Ships Ahoy

I counted at least 7 points all over my body that aches like crazy that time but I didn't care more as the offshore regatta to Punta Fuego was concluded last October 19 with our return to the Manila Yacht Club from the Batangas marina.

It was AWESOOOOMENESS! It was my first offshore race and my first overnight sailing too!

We left the MYC waterfront October 17, Friday at around 9pm (start of the race) but I met with the rest of the crew earlier for briefing. Right after the gun, our "Challenge" immediately led the pack of the other three participating yachts and never looked back. There was the bigger cruiser "Balanghay" and two other smaller sailboats "Rapparee" and "Rags".

the cool crew of "Challenge"
"Challenge" Crew: Martin, Lou, Obi, Sean, Mikee, Carlo, Darrell, Mang Pi, Rex, Vince, Kel, Paolo, Jeannie

Day 2 Additions: Gelo (birthday ork), Tana, Len, Paul

The night race to Punta Fuego was a breeze as we averaged 8.4 to 8.7 knots with the wind just right for a kite run. I exchanged grinding duties with Lou and Kel throughout the race. And had power naps in between.

The Cavite skyline at night is a sight but one very interesting landmark is the fortified islet of Fort Drum. South of its more prominent neighboring island of COrregidor, Fort Drum has also been a place of stand for the joint American and Pinoy defenders against the Japanese invaders of World War 2.

Fort Drum as taken beside a US warship during WW2
We arrived at the Punta Fuego marina at around 2am the next day welcomed by Joe, his dachshund Gaucho, and a bottle of Tanduay and the works... inuman time followed shortly. I just chugged down a couple of beer then hit the deck (pun intended) groggily. Ang sarap ng liempo ni Carlo!

I was awaken by the club's PA system, playing ringtone-like hits boisterously that morning. We hit the shower at the clubhouse then went back to the boat. I was able to take some more Z-time at the adjoining pontoon before birthdaydude Gelo and the rest of the gang arrived.

There were three races that day, two point-to-points and a windward-leeward. Most of the time I was manning the main sail under the auspice of Master Darrell and did some unforgiveable boo-boos along the way. Argh. I can't forgive myself for this one time that I fucked up at something as basic as wrapping the sheets the right way. Focus and presence of mind is a premium in sailing.

From what I heard we did first on the IRC rating and second on the PY rating.

After all the races, we just hang around the marina and wandered about the place. Usual tagayan at the clubhouse after a failed attempt to squeeze in at a local party place. Several beers and hours later, we called it a night and still aboard "Challenge" we hit it off back to Manila. We arrived at the MYC by around 6:15AM. Tapa for breakfast by Jeannie. Yub yub!

approaching Manila Bay
Super thanks goes to the entire crew of "Challenge" for bearing with my noobiness and of course especially to Martin for the opportunity to sail his boat.

i heart this shot. partida, cam-phone.

Ships Ahoy

I counted at least 7 points all over my body that aches like crazy that time but I didn't care more as the offshore regatta to Punta Fuego was concluded last October 19 with our return to the Manila Yacht Club from the Batangas marina.

It was AWESOOOOMENESS! It was my first offshore race and my first overnight sailing too!

We left the MYC waterfront October 17, Friday at around 9pm (start of the race) but I met with the rest of the crew earlier for briefing. Right after the gun, our "Challenge" immediately led the pack of the other three participating yachts and never looked back. There was the bigger cruiser "Balanghay" and two other smaller sailboats "Rapparee" and "Rags".

the cool crew of "Challenge"
"Challenge" Crew: Martin, Lou, Obi, Sean, Mikee, Carlo, Darrell, Mang Pi, Rex, Vince, Kel, Paolo, Jeannie

Day 2 Additions: Gelo (birthday ork), Tana, Len, Paul

The night race to Punta Fuego was a breeze as we averaged 8.4 to 8.7 knots with the wind just right for a kite run. I exchanged grinding duties with Lou and Kel throughout the race. And had power naps in between.

The Cavite skyline at night is a sight but one very interesting landmark is the fortified islet of Fort Drum. South of its more prominent neighboring island of COrregidor, Fort Drum has also been a place of stand for the joint American and Pinoy defenders against the Japanese invaders of World War 2.

Fort Drum as taken beside a US warship during WW2
We arrived at the Punta Fuego marina at around 2am the next day welcomed by Joe, his dachshund Gaucho, and a bottle of Tanduay and the works... inuman time followed shortly. I just chugged down a couple of beer then hit the deck (pun intended) groggily. Ang sarap ng liempo ni Carlo!

I was awaken by the club's PA system, playing ringtone-like hits boisterously that morning. We hit the shower at the clubhouse then went back to the boat. I was able to take some more Z-time at the adjoining pontoon before birthdaydude Gelo and the rest of the gang arrived.

There were three races that day, two point-to-points and a windward-leeward. Most of the time I was manning the main sail under the auspice of Master Darrell and did some unforgiveable boo-boos along the way. Argh. I can't forgive myself for this one time that I fucked up at something as basic as wrapping the sheets the right way. Focus and presence of mind is a premium in sailing.

From what I heard we did first on the IRC rating and second on the PY rating.

After all the races, we just hang around the marina and wandered about the place. Usual tagayan at the clubhouse after a failed attempt to squeeze in at a local party place. Several beers and hours later, we called it a night and still aboard "Challenge" we hit it off back to Manila. We arrived at the MYC by around 6:15AM. Tapa for breakfast by Jeannie. Yub yub!

approaching Manila Bay
Super thanks goes to the entire crew of "Challenge" for bearing with my noobiness and of course especially to Martin for the opportunity to sail his boat.

i heart this shot. partida, cam-phone.