Apologies in advance for the rush job here but I have been trying to get caught up on my backlog of blog posts, ideas and stories about sailing and I am getting pooped BUT – I did want to share these highlights for posterity! 👀

So – got the notice per the Featured Image from the Shark Google Newsfeed. I picked up on the grassroots vibe (reminded me of my friend Dan’s awesome mountain bike races back in the day over at Substance Projects (now less grass roots but probably more fun! – https://www.substanceprojects.com/)

Race leaves at 8:30 ish – out and back and around some marks to the light of the moon! Perfect! Got some navigation lights, my pal Arjuna and some over garlic’ed and chilli’ed miso soup and we were on our way.

We practiced some MOB exercises on the way after I failed miserably at installing jack lines. We did bring on an extra radio, went thru the use of the flares and assorted pyrotechnics and pre napped for an extra boost of energy. We set the reefed main and jib foresail and agreed to no spinnakers for the evening. The wind was gusty at the start say 6-8 knots with puffs of 12-15 – set to diminish thru the evening – which it did.

Race started at 8:40 – we had a rocking start then got gently exhaled out the back. I think we were neck and neck with 3-4 other boats as we kept crossing paths as we made our way out to T1 by the lighthouse on the spit. I got completely dark at the turning back point as the evening was a bit on the overcast side, even with the full mood. It was fun in the dark not really knowing who was who and where the fleet was. We did see more white lights than we wanted!

The winds dies with a few NM to go and although we heard some engines start up, we stuck it out and finished just after 11pm. Janice met us at the Toronto Sailing and Canoe Club for some Guinness and a BBQ and we got to know the locals and felt very welcomed.

I have not idea how we placed but the vibe was great. Can’t wait until next full moon!

Lessons:

• The Sharky doesn’t point great and pinching slows us down
• Need to tack her slowly
• The SB/P nav lights either were not charged very well or they don’t last long. Good thing we had the back ups!!
• TSCC is a cool place with cool vibe

Bark At The Moon Race

Elapsed Time	Moving Time	Distance	Average Speed	Max Speed	Elevation Gain
05:15:12 hours	03:08:35 hours	29.70 km	9.45 km/h	50.18 km/h	12.00 meters

Full moon race Great start Cool transition to night with full moon