MARCH 30, 2021 AVATAR RULES!

 

TUESDAY MARCH 30, 2021

AVATAR RULES!

The predictions were for light wind so I went to the boat early to install the 155 jib.  I was really wondering about the swap because it was around 3pm and  there was enough wind to make the change difficult.  Sure enough, as we left the harbor the wind seemed to be getting lighter.  We set the marks for the start line, called for a simple course: Start to Schuyler and back to start.  We blew the 5 minute horn. 

On Pair A Dice, we noticed that there was more wind outside.  There was also another consideration.  Since the inland temperatures were so high, we were expecting the Easterly wind to fill in.  We tried to keep an eye toward the East to see if this was happening.  After the start, many boats went inside and some boats went outside.  Pair A Dice saw more wind outside and kept sailing out toward the wind line which seemed to be moving out as we were sailing toward it.  We were still sailing while we watched the boats that went inside bobbing around barely moving.  We were feeling smug in our decision to go outside on starboard tack, when suddenly our jib got backwinded by the Easterly.  There we were stuck in a transition zone, while the inside boats sailed briskly on the Easterly that always builds in first toward the beach.  It was understandable when boats called in to retire one after the other.

The first boat to round Schuyler was Avatar, followed by Kicks, Pacific Spirit, Muffin and Tusitala. About this time, the sun was setting and the wind seemed to be receding even more.  Avatar was the only boat to finish the complete course.  Congratulations to Doug and his crew.  AVATAR RULES!

SAIL TO THE NEW WIND!

Years ago, we had 3 boats sailing on Tuesday nights.  There was a proficient sailor on Pacific Spirit who always steered courses that did not make sense to us on PAD.  It seemed he was always steering away from the next mark.  We were stymied by these moves but almost always would be following Pacific Spirit around the mark.  They won many races using this tactic: sailing to the new wind!

On this night, PAD thought we were sailing to the new wind OUTSIDE, even though we anticipated an Easterly would be building.  When the Easterly finally materialized we were too far away to take advantage of it.  Lessons like this are best learned by sailing on Tuesday night in our informal race format. 

RACE QS:

We have some new boats out for Tuesday nights.  Remember to download the Race QS app to your smart phone and preset it to run at 5:45 (17:45) so you can replay your pre-race tactics.  The track for tonight can be replayed, but it does not record as a race.  Possibly because only one boat finished?   The track for tonight can be seen at:   https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=70694&updatedAt=2021-03-31T03:05:35Z&dt=2021-03-30T15:45:00-07:00..2021-03-30T20:05:32-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1617156981787&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Avatar&tab=match&view=manual&lat=36.952442&lon=-121.996434&tilt=3&range=3710&heading=266

Looking forward to next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice (PAD)

 

MARCH 23, 2021: WILD NIGHT ON THE WATER

 

MARCH 23, 2021

WILD NIGHT ON THE WATER

Predictions for the night were for high winds, but when I got to the harbor, the wind seemed to be light.  Occasionally there would be a gust of wind that would roll through the harbor, but nothing I saw seemed to be out of control.  The crew arrived and as we left the harbor, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.  The light wind was coming out of the North, so I decided to set the start mark approximately where the normal start mark is located.  I had a “brilliant idea” and decided to set a fender as the other end of the line and tried to set a course square to the wind.  I had a mushroom anchor but no chain and I thought enough rode for the anchor to hold.  By this time, the bombs of wind started to hit the water and us.  We all know how to deal with 25 knot winds, but when the wind vacillates suddenly from 13 knots to 25 knots it gets exciting.

I called for a course from the start, Gov, Mile and back to start (finish).  In conditions like this, the question arises: Reef or no reef?  Do you set your boat up for the light wind or for the heavy wind?  I would say, reef if you are out for a casual sail.  If racing use full sails.  Indeed, this is the way all the boats set up.

As my “brilliant idea” played out the fender end of the start line was drifting away.  I guess with no chain and not enough rode, the mushroom anchor skips across the bottom!  Understandable as most boats sailed by the red mark for the start.  PAD had another bad start and had the “pleasure” of watching  the boats ahead of us getting blasted with the gusts.  Many boats heeling over or rounding up.

At Gov, Aquavie was first, followed by Pacific Spirit, Geronimo, Kicks, PAD and Nidaros. Everyone sailed their own course trying the maximize the effect of the gusts on their way to Mile. At Mile,  Geronimo was first, then Aquavie, Pacific Spirt, Kicks, PAD and Nidaros. 

As we all made our way back to the start mark, we were once again watching boats get blasted with the wind.  Many boats were getting heeled dramatically as we all tried to get to the finish line. At the finish, it was Aquavie 34:35, Geronimo 34:52, Pacific Spirit 35:29, Kicks 38:26, PAD 38:28 and Nidaros 43:13.  All times are elapsed and the course length was about 3.15 nautical miles.

Thank you for the brave souls that ventured out for the fun and wild night on the water.

RACE QS:

I think this was the first night that all boats recorded their tracks.  The track for tonight can be found at:  

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&updatedAt=2021-03-24T02:31:19Z&dt=2021-03-23T15:45:05-07:00..2021-03-23T19:28:51-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1616550193989&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Kicks&tab=match&view=manual&lat=36.949248&lon=-121.993944&tilt=11&range=1543&heading=342

SAILING FROM BEHIND:

Pair A Dice had a horrible start for this evening, once again emphasizing the point to not venture far from the start line especially in gusty winds.  Getting stuck with light wind far from the line is not fun. 

 

DEALING WITH GUSTS:

Remember one concept emphasized by leading sailors:  Always try to keep your boat at the same angle of heel!  The thought is that every time your boat changes its angle of heel, the  flow over the foils that pull your boat along are disturbed and are not efficient.  These foils are above (sails) and below (Keel and rudder) the waterline.  But how do you accomplish this in very gusty winds?  I reminded my mainsheet trimmer of this concept at the beginning of the race.  Each time we saw a puff approaching on the water, the trimmer “blew the main” and I used the extra wind on the jib as a lift.  Using this technique, kept the boat heeling at the same angle and got us around Gov without having to tack.

The run to Mile was interesting as everyone used different tactics.  Some sailing dead down wind, some broad reaching and several using whisker poles.  We didn’t use a whisker pole, but we broad reached down until we could go DDW to tack over to round mile.

On the beat back to the start mark after Mile, we found that strapping the jib in tight and playing the main worked well for us.  Releasing  the main in the puffs and sail strictly with the jib kept the boat at a consistent angle of heel.  

ANCHORING:

I know anchors are attached to chain then rode.  I did not have chain and I misjudged the rode length.  The results were not good, with the fender mark drifting with the wind and waves.  The chain attachment to the anchor keeps the anchor dug in to prevent dragging.  Even with a chain on the anchor, it is critical to have proper rode length, even for a small thing like a fender.  I would suggest at least 1.5 to two times the water depth for a fender.

BECAUSE OF COVID RESTRICTIONS, THERE WILL BE NO BARBECUE NEXT TUESDAY.

See you out there next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice (PAD)

 

MARCH 16, 2021 FIRST TUESDAY NIGHT SAIL OF THE SEASON

 

TUESDAY MARCH 16, 2021

FIRST TUESDAY NIGHT SAIL OF THE SEASON

What a great start for the season!  It was sunny with 15 to 17 knots of wind.  Since it was early in the season, we had no start mark so had to improvise and start at Gov.  The wind, as is customary for Santa Cruz was from 240 degrees.  We set the mark square to the wind but we did not anticipate that 13 boats would be sailing and the line was a little short for this many boats. We are a little rusty but getting up to speed!  We called for a course: start to Schuyler, Mile with finish line being between Gov and end of the wharf.  We blew the five minute horn and set up for our start.

With the line so short and so many boats, the start was very exciting and PAD ended up in bad air for most of the first leg.  We wanted to tack over for clear air, but could not get a clear path without ducking multiple boats.  We watched with envy as Avatar tacked and successfully found a clear path to clean air. At Schuyler, the first around was Geronimo followed by New Wave, Pacific Spirit, Tusitala, Avatar, PAD and Kicks.

The run to Mile was nice, but there was no change in order of boats rounding.  At the finish line Geronimo was first with 24:27, New Wave 25:23, Tusitala 25:46, Pacific Spirit 25:59, Avatar 26:37, Pair A Dice 28:26 and Kicks 30:31.  Times are elapsed and length of course was 2.61 miles.

After an exhausting winter with Covid, harbor shoaling and social distancing, it was great to see everyone out sailing again!   Welcome back Kicks and crew who took a “Covid Break” from sailing last year.  It was a beautiful evening and an awesome start for the season!

RACE QS:

About one half of the boats used this app tonight.  Using Race QS is the only way to be counted and to see how you did in the race. 

The track for this night can be found at:  https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&updatedAt=2021-03-17T02:21:41Z&dt=2021-03-16T17:45:11-07:00..2021-03-16T19:21:20-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1615944751714&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Avatar&tab=setup&view=follow&lat=36.955929&lon=-122.010872&tilt=39&range=893&heading=19

SENSITIVITY:

I have always had problems with lack of sensitivity.  Not on a personal basis, but in determining differences between this and that.  When I surfed, my idea of adjusting a fin was to move it from the front of the fin box to the back, while sensitive surfers would adjust by ¼ inch.  I find I also lack sensitivity while sailing.  I have problems adjusting sail trim for maximum effect.  One of my crew members is able to immediately “sense” that things are immediately perfect with a minor change in trim.  Winning sailboat races is all about doing everything exactly right.  Trimming the main: traveler position, mainsheet, vang, outhaul, Cunningham all must be just right.  Complicating this is the fact that adjusting one of these often will requires readjusting another.  Knowing how to read telltales is crucial but knowing which adjustment to make to get the telltales right is the secret!  To make up for lack of  sensitivity, I will monitor boat speed as adjustments are made to hone in on the best setting.  Of course, while doing this, you must watch the wind speed changes.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

MARCH 8, 2021 A NEW SAILING SEASON AND REGISTRATION FORM

 

MARCH 8, 2021

A NEW SAILING SEASON

How many more obstacles do we need to tackle in order to sail?  Harbor shoaled in and Covid are and were major obstacles.  Mechanical problems are another.  On Pair A Dice, my oil pan rusted through and I have a new engine on order.  I was able to temporarily patch the oil pan with JB weld so I am still able to take the boat out and conduct the Tuesday Night Sailing from Pair A Dice. 

Covid is still an issue.  Many of us who are old enough to retire have received at least one of the two Covid vaccinations that are required for 90+% safety.  My personal feeling is that Covid will quickly dissipate as more vaccinations are given.   I encourage everyone to wear a properly fitted mask any time on a boat.  PFD and mask go hand in hand, please wear both until further notice and lifting of mask restrictions .

It is the start of a new season of Tuesday Night Sailing.  With the change in time implemented on March 14, our first Tuesday Night Sailing will be on Tuesday the 16^th.  We will be using the same (yellow) course cards as last year.  The start time will be our usual 6pm (5:55 horn).  Below are the documents for this year: Notice of race, Sailing instructions and course card copy.  There is also an application for entering your boat for the season. Please submit a check for payment with your registration.  REMEMBER TO RUN YOUR RACE QS APP!

I am looking forward to another great season of sailing and association with my sailing friends.  Hopefully, by the end of the season, we will not even remember what a mask is. 

 

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

     _)                           _)                                       _)                                (_                  (_        (_

2021 Tuesday Night Developmental Race Series

 

Each Tuesday Night of 2021 during Daylight Savings Time

 

Santa Cruz Yacht Club, Santa Cruz, CA

 

Notice of Race

 

Invitation: The Santa Cruz Yacht Club invites interested boats and their crews to participate in

a developmental racing skills series.

 

Rules

The Regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing.

 

The Sailing Instructions will change RRS 40 so that flotation devices are worn regardless

of the display of Flag Y. Full text of this and other changes to the racing rules will appear in the SI’s.

 

Eligibility and Entry: 

The regatta is open to boats berthed in, and visiting, Santa Cruz Harbor.

 

Eligible boats may enter by completing the attached entry form and returning it with the

entry fee to SCYC before participating in the race series. 

 

Schedule: 

Each Tuesday Night of 2021 during Daylight Savings Time Racing will be held

1755 hrs First warning signal Race 1

Following the racing on the last Tuesday of each month a post race debriefing and potluck barbecue will be held at the SCYC Clubhouse

 

Scoring: The racing will be boat-for-boat.   Boats may be scored via uploading of their recorded .gpx tracks to RaceQs ( https://raceqs.com/ ).  However, being a developmental regatta, the races may also not be scored.  

                                           

 

                                          

2021 Tuesday Night Developmental Race Series

Each Tuesday Night during Daylight Savings Time  2021

Santa Cruz Yacht Club

Sailing Instructions

 

Rules:   The Regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of

Sailing unless otherwise indicated in these sailing instructions.  The first sentence of RRS 40                                           

is changed to: Competitors shall wear personal floatation devices, except briefly while changing or     adjusting clothing or personal equipment                                                               

Notices to Competitors: Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located in the window of the northeast corner of the clubhouse.  General race information and recaps may also be posted online at http://sailingpairadice.blogspot.com/

Schedule: 

Racing is held each Tuesday Night of 2021 during Daylight Savings Time

First warning signal will be sounded at 1755.  After racing on the last Tuesday of each month a debriefing and barbecue will follow at the SCYC Clubhouse.

Racing Area: The racing area will be within 3 miles of Walton Lighthouse.

Communications:  

Boats should Monitor VHF channel 69 before start time for course location, start time, and designated course. 

Marks: Marks are described in the attached Tuesday Night Course Card.

The Start: The start line shall be a line containing Start mark and designated landmark or temporary mark placed for other end of line if conditions permit.   Starting area may be moved to other locations as announced prior to racing on VHF Channel 69. 

RRS 26, and 27 shall be replaced with the following simplified starting procedure.  A single warning signal horn shall be sounded 5 minutes prior to the start.   

Recalls: RRS 29 will be changed to the following:  A designated boat may sight the line to call “over early boats”.   Boats over early will be announced on VHF Channel 69.  If called over early, vessels are obligated to restart properly to be given a finish.  Postponement of the starting sequence or cancelation of racing will also be announced on Channel 69.

Courses:  Attached Tuesday Night Course Card indicates courses to be used. Courses will be communicated from the organizing race boat to the racing fleet over VHF channel 69 prior to the first warning signal.  This changes Rule 27.1

The Finish:The finish line will be on a line between the buoy indicated in the course chart and extension of the indicated landmark within 200 feet of the buoy. 

PENALTY SYSTEM:

RRS 44.1 is changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty

 

PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS:

 

Protest forms are available at the SCYC regatta shed and at the SCYC Clubhouse office and at: https://www.ussailing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/US-Sailing-2017-2020-Protest-Form.pdf

 

 Protests and requests for redress shall be delivered to the race committee at the SCYC Club house bar within the time limit.

The protest filing time limit will be 60 minutes after the arrival of the race committee at the SCYC bar on the last Tuesday of the Month, and will be posted on the SCYC Official Noticeboard.

Notices will be posted no later than 30 minutes after the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses.

 

TUESDAY NIGHT SAILING COURSE CARD

 

LANDMARKS

BP=Blacks point, 

S=White house at Schwan Lagoon, 

JLH=Jetty lighthouse, 

Wharf end=end of Santa Cruz Municipal pier

 

MARK DISCRIPTIONS

Blacks Yellow Ball          36 57.11’N 121 59.07’W  |SC3 Yellow Can               36 56.49’N 121 58.00’W   Gov White Ball                36 57.47’N 122 00.73’W  |Start/Finish Yellow Ball 36 57.06’N 121 59.64’W        Mile Buoy                        36 56.35’N 122 00.58’W   |Schuyler Yellow Ball      36 56.87’N 122 01.27’W                                                                             

 

All marks left to port unless designated (stb) which shall be rounded to starboard

 

Whiskey, NW WIND (start line Start Mark & S 330M) 

          W 1 Start, Schuyler, Mile, Blacks, Finish (stb)                                                             3.95NM

          W 2 Start, Schuyler, Mile , Gov(stb), finish                                                                   4.18NM

          W 3 Start, Schuyler, Blacks, Finish(stb)                                                                        3.55NM

          W 4 Start, Schuyler(stb), Gov(stb), Finish                                                                     3.04NM

          W 5 Start, Schuyler, Finish                                                                                              2.65NM

          W 6 Start, Finish at Gov (stb) (line = Gov & Wharf end )                                            0.98NM

 

Mike, S wind (Start line SM & JLH 310M)

           M 1 Start, Mile(stb), Gov(stb) (line= Gov & Wharf end)                                              2.16NM

           M 2 Start, Mile, Finish                                                                                                      2.07NM

           M 3 Start, Finish at Mile(stb) (Finish line= Mile & JLH                                               1.03NM

 

Bravo, E wind (Start line SM & BP - 352M)

           B 1 Start(stb), Blacks(stb), Mile(stb), Gov(stb), Finish                                                   3.97NM

           B 2 Start(stb), SC3, Blacks, Finish(stb)                                                                       2.90NM

           B 3 Start(stb), Blacks(stb), Mile(stb), Finish                                                                    2.90NM                 

           B 4 Start(stb), Blacks, Gov, Finish                                                                                    2.80NM

           B 5 Start(stb), Blacks, Start, Blacks, Finish(stb)                                                              1.80NM

           B 6 Start(stb), Blacks, Finish(stb)                                                                                      0.90NM

 

GOLF, North wind (start line SM & BP352M)

          G 1 Start, Gov, Mile, Blacks, Finish(stb)                                                                           3.97NM

          G 2 Start, Gov, Blacks, Finish(stb)                                                                                     2.80NM

          G 3 Start, Gov, Finish                                                                                                          1.95NM

          G 4 Start, Finish at Gov (line = Gov & Wharf end)                                                          0.98NM                  

 

Oscar, Other

   O1 Start at mile(stb) (start line =Mile & and extension of a line from JLH), Schuyler(stb) 1.50NM

              Finish mark=Gov(stb) (finish line = Gov & end of Wharf)

   O2 Start at Mile (start line=mile & extension of a line from JLH)  ,                                       1.51NM

              Schuyler, Mile (Finish finish line= Mile and end of wharf)

   O3 To Be Determined

2021 Series Entry and Waiver Form

 

Each Tuesday Night during Daylight Savings Time

 

Santa Cruz Yacht Club, Santa Cruz, CA

 

Entry Form

 

Name: _____________________________ Sail Number: _______________

Address: ___________________________ Boat Name: ________________

Boat make and model:_____________________ PHRF:________________

City/St/Zip: _________________________ Boat location(slip#)__________

E-mail: ______________________      Cell Number:_____________________

(E-mail and Cell number will be available to other participants)

 

Waiver and Release of Liability

In consideration of my entry in the Regatta on behalf of myself, my heirs, successors and

assigns, I hereby waive any and all claims, actions, suits and demands against Santa Cruz

Yacht Club, the respective officers, directors, employees, and agents (all the forgoing

hereby referred to as “the Hosts”) for any personal injury (including death) or property

damage resulting from the negligence or other acts of omission by the Hosts or any of

them as a result of my participation in the Event and do hereby release and discharge the

Hosts there from. I acknowledge that participation in the sport of sailboat racing involves

substantial risk of personal injury or even death and I hereby assume the risk of any such

injury that may occur while participating in the Event.

I agree to be bound by The Racing Rules of Sailing and any other rules that govern this

event.

 

Owner/Skipper __________________________ Date ________________

Entry Fee for series: $35 for SCYC members    $50 for nonmembers

 

Payment options:

Cash

Check (Check Number ____________) payable: Santa Cruz Yacht Club

Payment received by _______________ Date ________________