JUNE 28, 2022 DYING WINDS OF JUNE

 

JUNE 28, 2022

DYING WINDS OF JUNE

Once again, I arrived at the harbor to see the flags showing an Easterly breeze.  We prepped the boat and exited the harbor to see the Easterly filling the bay with enough wind for a race.  The customary question was, will the wind hold or die like normal at 5:57.  We called for a modified course Echo 5 with a reaching mark set toward the beach  to be rounded after Blacks was rounded.  The modified course  was twice around the triangular course: Start, Blacks, offset mark back to start and rounding the triangle again.  We blew the five minute horn for a 6pm start and we had enough wind to actually start the race.  We had 20 boats out for the fun.

After an exciting start with all boats following the rules, boats tacked their way toward Blacks.  The first around Blacks was Aboriginal followed by Sagittarius, Geronimo and Nidaros, Avatar rounding together.  Then Sanctuaire, Zoop, Tusitala, Toad, Gold Rush, Pacific Spirit, Makani, Aquavit, Pair A Dice, New Wave, Simpatico, Big Mac and Kicks.  After we rounded Blacks, it was apparent that the wind was dying once again.  I called for a shortened course to finish at the start mark after rounding "the triangle" course one time.  We had a barbecue to go to!

After rounding Blacks the search was on for the reaching mark which was less noticeable than I thought it would be.  While it was a good idea to have a reaching mark, we needed a bigger, more noticeable mark if we attempt this again.  I keep saying this is a work in progress! Finally, the mark was discovered and boats rounded it.  Aboriginal was first followed by Geronimo, Sagittarius, Avatar, Toad/Tusitala and Zoop together followed by Nidaros, Sanctuaire, Pacific Spirit, Gold Rush, Makani, Aquavit, Pair a dice, Simpatico, New Wave, Big Mac and Kicks.

At the finish, Aboriginal was first 19:19 followed by Geronimo 26:00, Sagittarius 27:33, Toad 31:30, Nidaros 34:20, Tusitala 37:17, Avatar 37:49, Sanctuaire 39:59, Zoop 40:32, Pacific Spirit 46:37, New Wave 47:31, Big Mac 47:31, Simpatico1:05:32, Pair A Dice 1:07:28, Kicks 1:10:56 and Makani 1:15:24. Times are elapsed and the course distance is 0.9 NM.  Notice how the first half of boats that finished were relatively close while the last half spread out more as the wind continued to die.

It was a beautiful evening to be on the bay but I have grown tired of the dying winds of June.

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                   BOAT                     ADJUSTED SECONDS                                       HIGH SCORE

1              ABORIGINAL                      1128                                                                       16

2              GERONIMO                         1480                                                                       15

3              SAGITTARIUS                     1543                                                                       14

4              TOAD                                    1753                                                                       13

5              NIDAROS                             1961                                                                       12

6              AVATAR                                2148                                                                       11

7              TUSITALA                            2155                                                                       10          

8              SANCTUAIRE                      2295                                                                       9

9              ZOOP                                     2300                                                                       8

10           PACIFIC SPIRIT                    2649                                                                       7             

11           NEW WAVE                           2760                                                                       6

12           BIG MAC                               3371                                                                       5

13           SIMPATICO                           3781                                                                       4

14           PAIR A DICE                         3884                                                                       3

15           KICKS                                   4092                                                                       2

16           MAKANI                               4390                                                                       1

 

Race QS:

The track for this last sail of June can be found at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=81432&updatedAt=2022-06-29T02:40:18Z&dt=2022-06-28T17:45:01-07:00..2022-06-28T19:35:37-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1656468940336&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Nueva%20Ola&tab=fleet&view=follow&lat=36.950381&lon=-121.992396&tilt=2&range=490&heading=105

SOUTH WIND ANOMALIES:

We all know that a developing Easterly normally fills in and is usually stronger  closer to the beach.  Another little fact is that as you sail further south, the Easterly will veer more to the south, which could help if trying to round Blacks.

FIRECRACKER REGATTA:

The Firecracker regatta will be on Sunday July 3.  This is a race from Santa Cruz to Monterey on Sunday, spend the night and sail back on Monday July 4.  The registration for this regatta is done through Regatta Network, not  Club Spot.  On the SCYC.org website, click on regattas and scroll down to Regatta network below Club Spot. 

SPLIT FLEET OR ONE FLEET?

At the barbecue, we discussed whether to split the fleet or not.  There are some people that want to split the fleet so we have less crowded and potentially safer starts.   Some members of our group enjoy the excitement of a crowded start which are safe as long as people follow the rules.  I will be E-mailing a ballot  to each registered boat boat owner.  If multiple owners are listed for a boat, there will be one vote per boat, so you will need to discuss and agree on how to vote.

See you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

JUNE 21, 2022 GREAT WIND WITH A TRANSITION

 

JUNE 21, 2022

GREAT WIND WITH A TRANSITION

As I arrived at the harbor around 4:30, The flags showed a healthy Northwesterly blowing and the conditions on the water appeared to be about a 15-knot breeze.  We got the boat ready while no change in conditions seemed to be occurring.  As we left the harbor around 5:15, the northwesterly was in force with apparent winds up to 20 knots.  We determined the direction of the wind was 235 degrees and set a long line square to this direction.  We had 20 boats out for the fun with a healthy 15 knot Northwesterly blowing. We called for course Whiskey 2: Start, Schuyler, Mile, Blacks, Finish.  We blew a five-minute horn for the start.

Right after blowing the 5-minute horn, we tried to unfurl our jib. Due to mechanical problems, we were not able to unfurl and had to sit this race out.  As we watched  the boats tack their way to Schuyler, we retrieved the start line ball and headed for the harbor.  At this point we could see a healthy Easterly developing toward the beach.

The first boat to round Schuyler was Sweetheart followed by Aboriginal then Pinata, Aquavit, Geronimo, Sagittarius, New Wave, Tusitala, Sanctuaire, Simpatico, Pacific Spirit, Big Mac, Good Timin', Avatar, Nidaros and Sweet Pea.  The order of rounding did not change around Mile, but on the way to Blacks, all boats had to deal with the transition to an Easterly breeze.

At Blacks, the first around was Aboriginal followed by Sweetheart, Pinata, Aquavit, Geronimo, Tusitala, Sagittarius, New Wave, Sanctuaire, Simpatico, Pacific Spirt, Good Timin', Avatar, Big Mac, Nidaros and Sweet Pea.

At the finish, it was Sweetheart 47:44, Pinata 48:11, Aboriginal 48:26, Aquavit 49:55, Geronimo 50:13, Tusitala 51:43, Sagittarius 52:15, New Wave 52:25, Sanctuaire 53:45, Simpatico 56:01, Pacific Spirit 56:14, Good Timin' 1:01:14,  Avatar 1:03:57, Big Mac 1:04:20, Nidaros 1:05:40 and Sweet Pea 1:13:57. All times are elapsed and the course distance is 3.92NM.

It was a beautiful evening to be sailing and to escape the intense heat on shore.  We had a great Northwesterly breeze that changed with a transition to a strong Easterly.

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                   BOAT                                     ADJUSTED SECONDS                       HIGH SCORE

1                              PINATA                                2514                                                       16

2                              SAGITTARIUS                    2664                                                       15

3                              GERONIMO                        2671                                                       14

4                              AQUAVIT                             2712                                                       13

5                              SIMPATICO                          2714                                                       12

6                              PACIFIC SPIRIT                   2738                                                       11

7                              TUSITALA                            2750                                                       10

8                              NEW WAVE                          2756                                                       9

9                              ABORIGINAL                      2776                                                        8  

10                            SANCTUAIRE                     2778                                                        7

11                           SWEETHEART                     2887                                                        6

12                           BIG MAC                              2989                                                        5

13                           GOOD TIMIN'                      3121                                                        4

14                           AVATAR                                3319                                                       3

15                           NIDAROS                             3481                                                       2

16                           SWEET PEA                         3790                                                       1

 

RACE QS:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&updatedAt=2022-06-22T02:29:24Z&dt=2022-06-21T17:45:01-07:00..2022-06-21T19:28:45-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1655864037861&focus=Aboriginal&rival=Sweetheart&tab=match&view=manual&lat=36.949427&lon=-121.991870&tilt=13&range=448&heading=226

DEALING WITH TRANSITION ZONE:

Transition zones in Santa Cruz are a common occurrence as the outside Northwesterly is replaced by the inside Easterly.  Usually, you can find an area where the two winds are closer together with a narrow area of glassy water between the two winds.  If you can find this area and set your boat up so waves will propel you through the glassy area, it will minimize the time taken to cross the transition.

DARN JIB FURLINGS SNAFUS:

 At the slip we discovered that our Jib halyard had wrapped around the forestay 3 times before attaching to the upper furling system swivel.  This was like a knot tied around the forestay.  The only way to resolve the issue was by observing with binoculars at the dock while unwinding the knot.  Even after clearing this knot, something did not appear right.  The furling system did not spin as freely as it should.  We discovered that the furling line had dropped below the lower drum and was tangled underneath the drum.  Lesson learned: always keep tension on the furling line when the jib is unfurled.

DECISION FOR THE FLEET:

As our fleet has grown, I have been approached by multiple sailors about how to deal with the larger fleet.  Some people have suggested splitting the fleet for reasons of safety and a more level playing field.  Having 40- and 50-foot boats on the same starting line with 20-foot boats could lead to issues. In an attempt to make the starting line safer, we set a long start line.  We have attempted several times to split the fleet with mixed results.

Arguments for not splitting the fleet are just as strong.  How do you split the fleet, PHRF or boat length? We have a diverse group of boats and a vast array of conditions that we sail in.  Frequently, the higher PHRF (slower boats) finish ahead  of the lower PHRF (faster boats) on corrected time.  I believe that this competition with all boats is one of the things that make our fleet appealing and continuing to grow.   We will have an open debate at the barbecue with discussion on how to move forward with this issue.

NEXT TUESDAY IS BARBECUE NIGHT AT THE CLUB AFTER THE RACE.  BRING YOUR BEST GRILLING FOOD!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

JUNE 14, 2022 GETTING PREDICTABLE

 

JUNE 14, 2022

GETTING PREDICTABLE

I arrived at the harbor at about 3 and was encouraged to see the northwesterly stirring up white caps on the water.  Could we actually have enough wind for a race tonight?  At about 4 o’clock the wind had switched around to an Easterly.  As we exited the harbor at about 5, I was encouraged to see a healthy Easterly across the bay.  We saw as much as 14 knots apparent at one point.  We determined the wind direction was 100 degrees and set a start line square to this.  As we sailed further out from the start area, we found the wind almost died completely.  The transition zone between the Easterly and the Northwesterly was still present. 

Trying to decide a course, we saw no boats sailing in the Easterly toward SC3 and thought the transition zone would nix another attempt to sail Echo 2.  Since the Easterly is usually stronger toward shore, we felt an “inside course” to Gov would be more stable and called for Echo 4: Start, Blacks, Gov and finish.  We blew a 5 minute horn for a single start at 6pm.

We had a clean but crowded start off the line as all boats charged toward Blacks.  The first around Blacks was Aboriginal followed by Nidaros, Zoop, Frisky, New Wave, Geronimo, Perfect 36, Pair A Dice, Sanctuaire, Pacific Spirit, Tusitala, Gold Rush, Big Mac and Sea Quake.  After rounding Blacks, the fleet split with some boats sailing further outside while others sailed the rhumb line toward Gov.   As we all sailed toward Gov, the wind was, once again, dying off and I shortened course to finish at the line between the end of the wharf and Gov.  All boats crept slowly toward the finish with some boats giving up and retiring.

The first around Gov to finish was Aboriginal 33:36 followed by Nidaros 42:43, Double Espresso (formerly Patricia J ) 43:19, Zoop 45:57, Pair A Dice 50:34, Perfect 36 50:47, Tusitala 52:08, Big Mac 53:14, Pacific Spirit 54:59 and New Wave 55:05. All times are elapsed and the course length was 1.72 NM.  It was a beautiful, warm sunny afternoon on the bay, but the healthy Easterly dying halfway through the race is getting to be too predictable!

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE   BOAT NAME                       ADJUSTED SECONDS       HIGH SCORE

1              ABORIGINAL                      1957                                       10                                                          

2              NIDAROS                             2361                                       9

3              DOUBLE ESPRESSO          2428                                       8

4              ZOOP                                    2509                                       7

5              PAIR A DICE                        2724                                       6

6              PERFECT 36                         2799                                       5

7              BIG MAC                              2812                                       4

8              TUSITALA                            2973                                       3

9              PACIFIC SPIRIT                   3020                                       2

10             NEW WAVE                         3134                                       1        

   RACE QS:

The track for tonight can be found at:    

  https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=80913&updatedAt=2022-06-15T02:43:11Z&dt=2022-06-14T17:45:02-07:00..2022-06-14T19:41:16-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1655258770362&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Nidaros%20II&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.954237&lon=-122.001419&tilt=1&range=906&heading=142

OUTSIDE VS INSIDE:

On this evening the boats that went outside on the way to Gov fell behind the boats that sailed inside.  On PAD, we knew the transition zone was present from our earlier sail out there.  Another factor that was a huge effect for this evening was the current, which was much stronger toward the beach.  I like to look at the kelp strands to see how they are flowing indicating the direction of the current  as long as the kelp is still attached to the bottom!  In the very light wind, a one knot current going in the right direction, can offer a huge advantage.

DEALING WITH WIND SHADOWS:

Dealing with wind shadows is a huge thing to learn when sailing with larger, faster boats.  You can use the windex on the windward boat to tell when you will be affected by their bad wind.  When the tail of the windex is directed at your boat, you are getting blanketed.  Keep an eye on this and just before you are affected, fall off to keep your speed up and increase distance between the boats.  Meanwhile keep an eye open for a gap in the boats that will allow you to tack over the make the mark. 

Of course, if you can execute a perfect start like Nidaros and others did on this night: right at the start buoy with all boats to leeward, you will not get blanketed!

We will see you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

JUNE 7, 2022 WINDLESS SUNSET

 

JUNE 7, 2022

WINDLESS SUNSET

I have gotten accustomed to seeing the flags showing an Easterly when I come to the harbor on Tuesdays.  This day was not different.  I love Easterly winds when they are strong enough to have a race and as we left the harbor, the 10 knot Easterly was filling the bay.  But would it continue?  As we approached the start mark, we determined the wind had a slight southerly twist to it and set a line square to the wind. We waited until 5:45 before calling a course to see if the wind would hold. With the wind strong enough to race, we called for an ambitious course: Echo 2: Start, SC3, Blacks, Finish.

This evening was the first time we followed a new protocol, splitting the fleet by PHRF rating. The faster boats with PHRF under 115 (division 1) started 5 minutes before the higher PHRF boats (division 2) with a horn blown  at 5:50 and 5:55. Five minute for  <115 blown at 5:50 and 5 minute horn for 115^ blown at 5:55.  The starts went off well.

When I called for this course, I envisioned boats tacking their way to SC3 but the wind veered more to the south and almost all boats sailed to SC3 without having to tack.  It felt great to be sailing in some good wind again!  The first of the class 1 boats to round SC3 was Aboriginal 15:18 followed by Sweetheart 17:00, Patricia J 18:31, Tusitala 20:14, New Wave 21:10 and Frisky 22:39. Times are elapsed and the course distance was 1.5 NM.

After rounding SC3, most of the faster boats were able to round Blacks and some even completed the whole course.  With the wind getting very light and unpredictable, I appreciated the boats that were able to finish the whole course but as some of the boats retired, I thought it best to call the course to finish at SC3 like we did for the division 2 boats.

PHRF ADJUSTED DIVISION 1:

PLACE                  BOAT                     ADJUSTED SECONDS                       HIGH SCORE

1              ABORIGINAL                      868                                                        6

2              PATRICIA J                           962                                                        5

3              SWEETHEART                    1029                                                       4

4              TUSITALA                           1079                                                       3

5              NEW WAVE                         1121                                                       2

6              FRISKY                                1237                                                       1

Meanwhile, the division 2 boats all got caught in a huge BOB-fest as the wind died completely.  After waiting for close to a half hour and very little progress and no hint of wind coming back up, I announced that the race finish was set at the rounding of SC3.  The first of the division 2 boats to round SC3 was Zoop 19:09, Perfect 36 20:15, Jersey Girl 21:49, Gold Rush 23:14, TOAD 23:41, Water Dragon 23:57, Avatar 24:33, Pair A Dice 27:13, Nidaros 29:42, Sea Quake 34:24. Times are elapsed and the course distance was 1.5 NM.

PHRF ADJUSTED DIVISION 2:

PLACE                   BOAT                                     ADJUSTED SECONDS                       HIGH SCORE

1                              ZOOP                                    933                                                         10          

2                              PERFECT 36                         999                                                         9

3                              JERSEY GIRL                       1097                                                       8

4                              TOAD                                    1196                                                       7

5                              GOLD RUSH                        1205                                                       6             

6                              WATER DRAGON               1225                                                       5

7                              AVATAR                                1275                                                       4

8                              PAIR A DICE                        1363                                                       3                              

9                              NIDAROS                            1606                                                       2

10                           SEA QUAKE                        1795                                                       1

 

While the beginning of the evening delivered great wind for a sail, the wind died quickly as the sun set for a WINDLESS SUNSET.  

 

RACE QS:

We had two races this evening with two starts split by PHRF.  Division 1 had PHRF below 115. Division 2 had PHRF 115 and up.

Division 1  <115

 https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&updatedAt=2022-06-08T03:08:35Z&dt=2022-06-07T17:45:00-07:00..2022-06-07T20:08:23-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1654649700362&focus=Aboriginal&rival=Nueva%20Ola&tab=setup&view=manual&lat=36.951754&lon=-121.993048&tilt=1&range=443&heading=135

Division 2  PHRF 115^

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&updatedAt=2022-06-08T03:08:35Z&dt=2022-06-07T17:45:00-07:00..2022-06-07T20:08:23-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1654652203886&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Jgirl&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.948927&lon=-121.983733&tilt=4&range=1589&heading=147

 

STUCK ANCHOR:

Not that this affects all of us, but we had a problem with a stuck anchor when we tried to retrieve the start line ball.  We couldn’t even get the ball up to the rail, it was stuck so badly.  How to deal with this?  I took a line and tied a loop in it which I dropped over the ball.  I took the line to a winch and winched it in until the line was straight up and down.  Once this was accomplished and the line was kept taught, the wave action finally broke the anchor free from the bottom.  We have a mushroom anchor with a line tied to chain attached to the anchor.  It is a mystery to my how a mushroom anchor can get stuck.

We will see you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

MAY 31, 2022 FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE

 

MAY 31, 2022

FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE

As I arrived at the harbor around 4:30 there was an Easterly showing on the flags.  Yet another light wind Easterly evening! ☹  We prepped the boat and left the harbor around 5pm with an apparent Easterly filling the bay.  We set the line and called for course Echo 5: twice around Blacks with a finish at the start mark.  We blew the 5-minute horn for a single start and set up for our start.

After studying Race QS from last week, I determined that the best starts with clear air were further down the line towards the beach and I set up to start in this area.  We achieved a clear air start into the building Easterly.  The Easterly usually fills in first toward the beach.  We sailed further in than most boats before tacking over to round Blacks. As we approached Blacks, the wind seemed to be dying so I decided to shorten course but got involved in sailing and did not make the shorten course announcement.  The first around Blacks (1^st rounding) was Jersey Girl (whose Race QS track died shortly after) followed by Sagittarius, Tusitala, New Wave, Gold Rush, Sanctuaire, Zoop, Perfect 36, Avatar, Nidaros, Makani, Pacific Spirit, Big Mac , Geronimo, Pair A Dice, Kicks and Sea Quake.

All boats made their way to the start mark and I was surprised when the boats started the second lap until my crew informed me that I had never announced to shorten course! The first around the start mark was New Wave followed by four boats rounding practically together (Sanctuaire, Gold Rush, Avatar, Sagittarius) then Zoop, Tusitala, Big Mac, Perfect 36, Nidaros, Geronimo, Pacific Spirit, Pair A Dice, Makani, Kicks and Sea Quake. 

On the way to the second rounding of Blacks, most boats sailed further inside toward the beach while a few boats sailed further out.  On Pair A Dice, it seemed the texture of the water outside indicated more wind.  On the second rounding of Blacks New Wave was first, followed by Sagittarius, Zoop, Gold Rush, Avatar, Sanctuaire, Tusitala, Perfect 36, Big Mac, Makani, Pacific Spirit, Nidaros, Pair A Dice, Sea Quake and Kicks. Geronimo’s Race QS track had stopped.

The wind seemed to be dying even more as boats approached the finish line.  Wind II was first to finish 51:35 followed by New Wave 51:39, Gold Rush 1:03:15, Avatar 1:04:13, Sagittarius 1:06:44, Sanctuaire 1:07:52, Perfect 36 1:09:44, Tusitala 1:09:44, Zoop 1:09:53, Big Mac 1:11:21, Nidaros 1:12:31, Pacific Spirit 1:14:04 and Makani 1:16:40.  Pair A Dice, Kicks and Sea Quake got caught with no wind and DNF. All times are elapsed, and the course distance was 1.68NM.

Though the wind was light, it was a beautiful evening on the water.  With regards to my failure to announce to shorten course, its like the officer in the movie “Cool Hand Luke” who said, “what we have here is a failure to communicate”.   Sometimes it’s hard to walk and chew gum at the same time.

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                   BOAT                     CORRECTED SECONDS                                    HIGH SCORE

1              WIND II                              2737                                                                       13

2              NEW WAVE                       2932                                                                       12

3              GOLD RUSH                      3583                                                                       11

4              AVATAR                              3631                                                                       10

5              SAGITTARIUS                   3802                                                                       9             

6              SANCTUAIRE                    3880                                                                       8

7              BIG MAC                            3908                                                                       7

                PERFECT 36         TIED      3942                                                                      6                             

                ZOOP                    TIED      3942                                                                       6

10           TUSITALA                           4032                                                                       4             

11           NIDAROS                            4154                                                                       3

12           PACIFIC SPIRIT                  4171                                                                       2

13           MAKANI                              4353                                                                       1

 

RACE QS:

There were several tracks that did not complete or upload for this evening.  There was no track for Aboriginal, though they completed 3 times around Blacks.  Jersey Girl and Geronimo did not have complete tracks.  I like to plug my phone in while running the track to be certain the battery does not run out.  If unable to plug your phone in, be certain it is charged before the race.

The track for this evening can be found at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=80438&updatedAt=2022-06-01T02:54:39Z&dt=2022-05-31T17:45:02-07:00..2022-05-31T19:49:47-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1654046770520&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Jgirl&tab=fleet&view=follow&lat=36.955403&lon=-121.992119&tilt=1&range=1518&heading=12

MAJOR CHANGE WITH TWO STARTS:

As Tuesday sailing has become very popular, issues have occurred.  I is not normal to have a regatta with such a diverse group of boats starting on a line at the same time. To compensate for this, we have been  setting a longer start line than normal. Despite the long line, we end up with a myriad of boats to tack through and big wind shadows.  This problem is accentuated when the first mark is Blacks with a light Easterly working.  This is a problem that requires attention for safety reasons.  We tried short course/ long course, but problems arise when boats round marks in opposite directions.

This Tuesday we will try the following changes:

1)      We will split the fleet into two classes by PHRF.  If your PHRF is less than 115, you will start first.   The second start will be for boats with PHRF 115 or higher.

2)      The lower PHRF (<115) will start at 5:55 with a 5 minute horn blown at 5:50.  The five minute horn for PHRF of 115 up will be blown at 5:55.  The  5:55 horn is the start horn for the low PHRF  boats and the 5 minute horn for the higher PHRF.

3)      The start line will be shortened to a more normal start line.

4)      Both classes will sail the same course which will be announced on channel 69.  If conditions are appropriate for a longer race, the first boat that finishes in the lower PHRF class may have the option to indicate (Channel 69) what the extended leg is.

 

 

SAILING IN LIGHT WIND:

Though Pair A Dice did not even finish the course, it offered an opportunity to learn and improve.  What did we do wrong?  After rounding the start mark and starting the second lap, we sailed outside where there seemed to be more texture on the water.  I was reminded later that Easterly winds are always stronger toward shore, but some of the boats that went out did not do badly. 

Another error we made was “sailing to the corner” rather than tacking our way up the middle of the course.  This allowed clear air sailing but had us sailing much further than necessary.

In very light winds, it is common for many boats to wander from side to side trying to keep the tell tales flowing. This is apparent when observing Race QS for this evening.  The tighter the sails are trimmed, the narrower the groove.    I had forgotten the technique I previously used: loosen the jib sheet a little to widen the groove and have your jib sheet trimmer adjust the sail to keep telltales flowing as the wind shifts. This allows the boat to sail a straighter line.  Less helm, allows better boat speed.  It is important to keep this wider angle of steering in mind when assessing a proper lay line for the next mark.

 

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice