 10:30. Flat seas, hazy sun and #3 up. Lots of barges and freighters out.

Cut through Boston Harbor past Lovell, Nixon's Mate. Arrived at Hull YC mooring at 1:00. What a great weekend!

Dylan's First Time on VIVA (2 days before his 2nd b-day)

2008-08-19T20:35:00.000-04:00

August 18

Mum, Judy, Derek, Col and Dylan arrive. Snacks and drinks on VIVA at the dock. Dylan scopes out VIVA, exploring the cabin.

Then a snack on the boat.

Family's decision, lets leave the dock and try motoring for a bit. The family as we pull away from the dock.

Dylan is very happy out on the water. He observed lots of other sailboats, motor boats, and ferries.

Dylan was checking the mast for Uncle Jon then checking the bow from the v-berth.

Dylan, "Grammy" and Judy are celebrating a beautiful evening.

The gang...

Maybe Dylan's job on the boat can be mainsheet or skipper!!

Jib goes up as Dylan watches intently and engine off.

Dylan enjoys the ride from the mooring back to YC on launch at dusk.

As Dylan arrives back on solid ground, he started to cry. He pointed out the boats and water as the tears flowed down his face. A born sailor at age 2!! We promised him we would take him out another time and for many more sailing adventures in the future.

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY DYLAN the Sailor!! We love you!!

(Hope you enjoy the pictures...I am a proud Auntie!!)

Anniversary Trip to Provincetown

2008-08-18T18:22:00.001-04:00

August 14

Left Hull YC dock at 6am. Calm wind and seas. Cloudy morning. Motor sailed at 6 to 6 1/2 knots. Intermittent fog throughout whole trip. Saw several ferries. Sun came out with 5 miles left. 12 noon arrival to Race Point 40 nautical miles. Main and jib up as sail down peninsula of P-Town.

Sails down inside the harbor. Arrive at mooring #402 at 2pm. 45 nautical miles from Hull YC mooring to P-Town mooring. Took launch into town. Bubala's by the Bay for lunch. Back to boat for a nap. Shower on the boat in the cockpit (BVI style). Drinks at Pepe's and Ross Grill.

Excellent dinner at The Level at the Commons Hotel. Excellent wine, live music and best clam chowder! What an incredible anniversary!

August 15

Breakfast at Post Office Cafe. Rent bikes and follow mountainous trails to Race Point. Saw huge seal right off the beach. Lunch at Frappo and another nap on boat. Shower at P-Town marina. Drinks at Landmark. Dinner at John Dough's. Walk around town. Early night. Back to boat to watch movie. Big thunder and lightening storm rolled in about midnight. Lightening lit up the sky.

August 16

Another gorgeous day. Breakfast at Portuguese bakery. Walk out to breakwater to Wood's End. Beautiful walk through sand dunes once off breakwater. Cape Cod Bay looked pristine. Lunch at Relish and had picnic on public beach. Back to boat. Rig up a tarp for some shade. Another shower on boat. Sangria at Ross Grill as we watch the storm come in. Excellent Italian dinner at Front Street (just beating the storm). Drinks at The Pig. Run in a friend and her husband from work. Beers and watch Olympics at bar. Watched history as Michael Phelps won his 8th gold medal in 4 x 100 medley relay.

August 17

We keep lucking out with beautiful sunny days. 8am departure from mooring. Once outside harbor, waves at least 3 feet and winds right on the nose W to NW. Motor sailed home. Wind gusts up to 20. Clear day, saw land the entire way, much different from our way there. Arrive at Hull YC mooring at 4:30. VIVA once again has done well with motoring with wind and waves on her nose. What an anniversary vacation!

VIVA makes the Hull Yacht Club Newsletter

2008-08-01T20:05:00.001-04:00

Summer 2008 Hull Yacht Club Newsletter

VIVA was mentioned twice in the Hull YC.

First:

"Senior Race Update: Our racing season got off to a great start. We had three club boats (Viva, William Henry and Ariel) travel to Nantucket Sound to participate in the Figawi - a 25 mile race from Hyannis to Nantucket. There were some great parties hosted by Hyannis YC and the famous tent party in Nantucket. Lots of rum, short on the mixers, nobody can remember anything from these parties other than walking in, so we have nothing to report. The racing on the other hand was interesting. With 205 sailboats entering, collectively we beat only 5 boats in our three separate fleets. Ariel and William Henry deployed the same skill set for tactics on the race course - sail SW because that was the forecasted wind shift. Unfortunately the wind filled in from the SE and we each got smoked. Viva, with much better racing tactical insight, did not fall into this trap. However, they realized shortly after the start they had not complete their required Man Overboard drill with their crew. So Lori went over and directed the drill from the water (she must have prepared for this in advance because she was wearing her life preserver). Her first directive was to make sure the crew got the Spinnaker Pole down without ripping the new jib - how is that for priorities! After some skillful sailing - full audio coverage on the VHF for all to hear - and a complete inspection from the Coast Guard - Viva was off to capture some lost ground and escaped DFL by beating one boat."

Second:

"Jon and Lori Lacks with their crew on ‘Viva’ finished First in the B fleet day last week, gaining instant respect from some well tuned crews of rock stars when they edged out this victory in a hotly contested fleet. "

Summer Series

2008-08-01T20:03:00.002-04:00

July 2 - Race #1

W moved to N to NE 0-12 knots

Great spinnaker run. Caught a pot while drifting with current and light wind. Orhan quickly got his knife and cut it loose. What would we do without Orhan and his cat like reflexes?!?

2nd place

July 9 - Race #2

Oops! DNF

July 16 - Race #3

Course #17. Finished course quick because it was only 2.5 miles. Dad joined us. Wind never lightened as expected. We stayed out and practiced some down wind legs (Derek flew the spin and Judy did the guy). Went out Hull Gut and enjoyed the beautiful evening. 4th place (missed 3rd by 34 seconds)

July 23 - Race #4

Race Cancelled due to stormy weather

July 30 - Race #5

Course #17 twice around- Everyone did different jobs. Race shortened. Spin and spin sheets too heavy for dying breeze. Protested Meister for not rounding HB as a mark on the 2nd time around. 2nd place

Trip to Salem

2008-07-30T19:14:00.002-04:00

July 25

We left Hull YC about 9am and motored out of Hingham Bay to find the wind.

We went between Georges and Lovell into Boston Harbor. Close call with a green channel marker while putting up the main. Close reach up to the North Shore. Beautiful sail. Sea breeze East 5-10. Sailing about 5 to 5 1/2 knots. Sailed past NOOD's in Marblehead, along with a huge sailboat.

Winds lightened as approaching Children's Island off Marblehead.

Sails down as we approach Salem Harbor.

Salem Water Taxi set us up with a mooring close to town center. Once settled, Salem Water Taxi picked us up and brought us in. We went to Salem Witch Museum, out to light house, and walked around Pickering Wharf.

Rita's opening day in Salem. Free ice... Rita's has finally made it to MA. Drinks and dinner at Victoria's Station. "Wharf Rat" drink - famous Salem drink. Run to get launch back to VIVA. As get on boat, Jon sees a white tent in the distance surrounded by boats. Jon calls Salem Water Taxi and ask if there is a floating bar in Salem Harbor. Water Taxi responds yes and "Rockmore" has their own launch and will pick us up. Great bar with white fishing seats around the bar. Life jackets hanging up the white tent. Rockmore has food and serving 40 oz. Coronas. Lots of powerboats rafted up to each other. No sailboats. Maybe next time we will bring VIVA.

VIVA spends the night in Salem Harbor.

July 26

Wake up at 7am. Tea and pineapple. Take launch in to Hawthrone Cove Marina to shower. Walk around to find breakfast place. Walk around and find Red's Sandwich Shop-

Voted best breakfast in Salem for 21 years. Excellent omelets (cheese and kielbasa and Greek with sausage). Back to VIVA and leave mooring at 10:30am. Sails up right outside Salem Harbor. Beautiful day! Boats are heading out to the NOOD's race course as we go between Children's and Marblehead. Winds 10-15 past Graves. Average 6 to 6 1/2 knots. Arrive at Boston Light in a little over 2 1/2 hours. A perfect 10 sailing day!

VIVA July 4th!

2008-07-09T15:10:00.007-04:00

Happy Independence Day!

The VIVA crew (with George) prepared the fire pit on Nantasket Beach.

The Christmas tree starts the bonfire off to a great start!

Orhan and Mike rock on to "Born in the USA" as they admire our bonfire!

Crew picture- where is Mike??

The tide begins to take away the beach and our bonfire...

It was a great bonfire! The amateur fireworks were spectacular and we couldn't imagine a better 4th of July!

Spring Series

2008-06-28T15:17:00.002-04:00

May 28 - Race #1 - DNS (VIVA still in Hyannis)

June 4 - Race #2 - Race cancelled - Dense fog (In the 7 years, we have sailed in Hingham Bay, a Wednesday night race has never been cancelled due to fog.)

June 11 - Race #3 - Course #5 -NW winds 7-12 knots (increasing to 10-15) Great spinnaker handling! 2nd place over the line- with corrected time: 2nd place

June 18 - Race #4 - Course #2 - SW winds 10-15 gusts 25 - Michele joins us (no Crazy or Orhan). No spinnaker- Mike was on the jib. We kept up downwind with no spin. 3rd place over the line- with corrected time: 1st place!!

June 25 - Race #5 - Course # 4- winds 15 knots decreasing to 5-7 knots. Bad overlap with jib sheets. Needed to let down jib halyard to release overlap. 3rd place.

Solstice Race

2008-06-23T15:50:00.000-04:00

June 21- Happy Summer!!

Solstice Race- All crew present expect Mike and Derek. Andy joined us and did foredeck. Race postponed due to no wind. Course was around Ransford and Peddocks. At start, decided to go through West Gut when half the fleet went through Hull Gut. The wind shifted 180 degrees at Ransford. Our spinnaker was up and spins were coming at us. Confused wind through Hull Gut. Race was shortened (didn't have to round Peddocks).

Race committee's commentary:
Class A had a course of Ransford, Georges Island, and Peddocks Island. Class B and C had a course of Ransford and Peddocks. Class F and G had a course of Peddocks twice around. The race provided competitors a hard decision on which way to go around with some boats choosing to go out throught West Gut on the Westerly Wind and others choosing to go out Hull Gut on the developing sea breeze. Boats that chose to go out West Gut were able to stay in the strong westerly and by the time they got out to Georges Island were able to pick up a more developed sea breeze. Needless to say, West Gut was the way to go.

Finished with a bullet and with corrected time got first place!!

Father's Day and Dad's Birthday

2008-06-15T20:14:00.004-04:00

June 15

Dad and Karen up from Plymouth to celebrate Father's Day and Dad's Birthday. Rain in the morning stopped and allowed us to sail around Hingham Bay. Cloudy and chilly SE 5-10.

Large freighter coming out of Quincy with police and harbormaster escorts. Weymouth Harbormaster hails us to get out of their way...excuse us!

Great sail. Dark clouds roll back in as we arrive at mooring!

Happy Father's Day to both our dads and Derek!

Sail with Kevin & Dawn

2008-06-15T19:59:00.005-04:00

June 14
Kevin and Dawn join us from the Jersey Shore. Beautiful sunny day East 10-15.
Out Hull Gut, past Boston Light, around Graves, into Boston Harbor North Channel. Cut through Constitution Cup Race (oops!).

Into Boston. Not too much boat traffic.

Liberty Clipper (Schooner from Key West) out for a cruise.

Up to USS Constitution/Charleston.
Back under Long Island Bridge & back to Hull YC.
Great day on the water, about a 15-20 mile cruise!

1st Heat Wave of the Season

2008-06-09T21:47:00.000-04:00

Summer has arrived! Saturday and Sunday were absolutely perfect sailing days! On Saturday with Mum and Judy, we sailed out past Boston Light, around Graves, past Nix's Mate, past Lovell Island and back into Boston Harbor Channel. 90F on land but cool on the water!

Just the two of us on Sunday, WSW 5-10 increasing to 10-15. Up and down Nantasket Beach. Using autopilot, great takedown of main and flake job in Hingham Bay. BBQ on the mooring. Hot day on and off the water!

Delivery Home from Hyannis May 29-30

2008-06-09T21:27:00.000-04:00

Jon, Lori, Mike and Crazy arrive at Hyannis YC on Thursday night in the Team VIVA white minivan. Watch movie in surround sound. Sleep on the boat. Wake up at 3:30am to depart Hyannis. Off mooring at 4am. Follow fishing boat procession out of harbor. Mike on the bow with spotlight. Beautiful sunrise. Calm seas winds 5-10.

Woods Hole at 8am. 1 hour past slack tide.

Current very apparent ebbing into Buzzards Bay.

Mike got VIVA to Cape Cod Canal 2 hours early.

Decided to go into Pocasset in South Channel. Very narrow and shallow channels at low tide. Turned around into North Channel to Red Brook Harbor. Again, very narrow and shallow. Bumped on sandy bottom and turned around. Slowly headed for Canal while waiting for current to start following east.

Once through canal, confused NE seas at exit. NE winds on nose. Continue to motor. Eventually wind moves ENE. Building seas hitting our beam. Long ride/motor from Canal to Scituate. Thoughts to stop at Scituate but heavy wind forecast for next day made the decision for us. Round Minot's Light to port. Put up #3 with motor at 2500 rpms. SW breeze filled in. Rode to Boston Harbor Chanel 6-7 knots with following seas. Arrived at new mooring at Hull YC at 8:15. Motor was run from 3:45 am - 8:15 pm... worked brilliantly!

Figawi

2008-06-08T20:08:00.000-04:00

Thursday May 22
Jon, Crazy, Orhan, Mike and Tyler set off from Hull YC at 4:30am. It was a chilly morning, mostly cloudy, about 45-50F.

Arrived at Cape Cod Canal at 1pm. Hit 11.2 knots with the current.

Exiting canal, chop and confused sea in Hog Island Channel. Wind blowing from the SW 15-20 knots. With sails up, head to Woods Hole. Arrive to Woods Hole 2 hours before slack tide. Crew decides to continue on to Hyannis. Big rolling waves in Vineyard Sound. Arrive in Hyannis as sun sets.

Friday May 23
Guys in Hyannis. Check in at Figawi registration and night on the town.

Saturday May 24
Lori, Charlie, and Derek arrive in Hyannis. Procession out of Hyannis Harbor.

Winds NW 15-20 knots. Mostly Sunny. Fleet D Spinnaker Class- start 10:41am. About 2 hours later, decide to put up spinnaker. Pole goes up and Lori runs spinnaker halyard around forestay. Lori leans on starboard lifeline, lifeline snaps, and MOB!!! She tries to hold on to broken lifeline, grabs spinnaker sheet but can't hold on. Thank goodness Lori had her life jacket on. Spinnaker pole up as VIVA tacked around. Two 40' boats bearing in behind us. Life sling goes out. Boats behind VIVA acknowledge MOB. Second attempt, Jon and Orhan pick Lori up out of the water with her offshore boats in hand. Race committee and Coast Guard begin hailing on the radio to check status of MOB. RC and Coast Guard check in with us. CG comes back a 2nd time and tie up for Lori's information and boat registration. Shortly, wind dies. Decided to bang the right side of the race course (current not taken into consideration). Finish race around 4pm. Drizzle as arrive into Nantucket Boat Basin. Tie up to Slip # 1039.

Sunday May 25

Lay day in Nantucket. Learn about "Figawi's First." First MOB in Figawi's history.

Tyler goes up the mast to take some aerial shots of Nantucket Boat Basin.

Dinner at Cambridge Street.

Monday May 26

We decide not to race back with one crew member down. Leave Nantucket Boat Basin at 8am. SW wind 20-25, gusts 30, seas 3-5 feet. Just outside of Nantucket harbor, we begin to reef the main. Rip at aft reef tie down grommet- immediately take down and motor across Nantucket Sound. Rough Seas.

Arrived in Hyannis as 1st and 2nd place boats finished. Decided to keep VIVA in Hyannis until the following weekend.

Mother's Day Sail

2008-05-12T21:22:00.001-04:00

May 11 Mother's Day

Morning Sail with Mom and Dad. Main up for the first time. Sailed around Hingham Bay.

Back to Hull Yacht Club. Mum blessed VIVA (see right sidebar of blog).

Afternoon sail with Mom, Dad, Mum, Judy and Lee.

Sailed with #3. Cruised around Hingham Bay and up to Hingham YC.

Everyone bundled up in winter clothes.

Lee explored the v-berth (or "chambers" as Lee called them).

Successful shakedown!

May 7th - Launch Day

2008-05-08T17:14:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the new VIVA blog. May 7th marked the launch of Viva almost 10 months after we had her delivered from Milford, CT. After months of work (To much to be described in this posting) she is sitting pretty in her new home port. Here's a few pics of the launch day -