AUGUST 17, 2021
WINDS WITH POLITICIAN-LIKE
FEATURES
With Predict Wind giving a forecast of decreasing wind
through the evening, I was expecting an evening of very light Easterly
winds. The flags were evening confirming
this prediction as they went limp around 4 o’clock. I was surprised to see a healthy northwest
blowing as we left the harbor around 5:15.
We sailed out to the area of the start mark and determined the wind was
from 215 degrees and set a line square to this direction. The conflict between predictions and
actuality presented a dilemma. It certainly did not seem like the wind would
die so we chose Whiskey 3 thinking if the wind dyed we could always shorten
course.
On PAD we wanted to start on starboard tack on the line
closer to the beach, but we were early to the line and had to start closer to
the yellow ball. At least we had clear
wind. We all tacked our way toward
Schuyler. It was apparent that there was a lot more wind outside and most boats
capitalized on this. The winds were very shifty and variable. Headers (knocked to the left) and lifts
(influence to the right) and some healthy gusts made it taxing to control the
boat.
At Schuyler, the first around was Sweetheart, followed by
Zoop, Perfect 36, Avatar, Geronimo, Sagittarius, Pacific Spirit, Aquavit, Pair
A Dice, Tusitala, Makani, Sea Quake, Good Timin’, Toad, Kicks and Sweet
Pea. On the way back to round Blacks,
many boats took the outside course to stay in the stronger wind. The boats that tried to rhumb line it to the mark
got caught in very light wind.
Sure enough as the first boats were approaching Blacks, the Northwest breeze disappeared as we saw an Easterly wind s-l-o-w-l-y building at the leading edge of the fleet. I communicated to shorten course to finish at Blacks with the finish line being the extension of the line from the lighthouse through Blacks. At the finish, Sweetheart lead the charge 48:07, followed by Geronimo 52:45, Sagittarius 53:21, Pacific Spirit 54:03, Perfect 36 (no track no time) Avatar 54:57, Aquavit 56:06, Zoop 56:25, PAD 57:08, Tusitala 59:30, Toad 1:06:59, Makani 1:07:31 and Kicks 1:11:42. All times are elapsed and the course distance was about 2.92 miles.
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| PAIR A DICE ON A ROLL |
The evening’s strange winds, having problems deciding which way to go, knocking boats left and right. Wind being weak on the inside and strong on the outside, then ending with a whimpering limp hand- shake. It sure felt like we were dealing with winds with politician-like features!
RACE QS:
Most of the boats are using this app and it is necessary to use
it to be counted in our races. The track
for this evening can be found at: https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&updatedAt=2021-08-18T02:38:36Z&dt=2021-08-17T17:45:03-07:00..2021-08-17T19:37:25-07:00&boat=Pairadice&time=1629254245000&focus=Pairadice&rival=Pacific%20Spirit&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.968544&lon=-122.000343&tilt=5&range=7278&heading=177
RULES:
As more boats participate in our races, it is critical to know and follow the Racing Rules of Sailing. It is also critical for each sailor to help keep the skipper apprised of other boats.
Though the end of the line is considered to
be a “mark”, to finish you must just cross the finish line. This incident is
resolved by following rule #10: On opposite tacks When boats are on opposite
tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat. I think
it is important to always realize and know what tack you are on. One way to help
with this is to have green (tape/paint on the SB side of the boom) and red on
port. Y was in error and would need to
exonerate in order to be counted in the race.
Scenario #2 involves another finish. It does not involve any rule infraction but knowledge of rules is necessary in these situations. Y is nearing the finish and is being overtaken by a faster boat (G) and has established an overlap. In this situation, both boats are on the same tack and overlapped involving Rule 11: when boats are on the same tack and overlapped a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat. Before the overlap, Rule 12 comes into play: SAME TACK NOT OVERLAPPED When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead. The combination of rule 12 and rule 11 means that the overtaking boat could be luffed up by Y steering to port and even after overlap occurs. This luffing up can continue UNTIL the 3 boat length zone is entered by either boat, then rule 18.2 a) is enacted: When boats are overlapped the outside boat shall give the inside boat mark-room. This means Y must give G room to cross the line (and round the finish line mark).
What is important to know in both of these
scenarios which could occur at or near the finish line is rule #44.2. One-turn
and two turn penalties: After getting well clear of other boats as soon
after the incident as possible, a boat takes a one-turn or two-turns penalty by
promptly making the required number of turns in the same direction, each turn
including one tack and one gybe. When a
boat takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, she shall sail completely
to the course side of the line before finishing.
This means that fouling anyone at the finish
line is like a double penalty. A normal penalty (hitting a mark) requires
sailing clear of other boats and doing a 360 to exonerate. A penalty committed on or near the finish
line means sailing clear of other boats (finishing lines can be crowded) do
your turn, then sail back to course side and cross the line again for your
correct finish time. Be especially
careful around finish lines!
When discussing rules it is critical to remember that even if
you absolutely know you have the right of way there is Rule 14 - Avoid Collisions.
If there is even the slightest doubt that you have the right of way it is much
wiser to avoid any close calls and be well respected by your competitors.
Sailing is not a contact sport. Channeling Ernie: "If you have
won without the respect of your competitors you have not won a
thing" You do not want to be THAT BOAT that everyone knows to
avoid because of your disrespect for the RRS.
See you next Tuesday.
Barry Keeler
Sailing Pair A Dice
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