Long Beach Race Week - June 2006

Our B-25 T-Rex competed on Charlie Course in the 2006 LBRW in Long Beach, CA. We were entered in the PHRF 4 class. Steve, Steve and Paul Washburn were on board along with Bruce Golison and Robin Durnin.

He we are heading upwind on Saturday in the fresh breeze:


This shot is from race 5 on Sunday:


Race Start Line Shot:


We brought the boat to this regatta in her offwind point to point set up instead of a buoy race configuration as the weather forecasts were for light air and we encountered just the opposite. We paid for that decision and placed mid-fleet. Oh well! We will do better next time. Most importantly a good time was had by all.

Results and much more is located at www.lbrw.org

Delta Ditch Run - June 10, 2006

Steve, Steve and Paul Washburn along with long time friend and sailor Bruce Golison made the trek from SoCal up to San Francisco Bay trailering our B-25 T-Rex for the Delta Ditch Run. This is a 70 mile race starting off Pt. Richmond taking a course under the San Rafael Bridge through San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay, then up the San Joaquin River to the finish off the Stockton Sailing Club. The weather report promised some excitement and an exciting race it was!
SAN FRANCISCO SAN PABLO SUISUN BAY AND THE WEST DELTA-
234 AM PDT SAT JUN 10 2006
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON PDT TODAY THROUGH
LATE TONIGHT.. .TODAY...W WINDS 5 TO 15 KT...WITH LOCAL GUSTS TO 20 KT THIS MORNING.
W WINDS INCREASING TO 15 TO 30 KT BY AFTERNOON WITH LOCAL GALE FORCE
GUSTS TO 35 KT POSSIBLE.
There were 112 entrants in total. T-Rex was placed in Light Division 3 for this event. First boat to finish was the D Class catamaran and the first monohull in was the Melges 32 Yabsolutely.
T-Rex was scratch boat in her division and finished first and held her time for the win. But the bigger story is the experience of the race and the event in entirety. A fantastic sail in great conditions from SF Bay through the Delta and then the river. There is a lot of planning, preparation and logistics to pull off participating in this event. And the Stockton Sailing Club reception and organization is top notch, yet low key. We will be back next year!



For Pictures: Delta Ditch T-Rex Pictures

For Complete Results: Stockton Sailing Club

Catalina Island Series 2006 Long Point Race - April 22 and 23

Start-- Out Long Beach Entrance-- Pt. Fermin to port-- Finish off Long Point, Catalina Island.

The WB Boys took our 33 year old family boat Gypsy (Columbia 52 Tall Rig- 44,000#) out for a fun weekend on the water. What a great weekend! Stevie (my oldest) and I were basically laying on the deck about ready to pass out after semi short tacking Gypsy up the Long Beach Breakwater up to Point Fermin in 15 - 18 knots of breeze- Taking turns driving and grinding Christopher my 15 year old was asleep down below and little Paul was trimming main. Cannot wait until he gets bigger!! But we were in the hunt at Pt. Fermin--- Rounded within striking distance of a Tripp 40 (Colt 45) with the Olson 40 Live Wire a little farther in front-- Several other boats followed-- Farr 55, Farr 38, J-35, J-109, Olson 30 etc etc -- surprised us!

We actually held our own upwind-- but when the waterline rule came into effect for the 18 mile straight line beam reach from Pt. Fermin to Long Point Gypsy was happy. Except for the last 1/4 mile of negotiating a fickle breeze to the finish it was a grand time for me and my boys. Good times. And thanks to the Sparta boys and girls for providing the entertainment for us Washburn Boys on the Shoreboat ride to shore! And thanks to Motrin for making sure I was able to wake up refreshed on Sunday for the trip home. We retired as the breeze never really filled in and none of us were game to get home late.

My compliments to all of you who stuck it out and finished.

View from our mooring in Descanso Bay.

LBYC Spring Invitational / T-Rex / March 12, 2006

The WB Boys (Dad, Steve and Paul) along with Steve Steinberg and Jenny Paul enjoyed a pristine SoCal winter day on T-Rex participating in a 6.6 mile race on Long Beach Harbor. We all met at ABYC for breakfast and to get our B-25 set up, headed out for the race and returned for cheeseburgers and fries for a late lunch. It was fun just to get together and have a nice sail. The participation was low as we were racing between storms on a weekend with unsettled weather. With the combination of the wind out of the southeast and a random leg course given to us we port tacked the start and never looked back. We were able to win our class with everyone doing a great job and enjoying a fine day on the water.

Results are posted at:
LBYC Race Results

SoCal at its Winter Finest

Today Dad, Steve and Paul Washburn along with Steve's friend Chris took Gypsy out for a sail on an absolutely stunning, clear, brisk winter day. The conditions were brought about by a winter storm clearing out the LA Basin giving us views from Catalina and San Clemente Islands to the snow capped local mountains. A 15 - 18 knot Westerly breeze brought Gypsy alive in conditions she loves, providing us with a 8 - 9 knot, 20 mile daysail.

Just a beautiful way to experience and enjoy a gorgeous day!

Midwinter Tune Up Race - Saturday February 11, 2006

Steve, Steve and Paul Washburn headed out for a beautiful day of racing and sailing on Long Beach Harbor in Seal Beach YC's Midwinter Tune Up Race. The conditions were light to moderate with an 8 -11 knot south westerly and smooth water. It was a nice opportunity to fit and set our new weapons-- An Ullman Fiberpath Mainsail and Ullman Masthead spinnaker. And it was great to get out on the water again to start the 2006 sailing season. The race committee sent our Division 2 fleet on a 7.5 mile windward leeward course. We were not disappointed in our speed and we were able to take the gun at the finish line, also correcting out in first place.

The boat handling was fun as there were just 3 of us, with 9 year old Paul fully involved and his 16 year old brother Steve covering cockpit and foredeck , and Dad driving and trimming main.

Acura Key West 2006 is in the books!

Acura Key West 2006

January 16 - 20, 2006
I just returned from Key West having worked with my good friend Bruce Golison on the Division 2 Signal Boat. Bruce was PRO and I filled the Spotter position running 9 races over 5 days for the TransPac 52, IRC 1&2, Melges 32 and PHRF 1, 2 & 3 Classes. It was a windy week that produced more than its fair share of breakdowns and injuries. Check out the above link for results, stories and pictures.

Two of my best pictures from the windy Wednesday races:

2006 Gypsy Sailing Season Kick Off

Gypsy traveled up to Marina del Rey for a weekend of boating and an attempt at the annual Malibu and Return race sponsored by Del Rey Yacht Club (www.dryc.org). I say attempt as many times this race turns out to a light air sloppy seas affair and this year was no different. The turnout though is usually over 100 boats and this year had 106. Sometimes though it can be a beautiful sail up the Malibu Coast and back so worth the effort to make the trip. The weather for the weekend was shaping up as a summer weekend in dead winter (Which it did). So Dad with sons Steve and Paul (Chris elected to hang out on land) took off for some good times on our boat. The delivery up Friday was stunning as the air was clear and temps were mid 70's on the water. Visibility was great with views from the snow capped mountains of SoCal out to Catalina and up to Pt. Dume. We arranged for a guest slip at DRYC and had a great afternoon/evening there enjoying the facilities and a nice dinner in the dining room.

Saturday brought the same weather to enjoy with Steve Steinberg, Jenny Paul, Chris and Karena joining us for what turned out to be a nice day on the water but the race was not to be for us. The wind never really filled in so we started the race and sailed only 5 miles made good in two hours and elected to spend the next two hours lazily sailing back to the harbor. The conditions (Sloppy seas and light air work to windward) were not Gypsy's strong suit. Our position at the time of withdrawing was well in the back of our pack with no potential of any improvement. The fact that this could easily be a 10 or 12 hour race for us on a 22 mile course was not really an option for us!

We then dropped off the folks who drove up to MDR to sail with us and the Washburn Boys proceeded to deliver Gypsy home to Long Beach. This 4 hour motorsail was the highlight of the weekend and what owning Gypsy is all about. Dad, Steve and Paul spend the time on deck having fun, talking, answering questions and looking up stuff we could not figure out. We had the pleasure of a fellow boater on his Hunter 46 motoring out the channel asking if Gypsy was brand new!! When we said she was 33 years old we got the thumbs up. A great feeling. We watched in amazement as the sled Magnitude 82 motored by us 40 feet away going 10-12 knots with no wake off Pt Vincente. Steve commented that we must have looked good ourselves as they were taking pictures of us. We enjoyed a stunning sunset and red sky with a tiny green flash. And when the stars came out Paul dove below for the star charts identifying constellations for us. He insists that Leo looks more like a mouse than a lion, who am I to argue!!! The traffic in and out of LA Entrance was busy so the Washburn Boys got a lesson in running light and range light interpretation.

We arrived back in the slip safe, did a quick put away and headed home for dinner and relaxation.

Happy Holidays to All!

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

Steve, Christopher, Paul and Dad Washburn

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.

Nov. 6, 2005Sunday 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

Sept 25, 2005Yacht Clubs of Long Beach Charity RegattaT-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.

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.

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!

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!

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

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

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.

WB Boys Catalina Cruise/Race WeekendEmerald Bay Race HomeJune 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

Memorial Day Weekend 200525th 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