FIRST CATALINA NIGHT OF 2015

FIRST CATALINA NIGHT 2015

 

Because of work I was not able to get to the harbor before 5:50.  With a little help from Todd on Kicks setting the mark and my usual crew on  Pair A Dice, the race was started at 6 PM.  The course was originally set for start, gov, start. 

 

With the very light breeze, the area around the start buoy looked like a boat parking lot.  Indeed, Iris and Katrina were already heading for the harbor.  As it turns out Katrina was having engine problems.  Ron Dillehay and Steve Niemann were kind enough to scoop me from the gas dock on Ron’s boat Emeritus and we proceeded to hurry toward the start area.  As we entered the procession, I happened to look at Katrina which was just attempting to enter the harbor.  It did not take any persuasion to convince Ron to go help Katrina.  There is nothing worse than trying to enter a harbor with a little swell and no wind.  We towed them to their slip and rushed back out to join the race.

 

We pulled back into the procession half way to Gov.  Shortly after this, the course was shortened to end at Gov.  Amazingly all of the boats finished the race in the breathless breeze.  The participants were Pair A Dice, Emeritus, Aeolian, Pacific Spirit and Kicks.  It was a slow tortuous “race” but still fun for a first night of the season.

 

SAILING IN LIGHT WIND:

What tricks can you use to sail more efficiently in light wind?  Three things are important, a large headsail, a clean bottom and a folding prop.  Closely observe and try different things to see what works.  Some things you can try are tightening the outhaul and fully extending the whisker pole. If there is a lot of play in the jib, you can furl some of the headsail.  This is counter intuitive.  The idea is to provide a solid sail for the wind to push.  If the wind is so light that the sail shape is not consistent but flapping in and out, try tightening everything.

 

The prevailing current can help or hinder.  Check for current around buoys and observing the kelp.  The kelp will all be streaming one way in the direction of the current.  If the direction of the current is beneficial, you want to be in deeper water, and in shallower water if it is against you.  On the way to Gov, I observed the kelp streaming straight against us.

 

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Next Tuesday is St Patty’s day. SCYC is offering a late seating for the St Patty’s day dinner at 8pm.  It is critical to make reservations if you plan to go to this event.  The cost is $16, which is quite a bargain.

 

Thanks for coming out and looking forward to next week.

 

Barry L. Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice (but sailing on Emeritus)