Nothing of great sailing note has happened lately, except for the sale of the SV Libby and the Round the County race, but I’ve received some emails from people asking what’s going on, so I thought, “Hey, it’s been a while since I posted, may as well!”

Islander SOLD!

I sold my Islander 30 at the end of November, which was perfect timing, since I’d already given notice to the Port of Poulsbo that I’d no longer need moorage after November. The person who purchased the boat was eager to buy it and thrilled to acquire it. When we did the tour and the general run down, the trusty Yanmar, which hadn’t been powered on for at least 6 weeks, turned over like a champ with zero drama. Diesels rock. The new owner is planning on fixing up the boat and sailing her to Alaska, and I couldn’t be happier about it. I wanted the boat to remain whole and go to someone who would make repairs and sail it, and I got what I wished for. Islanders are fantastic. I thought the occasion would be marked with more sadness, but I was thrilled to sell the boat. Helen (new owner) said this about it: “Two happiest days in a boater’s life: the day you buy it and the day you sell it.” True.

Round the County 2012

At the beginning of November I raced in the Round the County and had a blast. We did well for our class, no one died, no one got sick (though when we crossed into Canada for a bit, the waves and weather were nasty, and if any of us spent more than five minutes down below, we felt a bit queasy), no one got frost bite, and no one got an eye taken out by a block that shattered under too much tension.

Prior to racing, nerd that I am, I YouTubed spinnaker operations, so I could figure out what the heck was going on. Wow, did THAT help a lot! We had some good hoists and takedowns, and since no one had to explain to me what this and that was, it was a much smoother process.

Word to those not wanting to freeze on a winter sailboat race: say NO to cotton socks inside rubber boots. Dear penguins in the Arctic is that cold. Wear wool socks and bring several pairs and change throughout the day. The race was a two day event, which meant sleepovers. Seven people sleeping on a 39 footer is interesting. Thankfully I packed ear plugs and Benadryl (that stuff knocks me out) to help me sleep. On Sunday, though, I woke early because water dripped onto my face, and that of my bunkmate’s from the condensation. A lot of breathing in a small space will do that.

You can see photos here.

I haven’t been sailing since, and I haven’t really felt the call, either. It’s been raining cougars and wolves here, with some flooding. November, though wet, wasn’t too cold, but December has turned on the chill. Temperatures on the water are colder, and I must admit to enjoying my view from a couch with a blanket as I sip coffee. Brrr, looks cold out there, glad I’m not on a boat!