Catalina Tuesday
June 16, 2015
STEADY EASTERLY
All predictions were for gnarly winds from the northwest, so
I was quite surprised to see the flags blowing lightly from the South when I
got to the harbor. I was sure we would
need the 135 for tonight, but the 155 was what we had on as we ventured to the
open ocean. Alas it was the right
call. By the time we got to the start
mark, it was a steady Easterly blowing.
We decided to call course 11A1 for the night: start, Blacks (P), Gov(P)
and finish to port. We gave a 5 minute
horn and everyone set up for their start.
On Pair A Dice, we wanted to be on starboard right at the mark.
Alas, Pacific Spirit nailed the start and we were about 30
seconds behind them. With our 155
flying, we were able to point a little higher than Pacific Spirit, but they
rounded Blacks ahead of us by about 30 seconds again. Pair a Dice rounded Blacks just ahead of
Perfect 36 and we all marched off to Gov.
Pacific Spirit sailed in closer to shore with the thought that a
building Easterly usually filled in toward the beach. On Pair A Dice, we rhumb lined it to the mark
with the pole out on port first then jibing over with the pole on starboard. By
jibing the pole onto starboard we were able to avoid the waves on our bow and
took them on the beam. With the added
speed from not fighting the waves we were able to sail clear of Perfect 36
which was threatening to steal our wind.
Ultimately Pacific Spirit rounded Gov about 2 minutes ahead of us,
accentuating the point that maybe their stint to the beach was the right move.
After rounding Gov, Pacific Spirit took a stint outside then
tacked back over inside again. On Pair A
Dice, we noticed the wind was building more as we moved outside. Additionally we were on the longest tack to
the mark and sailing closer to the mark.
We watched closely to be certain we didn’t sail into lighter wind and a
transition zone outside. We sailed out
to the layline for the finish mark as Pacific Spirit passed us on the inside.
Pacific Spirit rounded the finish mark about one and a half minutes ahead of
us, then Perfect 36, Kicks, Aeolian, Toad and Thalasia.
The Dance of the Start:
Races are frequently won and lost at the start. A great start puts you in the lead and all
you have to do is protect that lead.
Starts are very challenging and it only comes with practice. The reason I call it a dance is because you
are interacting with every other boat at the start. Quick reflexes and quick decisions are
critical. Having an uncanny ability to
judge time and distance also helps. How
much time will it take the boat to cover a certain distance? If you really want to improve your start, get
out with your crew and practice passing a buoy and getting back to the buoy by
a certain time. This is a minimal
exercise, but critical. If you can’t
nail a start with no competition, you don’t stand a chance with other boats
involved.
Taking time to assess the situation before the race is
critical to a good start. On Pair A
Dice, we follow the following process and rules.
-Light variable wind=do not get far from the start line!
-Determine favored end of line: Luff up head to wind and the
end of the line the bow is pointing toward is the favored end.
-starboard or port tack start: Port tack starts are very
risky since you have no right of way, but can pay off with huge gains when done
well.
-Critical: Do not do any big moves at least 30 seconds
before the start, even more time in lighter wind.
Most experienced sailors will time the line and broad reach
by the preferred end of the line sailing away from the start area. Then then
time their tack and approach the line on a broad reach. This allows them to run the line while
waiting for the clock to run out for the start.
Keep in mind, it is better to be early to the start than late, though be
careful that you are not stalling at the start.
You want to be up to speed and sailing at the start.
What’s with the course numbers on the course charts?
Why in the world are there courses numbered 11A1? I have been putting these cards out for 3
summers now. Each summer we come up with
new different courses. I keep all of the
courses that were on each of the
previous cards so if someone comes out once every 3 years, the course numbers
will be the same. The newer courses have
the unusual numbers like 11A1. These
courses will always be clarified over the radio on channel 69.
Next Tuesday will be the 23rd. Barbecue Tuesday at SCYC will be the
following week on the 30th.
We will see you next Tuesday.
Barry
Sailing Pair A Dice
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