Ditch Run Return 2014
Sunday morning we got the crew together and after some coffee and a little breakfast we hit the boat for the ride home. Some crew positions were changed and the gear restored. Cliff and I moved from support boat to the cat. Dave and Dave moved to the support boat for the ride home. We left Tinsley Island side tied and got out into the river. Once we were out we switched to long line tow and started making miles.
We stayed under tow most of the morning and as we got to Antioch we stopped to top off the tank on the rib. Even though we had enough fuel to get back we wanted a safety margin, and the fuel gauge was not working properly. We managed to drive in side tied to the X40 and got the fuel tank filled up. We got back out into the river went back on the long line. The wind was up and the chop began to really bounce the cat. We went back to side tie and began to raise the main. We chose to sail just on the main for a while as the breeze was pretty solid.
It took a little bit to get going as the X40 likes the jib when tacking. Once got going it was a nice sail. With the support boat running out front and marking the edge of the channel for us we were taking as long a tack as we could. Once in Suisun Bay we chose to add the jib and ease the helm caused by not having it. We still had a reef in the main so we weren't concerned about overpowering.
With the jib up we got going again and the tacking was much easier. The boat speed was up at 15 to 17 doing the upwind work. As we sailed we were also changing different settings and trying to find better ways to sail with the reef in. We changed rotation, cunningham, and tried different board heights. Chris, Jerome, and Erwan were swapping positions on the back of the boat and Cliff and I were on the front of the boat. Suisun Bay quickly passed by and we turned further up the channel and into San Pablo Bay.
We were taking long tacks and really getting good boat speed and control was beautiful by the guys at the back of the boat. With Cliff and I hiking and making jib or board adjustments as needed the main, traveler and tiller were working well and the windward hull was flying and the speed was at about 17 on the gps. We dropped to a tight reach for a while again looking to find new setting points to be used later in racing. The speedo now had the low 20's reading and we were approaching the point San Pablo turn. We tacked out further into the bay and when we had a good line we tacked to go past the bridge. We passed under the Richmond San Rafael Bridge and as we got near the fuel pier we were caught in a large wind hole. We drifted for a while then got picked up again by the safety boat.
The wind filled back and we dropped the lines and we were off on a tight reach heading to Richmond harbor. The wind came back in well and the X40 Smart Recruiter really began to go. As we hit more of a beam reach we had the speeds hitting the low 20's. Cliff and I moved to the back beam and the speedo climbed to its highest point of the weekend. Saturday was 23.1 but Sunday we hit 25.6. After a few puffs really put us at the limit we were at the turn down point. Jerome turned the boat down smoothly and we sped down the basin and when we were clear spun up into the wind.
We dropped the main and jib and began the short motor back to the dock. As we got in we started folding and flaking sails for the storage container. We had some minor damage to the daggers and rudders from the beaching Saturday. After getting all the gear off the boat was washed down and we said our goodbyes.
Thank you to the X40 Smart Recruiter Team. Jerome, Dave, Erwan, Chris, Dave, Cliff it was a pleasure to sail, and party with you.