MAY 11, 2021 LIGHT SOUTHERLY TUESDAY

 

MAY 11, 2021

LIGHT SOUTHERLY TUESDAY

The forecast from Predict Wind was not very encouraging indicating winds decreasing from 9 knots to 3 knots.  As we approached the start mark we determined that the wind was light and coming from 190 degrees almost due south!   For this night I sailed on Natorious to set the mark and call the course.  Thanks to the crew of Natorious for accommodating me!  We set a line square to the wind and called for course M2: start to mile and back to start.  We blew a 5 minute horn at 5:55 and set up for the start.

Though the line was square to the wind, one end of the line was closer to the mark and most boats seemed to set up to start at the red ball end of the line.  Natorious was lucky enough to start right at the mark while some boats that were early ran the line to kill time to not be OCS. There were multiple challenges on this night with shifting winds, pockets with very light wind and the elusive wind lines always ahead and out of reach.

All boats tacked their way to mile and the first around was Geronimo, followed by our newest addition Sweetheart (SC 52), Aquavi, Tusitala, Zoop, Pacific Spirit, Nidaros, Avatar, Makani, Perfect 36, Muffin, Kicks, Toad, Sophia and Natorious.

On the way back to start, it was not any easier.  Many of the boats were sailing wing on wing.  We found it was a little more efficient to broad reach toward the mark. I also used Homer’s advice about sailing in light wind: trim the jib and tighten and center the main. It seemed to work! At the finish there was a wide difference with 50 minutes separating the first boat from the last boat.  First across the finish line was Geronimo  42:44, Patricia J (No track=no time) Sweetheart 54:49, Tusitala 57:18, Zoop 58:00, Aquavi 1:00:06, Pacific Spirit 1:04:16, Nidaros 1:06:06, Avatar 1:08:20, Makani 1:08:58, Kicks 1:20:39, Toad 1:23:49, Natorious 1:30:03 and Sophia 1:31:58.  All times are elapsed and the course was 2.07
nautical miles.  

It was amazing that so many boats finished on such a challenging “Light Southerly Tuesday”.

I MISSED THIS, BUT STUART PEARCE ON MAKANI GOT THIS PICTURE

Race QS:

Most boats are running this app, but some tracks are not uploading.  Remember to plug  your phone to a charger while sailing so there is enough charge to complete the course.

The track for this night can be viewed at:  https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011074&divisionId=71492&updatedAt=2021-05-12T14:47:51Z&dt=2021-05-11T17:55:06-07:00..2021-05-11T20:39:20-07:00&boat=Tusitala&model=Bavaria40&time=1620787335199&focus=Tusitala&rival=Makani&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.940708&lon=-122.002473&tilt=33&range=1820&heading=177

There are some people that are running tracks but not benefiting by reviewing their boat performance.  I encourage people to watch the many tutorial videos available on the Race QS site to maximize your benefit in using the site.

IS YOUR BOAT AND CREW RACE READY?

Racing requires optimization of every aspect of your boat and crew.  Some equipment is incredibly inexpensive and other parts can cost another BOATing (BREAK Out Another Thousand) unit. You should have plenty of telltales on your sails so you can ascertain whether your sails are in trim (see below).  Sails should have good shape to take advantage of the wind.  Wrinkles and unusual shapes destroy wind contact with the sail and slow the boat down.

You should be able to adjust the fairleads for your jib sheets.  While the boat is hard on the wind, adjust the fairleads so that all telltales are streaming on both tacks. This maximizes your boat speed going to weather.   There are expensive systems to accomplish this, but it can be much less expensive now with non-friction rings that could be mounted on the rail.  A good whisker pole and adjustable backstay are other additions that allow better adjustment of sail shape.

Is your standing rigging adjusted appropriately?  If too loose, the tip of the mast leans away from the wind, cancelling any benefit attained by your crew hiking out.  In addition a loose standing rigging can be dangerous in stronger wind, as the mast slams from side to side while tacking and jibing.

The crew is probably more important than equipment.  Can the skipper keep the boat in the groove (telltales flying appropriately, not backwinding the jib and not excessive steering).  Can your crew quickly trim sails appropriately for all points of sail?  Can the skipper and crew accomplish an efficient tack? This is certainly a team effort which requires practice.  Race QS is a great tool to see how efficient your tacks are.  There are many books and sources to access to improve your expertise in sail trim.

WHAT’S WITH THE TELLTALES?

This is elementary to the accomplished sailors, but for those new to sailing, sailors are always talking about telltales.  How can such a small part of the boat be so important?  Sails are foils like airplane wings. Foils, working efficiently, can have incredible force! I read once that when a boat is sailing hard on the wind that for every pound of force pushing the boat forward there are 5 (FIVE) pounds of force sucking the boat forward. This is the effect of foils working efficiently and indicates the importance of maintaining proper airflow on the outside part of the sail.  Telltales are usually seen along the front edge of the jib along the luff of the sail.  In this position, they are strong indicators of when airflow is not right or beginning to change. Proper airflow is indicated by telltales streaming straight back. If the telltales are not streaming straight back, the helmsperson must point the boat higher to the wind to correct or the sail trimmer should let out on the jib sheet to correct sail trim.

It is amazing how some people just have a feel for this.  My wife was on the helm once when we were leaving Capitola.  She doesn’t even know what a telltale is.  I looked up and all telltales were streaming perfectly.  I asked her later why she was steering the boat that way and she replied “It just felt right”.  I wish I had the same sense.

We will see you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice (Natorious for this night)