It is time to renew your dues, so if you haven't paid your 2007 dues, please send them in as soon as possible. As your former treasurer, I can tell you that it really helps if everyone can get their dues in early. Also, you have to have paid your dues prior to getting scored for a regatta for Boat of the Year.

You really can't beat springtime sailing in North Carolina, and if you don't like the weather, then just wait. We have just completed the NYRA invitational for 2007, and it turned out to be a great race for all competitors. The spinnaker fleet had 8 boats, and we had 4 Non-spinnaker boats in the fleet. We also experimented with a 'Corinthian Fleet" of boats while not set up for racing, they could still go out and compete against other boats with similar characteristics and goals, mainly to just have fun. A huge thank you to our race committee, led by our VC Charlie Nelson for being our PRO for this race. Also a large thank you to Blackbeard Sailing Club for allowing us to host the event from the club.

Saturday's racing was a true test of patience for crew and drivers. The first race started off in about 10 knots of wind, but by the end of the race had turned into a light air drifter. All boats got off to a great start and we had some exciting mark roundings with reaching legs thrown in for good measure. Charlie Nelson did a great job of getting off a second race, much to the consternation of some of the racers. The race started off in a breeze but huge holes soon developed, and it could make you look like a genius one minute and an absolute idiot the next. With the weather in the mid 80's, the downwind runs were scorchers! The dynamic duo of Mike and Mark aboard Joyride were untouchable in these conditions while Compass Rose got two bullets in the non-spinnaker fleet.

The highlight of the day was my new "water balloon cannon" which, despite initial trajectory issues, has the promise to make the Parrot Head regatta an interesting race as it greatly extends the range of a water balloon. When we got back to the docks, Sarah Parker had the honor of the first person to go swimming on purpose this year - Tom and Rafael, we won't talk about the other incidents - with people from several other crews joining in for the fun.

Sunday dawned as a new day, and the conditions that favored San Juan 21's were history. In the first race, the winds were gusting into the mid 20's, with a solid 15-17 knot wind in general. Again, everyone was on the line at speed at the gun, and the race was on. Afterthought took full advantage of the blustery conditions and won the first race, but after a long and punishing race, Joyride ended up in an exact tie with Echo, setting up the final race. Charlie got off one more quick race, and again it was Afterthought in the lead from start to finish. As we started just upwind of Afterthought, I can assure you that there not enough o's in smooth to describe his new bottom! Compass rose once again dominated the non-spinnaker fleet. Even with his heroic efforts on Sunday, Afterthought was not able to erase his deficit he gained on Saturday and Joyride won the spinnaker fleet. Complete results and photos can be accessed from the calendar page.

The ECB/ICRC race is coming up April 28 and 29 and will be based out of Blackbeard Sailing Club, so mark your calendar now. Many of our local boats are venturing to Charleston and Bald Head Island, so good luck to all. Check the calendar and make your plans now.

I look forward to seeing you all on the water.