SEPTEMBER 24, 2019: SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO WAIT

SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO WAIT

I got to the harbor at about 4 and there was no wind showing on the flag at the Crow’s Nest.  The predictions showed a moderate Easterly, but where was it?  As we left the harbor, it still looked dismal with no Easterly blowing inside, but there was a good northwesterly blowing out by Mile buoy so we called for course F2 and postponed long enough for all twelve boats to get out to the start area.  We blew the 5 minute horn and started prepping for our start.  It seems you can never count on the wind to continue and just to prove this point, at about a minute to the start the wind suddenly died.

We were all locked in one big parking lot on the ocean.  I heard so many hails from skippers: “I HAVE NO STEERAGE!” I thought we were in an echo chamber.  Darn, I hate it when we get skunked with no wind and it sure looked like this was going to be the night.  It was 5 to 10 minutes of agony and just when I was getting ready to abandon the race, there was a mild Easterly just starting to blow.  As usual it filled from land and was spreading out to mile so the boats that happened to be closest to Mile buoy had a great head start.  The boats that had ventured further out had to endure more bobbing until the Easterly spread further out.

By the time the first boat reached Wharf mark, there was a good 10-12 knot breeze.  The first boat around Wharf was Patricia J followed by Avatar, Perfect 36, Pacifica Spirit, Nidaros and Toad. It was a wonderful sail back to the finish line.

At the finish it was Patricia J 26:09, Perfect 36 27:18, Pacific Spirit 27:36, Avatar 27:46, Nidaros 29:00, Makani 29:26, Toad 29:28, Tusitala 30:48, Pair a Dice 30:58, Dusk to Dawn 31:14.  The length of the course was 1.5 miles.  Kicks was out and finished just in front of Pair A Dice, but did not run their Race Qs.  Yes, we had to endure the “Dan dance” one more time.

 

So what started out as an excruciating bob-fest turned out to be a beautiful evening for sailing.  Sometimes you Just have to wait!

We had a great gathering at the yacht club with a veritable buffet of great food from the grill.

Race Qs:

Just about everyone is uploading tracks, but there are still some missing.  The track for tonight can be seen at:  https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1017739&divisionId=62182&updatedAt=2019-09-25T01:41:29Z&dt=2019-09-24T17:50:02-07:00..2019-09-24T18:41:13-07:00&boat=The%20Perfect%20Thirty-six&time=1569375450032&focus=The%20Perfect%20Thirty-six&rival=Pair%20a%20dice&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.944582&lon=-122.007050&tilt=1&range=3618&heading=47

STARTS:

This evening was one more evening that emphasized the concept: “ do not venture far from the start line before the start.”  It seems you can never count on the wind to continue, so if the wind dies (as it did tonight) and you are far from the start line you are at a distinct disadvantage.

TUESDAY NIGHTS CONTINUE:

I have mentioned in this blog the possibility of having meetings to play Race Qs tracks and explain how to use them to improve your sailing.  I brought it up at the barbecue and the vote was unanimous.  After our Tuesday night sails stop with the time change, we will continue on Tuesday nights.  Rather than racing, we will have meetings down below at the Yacht club on Tuesday nights.  I think we should start around 6 pm just like our racing.  Our discussions will range from Race QS to topics such as rules and tactics and any other subject about sailing that people want to discuss.  SCYC is blessed with many talented members that could render advice on multiple topics. Keep Tuesday nights on your calendar after sailing stops after the time change.

We will see you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 NORTH BY NORTHWEST

SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

NORTH BY NORTHWEST

We showed up to the harbor and it sure looked like a north wind in the harbor.  Since Pair a Dice decided she needed the night off, I sailed on Kicks with Todd Johnson and crew.  It is always nice sailing on OPB (Other People’s Boats).

As we left the harbor at about 5:25, the North was very apparent but the northwest was still blowing outside as evidenced by the way the boats outside were sailing.  Getting a bearing on the wind direction was a real challenge with the wind changing every few seconds, but I think we set a line pretty square to the wind. We called for course G2: (Start, Gov, Blacks finish) and gave a 5 minute horn.

On Kicks we wanted to start on starboard halfway up the line, but we were a little early and stalled to make the start.  There was quite a crowd of boats at the yellow ball end of the line. After the start, the decision, once again had to be made: inside or outside?  We sailed for a while into the northwesterly breeze (which was a header), but thought it would be better inside where we could sail the northerly straight for Gov.  Several other boats had the same idea.

At Gov, it was Perfect 36 followed by Pacific Spirit, Avatar and Tusitala.  After rounding Gov everyone sailed straight for Blacks.  It seems on downwind runs, there is seldom any change in leading boats.

At the finish, it was: Perfect 36 34:07, Pacific Spirit 34:55, Tusitala 35:23, Avatar 35:58, Patricia J 37:15, Nidaros 38:35, Kicks 39:22, Rosa Nautica 43:34 Sea Quake 43:54 and Aeolian 45:11.  The distance of the course was 2.45 miles.

It was a great night sailing with a beautiful sunset and awesome wind from the North inside and Northwest outside: North by Northwest.

RACE QS:

AWESOME! We are getting more boats showing their tracks.  The tracks for tonight can be viewed at: https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011635&divisionId=61981&updatedAt=2019-09-18T02:31:48Z&dt=2019-09-17T17:34:33-07:00..2019-09-17T19:31:45-07:00&boat=Sea%20Quake&time=1568771129058&focus=Patricia%20J&rival=Kicks&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.954574&lon=-122.000280&tilt=1&range=2018&heading=360

 AWARENESS:

After the race, we cruised around the bay a little enjoying the evening sail.  We picked up the mark and started sailing for the harbor.  I was so enthralled with the evening and enjoying the sunset.  Mark Frasca who sails frequently on Kicks noticed that Sea Quake was trying to sail up the harbor with a North breeze and tried to raise them on the radio. “Something must be wrong”.  Tusitala replied that they were towing Sea Quake in (engine trouble).  Once again my thought was to speed up in front the towing operation and Mark thought it best to wait to see that all was ok.  Meanwhile, Kick’s engine was overheating and we needed to add water to the heat exchanger.  We put a notice out that we may need a tow in and Scotty C on Rosa Nautica volunteered even though he was already in his slip!  We got the water in and Kicks engine cooled down immediately so we were OK.  As we came in the harbor, Sea Quake was at the gas dock and needed  a tow to their slip which Todd accomplished using his dinghy.

My point in recounting all of this is recognizing the caliber of people we are sailing with.  I have sailed a lot with Mark Frasca and have always been amazed at how AWARE he is.  Tonight was a perfect example.  I was totally clueless on how Sea Quake was entering the harbor, but Mark noticed and was ready to take whatever action was necessary to see that all boats got in.  On top of this for Scotty C to recognize our call and offer to come out again if needed was above the call of duty!

The caliber of people that engage in sailing is one of the main reasons that draws me to the sport.  It is a true honor to be associated with all of you!

MECHANICAL ISSUES:

It seems several boats have had problems recently, Sailing Pair A Dice is no exception. Fuel was not getting to my engine which I thought was a fuel leak letting air into my lines.  As it turns out the fuel intake tube that goes from the fuel tank to the engine was totally plugged with dirt which explains why I was not getting fuel.  Just one more thing to be aware of.

NEXT TUESDAY IS THE LAST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH: BARBECUE AT THE CLUB AFTER THE RACE!  BRING YOUR FAVORITE GRILLING FOOD AND MEET AND GREET YOUR FELLOW TUESDAY NIGHT SAILORS.  THE BAR WILL BE OPEN!

See you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair a Dice (but on Kicks for this night)

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 GUSTY EVENING

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

GUSTY EVENING

It looked like a south wind night from the harbor, but upon entering the ocean the northwest wind was still very apparent with gusts up to 20 knots.  We had 12 boats out for the fun.  Kicks and crew were kind enough  to set the buoy and call the course in my absence.  The course was called G2: start to gov, blacks and finish.  The 5 minute horn was blown for a 6pm start.

First off the start line was Pacific Spirit followed by Kicks as the pack all headed to Gov.  From the description I got, it must have been a wild time with the 20 knot gusts. After rounding Gov, everyone filed around Blacks and made their way to the finish line.

At the finish it was Pacific Spirit 28:20, Kicks 30:27, Dusk to Dawn 34:45, Nidaros 38:28 and Sandpiper 42:16.  The length of the course was 2.45 miles.

Thanks to Fred Molnar for providing a description of this gusty evening for me!

Race QS:

It is par for the course that we had 12 boats out, but only 5 recorded. Boats not using this app do not understand what they are missing.  It is an ultimate tool to improve your sailing.

The track for this night is at: https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1072689&divisionId=61843&updatedAt=2019-09-11T01:51:58Z&dt=2019-09-10T17:55:21-07:00..2019-09-10T18:51:53-07:00&boat=Nidaros%20II&time=1568166190283&focus=Dusk%20To%20Dawn&rival=Nidaros%20II%202&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.949992&lon=-121.996633&tilt=1&range=1798&heading=308

In order to learn the most from your race QS track, I suggest you open the tab on the left side of the screen. On the bottom of this open screen there are several tabs (Icons).  I like to select the 3rd tab from the left that has two boats and vs in the icon.  This will open a list of all boats that have recorded.  Pick your boat and the boat that is your competitor.  After picking the two boats you want to observe there are about 7 boxes on the bottom of the open window, I like to highlight the 2^nd 3^rd, 5^th and 6^th box. When the arrow window is closed again, you will notice two boats (you selected) that have a cone in front giving all data about these two boats performance.  A dot is dropped every second at the front of the cone showing where you are steering.  You want to see these dots very closely grouped, showing you are steering a straight line.  You also have noted in this cone, your angle of heel, VMG, SOG. 

If you have highlited the box with a white circle and a T inside, every time your boat tacks there will be a white dot with a T in it where you tacked.  You can click on the white circle T dot and it opens a window showing 8 characteristics of your tack and how efficient it was.

CURSES, FOILED AGAIN!

If it were not for the physics of foils, sailboats would never be able to sail to weather. Understanding and maximizing these foils is crucial to improving your sailing.  The main foils driving your boat are the 2 sails, your keel and your rudder.  The effectiveness of foils is improved when the medium (water or wind) is not disturbed and are able to attach to the outer rounded part of the foil. When a boat is sailing to weather, for every pound of pressure on the back of the sail there are 5 pounds of suction PULLING the boat forward.  To a lesser degree the same physics apply to the under water foils. In order for foils to work efficiently the wind or water must attach and stay attached to the outer curve of the foils.

To demonstrate the importance of this attachment. Take a piece of paper about 4 inches wide and drag it lightly over the corner of a table so the paper is curved.  Hold the paper to your lips and blow across the outer curve.  The paper should be pulled up by the suction of your breath. Now take the same piece of paper and crumple it lightly in your hands, draw it over the corner again so you have a crumpled curve of paper.  Blow across it again and notice how the crumpled surface is not pulled up as much. This is because the flow of the wind is not attached to the paper as well.

We do not have crinkled sails, keels or rudders on sailboats, but there are many ways we can disturb the flow around the foils on our boat. Not steering a straight line is one predominant way.  Every time you change direction, even minimally destroys the attachment to the foils. Proper trim of sails maximizes attachment of wind to the sails.   Another key element is maintaining the same angle of heel.  This is critical also and is accomplished by active trimming of the main by the mainsail trimmer. This is critical on nights such as this when the wind is gusting.  Do everything you can to keep the boat at the same angle of heel! Looking at your track on Race QS can reveal how you can improve your performance.

See you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair a Dice

SEPTEMBER 3, 2019: A SECOND WIND EVENING

SEPTEMBER 3, 2019

A SECOND WIND EVENING

I got to my boat around four o’clock and gave a cursory look at the Crow’s Nest flag.  I am getting less interested in the “read of the flag”.  All that matters is what we have at six oclock on the start line and for the evening!  Still, there was a mild easterly that was apparent on the flag.  As we left the harbor around 5:30, there was a good easterly blowing as far as we could see.  We set the line and called for course B3: Start, Blacks (stbd), Mile (stbd) and finish at the yellow start buoy.

 

We had 17 boats out for the fun. We gave the 5 minute horn and everyone set up for their start.  With the prediction that the favored end of the line (at the start mark) would be very crowded. I set up to start down the line a little hoping for clear air.  It is amazing to me how the starts by all of the boats get better as the summer progresses.  This night was exemplary with very few boats being late to the start line.

 

The beat to blacks was short and sweet with over 10 knots of wind propelling all of us.  After rounding Black point buoy, all boats set up for the long slog into the waves toward Mile.  It was very difficult to get clear air since we were sailing a line basically straight to Mile leaving us to the mercy of all of the windward boats.  At about 100-200 yards from mile, the wind suddenly died and the ocean looked like a parking lot with most of the boats floating motionless.  I announced over the radio that the course would be shortened and the finish was to be the extension of the line from Walton lighthouse through mile buoy.  I felt there was no way anyone wanted to drift slowly back to the finish line.

At the finish, it was Pacific Spirit 33:26, Nidaros 35:05, Tusitala 36:13, Makani 37:15, Perfect 36 37:43, Aeolian 41:10, Kicks 41:42 and Pair A Dice 42:00.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 1.63 miles.

After each of us rounded Mile and headed back toward the harbor, the wind came back up to over 10 knots for a great sail back to the harbor.  I cannot ever remember an easterly wind that died and then came back later in the evening.  Many of the boats stayed out after the race to enjoy the beautiful evening.  It seemed like the ocean got its second wind for the evening.

We had a great crowd dining at the Crow’s Nest after the race.  We kept adding more and more tables to accommodate all 26 of us!

RACE QS:

I know we had 17 boats out for the evening but only about half of the boats tracks uploaded.  Some have asked why their tracks do not show.  I suggest the following tips on getting your tracks to appear.  Before you leave the harbor, preset the start to 17:45 (5:45) and be sure to mount you phone parallel to the center-line of the boat, face up and top of the phone pointing toward the bow.  Our phones are very sensitive and in order to record the boats motion, you do not want it floating around in a sail bag.  I usually get two people to run the app on my boat, but only one will upload.  Once the race is over, hold the phone in your hand and press the flashing red light in the upper right corner.  A menu comes up with several options.  I click on “save and upload” and the track goes to the “cloud”.  Somehow any boats running the app at the same time in the same location is gathered and replays on your home computer.

The track for tonight can be found at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=61626&updatedAt=2019-09-04T02:47:45Z&dt=2019-09-03T17:45:01-07:00..2019-09-03T19:37:07-07:00&boat=Pair%20a%20dice&time=1567562462136&focus=Pair%20a%20dice&rival=Makani&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.941849&lon=-122.005953&tilt=1&range=865&heading=90

There is some interest expressed in getting together at the club to review Race QS tracks and have discussions on tactics and rule.  Stay tuned for further developments on this.

LESSONS LEARNED:

On this night, like usual Pair A Dice sailed a straight line to the mark: mile.  We should have done like many of the boats and steered a course closer to the wind.  The line that we took, left us constantly dealing with b 

ad wind from the windward boats.

It is true that Kicks beat Sailing Pair A Dice tonight!   Kicks finish ahead of us was well done, congratulations!  Dan Medler who has been a longtime crew of Kicks is a great guy. He loves to win, whether it be backgammon or sailing.  When he wins he loves to perform a “victory dance”.  The first time I witnessed this dance, I thought he was having a seizure and cleared sharp objects away from him so he wouldn’t hurt himself. Watching his dance is like looking at a train wreck, you have to look, but wish you never saw it.  Yes, we had to witness his dance on this night.   If you have never witnessed his dance, count your blessings.  The dance is much worse than the defeat!

HOW FAR WE HAVE COME:

Years ago we had a “healthy group of  four or five boats” that came out every Tuesday night for an impromptu night on the water.  Todd Johnson who sails on Kicks now, had this tee-shirt made to celebrate the “crowd” we had on the water.  At that point he was sailing his Catalina 30 “Odyssey”.  Thanks to all of you for participating in our Tuesday nights.  It has really been fun to see the group grow and share in the fun we are having!

I look forward to sailing with you again next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice