Racing the Potter Yachters Cruiser Challenge XXVII

So after a windless uneventful motoring trip from Santa Cruz to Moss Landing, Jonah arrived at the Elkhorn marina and rafted up to a Catalina 22 named "Merri Time". [02] Dinner time arrived before long and the Potter Yachters dispatched to a local restaurant for fish dinners. [03] The sunset light was really quite special. What a charming place the Elkhorn YC is. [04] Morning broke to a gray and wet start. [05] Peculiar vocalizings alluded to 50 kt winds in the forecast, and much debate as to if departure was even prudent. [06] I pushed off the dock nonetheless. [07] But not before seeing the first retirement, before the cruise even began. [08] Another largely windless, uneventful motoring trip was had from Elkhorn to Monterey. [09] Let's continue this informal sight-seeing tour of the Challenge fleet, shall we? [10] And as if by magic, the Catboat reappears - Hooray! [11] Well, it's the day of the race, and excitement is running high! [12] Here we are, out on the water. Pre-race. [13] Broad-reaching on the first downwind leg Intro: [00a] I'm attending the Potters Yachters’ signature racing event, known as the Monterey Cruiser Challenge this year. [00b] The event is a laid-back regatta for trailerable pocket cruisers under 26 feet whose primary purpose isn’t racing. [00c] A cruise-in from Moss Landing will take place tomorrow Friday (8/28) [00d] so I sailed from SC to Moss Landing today. Return trip: [15] It's Sunday morning and I'm checking the wind conditions for the trip back to Santa Cruz [-] windy.com is showing wind gusts that look fine at the beginning of the day [-] but later on, the wind is set to get up a bit [16] could be as high as 23 kts by 5 PM [-] Best plan on getting into port before then then [17] An early start is warranted along with using the motor to get as far north as possible before it really blows! [18] In case you're wondering... did I motor *all* the way back?.. Yes. I was feeling pretty wiped out by the time the winds got up! More narrative: [-] That was the morning bugle heard wafting on the breeze in the harbor every morning (08a) [-] This is Jonah's neighbor. Amazing condition for a 1995 boat!