JUNE 30, 2020: LAST TUESDAY OF JUNE

 JUNE 30, 2020

LAST TUESDAY OF JUNE

I had checked Predict wind for the forecast and the prediction was decreasing and even dying wind.  As frequently happens, the predictions were wrong and the wind seemed healthy in the harbor and on the flag at the Crow’s Nest.    Arriving at the start mark the wind was about 15 knots from 230.

We got ambitious and called for course W3 and blew the 5 minute horn for a 6PM start. 

On Pair a Dice, we determined there was no favored end of the line since the line was square to the wind.  Our strategy was to start right at the inside end of the line on starboard tack.  As it turns out, we were a little early and had to run the line a little to start on time.  One by one all boats tacked over to sail inside.  As PAD went further inside, we noticed the wind was dying so tacked back out, basically tacking down the middle of the course.  At Schuyler mark, it was Patricia J, Perfect 36, Pair a Dice, and Avatar.

On the run back to Blacks, we thought it best to stay outside for the greater wind, but noticed an Easterly building toward the beach.  We headed down to get through the transition zone and, as usual getting through the zone was excruciating and slow until we got into the Easterly.  Several boats headed outside again but we noticed that the Easterly was very strong toward the beach and sailed clear to the kelp line before tacking back out.  What a treat to start the race in 15-18 knot wind from the Northwest and finish the race in 15 knot wind from the East! At Blacks,  Patricia J had a healthy lead on PAD, as we all made our way to the finish line.  At the finish, Patricia J was well ahead of all of us (no Race QS track, no time), then Pair a Dice 1:02:43, Avatar 1:03:47, Perfect 36 1:04:12 and Odonata 1:10:15.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 3.23 NM.

Race QS:

It is a shame that only four boats used this app tonight when we had over a dozen boats out for the fun! This is a free app for your phone that allows us to record your time.  If you are so inclined and want to check your performance against other boats, you can calculate by using PHRF difference and course length.  Additionally, this app can show you how efficiently you are sailing showing your angle of heel, SOG, VMG and efficiency in tacking. It is a great learning tool, so please use it to improve your sailing and to be counted!

The course for tonight can be found at:  https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=65164&updatedAt=2020-07-01T02:34:22Z&dt=2020-06-30T17:45:01-07:00..2020-06-30T19:34:14-07:00&boat=Pairadice&time=1593569225938&focus=Pairadice&rival=Odonata&tab=fleet&view=follow&lat=36.954155&lon=-121.996115&tilt=5&range=453&heading=339

SAIL TOWARD THE NEW WIND:

As the Easterly was filling inside, there was talk of tacking back out for the wind outside.  Fred insisted: “Sail toward the new wind!”  I had never heard this before, but getting into the stronger Easterly toward the beach sure helped us on this night.

VALUABLE CREWMEMBERS:

As a boat owner, I really appreciate my valuable crewmembers.  Any skipper realizes that doing well requires a team that works well together. What makes a valuable crewmember?  A valuable foredeck crew handles the whisker pole or spinnaker efficiently.  Crew that can get a jib in quickly when tacking, or keeping the main properly trimmed. The tactician apprises the skipper of things that are happening on the water.  Steering a boat in a race requires a lot of concentration (for me) and having someone apprise me of what other boat are doing and whether they are a threat is critical especially during the starting sequence. 

I will see you out there next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice