JANUARY 25, 2022 HEAVENLY SAILING

 

JANUARY 25, 2022

HEAVENLY SAILING

After two Tuesdays in a row of wind so light that we had to sail very short, improvised courses, it was awesome to arrive at the harbor to see the flags actually flying on the Crows Nest.  Our expectations were not disappointed as we left the harbor to see the bay filled with a steady breeze.  We made our way to the start “buoy” and determined the wind was coming from 225 degrees and set a line square to this.  There was no course on the course card that fit so I improvised and called for a course: Start line to Schuyler, Mile and back for a finish at the start mark.  We blew a 5-minute horn at 2:55 for a 3pm start.

On Pair a dice we wanted to achieve a start at the starboard end of the line which would allow us to tack  to port  whenever we chose to, not impeded by traffic.  Zoop nailed the port end of the line right on time with a port tack start and cleared the whole line of starboard tacking boats!  It was great to have some wind to work with as we all tacked our way to Schuyler.  At Schuyler, the first around was Zoop followed by Avatar, Perfect 36 and Nidaros rounded together, PAD, Muffin, Simpatico, Aeolian, Pacific Spirit, Sea Quake and Kicks.  On the broad reach to Mile the sequence of boats did not change except Aeolian squeaked ahead of Simpatico.

On the run to the finish mark, most of the boats sailed the rhumb line.  PAD tried using a whisker pole down wind then sailing a hotter point of sail toward the finish mark.  The first to finish was Zoop 39:03 followed by Avatar 40:57, Nidaros 43:04, Perfect 36 43:06 Pair A Dice 44:10, Muffin 45:32, Aeolian 46:55, Pacific Spirit 48:00, Simpatico 48:47, Sea Quake 52:04 and Kicks 57:36.  The course distance was 3.02 nautical miles and all times are elapsed.  It was an exciting finish between Nidaros and Perfect 36 who had sailed the last half of the race together.  It was so close that it could have been a tie.  It is hard to call this one from Race QS tracks. Fantastic racing  by all!

It was a glorious day of awesome sailing in steady 10-12 knot winds.  It was just what I would think heavenly sailing would be like.

PHRF adjusted ratings are below:

ADJ SEC	ADJ PLACE
1908.24	ZOOP
2058.36	AVATAR
2106.4	SAILING PAIR A DICE
2151.12	THE PERFECT 36
2239.72	NIDAROS II
2307.64	AEOLIAN
2315.24	MUFFIN
2880	PACIFIC SPIRIT
2927	SIMPATICO
3124	SEAQUAKE
3456	KICKS

 

 

RACE QS:

Everyone seemed to use this app this afternoon and the track can be found here:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=77898&updatedAt=2022-01-26T00:19:18Z&dt=2022-01-25T14:45:02-08:00..2022-01-25T16:19:04-08:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1643156344000&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Nidaros%20II&tab=fleet&view=follow&lat=36.960688&lon=-122.004790&tilt=5&range=2225&heading=223

FOUR O’CLOCK STARTS:

Several people have suggested that we start our Tuesday Afternoon races at 4 o’clock.  The sun is setting later now and a 4 o’clock start will be easier for people that are still working and may yield better wind. NEXT TUESDAY THE 5 MINUTE HORN WILL BLOW AT 3:55 FOR A 4PM START.

PORT TACK START:

Kudos to Zoop for the perfect execution of a port tack start.  When executed perfectly this move can result in excellent position with clear air and no “crossing situations”.  Our start line was set a little long which helps but being alert and noticing this is just part of the game. Thanks for showing us how it is done!

PORT STARBOARD SITUATIONS:

These situations can be exciting.  Being aware of situations as they occur is key to avoiding anxiety. Recently I was in a race (not a Tuesday race) where we had just rounded the windward mark and were  setting the whisker pole.  I was concentrating on the foredeck action and noticed (too late) a starboard tack boat approaching. There was no hail from the SB tack boat and my mainsheet person was not on station to execute a jibe.  A crash jibe would almost certainly have resulted in injury or damage.  The SB tack boat sailed right up to my beam and tacked over to round the mark.

I learned a few lessons with this experience.  When on port tack, always be aware of starboard tackers.  I am usually good on this but allowed myself to be distracted.  If I had seen the boat earlier, I could have gotten crew in position to jibe, sailed deeper to duck or at least Hailed “tack or cross?”  If on starboard it is important to hail “STARBOARD” soon enough for the port tack boat to evade.  Hailing also lets the port tack boat know your intentions. It is easy to get lulled into a sense of “I’m on starboard, I have the right of way” and let your guard down.  I am finding that awareness is important whether you are on starboard or port.    Another factor that can add complexity is if a boat has just tacked and is coming up to speed it can be difficult to gauge if evasive action must be taken. 

Remember that sighting crossing situations are different when judging port tack or starboard tack crosses.  When on port tack, your view as helmsman is perfect because it is your stern that must clear the bow of the SB tack boat. 

We will see you next Tuesday for a 4pm start!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice