Well, we decided to bring the B out to play with the big boys, and well it might have been a bad idea......we left anacortes with a forecast of 25-30 from the south with no end in sight. I have done this race 6 times before, and thought it would be a nice little trip to take the rest of the gang on, just to give them a taste. They got a good salty taste in their mouths.........
We sailed 8 miles in about 45 minutes, with just the #3 up. We managed to maintain about 8 kts of boat speed while surfing to 12 knts. It was a hand full just to get to pevine pass and I was beat before the race even started. About half way to the start line, it was apperant that we would not be able to sail back into the ever building waves and wind. 
Once at the start line, we milled around trying to decide if we wanted to get the crap beat out of us. The decision was made for me, when I could not get the boat to tack around as a huge gust came through around 40 knts....we gybed out and headed for lunch at Friday Harbor..I have nothing to prove. Besides, we were the smallest boat out there and I didn't want to see how bad it was at cattle pass. Run away and live to race another day was our motto, so we entered the through the county race and headed off to warm food!
Sailing on #3 alone, we weaved our way through the islands, dodging a few ferries and sailed right into Friday Harbor around 10:30. We made great time and it was a blast to haul through the islands with no other power boats in our way. After a great club sandwich, we put up the full main and sailed DDW to Roche to meet the fleet, or at least the ones who sailed the first leg. About half the boats in our fleet bailed out or broke down during this leg, and it proved a smart move to bail out. When we arrived, we saw a 40' with their carbon rig in three pieces laying on their deck. Anther affermation we made the right decision.
The next day, we were prepared to ride the ferry home and come back for the boat if conditions had not improved. Oddly enough, there was no breeze on Sunday. We were the first start and in true Shenanigans fashion, we blasted out on the boat end and lead everyone to Stewart Island. It was a nice tight reach and the B loves those, so we held our own with the Black boat and enjoyed the calm water. 
Half way into Canada, we managed to be crossing tacks with Myrh and both J-29s. Then a tanker came blasting through, and yes, it was as close as it looks with the two boats that didn't move. I have never heard a tanker honk soo much, we thought these guys were done! 
After the tanker excitment, we looked at the GPS and the clock and decided that we have a 5 hr motor home if we left now, so we threw in the towel and kicked off the Merc. We fulled up at Deer Harbor and arrived back home safe and sound around 4pm, a great trip. I think the general thought on board was bouy racing is much warmer and if you are racing a distance race, you have to sail on a boat that is longer than your age.
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