Damariscotta Jan 6 2017, plenty of wind, most boats wearing storm sails and tearing around on 8-10 ice. Found GPS, changed batteries, remembered how GPS worked, acquired satellites, “ready to navigate”, witnessed zero (Bill Bunting), played with unaccustomed heavy air, summoned resolve to seek red line, peeled off of cautious luffing, hung on to Cheapy’s minimal cockpit side with elbow, and let her rip. Couple of downwind reaches across glassy ice to get feel of high end speed, 39.5 mph. The magic 40 (predicted years ago by local gurus) seemed within reach, try harder. Trying harder produced a real hike, a rare event in Cheapskate, almost loss of control on hike recovery almost ejecting skipper, and frightening apparent speed. The apparent speed, GPS “Max Speed” window, (accollade of trumpets in background), 42.7 MPH ! Mission accomplished. It felt like 60 in a DN, beyond fun zone.

Captain Roberts