E-Scow Racing on Tom's River, NJ

Yesterday afternoon Rich and I had the great pleasure of joining a friend for some afternoon sailboat racing on Tom's River in New Jersey. It has been many years since I did sailboat racing of any kind...the last time I did it I was about 12 years old and was sailing on 12-foot boat. This was also the first time Rich and I sailed together.

We were on an E-Scow (28 ft), about which Wikipedia has this to say:

The E-Scow is the younger sister of the A-Scow. Its rigging is similar, as well, and their hull shapes are almost identical, just 10 feet shorter. The boat is competitively sailed in Minnesota and Wisconsin and recently in many more states around the country, including Michigan, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina and Colorado.

The E-Scow that we sailed belongs to our friend John, who as a Skipper was patient and accommodating of our rusty skills. The day couldn't have been more gorgeous with sunshine and late summer warm weather. I hung in there for almost 3 races, but ended up leaving the boat after getting a little beat up and bashed around. E-Scow racing is TOUGH! You will be bruised and sore the next day - both Rich and I are are nursing various bruises and open wounds.

Injuries aside, it was so fun being on the water and going fast with a big sail and a great Skipper.