The boat is scheduled to get the mast down on the 6th and hauled out on the 7th. Both are in the morning. I need to buy a ladder again. Either that or make one.

I went sailing this past weekend and got into a wild race with the fellow with a 27(?) foot sailboat across the dock from me. He was about 1/4 mile ahead of me once I left the marina. Over the course of an hour, I managed to pull up to about 100 meters behind him. By then, we both were "rail down" in heavy winds and some choppy waves. I had brought along my video camera but there simply was no time to get it out and shoot some footage. I just focused on trying to get as much speed as I could without being knocked down by the winds. Somewhere in there, I ended up gybing and the jib sheet went flying while I was holding on to it. I managed to keep a good hold on it but I pulled muscles in my arm doing it. My competitor noticed my gybe and came about to make sure I was still okay. Then we headed back to port. I headed directly to PCHM while he headed close to Lakefront Promenade, then west to PCHM. All in all, it was a terrific, rip-roaring great time. The next day, once I woke from a long sleep, I discovered that every muscle in my body had declared war on me! I was sooooo sore. But, it was a good sore. Battle wounds! I sure hope this coming weekend is okay for another sail. Saturday is forecast to rain but Sunday seems okay.