AUGUST 10, 2021 SURPRISING WIND FOR AUGUST DOLDRUMS

 

 

AUGUST 10, 2021

SURPRISING WIND FOR AUGUST DOLDRUMS

The predictions from Predict wind were not encouraging: 9 knots at 6pm with wind tapering off.  I was quite surprised arriving at the harbor around 4pm to see the flags flying.  As we left the harbor around 5:15 the wind seemed even across the bay with a southern influence on the normal 240 degree direction.  We noted the wind direction as being about 225 degrees and set a line square to this direction. 

With predictions for decreasing wind, we called for a conservative course of Whiskey 5: Start>Schuyler>finish and blew the 5 minute horn.  Pair a Dice was a little late to the line but started at the outer end of the line in pretty clear air.  All boats tacked their way to Schuyler and the first around was Geronimo followed by Sagittarius, New Wave, Kasatka, Sanctuaire, Avatar, Zoop, Pacific Spirit, Patricia J, Good Timin’, Nidaros, Makani, Perfect 36, Sweet Pea, Pair A Dice, Kicks, Sea Quake , Aeolian and Simpatico.

On the run back to the finish some boats sailed further out looking for more wind but most boats sailed straight to the mark.  At the finish, Geronimo was first across 35:27, followed by New Wave 37:04, Sagittarius 37:12, Kasatka 37:50, Avatar 38:19, Zoop 39:41, Sanctuaire 40:11, Pacific Spirit 40:13, Patricia J 41:38, Good Timin’42:52, Makani 43:01, Nidaros 45:29, Perfect 36 45:46, Pair A Dice 47:37, Sweet Pea 47:53, Aeolian 50:02, Sea Quake 50:10, Kicks 50:20 and Simpatico 52:11.  All times are elapsed and the course length was 2.65 miles.

It was a beautiful evening for a sail and we lucked out once again with enough wind for everyone to finish the course. It was surprising to see such wind even with the August doldrums. It was a great crowd at the club enjoying “Taco Tuesday”: great food at a reasonable price and you can’t beat the company of sailors!

RACE QS:

It is great to see so many boats downloading their Race QS tracks.  The race for this evening can be found at:  https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&updatedAt=2021-08-11T02:21:53Z&dt=2021-08-10T17:45:02-07:00..2021-08-10T19:17:23-07:00&boat=Pairadice&time=1628646731588&focus=Natorious&rival=Pairadice&tab=setup&view=follow&lat=36.951531&lon=-121.994714&tilt=4&range=253&heading=246

KELPTOMANIA:

On Pair A Dice, it was a frustrating evening.  We were tweaking everything with sails and sail trim and could not get the boat up to speed. On the way back to the harbor, I looked off our stern and noticed a tree of kelp over 12 feet long trailing behind the boat!  Mystery solved!  We all know what kleptomania is.  I have a boat afflicted with KELPTOMANIA!

RULES:

On the back of our course cards are the Sailing Instructions.  This document indicates that we are using the Racing Rules of Sailing. This is a developmental series so many of us are still learning rules.  I have witnessed some frightening situations recently when rules are not followed or are misunderstood.  There have been turns taken to exonerate but no discussions afterwards to clarify what happened.  I believe it is time to have protest hearings when a rule is broken NOT for humiliation but to educate. Normally in racing, a turn is taken and all is forgotten. In our “developmental series” I believe there should still be a protest hearing for educational purposes.  Representatives from each boat involved will present their case before a panel of 2 to 3 people that are familiar with the rules.  These protest hearings will be reported in the blog anonymously as Boat A and Boat B so others can learn also.

These protest hearings can take place after the race since the club is open every Tuesday. Unless others have a better suggestion, I believe the following procedure should be followed:

1)     You feel you have been fouled! Shout “PROTEST!” so other boats crew can hear.

2)     Right after finishing the race, text me on my phone (234-0322) that a protest will be filed between your boats name and the other boats name.

3)     I will call the owner of the other boat to apprise them of the protest hearing and what time it will be held at the club depending on the time of year. If protested, you will be expected to show up to this meeting.

This all may seem onerous, but I feel it is necessary and much better (and educational) to have a panel of impartial judges hear the case and preside.  Just getting the two boats to have a discussion would be helpful.  Additionally, putting the results of the discussion in the blog will educate the rest of us!

In my opinion there are several reasons rules are broken: not knowing a rule, misinterpretation of a rule or thinking that you are above following rules.  Hopefully these new procedures will help eliminate these reasons and make for safer sailing on Tuesday Nights!

See you next Tuesday!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice