FLEET # 1
Text Box: so often the Northwest offers up a perfect sunny Saturday with a steady ten knot breeze from the north. And after a long dark string of Winter days the sun is more intoxicating than any wine could ever be. It is the gift of a perfect spring day in the Northwest and the rare and fleeting nature of such a gift make it more precious than words can justly describe. This issue of the Keelpin is dedicated to Spring, and contains some great articles to help you get excited for the great months to come. Please enjoy, Andy Caples 2008 Keelpin Editor Limpet #759 Text Box: A few years ago I moved away to Los Angeles. Having grown up in the mossy, misty, climes of the Northwest I was initially amazed by the glorious, sunny weather which persisted day after day almost without end. But after a year or so of leaving my sweaters packed at the back of the closet, I found myself missing the simple changing of the seasons which had always marked the passage of my life. After a few more years I no longer appreciated the beautiful sunny days, I just expected them, they were an entitlement. Instead of feeling uplifted by the joy of a good day, I was bitter if the weather was anything other than perfect. Sentiments of “How dare it rain on me!” echoed through my head at the slightest hint of overcast. Fortunately all it took was a move back to the Emerald hills of Seattle for me to realize just how much I had lost in my time of endless Text Box: summer. I can once again grasp a beautiful day for the amazing gift which it is, and the march of time is once again punctuated by the cyclical rythems of the natural world. Of all the seasons there is none more promising than Spring. Each day seems to be perceptibly longer than the one before, and life prepares to burst forth at the first warm string of days. The cherries & the plums, the daffodils & the tulips, and most of all the Sailing make spring a magic season. Each weekend requires progressively fewer layers of bundling before heading out on the water. The sweet smell of flowering trees mixes with the salty smell of tidelands and I know that another Summer of adventure and friendship aboard my San Juan 21 is just around the corner. Best of all every Text Box: Spring is in the Air Text Box: Spring Race Series Update Text Box: The 2008 Spring race series is well underway with two of 5 races under our belts. Here is a quick recap: Race #1 March 15th 2008— Coulon Park, Renton: The day featured light and shifting winds as 8 boats (3 Spinnaker, 5 Working sails) took to the waters of Lake Washington. Due to the light conditions we were only able to get 2 starts in. Top honors went to BOB and Wooglin who each had 2 first in class finishes. Text Box: Mike Dukes brought out his new boat No Excuse and Jim Miller brought out his new boat Jessie for their first full day of racing. Race # 2 March 29th 2008 AlsoCoulon Park, Renton: This race was scheduled for Magnuson Park. Unfortunately the launch ramp was closed for repairs. Our Race Chairman quickly remedied the situation by diverting the fleet to Renton. Gene had some trailer trouble on the Text Box: way down 405, which delayed the race start until about 1:30. The winds started quite strong,, but dropped throughout the racing. We were able to get 3 starts for the 6 boats who braved the weather. Jim Miller on Jesse won the day for the working sails, and Stephen Jensen on Charmed Juan was victorious in the Spinnaker class.

FLEET #1 NEWSLETTER

April  2008

KEELPIN

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

· April 12th 2008: Spring Race #3 Lake Union

· April 26th-27th  2008: Road Warrior #1  TTPYC Spring Regatta, Des Moines

· May  3rd 2008:     Spring Race #4   Don Armeni Park, West Seattle

· May 16th 2008:     Road Warrior #2  NOOD Shilshole, Seattle

· May  31st 2008:     Spring Race #5  Stan Sayers Park, Seattle

· June 7th & 8th 2008:     Road Warrior #3  TIYC Green Regatta, Treasure Island, South Sound

Annual Maintenance Checklist

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Western Nationals

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Sail Trim Guide

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Rigging Clinic Pictures

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Spring Rigging Clinic

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Rules at the Start

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San Juan 21 Habagat with Andy at the Helm