This weekend I am going to take a chance.

[Bonhomme Richard]

I am participating in a sailboat race on the Chesapeake Bay this weekend from Annapolis to St Michaels and I wanted to get some race pics. Turns out my nephew took the lock off the boat while doing some work and hasn't replaced it. No biggie except that I will have my guitar and good camera on the boat. I guess I will have to keep the camera with me all the time when away from the boat or hide it very well.
I'm nervous but maybe I will get some good shots. Should be fun.

[Mz Pip]

1. Sounds like fun!

Hope you get some good weather.

I think the World Cup will be held in San Francisco Bay next time. I hope to get some good shots, though I don't know how close to the action we will be able to take our boat.

Looking forward to seeing your shots! Have fun!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

2. I don't know how big your boat is

but shooting the America's Cup (I have several times) is a huge lens job, and very risky. At the very least make sure, and then really make sure, and then have someone else make sure that all camera gear is tethered/lashed/secured/connected to something permanent (not a person). Likewise, make sure you have a pfd on.

I am not kidding.

The turns you will have to make to avoid other boats, the CG and such will be more than you are used to. Someone taking pictures will not be aware of the turns and will fall over and/or lose camera stuff.

You will not get close to the action, a 600 is a normal lens for this stuff, A 300 is a wide angle.

I am not saying don't do it, but just think about it some.


Also, make sure you have some kind of water-proof spray proof places to put stuff.

[Bonhomme Richard]

3. 34 catalina

I will be carefull. I am a virgin at racing and photos of races. We'll see how it goes

[alfredo]

4. That should be an intense experience.

Enjoy

[elleng]

5. Thinking of you, from DC/MD.

Just saw this post.
ENJOY!

[Bonhomme Richard]

6. You were right. The reality of the situation....

wanting to take pics and being a crew member just did not mesh. I got a chance to squeeze off a few pics from my iphone while going upwind but mostly it was tacking, winching sheets and high siding. The only time I got to dig out my nikon was on a long downwind reach. The lucky thing was at that point we were mixed up with the spinnaker class boats. funny, every time we had a near collision with another boat (kind of like playing chicken) and it we passed each other with inches to spare I would think what a great shot that would have made then I would hear a 1 minute tack warning, LOL.
I'll be better prepared next time.