AUGUST 11, 2020: AWESOME NIGHT FOR A SAIL

AUGUST 11, 2020

AWESOME NIGHT FOR A SAIL

Arriving at the harbor at around 4 o’clock, there seemed to be a lot of wind clear into the harbor.  The flag on the Crow’s Nest was also showing a lot.  I took a stroll down to the beach to see what the conditions were.  Predictions were for 15 knots and decreasing through the evening.  The ocean had a steady breeze that looked like no more than 15 knots (very few whitecaps and flat water). It was a night for the 155 jib.

As we left the harbor, it looked like nothing had changed. At the start buoy we determined the wind angle was 230 degrees and set the red ball for the line square to this wind. By 5:50 we had about 15 boats out for the fun.  We called for course Whiskey 1 and blew a 5 minute horn.

On Pair A Dice, we detected no favored end of the line, but wanted to start toward the shore end of the line to allow us to tack early toward the inside.  There was no advantage to going further out since the wind was consistent and going inside early would give us smoother water to sail on.  We had quite a pile up at the line with boats being called out for barging.   After the mayhem of the start, it was smooth sailing as we all made our way to the first mark: Schuyler.  At Schuyler, race QS had the order of rounding as Pair A Dice, Geronimo, Pacific Spirit, Perfect 36, Odonata, Sophia, Nidaros, Toad and Caseio.

On the way to Mile, Pair A Dice got waterlined as several of the larger boats passed us.  At Mile buoy it was Geronimo, Perfect 36, Pair a Dice and Pacific Spirit.

After an uneventful rounding of Blacks, the finishing order was Pacific  Spirit 52:46, Pair A Dice 53:14, Geronimo 54:22, Perfect 36 55:05, Odonata 58:57, Nidaros 59:43, Sophia 1:00:30 and Toad 1:04:41.  All times are elapsed and the course length was 3.95 NM.

RACE QS!!!!

There were many faster boats leading the pack tonight that did not run the race QS track.  It is necessary to run this app to be counted: no track=no time to record. I would like to give some tips on how to use Race QS. 

It is best to preset the start of your track.  If everyone starts their track at 5:45, we will get a track of what boats are doing for the start.  If you preset the start for a later time, like 6pm, your boat will be still and not move until that time. It is best to mount your phone close to centerline in your boat face up with top of phone facing the bow.  I mount mine in a cradle in my chart table.

   I do not know what a phone call will do to your track. I avoid answering any calls while running my track.  I like to plug my phone in to power so it stays charged the whole time.  It does not hurt to have two phones running the same track.  Running the app on two phones costs nothing, the app is free.   Once you start using this app to analyze your sailing, you will be amazed at what you will learn.

The track for tonight can be found at:   https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011635&divisionId=66196&updatedAt=2020-08-12T02:16:22Z&dt=2020-08-11T17:13:00-07:00..2020-08-11T19:16:06-07:00&boat=Dice&model=J24&time=1597194262923&focus=Dice&rival=Odonata&tab=match&view=match

APPLYING THE RULES:

The start tonight was rather interesting as starts can be.  To me the start is the most exciting time of the race: all boats in close quarters using rules to tactically achieve an advantage.  I have sailed several times in the Santana 22 team racing events and it has been a huge revelation to me about application of rules.  People often call “barging” at the start.  Though this term is correct, there is no “barging rule” in the RRS. There IS windward leeward rights.  The leeward boat can luff an overlapped windward boat up over the line.  This is not being rude, this is part of sailing.  In the Santana races, boats will go out of their way to prevent being caught as the windward boat because they know the consequence of such action.  After the races, conversations are jovial and comments like “you really got me on that start!” are reiterated. I have respect for sailors that use the rules to their advantage.  Rules are rules, and it is best to not get caught in awkward situations. The best way to avoid being caught in a barging situation: slow down (“blow the main”) and take a second row position.  It is better to start behind another boat than have to miss the line and necessitate circling around to properly start.

THE WONDERFUL WHISKER POLE:

              Years ago when I first acquired my boat I had a whisker pole that was not retractable.  It was about 13 feet long and seemed to be very heavy.  I got a Forespar retractable whisker pole that collapses to about 9 feet that can be extended to about 14 feet.  The retractable pole seems lighter and is easier to handle. Once installed and positioned correctly,  we position the pole in line with the boom and keep it as close to horizontal as possible. Both the boom and whisker pole are at 90 degrees to the wind.   The lazy sheet is cleated off to keep the pole from bouncing up and down.

I know the tactic used by many of the race boats is to reach off for a hotter angle of sail.  By going faster, they can make up the extra distance sailed.  On most of our cruising boats, you may go a little faster reaching off but probably not fast enough to make up for the extra distance sailed.  This is why the whisker pole works so well for our cruising boats.  We try not to sail dead down wind, it is better to sail “in the box” with the windex pointing to one of the arms.  This is a little hotter angle of sail and gives a little more speed.

TUESDAY NIGHT BARBECUE:

I know it is not the last Tuesday of the month, but next Tuesday (8/18) we will have a barbecue at the club after our race with some important Covid changes.  In the past, we have all brought our own food to cook on the barbecue.  With Covid and to prevent crowding, we will have only one or two cooks at the grill.  If you want to bring something to cook, leave it with the cook at the grill and once cooked you will be called to pick it up.  Our cook (Mike Gross) will provide some items for those without food and there will be a jar for you to deposit whatever money you feel is fair to cover the costs. The cook(s) will not touch the food, it will be handled by spatulas and tongs.  The bar will be open from the door upstairs, but the club will be closed (dress warmly).  Support the club by getting your drinks from the bar (no cash, they accept credit cards). Hand sanitizer will be readily available (please use frequently). We will spread out on the upper and lower decks and maintain social distancing.  Masks will be mandatory (if not actively eating or drinking).  There is no pressure, only come if you feel safe.  Do not come if you are experiencing symptoms.  It will be an opportunity for people to meet, mingle and be safe.

See you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice