AUGUST 20, 2019
EVENING OF ENDLESS
TRANSITIONS
When I got to the harbor around
4pm, the flag was very limp on the Crows Nest, but I could feel a little breeze
on my face so I felt encouraged. We have
been here before: light wind at 4pm and the wind builds for our races around
6PM. We left the harbor around 5:25 and
witnessed a fair South-Easterly blowing, but not strong enough to set the buoy
for a start line. Sure enough by 6pm the
Easterly had died with many boats engaged in a float-fest WAITING for a call on
the course. Wait for an Easterly or go outside?
The decision was made when I noticed a multi-hull sailing with speed
around Mile buoy. Kicks also volunteered that there was 8-10 knots of breeze
around mile. I called for a course
starting at mile: Mile (start line an extention of Walton lighthouse and mile
buoy) to wharf (port rounding) finish at mile (taking Mile to port). It did not seem like an ambitious course, but
it would do. As most of the boats got to
the mile buoy area, we blew a 5 minute horn and set up for our start.
It was WONDERFUL to be sailing in
great wind for the start. Some boats
started further out where there was better wind. Pair A Dice started pretty much at mile buoy
and was making good progress toward wharf.
As we sailed closer to wharf mark, there seemed to be lighter wind
inside. Many boats saw the lighter wind
inside and tacked back out to the better wind.
We sailed on in and did experience more wind as we approached the mark,
but suddenly there was no wind and we saw an easterly filling all the way out
to the point! We decide to capitalize on
the Easterly and sailed down-wind toward the mark. By the time we rounded the mark we were WAY
BEHIND many of the boats that had sailed outside for the better northwesterly
breeze.
As we sailed back toward mile,
there was a “parking lot” on the way to mile consisting of all of the boats
that tried to capitalize on the Northwesterly alone. They were caught in the transition zone! As we sailed into the pack of boats, trying to
use the Easterly breeze, we suddenly caught a wisp of northwesterly breeze and
were able to pass many of the parked boats.
At the finish it was Tusitala
37:07, Pacific Spirit 38:59, Avatar 42:46, Nidaros 45:10, PAD 45:21, Aeolian
47:22 and Sandpiper 1:31:52. The course
length was 1.5 miles.
Though it was not a long course,
with the “evening of endless transitions” it was definitely long enough!
We had a great time socializing at the Crows nest after the
race.
Race QS:
More and more boats are uploading their tracks. This is a good sign and necessary to be
counted. The track for this night can be seen at:
CONSIDERATIONS ON TOWING:
On this night Pair a Dice could not get the engine to run
and needed a tow. Scottie C on Rosa
Nautica was kind enough to assist. There
are several factors that need to be considered when being towed. First is the
attachment point on both boats. You want to make certain your attachment points
are sturdy enough to handle the load.
Boats are built to withstand excessive loads, but consider if you have a
single cleat on your boat and you tie to that cleat. With the influence of waves and other
factors, if you have two 15,000 pound boats surging and catching up, these
loads can be astronomical. The “weakest
link in the chain” comes into play. For
our tow on this night we constructed a bridle from two winches on the cabin top
with a loop at the bow.
The second consideration
is what line to use for the tow? Would
you rather have a steel cable towing you or a bungee cord? The steel cable would not be forgiving at all
and could rip cleats out of your deck. A
rubber band would be too springy, but a NYLON line would be the perfect
compromise. Most lines these days are
promoted for not stretching. Sometimes stretch is good! This is one of those times, use nylon for the
tow line for its stretchiness and flexibility.
It may save your boat!
The towing boat should travel at a steady speed that is not
too fast to avoid excessive loads. Thank
you to Scotty and the crew of Rosa Nautica for their expert assistance.
NEXT WEEK IS THE LAST TUESDAY OF THE
MONTH! BARBECUE NIGHT AT THE CLUB. BRING YOUR FAVORITE BARBECUE FOOD TO THE CLUB
AND MEET AND GREET THE PEOPLE YOU SAIL WITH! BAR IS OPEN! CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED!
I am looking
forward to next Tuesday!
Barry Keeler
Sailing Pair A Dice
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