JANUARY 30, 2024 YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

 

JANUARY 30, 2024

YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

Once again, the predictions were for light and variable winds, but as we prepped the boat we were encouraged by the fluttering of the flags indicating at least some wind.  Even as we left the harbor at 3pm, we saw a light breeze across the water, so we set a mark about a quarter of a mile toward the point and set a start line.  We were getting excited, the harbor was clear, the waves were present but not too large and  we had nine other boats out for the fun!   As the boats milled around, mostly powered by their iron gennies, a large, dark cloud filled the whole area above us.  While this cloud cover stifled any wind we were experiencing, it also was not moving at all.  I was studying the windex  on several boats and saw that  they were all spinning slowly indicating a directionless 1-2 knot wind.  With the clouds not moving, there was no hope of clear sky to entice wind so at 4:10 I cancelled the race.

As the “Stones” song  said: “You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you’ll find, you get what you need”.   Though I desperately WANTED to sail this evening, I got what I NEEDED:  The socialism and the barbecue at the club!  Once again, thanks to  Mike Gross who came through with some excellent barbecue food to add to the potluck.

Let's all hope for better conditions next  Tuesday with a 4PM start.  

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice