I just wanted to let you know that Sunday me and my little Ranger FUN had our first encounter with a Merit 25! In a very unusual day for our lake, filled with more than the occasional white caps, we both took off with one fifty something's and full mains. (Which was, by the way, WAY too much sail for my boat. But for the first time ever, I had 5 people on board and was surprised to learn that I could indeed keep the boat flat!)

      Prestart fooling around I was pleased to see that our straight line boat speed on various points of sail were very similar! However, once the race started, my crew's lack of experience began to take a toll. The most experienced person on board, other than myself, was the young lady from New Orleans, who's first sail was the day before! The Merit gained little bits here and there. Probably from our tacks which were painfully slow.

      Once we rounded the windward mark I debated with myself for quite a while whether or not to fly the chute, the crew was willing, but the winds were big. I finally decided to do it, but then realized that we would need to gybe once it was set, and the shore was approaching faster than the leisurely set I was planning would allow. so we gybed first and then I had to take the spin which was set up in the cabin for a port set to the bow. All the while the Merit's chute grew smaller and smaller.......... When I did finally get the chute up, I scared him! We gained BIG TIME! I think the whole club noticed. :)

      He wound up beating us by a fair margin, but I got his attention! Just wait till I get my crew firmed up and trained :)

Craig