JUNE 6, 2021
CONFUSED HOLE-Y WIND
Predict Wind’s forecast was for 15 knot winds with gusts to
24. What an encouraging prediction! Looking at the flag on the Crow’s Nest, the
predictions were way off unless you were “way off shore!” For this evening, I had
the pleasure of sailing with Steve Niemann and the Perfect 36 crew. Thanks to them for helping me set the course
up. As we left the harbor, it was
apparent that there was an Easterly starting to blow with a Northwesterly
coming all the way in to the start mark.
Everyone knows that the Easterly “always” fills in toward shore first
and overpowers the dying Northwesterly.
With such a confused state, we waited awhile before setting the line.
I wanted to get us into the better wind outside even though
this would require sailing through a transition zone, but going with the normal
knowledge that the Easterly always builds, we decided to set an ambitious
course of B4. We blew the 5 minute horn
and set up for our start. Everyone knows
that, in conditions like this, it is best not to venture far from the start
line. “Far from the start line” is a
relative term. When the wind completely
dies in your area, even 50 feet from the start line is far from the start line.
I seem to have the unusual talent to find and be in these holes of no
wind. The boats that were right on the
line got a little wind and started heading for the inside “stronger building
Easterly”. On Perfect 36 we were stuck
with no wind and sailing backwards with the push of the swell. We were not able to cross the start line
until 6:14, but when we did the northwest was inching in closer to us and we
were able to sail directly to Blacks while the boats that were closer to shore
were stuck in the doldrums. Noting that
the Easterly was not building as anticipated, I called for shortened course:
start-Blacks and finish at the start mark.
At Blacks, the first around was Guenter on his Finn followed
by Nidaros, Kasatka, Patricia J, Geronimo, Makani, Perfect 36, Sagittarius,
Tusitala, Toad, Pacific Spirit, Aquavit and Kicks.
The sail back to the finish line was very exciting since
boats that had rounded blacks had to avoid boats that were approaching the mark
to round it. At the finish it was
Guenter on his Finn 32:32 followed by Kasatka 33:22, Patricia J 38:55, Nidaros 39:35,
Sagittarius 51:25, Perfect 36 51:33, Toad 52:10, Geronimo 52:12, Aquavit 53:00,
Pacific Spirit53:20, Tusitala 56:04, Zoop 56:06 and Kicks 57:52. All times are elapsed and the course length is
0.9 nautical miles.
It was a very challenging evening with each boat sailing into holes of no wind and the wind that would whisper through the crowd of boats could be from any direction. It was amazing to me that all boats finished the course in such confused, hole-y conditions.
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| SEARCHING FOR WIND ON THE INSIDE |
Race QS:
The track for tonight can be found at:
TUESDAY NIGHTS AT SCYC:
This was our first night of dining at the club after our Tuesday night sailing with our new food service provider. I was impressed with the variety and quality of the food provided and the choice of condiments were over the top (pun intended). It was an incredible value for $15 per person. I understand that Tuesday night sailors like to bring their own food to grill, but I also feel we should endorse the services offered by the food service provider to keep the service alive.
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| BARGAIN EXCELLENT MEAL |
I will see you next Tuesday. Pray for wind!
Barry Keeler
Sailing Pair A Dice (Perfect 36 for tonight)
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