JUNE 27, 2017: ZERO TO TWENTY IN THREE

JUNE 27, 2017

ZERO TO TWENTY IN THREE

There was a definite hint of a new Easterly building as I approached the harbor.  The flag on the Crows Nest confirmed this.  I could also see plenty of white caps outside.  Since we always seem to gravitate to the inside easterly I changed out to my 155 Jib.  We left the harbor for the new (later) 6:15 start.  In the start area we had about 14 boats milling around in the northwesterly that was still blowing pretty well  clear in to the start mark.  After much discussion, we decided on the course W5: Start, Wharf, finish at the start mark. We gave a five minute horn for the 6:15 start.

As could almost be predicted, as the countdown proceeded, the wind continued to die and by the time of the start, the only wind left was a very light northwest breeze that barely made it to the start mark.  Anyone down the line from the buoy was enviously watching the boats up the line take the wind and sail straight out into the more wind outside.  Pair A Dice tried to play the northwest puffs and the easterly puffs to rhumb line it to wharf mark, along with another score of boats trying the same.  Alas the thoughts of a barbecue got the better of most of us and we retired from the race one by one.

But wait!  The boats that sailed clear outside were romping along and really sailing.  We thought they had disappeared over the horizon in search of more wind, but now they were sailing back in and actually making wharf mark!  Later they said they actually saw twenty knots of wind outside. Kind of like zero wind closer to shore, twenty knots three miles out.  ZERO TO TWENTY IN THREE!

Congratulations to Kicks for persevering and actually finishing the race!

LIGHT WIND STARTS:

I find it useful to never venture far from the start line when there is light wind or a dying breeze. Also, it is best to use whatever legal means you can to propel the boat.  Usually this means approaching the start using the power of the waves, rather than bucking into the waves.  This seemed to work well for the boats that stayed outside of the start mark for the start.

OTHER EVENTS TO NOT MISS:

It was unanimously decided to NOT have a Catalina Tuesday event this next Tuesday since it is the fourth of July and there are many family and other event going on.

We have several events coming up on the calendar.  First is the O’Neill paddle-out on July 9.  This will be over on East Cliff in front of Jacks house right on 38^th avenue.  The Ernie Rideout and O’Neill catamarans will be anchored outside of the circle of surfers paddling out in Jacks honor.  Jack was a long time member of the Santa Cruz Yacht Club and many members will be sailing their boats in a procession outside of the three anchored boats. Feel free to join this procession.  The time of the paddle-out will be 11am.

On July 14 and 15, there is a Santa Cruz to Monterey and back regatta.  I have participated in this regatta several times and it is a very fun event.  It would be awesome to see some more of the Catalina crew take part in this regatta.  The Monterey Yacht club opens its doors for us and the social aspects are awesome.  Monterey also has many great restaurants and bars to socialize in.  check out the NOR and SI’s on the SCYC.org website.

Last but not least, we had a great turnout for the spring score series.  There were some very fun days of sailing and we had 4 Catalinas entered in the series.  Now the fall score series is coming up.  It is always good to implement what you have learned on Tuesday nights in a real race.  Check out the NOR and SI’s on the SCYC.ORG  web site. Rock on Jib and Mainers!

Looking forward to the next Catalina Tuesday on JULY 11.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice