It looks like the 09 Queen's Cup will be Friday June 26th. Anybody (Bob) know different?

ldauman is planning on coming to town to participate.

Al, Are you still planning on making the trip with Tursiops?

Yep, the wife is already starting to make the travel plans. You can tell who the organized one is in this relationship.

Hi Chris,

Looks like the Cup is a go on my end. Deb will not be able to get away. Anyone wishing to crew is welcome. Crew size is flexible but I'm thinking much over 5 would be tight.

This will be my first ever race on any type of boat. Top it off with a newer sailor (me) and I can promise we won't be in the running for a trophy.

My goals are to have a good time, eat well, and be safe.

Drunken stupors by crew will be frowned upon. A few cold beers on a hot day are certainly welcome and I always have quality rum on board.

Tursiops is a Hunter 34 outfitted with radar, chartplotter, depth sounder, 60 gallons water, a Yanmar aux., roller furling, and DSC radio linked to GPS position.

I also have XM/Sirius doppler weather capability on my backup GPS. Paper charts will always be available and position plotting will be maintained by myself and/or crew.

I will be going over the boat with a fine tooth comb to ensure all things are A-OK before the race.

This should be a lot of fun. I'm really looking forward to it.

Al,

Fantastic news. I got clearance to participate in the race, despite our new baby that will be a fresh 2 or 3 months old at the time. I'm looking forward to this year's race very much. I hope the weather cooperates. No worries for drinking on my end as you already have heard my stories I believe Lance is in as well. You'll find us both of similar disposition. Just looking for a relaxing sail, a good time, and an opportunity to learn new things. You're the skip and you run the show how you want it. 5 is the perfect sized crew, 4 is very doable, but 6 will get to be a bit much.

Looking forward to it Al... Thanks for the opportunity!

I would like to get in on this race, if you have room for one more.

Cool guys,

Paul, without a doubt you are a welcome crew member ANYTIME!

We've got a good crew shaping up here

Oh yeah - Al, Congratulations on your retirement! I bet that feels great!

I registered for Queens Cup updates.

Here is what I've gotten so far.................

Queen's Cup 2009

Please consider joining us for the 71st sailing of the Queen's Cup race, to be held on the night of June 26, 2009. The race is open to boats of the LMPHRF, LMPHRF multi-hull, and one-design classes that meet the following restrictions:

a) 10 entries are required for a one-design class, except 3 entries for the Great Lakes 70 class. If the minimum requirement is not met, the entries may be assigned to the PHRF fleet.

b) 5 multihull entries are required for there to be a multihull fleet.

This is an over-night race. The scheduled time of the warning signal for the first start is 5:55 PM CDT. We expect 180-200 boats to participate.

Registration will take place from 11:00 AM to 5 PM on Thursday and 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Friday. The Queen's Cup Cocktail Party will be held on Thursday, June 25, starting at 6:00 PM

Milwaukee's Summerfest celebration will be going on that Thursday and Friday. It is a fun place to spend a few hours, and we will have shuttle buses running between the Summerfest grounds and SSYC both days.

The course to be sailed will be approximately due east from SSYC to Muskegon. PHRF will be scored using Time-on-Distance, except ties will be broken using Time-on-Time. Your boats DPHRF handicap will be used for this race.

Thanks Chris,

So far this retirement thing is GOOD!!!!!!!

I'll be back to report on the "long term road test" as time goes by.

It feels weird not having to get up for work.

The only bad thing so far is the honey-do list which is pretty long!

Well if you find yourself in need of a break from the list and feel like talkin boats, let me know and we'll grab a cold one somewhere...