SEPTEMBER 26, 2017: SHORT NIGHT, LONG COURSE

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

SHORT NIGHT LONG COURSE

The sun certainly is setting earlier these days so I was pleased when I showed up to the harbor to see a good breeze blowing from the northwest. I had most of my crew back on board and it was great trading stories about our various vacations.  As we left the harbor, there certainly was breeze but the question was “would it last?”.   We set the course as W5: Start to wharf and back to start.  

On Pair A Dice, we set up to sight the line just before the start in an attempt to see if any boats were OCS (On course side) at the start.  We gave a 5 minute horn for a 6pm start.  Sighting down the line at the start, miraculously NO BOATS were over the line at the start.  Perfect 36 nailed it perfectly right on the line right at the start! With 18 boats on the line, it was a sight to see.

On Pair a Dice we came in on port and tacked over as soon as we saw a hole.  We all beat our way to wharf mark using various tactics.  It appeared that the wind was rather shifty at the mark because several boats had to throw in another tack to make it around Wharf.  Homer on Equanimity was the first around followed by Pacific Spirit, Makani and Zoop (Islander 36) and Perfect 36.

The race did not get interesting until we were on the long run back to start mark.  Every boat had to sail through the varying wind as the Easterly tried to build and failed, then the Southerly tried to fill and failed.  There was even a hint of a northwesterly that tried and failed.  As we all experienced these shifts, we thought we had the advantage at one point or other as competitors seemed to be motionless while other boats were moving. It was like musical wind as the slight breeze moved boats at different times.

 At the finish it was Equinimity, Zoop, Pacific Spirit, Makani, Perfect 36, Pair A Dice, a Saber 34, Nidaris II, Odonata and Rosa Nautica.  Other boats finished but we had a barbecue to get to and abandoned our post at the start line.

DEALING WITH SHIFTING BREEZE:

There is no quick answer to this.  On this night my skipper admonished us to let the wind dictate where the sails should be.  The last thing you want in these situations is a back winded Jib or main sail.  The crew must be alert and change the sails as conditions dictate.

CORINTHIAN SPIRIT:

Our Catalina Tuesdays has certainly attracted a mixed group of sailors.  We have several sailors in our group that are nothing short of professional.  Others of us are beginning sailors and racers.  Some of us have the most tricked out boat possible: professional sailor at the helm, adjustable back stay, new sails, adjustable fairleads, folding props, clean bottom, empty holding tanks and no excess weight on the boat (guilty as charged on most of these!). Others of us have full holding tanks, dirty bottoms, no folding props and less experienced helms(wo)men.  The beauty of our Catalina Tuesdays is that we all have fun competing against our fellow sailors whether for first or last place.

 The essence of Catalina Tuesdays is to have fun and to LEARN. It is no mystery that Homer on Equinimity and Don on Pacific Spirit win more frequently: Each of them is nothing short of a professional sailor.  Each of them are in high demand to crew on the “bigger boats” whenever a regatta occurs.  In my opinion, it is NOT all about winning! It is about doing your best and learning more.

What does this have to do with “Corinthian spirit”?  The whole idea is to bring everyone’s game up.  I thoroughly enjoy sailing with my better sailors, but freely offer them up for other boats to bring their game up.

 I remember when SCYC hosted the Nationals for the 505s several years ago.  I was amazed to witness all of the competitors sitting in a circle in the parking lot as the top sailors were giving instruction to the 50 or so other sailors giving tips on what works in Santa Cruz.  This for a National regatta! This made me proud to be a sailor.  This in essence is what the Corinthian Spirit is all about.

Members of our group are astounded at how the group has grown (18 boats tonight!). I refuse to take all of the credit for the building of our fleet.  I believe the essence of the Corinthian spirit is responsible for this.  Everyone seems to be enjoying the vibe of Tuesday nights. Sharing information and all improving our abilities as sailors.  The predominance of the Corinthian spirit is responsible for the growth of our fleet!  Let’s keep it rolling!

Scotty C from Rosa Nautica

We had a great barbecue at the club and were even entertained by Scotty on his guitar with his new hit “Catalina Tuesdays”

See you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice