Well we did it. We left Good Old Long Beach at 3:30 Am Friday the third morning. Good, but intermittent wind. When we had wind, it was blowing  nicely off shore at 12 to 15 knots. 

But as soon as we would shut down the engine, it would die. So we

 motorsailed down at 6 to 7.2 knots on a nice reach. We got to Silver Gate Yacht Club at about 1700, 5:00 PM. It was a nice gentle reach and so was a good introduction into offshore sailing for Cyn and Deb. Scott and I were as happy as two supposed adults could be. Saturday Carl and Freda joined up and off to the races we all went. I am more than a little rusty and blew the start big time. Ten minutes late getting over the line. By the third mark, we had gone from DFL to the middle of the fleet. 

And there we stayed. We just couldn't catch the big schooners in the heavy air. But the wind died for a while near the finish and we had an opportunity to move up some. All in all, I can't complain. In a fleet of fifteen schooners, crappy start and all, we finished fifth corrected. I came to have fun. The race was just an excuse to get out of town for a few days and put a few hours on the new diesel engine. And we certainly did that.

 When we left, the engine had about 15 hours on it. When we got back it, the Hobbs showed about 52 hours. The trip back alone  was 18 hours. According to the newly installed fuel gauge, we used a quarter tank of fuel or about 15 gallons. Or a little less than 1/2 gallon per hour. The trip back was a real bitch. I contacted a cold in Dago and we motored uphill into the wind for the entire 18 hours back.                                                                                     Oh well, wait until next year. Right now I have to decide whether I want to eat, drink or sleep.

I think I'll take a nap. Right after I have a sandwich and a beer.