AUGUST 16, 2016: INSIDE, OUTSIDE

AUGUST 16, 2016

INSIDE, OUTSIDE

There was plenty of wind on the water and the flags on the crow’s nest confirmed.  Looking closely at the water, there were few white caps so I guessed the wind to be just about 15 knots from the northwest.  We chose course W2: start, wharf, mile, gov, finish and gave a 5 minute horn at 5:55.

On Pair A Dice we thought there was much more wind outside so we set up for a starboard tack at the start buoy. We were not alone in this assessment, with Pacific Spirit and Sagittarius starting out on the same tack. Sagittarius was one of the first to peel off toward inside on port tack, Pair A Dice sailed a little further out before following and Pacific Spirit went even further out before tacking over.  We noticed when Pacific Spirit was on Port tack they were sailing much lower and faster than we were.  We were amazed to see Sagittarius tack over toward Wharf way ahead of us.  It seems that all of the boats that started off on port tack and sailed inside were ahead of us by quite a bit.  Sagittarius was the first around Wharf followed by Aeolian, Pacific Spirit and Pair A Dice.  Despite or best efforts and sail trim, we were not able to close the gap between us as we sailed toward Mile,

The procession continued around Gov and finished at start/finish with Sagittarius in the lead followed by Aeolian, Pacific Spirit, Pair A Dice, Kicks, Odonata and Sea Quake. Congratulations to the crew of Sagittarius, Aeolian and Pacific Spirit for a great race.

SHOW UP AND PAY ATTENTION!

This was the admonishment that one of the great Santa Cruz sailors always gave.  This means looking at the sailing instructions, getting out on the course early enough to gauge the conditions.  What are the flags doing? (crows nest flag, flags on the wharf), are they all flying the same direction?  What are the anchored boats doing, are they all faced the same way or are there subtle differences?  How are the floating birds sitting? Birds characteristically float in the water facing the wind. Is the kelp all streaming in the same direction indicating a current?  As you are sailing, are there headers and lifts to take advantage of or is the wind consistent in direction?

As you are sailing pay close attention to other boats and what they are doing.  This is for the crew to do for the skipper, since the skipper is focusing on steering the boat.  The crew can call out: “X boat at our 9 oclock is 300 yards away and sailing lower and faster than we are”.  The crew can also apprise how boats are doing on different tacks, trying to apprise whether you are sailing at right angles to each other and if this is consistent.  These angles may change as either boat gets headed or lifted.

As is usually the case in Santa Cruz, sailing inside on port tack is a preferred strategy.  This works because of the lift you get sailing inside of the point to make it around wharf.  Not following this strategy has its perils and there should be a compelling reason for not going inside. 

On this particular evening, there may have been a good westerly current inside, the water was probably a little flatter and wind was adequate to help getting ahead.  I wish I had paid more attention to the inside boats as we were sailing out.  I have a feeling they were also getting lifted toward the wharf mark as they were sailing toward the pier.

I am looking forward to next Tuesday.

See you then.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice