AUGUST 31, 2021
RIDING THE FOG BANK
Predict wind was calling for 18 knot winds at 6pm, but when
I got to the harbor at around 4 o’clock the flag on the Crows Nest didn’t look
like that much wind with a fog bank just offshore. I got the boat ready while waiting for crew
to arrive.
As we left the harbor at about 5:15, there was about 12 to 14
knot winds clear to the beach. As we approached the start mark, we
determined the wind direction was from about 220 and set a mark for the end of
the start line. Two weeks in a row, with
similar conditions, I have had to shorten course as the wind died. Also, there is not as much light as the sun
is setting earlier, so I called for a shorter course Whiskey 5 which is Start,
Schuyler and back to start for the finish. We had 25 boats out for the fun and we
blew the 5 minute horn and set up for our start.
We thought it would be best to start at the beach end of the
line, but were early and had to run the line.
We ended up starting with the whole fleet off our starboard hip and looking
for a break that we could tack through.
To add to our problem, we were shadowed by the larger boats just ahead
of us. It was a good exercise trying to find a gap to sneak through while sailing
in disturbed wind. We finally were able
to tack over to port but had to duck about 3 boats in the process.
It was a beautiful sight to see all of the boats out as we
all tacked our way to Schuyler. At
Schuyler, the first around was Sweetheart (rounded to SB rather than port),
then Geronimo, Aquavit, Nobodys Girl, Zoop, Patricia J, Avatar, Pacific Spirit,
Tusitala, Nidaros, Toad, Pair A Dice, Sweet Pea, Kicks, and Emeritus.
On the run back to finish, many boats sailed further outside
looking for the stronger wind that was there on the beat to Schuyler, some of
us rhumb lined it to the start mark. As
all boats converged on the finish line, the first to finish was Sweetheart
36:52, Then Nobody’s Girl 37:41, Zoop 38:58, Geronimo 40:02, Aquavit 40:25,
Avatar 40:47, Pacific Spirit 40:49, Patricia J 41:29, Nidaros 42:12, Toad 42:45,
Pair a Dice 42:59, Tusitala 43:35, Sweet Pea 47:57, Emeritus 50:24 and Kicks
51:40. All times are elapsed and the
course length was 2.65 miles. PHRF
adjusted ratings are as follows:
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Pair A Dice was one of the boats that sailed the rhumb line as we made time on the boats outside. I couldn’t figure out why there was more wind inside until someone pointed out that the edge of the fog bank had moved in closer to shore and all we were doing was riding the edge of the fog bank. Being the last Tuesday of the month, we had an awesome barbecue at the club with many people showing up for the festivities. It is always fun to socialize with fellow sailors and discuss events that happened during the race. RACE QS: For the 25 boats out, we had 15 tracks uploaded to Race QS. It is necessary to use this app and upload your track to be counted in
our races. The track for this night can
be found at: WHY USE
RACE QS: Race Qs is a valuable tool to help you improve your sailing and boat handling, but you must upload your track to use these tools. Are you steering a straight course (to maximize effect of foils)? Use the cone function in front of your boat and the “groove analysis” to gauge how well you are doing in this area. Are your tacks efficient? Turn on the tack function to see how efficient your tacks are measured by 8 different parameters. You can watch the training videos on the website to learn how to use these functions. I suggest, each boat have two phones running the app and once track is confirmed only one phone is uploaded. I leave my phone running until I am in my slip, then check the track which should show your boat in your slip.
Once this is confirmed, click “save and upload”. RULES:
WINDWARD / LEEWARD The rules involved with windward leeward situations are: RULE
11 ON SAME TACK
OVERLAPPED When boats are on the same tack and
overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat. Rule 17 ON
THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE: If a boat clear astern
becomes overlapped within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the
same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain on
the same tack and overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she
promptly sails astern of the other boat.
This rule does not apply if the overlap begins while the windward boat
is required by rule 13 to keep clear. Rule 16.1:
When a right of way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat
room to keep clear. Rule 14:
AVOIDING CONTACT: A boat shall avoid contact with another
boat if reasonably possible. However, a right of way boat or one entitled to
room or mark room a) need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the
other boat is not keeping clear or giving room or mark room and b) shall be
exonerated if she breaks this rule and the contact does not cause damage or
injury.
Situation A: the leeward overlap occurred with blue sailing faster and establishing an overlap with yellow from behind (position 4). The clause in rule 17 “she shall not sail above her proper course” is critical because before the start horn is blown, there is no proper course and she can luff yellow up and over the line. When the start horn blows (position 5), the race is starting and Blue can sail no higher than proper course. In this case at position 5, Yellow is over the line and needs to sail back to cross the line for a proper start. A leeward overlap established from behind is referred to as a limited or restricted overlap. The restriction is because after the horn, Blue cannot sail any higher than her proper course.
Situation B is between Yellow and Blue and considerations in Rule 17 are not in play since the leeward overlap in this case was not established from behind. Blue sailed down the line on port and quickly tacked around to “hook” yellow (position 4). Rule 11 is the rule that is to be regarded. The difference is that this overlap is not limited or restricted and Blue can luff Yellow clear up to head to wind even after the start (position 6). By doing this for the right period of time, she could slow yellow to a stop and squirt off in clear wind ahead of yellow. The same consideration occurs any time an overlap is established any way OTHER THAN Leeward overlap established from behind. If a windward boat sailed faster and established a windward overlap (a novice play for sure) leeward boat could luff the windward boat all the way to head to wind. Defending against these moves during starting maneuvers can
be challenging. My first defense is to
not sail right on the start line. I
like to have a little distance between me and the line. The key is to be aware of these situations
as they are forming. Often, you can
get unhooked by sailing slower to break the overlap. Also, it is good to see
how the overlap is occurring to determine if leeward boat is required to sail
proper course after the start. Rule 17 on a beat if you are the overtaking boat (within 2
boat lengths) and sail to leeward, which tactically would not be wise, you
could not luff the windward boat above proper course. As an overtaking boat, if you choose to
sail to windward, the leeward boat can luff you up clear to head to wind once
an overlap is established. Keep in
mind, this is a discussion of application of rules. You always want to sail in clear air. When you see two boats “playing with each
other”, sail clear of the mess and leave them behind. Rule 17 on a run, is another scenario to consider. If an
overlap is established from behind to leeward of overtaken boat, the leeward
boat cannot sail any higher than proper course. On the other hand, if overlap
is established to windward, the leeward boat could luff you up clear to head
to wind. These moves are commonly used in team racing, but normally would be
unwise in fleet racing. When considering all of these situations, rule 16.1 and
rule 14 MUST BE followed. Rule 16.1
says that when luffing a boat up, you must give time for the windward boat to
luff up to keep clear and rule 14, in essence says to always avoid collision. See you next Tuesday! Barry Keeler Sailing Pair A Dice |
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