Harvest Moon Regatta

A sudden blast of cool air followed by a 180 degree wind shift brought 30 kt gusts and pelting rain. Joanne, asleep below with a hatch open, was awakened suddenly by a large dose of salt water that washed over the side. We were aboard Ocean Star, a beautiful 50' Benetau, racing along the Texas coast from Galveston to Port Aransas.

Forunate enough to be invited by Steve & Alice, we hopped aboard Ocean Star docked behind their house in Lazy Bend early Thursday morning and headed down the Houston Ship Channel to Galveston with about 200 other sail boats to participate in the Harvest Moon Reggata, a race of 150 nm. With a front approaching the prevailing SE wind had shifted SSW making a reach along the rum line impossible for us. With steady shift to SW, we tacked back and forth all night making little progress until the storm hit. Then we eased our way down wind under the genoa alone, not racing, just easy sailing down to Port A. We finished about 11 PM Friday night and med moored in the City Marina next to Party Central. About fifty boats gave up either motoring down to Port A or turning back to Clear Lake.

Sharing the waterway We get a good start! Sunset on the Gulf

Saturday was the time share stories, take pictures, drink free rum (I didn't) , enjoy the big barbeque and attend the awards presentation (I didn't as I wanted to rest).

Sunday morning we sailed back on a reach. Winds picked up to 20 or so and then dropped to maybe six or so in the early morning. Ocean Star easily rode the waves that built to 6 ft with a few 8 footers. Sunrise found us at the Galveston jetties; fog settled on Bolivar Roads and the Houston Ship Channel. We were back home by noon on Monday.

Ken & Bill joined us for the race down to Port A and for the party!

Not everyone escaped the storm unscathed; an uncontrolled jibe bent this boom. We enjoy a great sail back home on Sunday!

We were extremely forunate to sail with Alice and Steve. Not many women take ownership for her boat like Alice does. Steve is a very lucky guy.

Fog settled on Galveston Bay Monday morning. A big ship appears out of the fog ahead of us in the Houston Ship Channel. We were over in the barge lane, of course.

richard