NOVEMBER 30, 2021 THE CHECK FINALLY CLEARED!

 

NOVEMBER 30, 2021

THE CHECK FINALLY CLEARED!

After last week’s horrific no-wind experience, I was concerned about potential conditions we would have on this day.  Predict Wind was not encouraging predicting 3-6 knots of wind, decreasing as the afternoon progressed.  As we left the harbor at about 2:15, I was encouraged to see wind spread across the bay, but would it continue after three o’clock?

We approached the start area and determined the wind was coming from 225 degrees, a little south of the normal 240.  We set the line, called for course Whiskey 5: start, Schuyler, finish.  We set a line that was a little short for the 12 boats that were out for the fun but it seemed to work out well since the line was square to the wind.  We blew the 5 minute horn and had a clean start with everyone crossing the line simultaneously.

Right after we crossed the start line, we were being shadowed by larger boats and tacked over toward the inside for clear wind and waves on the beam rather than the bow. Most boats sailed further out on starboard tack before tacking toward inside.  All boats tacked their way to Schuyler and the first around was New Wave followed by Aquavit, Zoop, PAD, Perfect 36, Pacific Spirit, Nidaros, Muffin, Simpatico and Kicks.

On the way back to the finish line, many boats sailed further inside on the rhumb line to the finish. On PAD we stayed outside with whisker pole on starboard keeping the wind at the most efficient angle (in the box).  At the appropriate time, we jibed over with the pole on port.  This seemed to work well for us as we seemed to make time on the inside boats.  At the finish, New Wave was first around 38:23 followed by Zoop 41:00, PAD 42:00, Perfect 36 42:16, Aquavit 42:23, Nidaros 44:04, Pacific Spirit 44:27, Muffin 46:55, Simpatico 51:44 and Kicks 54:00.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 2.68NM.

It was a beautiful day with classic winter conditions for sailing: steady light breeze with sunny skies.  With the wind staying consistent at 10-12 knots through the afternoon, it seems like my check to the wind gods finally cleared!

We had a great “last Tuesday of the month” barbecue potluck with many people coming to the club for food, drink, comradery and games.

RACE QS:

Everyone is using this app and the track can be seen by clicking on this site:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=77215&updatedAt=2021-12-01T04:32:14Z&dt=2021-11-30T14:45:03-08:00..2021-11-30T19:16:37-08:00&boat=Pairadice&time=1638316464200&focus=Pairadice&rival=Zoop&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.951363&lon=-121.994147&tilt=23&range=425&heading=232

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

			2008.85	1	NEW WAVE
			2043	2	PAD
			2078.4	3	ZOOP
			2154.4	4	PERFECT 36
			2237.7	5	PACIFIC SPIRIT  6  WIND II
			2341.9	7	NIDAROS II
			2354.85	8	AQUAVIT
			2433.4	9	MUFFIN
			3104	10	SIMPATICO
			3240	11	KICKS

SAILING “IN THE BOX”

On Pair A Dice, when sailing downwind, we find that sailing “in the box” is the most efficient point of sail.  Sailing in the box means having the masthead windex pointing at the tabs used to indicate sailing hard on the wind while sailing upwind.  We find that this maximizes our speed going downwind.

NEED CREW? WANT TO CREW?

As we progress with our Tuesday afternoon sailing through the winter, there seems to be an imbalance in crew. Some boats have a large crew, some boats have only 2 people and other boats do not come out because of lack of crew. Some boats are turning away crew for lack of room.   If you are interested in crewing on other boats, please send your sailing resume to sailingpairadice@gmail.com  .  This sailing resume should include: years sailing, boat types you have sailed and positions you are willing to fill (mainsheet, foredeck, Jib sheet etc).  On the other hand, if you are having trouble getting crew that are available for these afternoon sails, please send me an email stating how many people you need to sail your boat.  I will send resumes of people wanting to sail to people needing crew, so we can resolve this discrepancy. Sailing on other people’s boats is an awesome way to improve your sailing skills!

TOES ON THE NOSE:

We all know to get weight on the front of the boat for the downwind leg.  All surfers know that the old “hanging ten” on the long board was to increase speed.  I had an interesting experience on this night.  We had 6 people on board and for the downwind leg, most of us got out of the cockpit and congregated on the foredeck around the mast.  This helped our speed, but I wanted to do more so I inched forward and sat with my legs straddling the bow.  I watched as I took this position and noticed that our ranging on competitors increased dramatically.  Standing by the mast is better than staying in the cockpit, but getting weight further forward is even better. So “toes on the nose”  while surfing has morphed to “Butt on the bow” for sailing!

We will see you next Tuesday for a 3pm start.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice