Steel Trawler 2 : White Raven 0

          Well it was bound to happen someday. Yesterday's sail was eventful, though not because we had much wind. We had a record time setup (about 20 mins), I lined up the boat and launched on the first try, and we even got the kinks out of the jib take-down line. When we finally decided to head out, the genoa caught the bow roller of a docked trawler and pulled us in. I luckily cut the engine just in time to avoid ripping my sail straight in two, but in the brief two second collision, we had bent a stanchion, snapping two parts of it under the stress, and punctured / ripped the genoa a good length along the bottom. As for the steel vessel, we only roused the owner. Not a scratch to even her paint. when our boats did tap, they hit on White Raven's rub rail, so other than a scuff, there was no damage.

          We ended up making it out after switching to the jib, but the wind died down and the race was called. We drifted around for a while, then anchored and set up a boom tent with some blankets and spare line. After some needed root beer and sun bathing, we went to start the motor, but start it did not. I pumped some more gas in and realized it sounded like it was sucking, instead of filling the fuel line. Either way, I think the problem is a seal on the fuel tank, but who knows? The tasks never end. After finishing most of the necessary projects, it looks like I have just added a few more to my list. Now with no motor, we opted to raise the main again and try to get back home (it was that or paddle home with my one paddle). Steve was right when he said, "It's so much more satisfying when you have to sail." All in all though the day was fine and Amanda did a tremendous job piloting us home.

          The day wouldn't have been complete without some good "post-race" eats down on the river. Effie Burger, over in Lewiston, was our celebratory hot spot for this week. Some times you can't beat a plate-sized burger and curly fries to close out a rough day of hanging out on a boat. Even when things go wrong, boating is still a blast, and my crew was right: "It was bound to happen someday and at least it wasn't a bad one."