Annapolis, May 29, 2008

Last night we were fortunate to be able to watch the finish of the Annapolis Yacht Club Wednesday night sailboat races. The finish line was directly in front of our marina.

The Annapolis Yacht Club inaugurated midweek racing in 1959. Today, 150-200 yachts compete each Wednesday in the midweek festivities in a variety of handicap and one design classes. Participation is open to members of the Annapolis Yacht Club only. There is a sequence of six starts beginning at 6:05 PM near the mouth of Spa Creek. The racers round several marks in the Bay then back into Spa Creek for the finish in front of the Club. The finish draws a large spectator crowd at the Club, on the nearby Spa Creek drawbridge, on boats at the city marina or on a mooring in the harbor or from one of the eateries around the harbor.

All those sailboats are coming in under full sail, many with colorful spinnakers. It is a beautiful sight, especially considering that Spa Creek is only about 150 yards wide at the finish line and the line is about 50 yards from a drawbridge with a 14 ft. vertical clearance. The boats have to immediately drop sail, turn to port and motor down the edge of the creek to allow maneuvering room for the boats behind them who are still racing.

The three series of races run from late April through early September. In keeping with tradition, the after race "picnic supper" is now an extended happy hour with dinner available for competitors and their crews. This has become the party to attend on Wednesday and for many, the official beginning of the weekend.

The morning was spent taping and painting non-skid. We have nearly finished – Hooray!!

This afternoon we took the car and ran more errands. Beth got a much needed haircut – it got a little short this time. Then we went to see the Indiana Jones movie. We both enjoyed it.