August 29, 2107: JUST A SHORT REACH

AUGUST 29, 2017

JUST A SHORT REACH

As I approached the harbor, the flag was showing a weak easterly at the crow’s nest.  We could only hope for a stronger one outside at the start mark.  As we filed out of the harbor, there were already about 10 boats out for the fun.  With the possibility of the wind dying and the barbecue at the club waiting we called for course B5 and gave a 5 minute horn at 5 minutes till 6.

On Pair a dice we attempted to start right at the mark, and as luck would have it we timed it pretty well except Pacific Spirit was right in front of us.  The line to Blacks was not quite hard on the wind, so we attempted to sail above Pacific Spirit, but were not able to pass them.  Homer on Equinimity started down the line a bit and had clear air to the mark sailing hard on the wind. At blacks, Homer was just ahead of Pacific Spirit who sailed down to give mark room leaving plenty of room for us to sneak through also.  At this rounding Perfect 36 and Nidaris were breathing down our necks.  This was going to be a good short race!

Finally, Pacific Spirit sailing in our lee was able to get clear ahead into clear wind to lengthen their lead on us.  The second rounding at Blacks was uneventful, but on the way to the start mark to finish the race, Perfect 36 breezed right by us and Nidaris II did also.  At the finish it was Equinimity followed by Pacific Spirit, Perfect 36, Nidaris II, Pair A Dice, Kicks, Rosa Nautica, Guenther (on his Finn), Sirena (Juneau31), Aeolian, Aila (Beneteau 34), Sea Quake, Toad, Irish Mist, Odonata and Tara.

In short, it was a beautiful night with nature on full display.  We had a huge flock of sheerwaters flying around before the start and multiple whales frolicking while we were sailing.

  

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION:

We all know how important it is to get the weight out of the cock pit and forward when going down wind and with the waves.  I observed Perfect 36 easily pass us with everyone out of the cockpit sailing down wind into the waves.  Apparently even going into the waves down wind, it is beneficial to have weight forward in the boat rather than back.  This helps to keep the boat flat in the water and helps to stop hobby horsing and improves the speed of the boat. In light winds like this, perfect sail trim is essential as exemplified by other boats that passed us on the way to the finish line.   

ROUNDING MARKS:

It’s always exciting as boats converge on a mark. It is important to note which boat has overlap at the 3 boat zone, thus establishing inside rights at the mark (outside boat must allow room for the inside boat to round the mark).  I have seen several publications and attended one seminar that preaches that when you round a mark with another boat it is best to slow down a little so you round with your bow directly on the stern of the boat ahead.  Your bow should be above centerline (toward the mark) to give you the best chance to squeak through to inside position on the way back windward. The thought is that it is never advantageous to “pinwheel” around the mark outside of a competing boat.  Doing this may open the door for other boats to sneak through the gap.

 

We frequently try to pull the “Ginny Craig” rounding  marks: going in fat and coming out skinny. This means you are approaching the mark wide (going in fat), completing a smooth turn where you are pulling very close to the buoy as you are completing your turn (come out skinny).  Pulling this maneuver also gives you the best chance to get an inside line on the next leg.  It is always best to have inside rights at any mark.  On a night like this where the marks are only a quarter mile apart, establishing inside right at the mark will lead to inside rights at the next mark if played right.

OTHER REGATTAS:  

The first race of the fall score series was held this last Sunday in the race from Moss Landing to Santa Cruz.  This completed the double angle race that was started on Saturday.  I do not believe there were any Jib and Main boats in the sail back from Monterey.  We should all make plans to enter this series of regattas for fall.  This series is always fun.  As we all bring our game up and race better, we might as well join a sanctioned regatta and possibly take some hardware home if you do well.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice