Saturday, December 10, 2005

Happy Holidays to All!

And Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Steve, Christopher, Paul and Dad Washburn



Saturday, November 12, 2005

2006 SCSSA Schedule Announced

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SHORTHANDED SAILING ASSOCIATION
Steve Washburn and son Stevie will be campaigning T-Rex Double Handed in 2006 shooting for the SCSSA Championship.

2006 Racing Schedule

Whitney Around Catalina March 4
66 Series Random Leg March 18
DPYC Ensenada Tune Up April 3
NOSA Ensenada April 22
BCYC Random Leg May 13*
CBYC Around Catalina May 27/28
LBYC Island Series June 10/11
DPYC Seal Beach July 15*
SSYC Around Catalina July 22
BYC Long Point Aug 25
DPYC San Clemente Sept. 2-3
BCYC Series Sept 16, Oct 7, Nov5 *


Three throw outs. All points are awarded to class results.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this association shall be to encourage shorthanded sailing, manage the SCSSA sailing series and award a Southern California Shorthanded Sailing Champion. To promote the start of a shorthanded sailing one design class.

Monday, November 07, 2005

Nov. 6, 2005
Sunday Series Race 5 - Fall Invitational - Results Posted

The Washburn Boys (Steve, Stevie, Paul and Tim) took T-Rex out Sunday November 6th and raced in LBYC's Sunday Series Race 5 - Fall Invitational. The 8.1 mile 2 lap Windward-Leeward course was sailed in a light air Southerly (6-8 knots),with smooth water and under gray skies. The "boys" did a fine job of sail handling and finding the marks. It was a fun, successful day for all of us with plenty to do. After putting the boat away we headed over to LBYC to enjoy the Roy Rogers and Taquitos and visit with our sailing mates.

Race Results

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Sept 25, 2005
Yacht Clubs of Long Beach Charity Regatta
T-Rex Wins in a Tie-Breaker!

T-Rex ventured out in her first buoy race regatta with Steve, Stevie and Paul Washburn teaming up with long time friend and sailing buddy (Uncle)Bruce Golison. Two races around the Long Beach Inner Harbor Marks were sailed on a sunny, absolutely beautiful fall Sunday afternoon. We scored a 2-1 to tie for first and win the tie breaker for a win in PHRF B. (A good year tie breaker wise as we are 2 for 2 in tie breakers- see below story on our Mini-Me adventures on the Gorge in Oregon this past summer). The Santana 30-30 we tied with was well sailed and handled well around the corners. Our corrected time difference was less than 30 seconds in the second race-- a fair test for our relative ratings.

Being our first regatta to go around the buoys presented challenges as we were sorting out and learning the boat around the corners on the fly. We have a definite list of re-rigging improvements to clean things up. Turns out that the S-20 set up is a well refined one that is transportable to T-Rex. Other challenges were several PHRF A boats sailing an entirely different course that were surprisingly amateurish on boat handling and tactics as far as course placement when our classes overlapped. Two boats in particular based on race results from past regattas that should have known better. Lesson learned for Dad Washburn. Also noteworthy for the day was how involved 8 year old Paul Washburn was-- Pointing out what the competition was doing and where it was, using all the correct sailing lingo, keeping Dad and Bruce totally up to date on our course positioning. Needless to say Dad was speechless and proud. Paul was also observant with lots of questions on sail trim; for instance, blowing Bruce and Dad away with the question on why the boat heeled less when the main traveler was eased out in the puffs. Putting that cause and effect together really was a stunner- OK-- I am proud of Paul! And of all my sons! Good times indeed. Stevie, as usual, was practicing his quiet, patient and efficient foredeck handling on an unfamiliar platform. He is a real pleasure to sail with. Dad Washburn is a blessed and lucky man. Of course Bruce was at his usual best; calmly handling the middle of the boat, coaching Stevie and calling perfect tactics all at the same time.

The B-25 design is an absolute delight to sail and race, a great platform to work on and nimble and quick on the course. Dad and Stevie are really looking forward to the DH Races that are on the 2006 calendar, as well as a couple of others: One we are really looking forward to with Bruce, Dad and Stevie on board is the Delta Ditch Run, a 60+ mile race up the Stockton River from San Francisco Bay. The Trans-Tahoe Race is the other one we are excited about.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Gipsy Moth IV has been "Re-Launched"- Fabulous Story I want to preserve from the 9/25/2005 Scuttlebutt

From Skip Allan: Wonderful news Gypsy Moth IV sails again! In our age
of Ellens and V-70's, sponsored circumnavigations and live satellite feed,
it is fun to remember that warm August day in London, 1966. I was a kid,
hitchhiking around Europe, and wandered down to the Thames . There at a
backwater dock was a large, narrow, nameless ketch with a monster
windvane hanging on tiny transom. On deck was an older, bespectacled gentleman,
alone loading from a mound of sails, line, and gear. I asked if I could
help, as he seemed rather frail, with a gimpy leg. We spent the afternoon
together, loading and lashing.

After helping, the gentleman showed me the crowded confines of a gadget
filled cabin. He was especially keen on his "invention" of large chart
table drawers filled with sprouts in various stages of development. The
bilge was lined with metal kegs of Guinness Stout. I asked him the
designer. "Illingworth." I asked his plans, and he replied, "Oh, I'm
sailing around the world," but he was hesitant to describe his route,
saying only "bad luck to have firm plans." I said, "where's all your
food?" He said, "Oh, I live on sprouts and stout, healthiest diet you can
imagine." I shook my head in wonder and wished this lone individual all
the best. Didn't catch his name, but realized nine months later when
Francis Chichester returned to the accolades of millions of his countrymen,
that I had serendipitously been shore crew for a day aboard Gypsy Moth IV.

Sunday, September 18, 2005

SlBYC "Night" Point Fermin Race / T-REX

Steve, Steve, Christopher and Paul sailed our first race with our newly acquired T-REX (a B-25) on this late summer sunny and pleasant Saturday afternoon. Nowadays this race is actually the "Afternoon" Pt. Fermin Race.
The 21 mile course from Long Beach up to Pt. Fermin and back starts at 1530 now. In the old days this race started at 1800 and when the wind would invariably quit after dark the fleet would spend hours drifting back to the finish line after a great sail up to Pt. Fermin. The earlier start really makes for a great sail and a fairer test overall in the reliable afternoon breeze.

This year was a lighter air affair with a 10-12 knot breeze at the start that held until sunset when it absolutely gave up the ghost and went to nothing. We got a great start at the pin end (PHRF B) and tacked to cross the fleet to head up the harbor to LA Entrance. Our little 25 footer hung in there better than we all thought with the WB Boys hiking hard and Dad driving. We were first boat for boat several times crossing tacks with the two larger Santana 3030's all the way out through LA Entrance. Paul really liked the old light house. At the Pt. Fermin Buoy we rounded 3rd boat for boat, about 2 minutes behind the 3030's who gave us 9.6 minutes for the entire course. We had our little battles with lots of loose kelp all over the course and spent a lot of time with the kelp stick and even backed down once off Long Beach Entrance to rid ourselves of "a big piece of kelp" as Chris described it from his view through our kelp window.
Stevie drove downwind from LA Light to LB Light as well as handling the foredeck on the numerous jibes we did to stay in phase with the shifts and puffs.




At the East End of the LB Breakwater we were treated to a beautiful sunset and the wind dying down dramatically until at the point of the Alamitos Bay entrance it was blowing about 2-4 knots. Needless to say our position on corrected time slipped away and pending results we are looking at second or third we think. We finished at 1910. All in all a very enjoyable sail where we all had a lot of fun.


We drifted into the dock with an incredible full moon rising, did a quick put away and got home by 2030 for cheeseburgers and fries George Foreman style!

Update-- We did indeed correct out to third in class missing second by 2 seconds!

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Labor Day Weekend 2005 - Moonstone/White's Landing, Catalina Island



Gypsy spent Labor Day weekend in Catalina-- with Steve Washburn, Steve Steinberg and Jenny Paul on board. We anchored in a great spot just on the west edge of Moonstone 100 yards off the beach. The water was extremely clear and a warm (for Catalina) 69.5 degrees.



Several friends were over on their boats- Among them were Greg and Ellen Heath on their Columbia 43 Heather, Steve and Jennifer Brown and friends on their Express 37 Brown Sugar (Just back from the TransPac).



The motorsail home (no wind) treated us to several visits from dolphin that played all around us. All in all a very relaxing laid back weekend at the island!

Monday, August 15, 2005

2005 Santana 20 Nationals / Mini-Me

Steve and Steve Washburn, along with partner Bruce Golison and local talent Anika Olsen traveled to Cascade Locks, OR to race our Santana 20 Mini-Me on the Columbia River Gorge the week of August 8-12, 2005. We had a fabulous time, successfuly defending our 2004 championship win. The conditions were awesome and the sailing venue was beautiful. For a complete recap and pictures click on this link: Santana 20 Class

Monday, July 11, 2005

Ship Rock Return Race - July 10, 2005 - Catalina Island Series

Steve, Steve and Paul Washburn raced Gypsy home from Catalina Island on Sunday, July 10th, 2005 in just over 3 hours from Ship Rock to Long Beach. The LBYC RC wisely postponed the starting sequence until the Westerly filled in at about 1pm, allowing for a for a fair test and wonderful sail home in 10 - 16 knots of wind.



We got the AYSO set about 15 minutes into the race and proceeded to the LB Entrance, then a few jibes to get to the finish line. Our hands were full, brothers Steve and Paul were busy! Gypsy placed first in class, second in fleet.

Race Results

Saturday, July 02, 2005

Spring 2006 Racing Possibility - Cabo San Lucas Race

Balboa Yacht Club

Check out the above link for more info and the competitors entered to date. Gypsy is considering entering.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

WB Boys Catalina Cruise/Race Weekend
Emerald Bay Race Home
June 11&12, 2005

Steve, Steve, Christopher and Paul

The Washburn Boys spent a wonderful weekend at Catalina Island combining cruising, fishing, kayaking, swimming, relaxing and racing. Something for everyone! Paul won the fishing contest logging 12 catches in two days.



Steve spent his time reading, fishing and relaxing with his Ipod. Christopher kayaked along with Paul with the new Sevylors. We concluded the day Saturday with a nice dinner at the Harbor Reef Restaurant.



For the sail home on Sunday we entered and raced in LBYC's Catalina Island Series Race #4 from Emerald Bay to Long Beach in PHRF Class B. It was a very pleasant reach home in a 9 -14 knot westerly. We pulled off a port tack start at the committee boat end of a starting line (placed way to close to the Island) just west of Emerald Bay. To make things interesting a cargo ship cruised through the course blaring a collision course warning on its horn on its 10 mile approach all the way in. About 7 miles from the finish we had to change course making things interesting as we had to avoid it.



This forced us into 2 jibes with the AYSO in the last 1/2 mile which we pulled off to get around the East End of the Long Beach Breakwater. Standouts of the trip were Christopher doing a masterful job of handing the helm while Steve and Dad handled the sail changes. Steve was just great on the AYSO spin sheets horsing them around in the jibes, working the foredeck and trimming in general. Paul trimmed main and tended the AYSO sheet and was most attentive to the tasks. Dad was most proud! We placed 1st in class and 2nd in fleet. Good times indeed!

Race Results

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Memorial Day Weekend 2005
25th Annual CBYC to DPYC
Around Catalina Island Race

On Saturday May 28, 2005 The Washburn Boys (Steve, Steve, Christopher, Paul and Nephew Tim) along with Tim's schoolmate Sean Wasko raced Gypsy in the short course option of the Around Catalina Race on Memorial Day Weekend. The course of 34 NM took all 26 boats entered in the "Cruising Division" from the start in LA Harbor, out the LA Entrance then down to Dana Point for the finish. It was smooth sailing in an 8 - 10 knot South Westerly for the entire course.


Gypsy took the committee boat end at the start and sailed the light air beat out the entrance where we set the .6 Ayso and took off from the fleet, finishing first on elapsed time a little after 6 in the evening well ahead of the rest of the fleet. We corrected out for a clean sweep of class A and fleet. The Gypsy crew celebrated with a cook your own BBQ Dinner at DPYC followed up the next morning by a huge brunch where the boys took 3+ trips to the buffet! Uncle David came down later on Sunday to pick up Tim, Sean and Chris. Steve, Steve and Paul stayed for the trophy presentation and delivered the boat home ealy Monday morning. All in all a very pleasant and fun weekend out on the waters of Southern California.

Complete Race Results

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Washburn Boys Catalina Trip
May 21-22
4th of July Cove

Departed Alamitos Bay @ 1100 on Saturday. Had a very pleasant sail over to Ship Rock in a 10 knot Westerly via LA Light. Moored at 4th of July Cove and had dinner at the Harbor Reef Restaurant. Hit the sack to Steve's reading of Edgar Allen Poe short stories. Arose to a completely fogged in day. Went ashore for breakfast and a "walkabout" to wait for some clearing. We departed for home at 1400 where we experienced zero wind and 1/2 mile average visibility until 5 miles from the East End of the Long Beach Breakwater where it cleared up considerably. Motored back the entire way.

Paul Washburn on a break!

Steve, Steve, Christopher and Paul Washburn

Thursday, May 19, 2005

First You Have to Row a Little Boat

Sent to me by Chisulo sailor Jenny Paul

"For the truth is that I already know as much about my fate as I need to know. The day will come when I will die. So the only matter of consequence before me is what I will do with my allotted time. I can remain on shore, paralyzed with fear, or I can raise my sails and dip and soar in the breeze."

- Richard Bode

Saturday, April 30, 2005

NHYC Opening Day Race 4/30/2005

Course: Start- Long Beach Inner Harbor Through LA Entrance to the finish @ Newport Beach Pier. 20.5 N.M.

Crew: Steve, Steve and Tim Washburn-- Bruce, Margo and Travis Golison-- Steve Steinberg and Jenny Paul

Weather: Partly Cloudy, Wind West 9 - 14 Knots

Results: PHRF. 19 Boats. 2nd Class C, 3rd in Fleet Details: www.nhyc.org

We had a great day overall- Starting off by tacking up the inner harbor in smooth water up to LA Light. Stevie and Tim Washburn were on the coffee grinder and did a fantastic job. Then a nice downwind slide down the coast with our new Doyle Full Sized AYSO to the finish. We then brought the boat back to Long Beach right after the finish. Good Times!

Christopher Washburn

Saturday, March 26, 2005

March 2005
Newport Beach to Cabo San Lucas Race

Course: Newport Beach, CA USA to Cabo San Lucas, B.C. Mexico 792 N.M.

Weather: Breezy Spring Conditions

Crew: Steve Washburn, Tom Burton, Greg Heath, Chuck Losness, Seth Morrell, Hank O'Brien, Steve Steinberg, Marty Vogel


Quite an adventurous race down-- blew too hard for us to get a place on the podium but a fabulous sail nontheless--- the newer designs simply plane and surf at 2 to 3 times the speed Gypsy can sail in 20to 30 knots of breeze-- we did hit 15.1 knots- Not too much gear breakage for us but quite a bit of carnage on other boats--- We were well prepared and simply had a great trip down. The AYSO running chute is just great in the breeze-- no more rocking and rolling from boom to pole-- still a handful to steer the boat but a very comfortable ride as opposed to the old days. Our elapsed time was 4 1/4 days.Saw lots of sealife-- Whales, birds, dolphin---- The moon was out every night and lots of breeze-- A spectacular trip!

Courtesy of crewmember (and long time friend) Hank O'Brien:
2005 Gypsy Cabo Race AV Presentation

Results: 44 Boats. Americap/Transpac Rule. 6th in Class E, 20th in Fleet
Details: www.nhyc.org