JUNE 1, 2021 GOOD TO THE LAST GASP

 

JUNE 1, 2021

GOOD TO THE LAST GASP

Checking Predict Wind in the morning showed wind over 10 knots through six o’clock and dissipating rapidly after 7pm.  On this night I had the pleasure of sailing on Tusitala with the largest crew I have ever sailed with.  Besides Jim Weaver and John Nugent who are partners on the boat, we had another John, Chris, Sergio, Kyle, Kate, Marc, Rob, Guenter, Elen (visiting from Germany) and myself.  It is good it was a 40 foot boat and such a big happy family. Thanks to all on the boat for tolerating me for the sail.

As we left the harbor at about 5:20 it was apparent there was enough wind to have a race.  We determined that the wind was from 240 degrees and we set a line square to this wind. While sailing around before the race, we noticed the wind was several knots stronger outside and already lighter toward the beach. With the wind prediction calling for the wind dying around 7, I wanted a short course to be certain everyone finished.  We called for course M2: start, Mile and finish at start again.  This made the start mark end of the line the favored end and most boats tried to start at that end of the line.

On Tusitala our strategy was to run the line and start on starboard tack close to the yellow ball end of the line.  Geronimo absolutely nailed a port tack start right at the yellow ball and seemed to clear every boat.  This is a risky strategy, but they pulled it off perfectly. It was interesting seeing the boats all spread out across the bay all making their way to Mile.  At the rounding of Mile, Geronimo was first followed by Sagittarius, Perfect 36, Patricia J, Aquavit, Avatar, Pacific Spirit, Kasatka, New Wave, Makani, Tusitala, Nidaros, Muffin and Sweet Pea.

On the way to the finish line, most boats sailed the same course straight to the finish line.  At the finish, Geronimo was first (Race Qs track stopped before finish so no finish time) followed by Perfect 36 34:14, Aquavit 34:30, Sagittarius 34:42, Patricia J 35:09, Avatar 35:45, Kasatka 36:03, New Wave 36:15, Pacific Spirit 36:23, Makani 36:59, Tusitala 37:43, Nidaros 38:26, Muffin 40:46 and Sweet Pea 41:53.  All times are elapsed and the course length was 2.07 nautical mile. It is interesting to me that with the different tracks taken by the boats, that most finishes were within 2 minutes.

It was a chilly foggy evening with just enough wind to have a race and all boats finished as the wind was getting weaker. It was a great sail good to the last gasp of wind.

Race QS:

Almost everyone is using this app and the tracks are fun to study.  I like to plug my phone in to keep it charged so the track continues through the end of the race.  The course for tonight can be seen at:  https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011074&divisionId=72115&updatedAt=2021-06-02T15:36:26Z&dt=2021-06-01T17:55:04-07:00..2021-06-01T19:26:09-07:00&boat=Tusitala&model=Bavaria40&time=1622597561865&focus=Tusitala&rival=Makani&tab=setup&view=follow&lat=36.946857&lon=-121.998298&tilt=11&range=1167&heading=246

PORT TACK STARTS:

As previously noted, this is a risky way to start but tonight was a special night.   There was more wind further out so they could get your speed up, plus they were going down waves adding to boat speed.  The most brilliant move though was timing the start to be right at the line at the right time with speed!  This was a perfectly executed port tack start.  From my experience with port tack starts, once you dip one boat your strategy spirals out of control as you must dip all the boats in the fleet!

NEW EQUIPMENT:

One of the benefits of sailing on multiple boats is being exposed to different equipment.  While at the dock after sailing, I noticed the spring lines tied somehow to a piece of line on the rail. I had heard of soft shackles, but had never seen them used.  A novel way to shackle two things together: a simple line with a small loop woven into a short piece of line (usually a stronger line like dyneema).  The finishing touch is a knot in the other end of line just big enough to fit through the loop.  Once this knot is in place, tension on the line prevents the line from releasing and voila you have a soft shackle.

WHISKER POLE DYNAMICS:

During the last weeks, I have witnessed several ways of dealing with whisker poles and how they attach to the clew.  Some just attach the pole to the working sheet and slide it up to the clew of the sail.  Tension keeps the pole in place.  This works well if the jib sheet is a smaller diameter. You can also attach the pole to the knot tied in the jib sheet at the clew.  This can cause problems removing if there is tension and pressure from the working sail. 

 I like a collapsing whisker pole that is about 8 feet long that expands out to about 13 feet.  It is by Forespar and you expand the pole by pulling a line connected to blocks inside the pole.  This line was designed to be tied on a cleat at the boat end of the pole, but I replaced the cleat with a jam cleat.  I also have a loop of wrapped cable (like used in many lifelines) swedged onto the clew.  This loop is about 6 inches in diameter.  The outward jaw at end of the pole, when cocked, automatically closes when the loop clips into the jaw.  If the clew is not jumping around, you can reach out with the 8 foot pole to clip onto the ring then attach the pole to the mast and extend the pole.  This pole can also be collapsed to clear the forestay when jibing. This type of pole can be handled by one person in normal conditions for my boat size.

CROW’S NEST:

I talked to one of the managers at the Crow’s Nest last Tuesday about accommodating our group for dinner after our Tuesday Night Sails.  It helps that she waited on our tables pre Covid and she was excited about our return.  I put out an email Tuesday afternoon to the group and we had 24 people show up for last Tuesday after the sail.  These have always been fun events with many discussions about all things sailing and racing.  Our usual group before Covid, was between 25-30 and they handled us well.  As our group grows and more people come, my thought is that we may stretch the limits of the Crow’s Nest ability to accommodate us.  I am engaged in discussions trying to get the club to open for us as they do on Wednesday nights. On Wednesdays, they sell burgers and other food for us to grill on the barbecue. For now,  count on the Crows Nest next Tuesday but check your email as next Tuesday approaches for an announcement if there is a change in plans.

I am looking forward to next Tuesday Night Sailing.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice (Tusitala for tonight)