MAY 25, 2021

TRANSITIONAL SAILING

Once again, Predict Wind was a little off in its prediction for wind close to the beach.  I was at the harbor around noon and the wind was Easterly at that point.  Watching the flag through the day, the wind seemed to be light from the northwest.  In the harbor, there was even a hint of a Northerly breeze around 5:30.  For this evening I had the pleasure of sailing with the Makani crew.  Thanks to Stuart and the Makani crew for putting up with me. As we left the harbor, we could see a strong Northwesterly breeze out toward mile that even extended as far in as the start mark.  We determined the wind was from the normal 240 degrees and set a line square to the wind (at that time). We called for course Whiskey 3: Start, Schuyler, Blacks Finish and blew the 5 minute horn.

As the clocked ticked down closer to the 6 pm start, the wind was switching around and creating a transitional zone with a battle between the strong Northwest and a robust Northerly blowing from the beach. As is normal with transitions, there is usually an area of no wind between the two battling fronts.  I seem to have the knack of being square in the middle of this no wind area while watching boats sailing off into stronger wind.

All boats tacked their way toward Schuyler.  Sailing from the back of the fleet, you have a lot of indicators (boats) ahead giving information about what the wind is doing around the course.  I could see that the boats that tacked over to port earlier got horribly headed as they moved toward the wharf, so we went further outside enjoying the wonderful northwesterly wind.

At Shuyler, the first around was Sweet Heart followed by Aquavit, New Wave, Kusatka, Pacific Spirit, Zoop, Perfect 36, Kicks, Toad, Makani, Meia Duzia and Nidaros.  On the way to Blacks, some boats sailed further outside and others Rhumb lined their way toward the mark. I saw the boats that were rounding Blacks were suddenly sailing in a northerly wind toward the finish line.  Some boats seemed to be creeping along in a wider transition zone with lighter wind. 

At Blacks, the first around was Sweet Heart, followed by Aquavit, New Wave, Pacific Spirit, Kasatka, Zoop, Perfect 36, Makani, Toad, Kicks, Meia Duzia, Nidaros.

At the finish, it was Sweet Heart 39:58, Aquavit 45:03, New Wave 45:53, Kasatka 49:19, Zoop 49:33, Perfect 36 49:53, Pacific Spirit 50:32, Makani 53:44, Kicks 56:31, Toad 57:29, Nidaros 1:05:36 and Meia Duzia 1:08:27.  All times are elapsed and the course length was 3.55 nautical miles.

With the wind changing direction throughout the evening, it was challenging evening of transition sailing.

Race QS:

Most boats are using this app.  A reminder to mount your phone face up with the top of the phone pointed toward the bow so your boat does not appear to be sailing sideways or stern first.   The track for this evening can be found at:

  https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1014272&divisionId=71888&updatedAt=2021-05-26T02:08:51Z&dt=2021-05-25T17:50:01-07:00..2021-05-25T19:08:48-07:00&boat=Nidaros%20II&time=1621994907936&focus=Nidaros%20II&rival=Meia%20D%C3%BAzia&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.951272&lon=-121.994013&tilt=5&range=235&heading=248

DEALING WITH VARIABLE CONDITIONS:

Transition zones can be challenging to deal with.  Wind varying in speed offers another challenge as you negotiate the puffs and lulls.  If dealt with appropriately you can gain an advantage.  While sitting on the rail, one has the perfect perspective to see and call the varying wind on the water.  A crew can call out “more pressure in a certain time”.  This can be used by the helmsperson and mainsheet trimmer.  There is a huge advantage when you can keep the boat sailing at a consistent angle of heel to keep foils working efficiently.  With an indication that more pressure is coming, the skipper can possibly head up a little with a stronger puff watching the telltales, the mainsheet trimmer can prepare to travel down a little.  Both actions will help keep the boat heel consistent.

Transition zones can be dealt with by considering waves.  What little wind there is can be used to propel the boat diagonally across waves.  Any forward movement will be stopped with waves directly on the bow.  Going down waves into a transition try to surf straight down waves to get through the zone. 

WEIGHT JUST A MOMENT:

When going down wind, if you have crew (moveable ballast), have people move to the front of the boat to help catch waves.  Any surfer knows, moving weight to the front of the board increases speed.  It may not seem like much, but if you can stay in each wave for an extra couple of moments per wave, you can gain an advantage.

We will see you next Tuesday!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice (Makani for this night)