JUNE 29, 2021 WARM EASTERLY EVENING

 

JUNE 29, 2021

WARM EASTERLY EVENING

My repowering project on my boat is coming along and I should be sailing Pair A Dice again very soon. For this evening I had the pleasure of sailing on Pacific Spirit with Diana and crew.  Thanks to them for putting up with me and the ordeal of setting the start line and retrieving the mark after the race. 

It was apparent as we left the harbor that there was a nice, steady Easterly blowing.  When we got to the start area we took a reading on the wind direction: 110, almost due East!  We set the start line mark and called for course B2.  I almost never choose courses involving SC3.  This area is known for nasty currents and weird wave action when an Easterly is blowing.  I have seen situations where boats made 3 to 4 attempts before actually getting around SC3.

We had over 21 boats out for the fun, making for a very crowded start line.  Everyone got off the line without any problems and everyone tacked their way to SC3.  With this many boats, it made for some interesting crossing situations as boats tried to avoid the kelp, find the wind and avoid other boats.  At SC3 Avatar was first around followed by New Wave, Geronimo, Good Timin’, Patricia J, Sweet Heart, Kasatka, Toad, Nidaros, Aquavit, Makani, Zoop, Kicks, Perfect 36, Pacific Spirit, Jersey Girl, and Natorious.

On the way back to Blacks, some boats tried the outside course looking for more wind, while most boats sailed the rhumb line.  At Blacks Avatar was still in the lead with Good Timin’ rounding next followed by Patricia J, Sweet Heart, Kasatka, New Wave, Geronimo, Nidaros, Toad, Aquavit, Sagittarius, Zoop, Kicks, Perfect 36, Makani, Pacific Spirit, Jersey Girl and Natorious.

On the short run to the finish, conditions did not change much and Avatar finished first 58:58, followed by Good Timin’ 1:03:28, Patricia J 1:04:29, Sweet Heart 1:04:40, New Wave 1:05:30, Kasatka 1:06:30, Geronimo 1:06:38, Nidaros 1:07:58, Toad 1:09:07, Sagittarius 1:10:42, Aquavit 1:11:08, Zoop 1:11:54, Guenter on his Finn,
Perfect 36 1:13:56. Makani 1:16:17, Pacific Spirit 1:17:59 and Kicks 1:18:36.  All times are elapsed the the course distance was 2.90 miles.

We had a great barbecue at the club but the highlight of the day was the warm easterly evening.

MULTIPLE BOATS FINISHING 

Race Qs:

We have almost everyone using this app.  Everyone must use this FREE app to be counted.  The track for tonight can be found at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1017739&updatedAt=2021-06-30T02:32:14Z&dt=2021-06-29T17:50:04-07:00..2021-06-29T19:32:10-07:00&boat=P36&time=1625020330000&focus=P36&rival=Jgirl&tab=setup&view=follow&lat=36.953883&lon=-121.992444&tilt=7&range=1443&heading=34

RULES!

Years ago I had the pleasure of having a guest on my boat on a Tuesday night that was known for their sailing skills. They were national champion in their boat class several times.  When I get someone like this on my boat, I always put them on the helm.  When we were approaching the first mark, they didn’t want to pinch to round and mumbled “I don’t want to round the mark” and turned before the mark.  Everyone on my boat excitedly insisted that “WE ROUND MARKS!” and we went back and rounded the mark.

I realize we are a developmental series and many of us are learning about sailing and racing, but we should all follow the racing rules.  By registering for this series, you have agreed to abide by the racing rules of sailing. Port tack boats should yield to Starboard tack boats. If you hit a mark take a turn.  If you are early over the start line (OCS), go back and start again. I know we are all learning and may make errors in judgement. If an error in judgement results in you fouling another boat, you should take a penalty turn. If you are on port tack and fail to yield to a starboard tack boat and they must alter course to avoid hitting you, you should take your turn.  In the port vs starboard situation IF there is communication between boats and the starboard boat yields saying “you cross” all is fine. It gets hazardous with no communication if both boats steer the same direction to avoid collision. It is better to follow the rules.

In the words of the great Ernie Rideout: “If you win the race and do not earn the respect of your competitors, you have won nothing!”

See you next Tuesday.

 

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice  (Pacific Spirit for tonight)