JULY 25, 2023 DELIGHTFUL EVENING SAIL

 

JULY 25, 2023

DELIGHTFUL EVENING SAIL

As I arrived at the harbor, the Easterly was already apparent on the flags.  We left the harbor around 5 o’clock and it was a beautiful sight to see with a 10-15 knot Easterly wind filling the bay.  We determined the wind was coming from 90 degrees (as East as you can get) and set a line square to this.  With the Easterly being strong, we called for the longest Easterly course: Echo 1.  We blew the “10-minute horn for the A fleet start at 5:55 and the B Fleet start at 6pm.

While the A fleet start was clean, B fleet had a few “exciting moments” with close calls but no collisions.  All boats made their way to the windward mark, SC3.  The wind seemed to increase as we approached the mark.  The first A fleet boat to round SC3 was Aboriginal, followed by Perigon, Flexi Flyer, Cayote, Sticky Fingers, Watts Moore and Good Timin’.  Avatar was the first B Fleet around SC3 followed by Perfect 36, Sweet Pea, Nidaros, Makani, Toad, Pair a Dice, Gold Rush, Big Mac, Simpatico and Kicks.

On the way downwind to Black, the tight-nit group of B fleet boats were jockeying for position to block the wind of other boats.  At the finish, A fleet was led by Aboriginal 34:25 followed by Flex Flyer 39:52, Perigon 40:39, Sticky Fingers 42:56, Coyote 42:58, Watts Moore 43:07, Double Espresso 43:57, Good Timin’ 46:48, Wind II 55:03.  Avatar was the first B fleet boat to finish 41:41 followed by Perfect 36 42:47, Sweet Pea and Nidaros at the same time 44:23, Makani 45:01, Gold Rush 45:20, TOAD 46:49, Sailing Pair A Dice 46:53, Pacific Spirit 47:05, Big Mac 47:40, Simpatico 48:36 and Kicks 50:55.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 3.9NM.

As most of our nation is suffering with sweltering temperatures we are enjoying mild weather in Santa Cruz.  With the consistent Easterly filling in the bay and close to 30 boats out, it was a delightful evening sail.

AERIAL PHOTOS TAKEN  FROM A PLANE

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                   BOAT                                     PHRF                     ADJUSTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             ABORIGINAL                                      33                           32:16

2             STICKY FINGERS                               162                        32:24

3             WATTS MOORE                                   150                        33:22

4             FLEXI FLYER                                      96                           33:37

5             PERIGON                                              81                           35:23

6             COYOTE                                               86                           37:22

7             DOUBLE ESPRESSO                          99                           37:30

8             GOOD TIMIN’                                      141                        37:38

9             WIND II                                                 213                        41:12

FLEET B:

1             AVATAR                                                132                        33:06

2             BIG MAC                                              222                        33:14

3             PERFECT 36                                        144                        33:25

4             SWEET PEA                                         165                        33:39

5             SAILING PAIR A DICE                        180                        35:11

6             MAKANI                                              147                        35:27

7             TOAD                                                    150                        37:04

8             GOLD RUSH                                        126                        37:08

9             NIDAROS                                             108                        37:21

10           SIMPATICO                                          165                        37:52

11           KICKS                                                   180                        39:13

RACE QS:

The track for this evening can be found at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=92293&updatedAt=2023-07-26T02:27:39Z&dt=2023-07-25T17:45:03-07:00..2023-07-25T19:27:39-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1690338459000&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=PERIGON&tab=fleet&view=follow&lat=36.962188&lon=-121.994948&tilt=8&range=3426&heading=91

 RULES:

 Sailboat racing often has boats sailing in close quarters and we all hate surprises.  I always have my crew keep the skipper apprised of where other boats are.  This helps prevent surprises, but “incidents” will still happen resulting in breaking a rule or fouling another boat.  I concede that this is a developmental series but we have all agreed to follow the Racing Rules of Sailing.  These rules dictate that, if a rule is broken that requires exoneration, a 360 degree turn needs be executed.  This penalty turn should be executed out of the way of other boats.  Though this is a fun sailing event, it is not fair that some boats exonerate and others do not.  Fouls that require a 360 penalty include any contact with a mark or failing to yield proper right of way requiring a right of way boat to alter course.

On the start line, if you are OCS at the start, you should return and “dip the line for a proper start”.  In more organized races, the I flag may be hoisted on the committee boat to indicate that the end of the line must be rounded, but for our series we just return and dip the line or if more convenient, round an end of the line to start properly.

 Keep in mind the concept that if you win a race but do not gain the respect of your fellow sailors, you have won nothing.   

BBBS:

Big Brothers Big Sisters regatta is coming August 6.  It is not too late to register for this very fun event.  It is a reverse PHRF start meaning the slower boats start first for a short race then a raging party with music food a drink afterwards. 

I hope to see you next Tuesday for another awesome sail.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

 

 

JULY 18, 2023 DEJA VU SAILING

 

JULY18, 2023

DÉJÀ VU SAILING

Once again, predictions were for light breezes for the evening.  As I watched the flags through the afternoon, there was a mild northwesterly blowing which changed to an Easterly as 5 o’clock approached.  As we left the harbor, there was an Easterly starting to build by the beach, but a light northwesterly blowing further out.  As boats were leaving the harbor, we needed some indication as to what the wind was going to do.   On Pair A Dice, we have found that mother nature makes her final decision one minute after we have deployed the start line buoy. This night was no exception. It looked like the westerly was filling in and we set the start line  mark outside of the yellow mark to be more in the westerly breeze.  Sure enough, one minute after we set the mark, the Easterly started blowing which required a minor mark-set change which we accomplished, and announced the course: Start, Blacks and finish at GOV just like last week.  We blew the “10-minute horn” at 5:50 for a Fleet A start at 5:55 and a B Fleet start at 6pm.  Both fleets got off with a clean start and all boats made their way to Blacks.

The first A fleet boat to round Blacks was Watts Moore, followed by Frisky, Aquavit, Flexi Flyer, Sagittarius, Good Timin’, Perigon and Rosie.  B fleet was led around Blacks by Gold Rush followed by Zoop, Simpatico, Pair A Dice, Toad, Big Mac, Perfect 36, Pacific Spirit and Kicks.  The rounding of Blacks this week was much more controlled than last week.

On the long run to the Gov finish line, some boats made some time on other boats.  The first A Fleet boat to cross the finish line was Flexi Flyer 23:46 followed by Watts Moore 24:36, Frisky 25:31, Sagittarius 26:42, Aquavit 26:46, Good Timin’ 28:02, Rosie 29:46 and Perigon 30:05.  B Fleet was led by Zoop 23:57, followed by Gold Rush 24:45, Wind II 25:25, Nidaros 25:48,  Schock Therapy 26:19, Simpatico 26:26, Toad 26:29, Pair A Dice 26:38, Big Mac 27:56, Perfect 36 28:14, Pacific Spirit 28:15 and Kicks 31:12.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 1.92 NM.

In the end it was amazing how similar conditions were to last weeks sail: a perfect example of “Déjà vu sailing”.

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS

PLACE   BOAT                                     PHRF                     ADJUSTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             WATTS MOORE                150                        19:48

2             FLEXI FLYER                    96                           30:41

3             FRISKY                               81                           22:51 TIE

3             SAGITTARIUS                   120                        22:51 TIE

5             GOOD TIMIN’                    141                        23:31

6             ROSIE                                  162                        23:34

7             AQUAVIT                            72                           24:27

8             PERIGON                             81                           27:29

FLEET B:

1             SCHOCK THERAPY           243                        18:32

2             WIND  II                               213                        18:36

3             ZOOP                                    144                        19:20

4             SAILING PAIR A DICE        180                        20:32

5             GOLD RUSH                        126                        20:43

6             BIG MAC                              222                        20:49

7              SIMPATICO                          165                        20:59

8             TOAD                                    150                         21:41

9             PACIFIC SPIRIT                   165                        22:08

10            NIDAROS                             108                        22:20

11           PERFECT 36                         144                        23:37

12           KICKS                                   180                        25:26

RACE QS:

The track for this evening can be found at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1147771&updatedAt=2023-07-19T01:53:52Z&dt=2023-07-18T17:46:08-07:00..2023-07-18T18:53:52-07:00&boat=Aquavit&time=1689730272008&focus=Aquavit&rival=Sailing%20Pair%20A%20Dice&tab=setup&view=follow&lat=36.958510&lon=-122.011995&tilt=9&range=294&heading=150Race QS:

LONGER RACES:

Multiple people have asked why I called for such short courses for the last two weeks.  I called each of these races for the conditions that we were experiencing at the start: light Easterly.  I agree that we could have extended the race back to start/finish mark but the confusion after indicating to finish with GOV to SB and the normal port rounding for a longer course could be very dangerous, especially for an impromptu course not listed on the course card.

RACING OR SAILING?

We have several boats that come sailing with us and participate in our “races” that are not registered and do not upload Race QS tracks.  I do not own the ocean and cannot exclude unregistered boats from sailing with us.  This is a non-issue UNTIL the racing rules of sailing are not being followed and right of way boats must steer clear of non-participating boats to avoid collision.  After such an occurrence it is not exactly Corinthian conduct to express a single finger salute to the right of way boat.  Once again, I do not own the ocean and cannot exclude participation, but please follow the rules.  It is a big ocean and bay. Is it really necessary that you sail in the midst of our impromptu races and not follow the rules?

BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER:

Another reminder of the big regatta for the year.  This regatta occurs on August 6 this year.  It is an awesome event with food and music after the short race.

NEXT TUESDAY IS BARBECUE NIGHT AT THE CLUB

This is always a fun event, bring your best grilling food to the club and enjoy visiting with other competitors.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

JULY 11, 2023 DANCING WITH MYSTICAL FOG

 

JULY 11, 2023

DANCING WITH MYSTICAL FOG

I got to my boat in the early afternoon and watched as the flags showed a steady northwesterly blowing as the day progressed.  Just before five o’clock, the flags started showing an Easterly building. By the time we left the harbor the wind had dissipated to being very light but from a southerly direction.  Once again, we had fog banks surrounding us, but several miles away.  My heart sank as I watched multiple boats leaving the harbor wanting to race.  You need wind to race!  As I postponed the start, I was informed that wind was building toward shore and could see it on the water.  We set an impromptu start line closer to shore and called for a course: the impromptu start line to Blacks and finish at Gov (finish line from wharf end to Gov). I have such an awesome team on PAD that we were able to accomplish setting the new start line with only a 5 minute delay in the start.  We blew the “10 minute horn” at 5:55 for a 6pm start for A fleet and a 6:05 start for B fleet.

With nearly 30 boats out, it was a very crowded ocean as boats tacked their way to Blacks.  I did my best to stay clear of the kerfuffle as we rounded Blacks with  multiple boats. Flexi Flyer was first of A fleet around Blacks followed by Sagittarius, Rosie, Odonata, Aquavit, Perigon and Tusitala.  Some of the B fleet caught up and passed some of the A fleet boats and Zoop was first of B fleet around Blacks, followed by Good Timin’, Perfect 36, Avatar, Nidaros, Toad, Big Mac, Pair a Dice, Pacific Spirit, Simpatico and Kicks.

With the anxiety of rounding Black in our “rear view mirror”, we all made our way to the finish line at Gov.  Some boats followed the inside track, while others tried sailing further from shore and others just Rhumb lined it to the mark.

The first of A fleet to finish was Flexy Flyer 41:16, followed by Sagittarius 42:44, Double Espresso 42.44, Odonata 44:06, Aquavit 46:25, Wind II 46:20, Tusitala 48:57, Rosie 49:27 and Perigon 50:48.  The first Fleet B boat to finish was Zoop 38:24, Good Timin’ 38:51, Perfect 36 40:01, Sailing Pair A Dice 42:38, Big Mac 42:43, Avatar 43:06, Pacific Spirit 44:18, Nidaros 44:31, TOAD 45:23, Sweet Pea 45:50, Kicks 48:25 and Simpatico 4
8:59.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 2.37NM.

It was an awesome night to be on the water, as the wind got progressively better through the evening. Fog banks showing outside and filling in closer to shore at the end, it was like dancing with mystical fog.

                                                       RUSH HOUR AT BLACKS

PHRF CORRECTED POSITIONS:

PLACE   BOAT                                    PHRF                     CORRECTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             ODONATA                           243                        34:30

2             FLEXI FLYER                      96                         37:28

3             WIND II                               213                        37:55

4             SAGITTARIUS                    120                        37:59

5             DOUBLE ESPRESSO          99                         39:15

6             ROSIE                                  162                        43:03

7             AQUAVIT                             72                         43:34

8             TUSITAL A                           90                         45:23

9             PERIGON                             81                         47:36

B FLEET

1             ZOOP                                   144                        32:42

2             GOOD TIMIN’                    141                        33:17

3             BIG MAC                            222                        33:56

4             PERFECT 36                       144                        34:19

5             SAILING PAIR A DICE      180                        35:34

6             PACIFIC SPIRIT                  165                        37:47

7             AVATAR                                132                        37:53

8             SWEET PEA                         165                        39:18

9             TOAD                                    150                        39:27

10           NIDAROS                             108                        40:15

11           KICKS                                   180                        41:18

12           SIMPATICO                          165                        42:28   

RACE QS:

Race Qs seems to be working for most boats.  The track can be viewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=91805&updatedAt=2023-07-12T02:31:50Z&dt=2023-07-11T17:45:01-07:00..2023-07-11T19:27:17-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1689128774354&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Zoop&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.959685&lon=-122.007980&tilt=10&range=1696&heading=65

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS:

This very fun regatta will be on August 6 this year.  Everyone that registers is welcome to participate.  We have all improved our sailing by participating in Tuesday sailing.  Why not participate in an  official regatta?  This is your opportunity!  To register is a two-step process.  First go to SCYC.org/regattas and register for $1.  This is a charity event, so the second part of registration is to go to the BBBS website to register crew, donate or get extra dinner tickets or raffle tickets.  The BBBS website is at: https://76fcbc056b94b1d57eec-b9aac7c1400afb2263735d1e7c151cea.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/regatta_facebook_event_cover_photo_1920_1005_px_3_png-1686263868_large

This is an awesome event with food, and a great social gathering after the event.

I hope to see you on the water next Tuesday!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

JULY 4, 2023 STAR SPANGLED SAIL

JULY 4, 2023

STAR SPANGLED SAIL

Predictions were for 15 knot winds for the evening, but as the afternoon progressed, the flags indicated more than 15 knot winds.  The question on my boat is always which jib to use and watching the flags made me want to change to the smaller jib but I stayed with the 155.  As we left the harbor right after 5pm, the sea state had no white-caps and no wind swell indicating that we had chosen correctly.

We approached the start area and determined that the wind was coming from 240 degrees and set a line square to the wind.  The club had a special dinner to celebrate the holiday so we called for a short course to get people to the club earlier.  We chose course Whiskey 6 and blew the 10-minute horn for Fleet A and B.

As Fleet A came off the line for their 5:55 start,  it seems most of the boats followed the traditional move used in Santa Cruz: Start on starboard and tack over for the inside track as soon as possible.  Fleet B followed suit with a clean start and some boats following the inside track.  Pair A Dice and Pacific Spirit sailed further outside before tacking over.  At Schuyler, Fleet A was led by Sweetheart, followed by Geronimo, Flexi Flyer and Odonata.  Big Mac was first of B fleet to round followed closely by Pair A Dice, Avatar and Pacific Spirit.

On the long run back to the finish line, Sweetheart was first of A Fleet to finish 32:36 followed by Flexi Flyer 34:26, Geronimo 36:09 and Odonata 43:24.  B fleet finished with  Pair A Dice 39:09 slightly in front of Big Mac 39:19, Avatar 40:51 and Pacific Spirit 41:23.  All times elapsed and the course distance was 2.6NM.

It was an awesome evening for a sail with the wind not decreasing at all.  We had 10 boats out for a holiday “Star Spangled Sail”.  And the food at the club was awesome!

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE    BOAT                                     PHRF                     ADJUSTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             FLEXI FLYER                         96                           30:16

2             GERONIMO                            87                           32:22

3             SWEETHEART                       -6                            32:51

4             ODONATA                             243                           32:52

FLEET B:

1             BIG MAC                              222                           29:41

2             SAILING PAIR A DICE        180                           31:14

3             PACIFIC SPIRIT                   165                           34:14

4             AVATAR                                132                            35:07

Race QS:

The track for this evening can be found at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1009265&divisionId=91568&updatedAt=2023-07-06T00:28:27Z&dt=2023-07-04T17:45:09-07:00..2023-07-04T19:02:35-07:00&boat=PAD&model=Express27&time=1688521142637&focus=PAD&rival=Pacific%20Spirit&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.950667&lon=-121.994174&tilt=7&range=123&heading=19

TRIED AND TRUE?

This evening was a lesson in paying attention to details.  On PAD, we noticed that the wind was slightly better toward the outside of the start line. We also noted that the sea was very flat, allowing us to achieve good speed as we sailed out.  These two minor details allowed us to establish a position close to the front of the pack.  The old tried and true “start on Starboard and tack over as soon as possible” works most of the time, but not always!

I hope to see you out next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice