MARCH 8, 2022 RACE WITH TWO STARTS

 

MARCH 8, 2022

RACE WITH TWO STARTS

Predictions for the evening was for moderate 6-12 knot winds, so we installed the 155 jib for the evening.  As we left the harbor, there was a steady breeze across the bay from the normal 240 degrees.  It seemed that the breeze increased up to about 18knots apparent as we sailed further from the beach.  We set the start line and called for course Whiskey 2.  We blew the five minute horn at 3:55  for the 4pm start.

On PAD, our goal for the start was to have clear air on the line and we accomplished this goal.  There was at least one boat that tried a port tack start.  Since there was more wind outside, we decided to sail out on starboard tack for about 200 yards to get into the better wind.  This worked well for us, even though in the sail to Schuyler, we had to duck 2 starboard tack boats.  At Schuyler, the first around was Aboriginal whose Race QS track was not functioning.  Zoop was second followed by Pacific Spirit, Avatar, Pair A Dice, Geronimo, Nidaros with Aquavit, Kicks, Aeolian and Sea Quake.

On the short reach to Mile, positions changed with Zoop still in front followed by Pacifica Spirit, Avatar, Aquavit with Geronimo, Pair A Dice, Nidaros, Kicks, Aeolian and Sea Quake.  As we rounded Mile, we studied the boats that were in the lead and noticed that the lead boats were stalled while there was a transition zone with very little wind developing at Gov.  All boats entering this zone were stalling as the majority of the fleet compressed creating a “second start” situation.  Zoop was first to enter this zone followed by Aquavit, Pacific Spirit, PAD, Geronimo, Avatar, Nidaros, Sea Quake, Kicks and Aeolian.

As the new wind developed it started coming from the North straight off the beach, but as we all sailed toward the finish it veered to an Easterly breeze.  The first to finish was Perfect 36 57:08, then Zoop 57:46, Avatar 1:00:19, Aquavit 1:00:56, Nidaros 1:02:03, Pair A Dice 1:03:56, Pacific Spirit 1:05:33, Geronimo 1:06:10, Kicks 1:20:52, Aeolian 1:22:37 and Sea Quake 1:25:00.  All times are elapsed and the course length was 4.18 NM.

It was a beautiful, sunny day with awesome wind though everyone had to deal with a change in wind and a “second start”.

PHRF ADJUSTED RATING:

PLACE    BOAT NAME      ADJUSTED SECONDS

1     PERFECT 36            2826

2     ZOOP                       2864

3     AVATAR                   3067

4    PAIR A DICE             3083

5    NIDAROS                  3246

6    AQUAVIT                  3359

7    GERONIMO              3606

8     PACIFIC SPIRIT      3933

9     KICKS                      4099

10   AEOLIAN                 4254

11   SEA QUAKE            4351

RACE QS:

There were a few boats that had problems with this app on this evening.  Unfortunately, without a track we cannot ascertain how you did in the race.  I like to keep my phone plugged in (charging) while the track is being recorded.  The track for this evening can be seen at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=78581&updatedAt=2022-03-09T01:44:00Z&dt=2022-03-08T15:45:01-08:00..2022-03-08T17:43:41-08:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1646784030768&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=P36&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.951433&lon=-121.994672&tilt=8&range=205&heading=232

STRATEGY:

As we sailed around setting the start line, we notice that there was more wind further from the beach.  We took advantage of this by sailing out further than most boats.  All boats that tacked to port early were sailing into less wind.

On the sail from Mile to Gov, we noticed many boats sailing left of the rhumb line to Gov.  We observed that there was a transition zone with boats barely moving in the area close to Gov.  On further examination, we could see the wind developing close to the beach and that it was a Northerly wind that was forming.  We sailed straight for Gov, knowing that as we entered the new (North) wind, this position would be more advantageous than being further from the mark.

FAILED MARK ROUNDING AND EXHONERATION:

At Schuyler, on PAD we misjudged the lay line and were just low of making the mark.  We tried to “shoot the mark”.  This is a maneuver where you steer below the mark to get speed up, then steer straight into the wind as the jib is released using the momentum to round the mark. We are usually successful with this maneuver, but we failed and ended up stalled with the mark abeam and getting blown right over the mark.  Any time you touch a mark, you must do a 360 degree turn to exonerate.  In this case, sailing right over the mark, we had to go back and round the mark then sail to an area where we did a 360 without interfering with other boats.

CHANGE IN TIME:

This Sunday (3/13), the time is changing.  Next Tuesday (3/15) the race will start at 6pm with a 5 minute horn blowing at 5:55.  Registration for the new season can be done online at the SCYC.org website or by filling out the form sent previously and submit to club with payment.  You must register your boat in order to participate in this series.  The cost is $35 for SCYC members and $50 for nonmembers.  We are encouraging boats to get a PHRF certificate, since we are applying the PHRF correction now. Remember to always use the Race QS app to record and upload your track to be counted.

I am looking forward another awesome season of Tuesday Night Sailing.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice