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