AUGUST 7, 2018: SHOW UP AND PAY ATTENTION

August 7, 2018

SHOW UP AND PAY ATTENTION

The prediction for the evening from Predict Wind was that the wind would decrease through the evening.   It seems Predict Wind does not know about the Santa Cruz Eddie that generates our Easterly breezes.  When I got to the harbor, the wind was from the East; but would it hold?  As we left the harbor, there were almost a dozen boats out with more following us out.  It seemed that the wind was from the East with more wind outside so I called for Bravo 3: Start, Blacks, Mile, finish.  We set a line that was square with the wind to the start mark.

On Pair A Dice, we decided to start at the Start mark for an easy rounding of Blacks.  With the light breeze that was blowing, making this decision early and sticking with it seemed to be the thing to do.  We had a fairly good start right at the pin right behind Perfect 36.  We did not notice all of the boats spread out along the start line with some starting right at the red buoy end of the line.  As all 16 boats marched toward Blacks, we could see that some boats had quite a lead on us rounding the mark.

We all rounded Blacks and started reaching toward Mile.  We were all taking the swell on the nose which slowed all of us down.  Sailing through light and heavier areas of wind seemed to compress the fleet as we approached mile. Once we all rounded Mile it was another reach back to the start mark, this time with all boats trying to surf the meager swell to our advantage.

NICE SHOT OF PAD AND PERFECT 36 (THANK YOU TODD)

At the finish, Patricia J (32:40), Nidaros II (35:55), Pacific Spirit (36:31), Kicks (36:45), Pair a Dice (37:53), Perfect 36 (37:56), Avatar (39:15) and Aeolian (39:42).  The distance of the course was 2.72 miles.

THE TUESDAY NIGHT CREW AT THE CROWS NEST

PAYING ATTENTION TO CONDITIONS:

It did not occur to me till after the race, that boats that payed attention to changing conditions garnered a significant advantage. After the 5 minute horn was blown, the wind actually shifted 30 degrees giving the red ball end of the line a significant advantage.  When you are astute enough to recognize changes in conditions that you can take advantage of, by all means take it!

To determine which end of the line is the favored end, turn your boat head to wind on the line.  At this point, the end of the line your boat is pointing toward is the favored end.  The degree that your boat is pointed away from square to the line in this test indicates how much advantage you will have at the end of the line your boat is pointing.  With a 30 degree shift from square to the line, and a lengthy line, starting at the favored end is like starting with a huge, yet fair head start.

WAVES:

Tonight was a big lesson also on how to take waves on both the bow (on the way to Mile) and on the stern (on the way to start/finish).  Waves on the bow can be fresh, wind chop waves which can stop the boat repeatedly or gentle ocean swells like tonight.  I find that it is best to experiment with different tactics to see which works best in current conditions.  Whether taking the swells straight on the bow or cracking off to taking them at a slight angle are options.  Also, you should never come off the top of a wave and crash straight down the back of a wave.  I find hitting the trough off the back of the wave can also slow your boat down.  It is best to come off the top and take the back of the wave at an angle to prevent slamming into the trough.  Find what works best for your boat and follow that tactic. 

With waves on the stern, every boat has different polars.  This means every boat has a different optimal wind angle when sailing down wind.  If you can find the right angle of wind to catch more waves, it can yield a significant advantage.

When thinking of waves, keep in mind how many you are dealing with.  I am sure that in the distance between Blacks and Mile there were probably over 1000 waves we all went through.  Learning how to lessen their impedance or accentuating their assistance, depending on direction traveled can yield huge advantages.  When you mix the different wave types and different wind speeds and angles, the combined variability is as diverse as different snowflakes.  No two days or conditions are ever the same!

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTER:

My favorite regatta of the whole year is coming up this Sunday August 12.  This is a very fun event that benefits this worthwhile cause.  It is a reverse PHRF start, meaning the slow boats start first.  Every boat has their own start so there is no crowded line to deal with.  After the short race, there is a party with trophies, meal and a band playing.  The band is Island Breeze and they are AWESOME.  There is also a silent auction and raffle ticket prizes awarded.  It is not too late to sign up for this fun event.

If I don’t see you at the regatta, I will see you next Tuesday!

Barry L Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice