April 13, 2013

Tuna was running in Treasure Island's Clipper Cove last Saturday when nine (ten, counting the committee boat) Santana 22s came out to play for a fleet practice session. The skippers emerged from the southerly morning mist into light shifty winds for four practices before a wonderful potluck spread at the TI guest dock, and then the northwesterly filled in properly for four more afternoon practice starts in stiff wind. Some skippers and crew traded off practicing driving, and some Tuna owners crewed for other Tuna skippers. Jay Lundquist even came down from Chester up in the Sierras, where he keeps his Tuna, just to participate as crew aboard Kelly Shawn on saltwater.

Kristen Soetebier sets the whisker pole on Leah Pepe's Kelly Shawn. ©2013 Rob Macfarlane

The mark boats had trouble in the beginning keeping up with the changing light winds and moved the course around to ensure a windward/leeward course. The course was short, designed only to practice starts and mark roundings. After four starts the group met on shore for lunch and some critique by Michael Andrews, former Santana Nationals champion, owner of #811, Bonito, and current commodore of Encinal Yacht Club, which lent their skiff and marks. He offered tips on keeping the draft in the proper location on the sails, accounting for the tendency of lee helm, adjusting the main and playing the traveler to keep pointing high, and keeping jib halyards at proper tension for conditions.

Frank Lawler's Tackful sacrificed sailing for the cause and served as the committee boat, keeping the fish in line and calling any starters that were over early. There were a couple forced back to dip the startline.

In the morning, boats seemed to be spread out more, but, by the afternoon breeze, they were clumped up more tightly, making for interesting mark roundings. Mike Andrews jumped on Fast Company for some afternoon starts, and Aaron Lee, who was helping on Kitten in the morning, drove the skiff. Rob Macfarlane showed up by dinghy for beer and photo taking.

David Ross and Deb Fehr on Meli'ki. ©2013 Rob Macfarlane

A fabulous day was had by all participants: #801 Byte Size, Anna Alderkamp; #5194 Meli'ki, Deb Fehr; #95 Kitten, Kristy Lugert; #466 Dayspring, Keay Edwards; #5154 Tilly Jane, Michael Pouliot; #5168 Pip, James Dilworth; #64 Lanikai, Adam Santaniello; # 47404 Fast Company, Barb Miller; #38000 Kelly Shawn, Leah Pepe; and the committee boat, Frank Lawler's Tackful.

The Santana 22, designed by Gary Mull and built by W.D. Schock, is a great boat for beginners and advanced sailors alike. See http://santana22.com for more info on the fleet. Fleet co-chairs for 2013 are Anna Alderkamp and Jennifer McKenna. The Santana 22 Nationals will be July 12-14 at Richmond YC.

- Kristen Soetebier, crew on Kelly Shawn, owner of Pueo #318