TUESDAY MAY 12, 2015: NIGHT OF SHIFTY WINDS

Tuesday May 12, 2015

NIGHT OF SHIFTY WINDS 

The wind was blowing insanely for the second night in a row, from the North with a little West in it.  It had blown all day, but seemed to be decreasing slightly.  We still raised the sail in the harbor with a reef in.  As we left the harbor, the wind seemed to switch around to the West with a little North in it.  We set a course for the Northwest wind and the wind shifted to North (straight offshore).  We switched to a North wind course 14.  With the wind blowing a steady 20-22 knots, timing the line was rather challenging.   

Everyone seemed to be aware that the start buoy end of the line was the preferred place to be.  The problem was with the steady wind, we were all stalling to not be over the line at the start.  We all nearly crossed the line in unison, with Pair A Dice slightly behind Perfect 36 and Diver Down. We were  getting bad air once again.   Finally, we tacked over to get clear air and to sail in smoother water.  Diver Down tacked on us to cover.  The problem was to choose a lay line for Gov with all of the wind shifts.  We tacked over way before our normal lay line.  Initially, it looked like we had tacked way too soon, but we ultimately got lifted and rounded Gov with Pacific Spirit after Diver Down and Perfect 36.  Makani was in close pursuit right after us.  

It was a mad dash to Blacks after rounding Gov.  Diver Down had taken a turn to mile (sorry for that confusion) and it was Perfect 36 and Pacific Spirit sprinting toward Blacks, with us sailing to leeward in their bad air and Makani right behind us. There was no room for bad sail trim in this drag race.  Diver down had made the turn toward Blacks and was making incredible time toward Blacks surfing every wave possible.  With a good puff of wind on us, we hardened up to try to get to windward of “36” and Pacific Spirit.  After we ducked their sterns, we were not able to catch up enough to take their wind. As much as I wanted to see the tail of our windex pointing into their sails, it just was not going to happen! 

By the time we got to Blacks, Diver Down had caught up and we all rounded nearly in unison, Perfect 36 first, then  Diver Down, Makani,Sailing Pair a Dice and Pacific Spirit.  In the drag race to the finish mark, it was Diver Down first, Perfect 36, Makani, and  Pair A Dice leading Pacific Spirit by less than a boat length. 

Another great night of racing!  Great job Diver Down (again!) 

CORRECTION:   Everyone with a course card please note: Course 14 needs to have MILE  scratched out, otherwise it is just a repeat of course 13.  I am sorry for this error which was pointed out to me after most of the cards were distributed.

Tactics:  INSIDE OVERLAP

Onc tactical rule to follow: ALWAYS SET UP FOR AN INSIDE OVERLAP AT THE  NEXT MARK.   While we attempted this on the way to Blacks, we were unsuccessful and could not take the wind away from Perfect 36.  Having inside overlap enables you to claim “Mark Room” and  have the inside track rounding the mark.  Though we tried, we were unable to claim inside overlap at Blacks and this is where we lost the race. 

I must say, it is very exciting to have everyone in such a tight race.  Everyone is definitely bringing their game up.  This is very exciting sailing!

See you next week.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A DIce