Flag Day Flotilla Sail

by Caitlín
The three boats pictured above (the Seeking Peace, an on-loan and unnamed O'Day 25, and the Takin' it Breezy) made up our "flotilla" this past Saturday (Flag Day), our unit's first multi-boat sailing event. The Flag Day Flotilla Sail included a visit from a reporter and a photographer for the Potomac News.

Although it didn't look like there was much wind inland, there was a pleasant breeze on the water. We met at Leesylvania Park and held a muster, and the Skipper conducted a uniform inspection (left).
Several people failed because they weren't wearing blue jeans, didn't have a hat, or didn't pack lunch. But they weren't punished too hard. ;-)

We received a surprise visit from Tim Rupert, the District Executive for Occoquan District. He brought us samples of the new Venturing-specific fundraising item, On-the-Trail Mix to get us excited about selling it sometime in the near future. We all taste-tested both the "Classic Mix" and the "Power Mix," and the general consensus was that the Power Mix (with honey-roasted nuts and peanut butter chips) was the better of the two, although both were pretty good.

Once the press arrived, everyone went to their assigned boat and the captains held briefings. (Captain Ashton briefing the crew of Seeking Peace, right.)
The boat I was aboard, Breezy, was the last one out because Captain Ross had us rig the sails before going out. Once we turned off the engine and put up the sails, it became obvious that what is a pleasant breeze ashore isn't much of a sailing wind; there was definitely not going to be any rails buried under the water. Or even any heeling. :-(


Ah well, at least there was enough wind that we were actually moving, unlike the last Petty Officer sail I went on. But once, while we were on the same tack as the O'Day, and I was at the helm, we our boat overtook theirs. The captain of the O'Day was Tom Finn, who races his Hobie Cat, so we were pretty happy.
But I think they might have been explaining something about sailing and not trying to go fast at the time.
Left: Our view from the Breezy of the O'Day as we passed her.


No matter which tack we were on we didn't get much speed that day, but it was enough that it wasn't entirely boring and we could still practice our sailing skills. There was less pressure to adjust the jib so quickly or take in the sails as fast as possible than if there had been a lot of wind, and it was actually kind of nice. (Gus pulling the jib over to port side during a tack, right.)

Once we decided that there was probably not going to be any wind, and it was nearing 2:00, we started up the motor and headed for the Carefree Boat Club, Breezy's home while Gus and I furled and stowed the sails.

I had brought my own car to the Carefree Boat Club, and did not return to Leesylvania, so did not get to see how the other Scouts had enjoyed their sail. I hope Sarah had fun, since it was her first time out.

And another group shot, courtesy of John Boal, taken before we went out:

The article appeared in the "Life & Leisure" section of the Potomac News on June 29th, 2008.

Click the top photo to view more pictures from the Flag Day Flotilla Sail, or visit our photo gallery to see pictures of past events.

Petty Officer Sail

by Caitlín

Yesterday evening marked the first training sail for Petty Officers (the youth leaders are called Petty Officers, and they make up the Quarterdeck). From 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. members of the Quarterdeck got extra sailing experience so they will be better prepared to take leadership positions when more of the unit goes out.

The weather forecast told us to expect thunderstorms, but as it hadn't rained more than a couple drops all day, and the front was supposed to bring wind, we went anyway. Skipper Shay started up the motor and we putted out between the docks and underneath the train bridge.

Once past the channel markers we stopped and raised the sails. (Skipper Shay and Aaron raising the mainsail, left.) Just as we did, what little wind there had been died. Daniel was first up at the tiller, but there wasn't much point because we were going so slowly. Soon the wind picked up just enough to tease us into thinking we might actually sail. But we only went a tiny bit faster.

The boat hadn't moved much a while later when we realized it was a little after 7:00 and that after we furled the sails, it would be time to head back to the dock. So that's what we did.

Adam knew exactly what to do with the motor, and had a great time steering us back towards port while the rest of us took down the sails.

Then my mom and I remembered the chocolate cupcakes my sister had baked the day before and sent along with us. Aaron and Adam seemed to think they were pretty good, but that was before they knew what the secret ingredient was. We didn't reveal that until almost back at the dock. Can you guess what it might be? It was sauerkraut! Adam didn't seem to care, but Aaron told me I should never let my sister cook again, so it must have grossed him out.

Just as we got to the trestle bridge, we sighted another boat waiting to get through the gap. At first it was very hard to tell whether it was moving or not, and if it was coming towards us or going away. Eventually we agreed that it was staying still and waiting until we came through. It turns out it was a fireboat from Prince George's County, the Lawrence Woltz. We were all wondering what they were doing way over here.

To allow for ample passage between the two boats, we steered far to the right of the channel...and promptly ran aground. Which Daniel and Adam found pretty funny (left).
Mr. Finn steered the Breezy back into her berth, and we all pitched in to get her ready for the next person to sail her.

So that was basically our entire trip. If only there'd been wind!