SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 BIG SWELL, MIXED WIND

 

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023

BIG SWELL, MIXED WIND

I received a text message early in the morning asking if we were going to race with the inclement conditions.  I checked predict-wind and sure enough there was a large 9 foot swell predicted.  I checked the harbor cam and waves were consistently breaking halfway across the entrance.  Visions of boats piling together on exiting and entering the harbor in such conditions prompted me to send a cautionary email to our group.  I got to the harbor in the early afternoon and noticed an unusually strong surge in the harbor.  I walked to the beach to get a first hand look and noticed that the large waves were unusual and most of the time the entrance was flat with no waves.

As crew arrived and we left the harbor, the entrance was flat but as we motored further out, we witnessed a set wave breaking across the entrance.  The wind was a good 16 knot breeze apparent at the start mark coming from 230 degrees and we set a line square to this direction.  We announced a course Whisky 6: start,  Schuyler, S/F (to port).  Race Qs functionality was still in question so we had people record their finish time at the extension of the line from lighthouse through S/F.  As the clocked ticked toward the start time, there was a hint of a Northerly developing, but the Northwesterly quickly reasserted its predominance.

Both Fleets  charged off the line making their way to Schuyler.  Some boats sailed inside to take advantage of the “new wind” blowing from the north, while many sailed outside to stay in the “predominant” Northwesterly.  It was a gamble either way, and in the end, the inside boats pulled ahead of the outside sailing boats as all boats rounded Schuyler and made their way back to the S/F mark.

At the finish for Fleet A, the first boat to finish was Aboriginal 26:14, followed by  Watts Moore 30:00, Yellow Belly 31:00, Perigon 33:35, Good Timin’ 33:48, Sagittarius         34:40, Double Espresso 35:51, Aquavit 41:21 and Quixotic 42:28.  B Fleet was led by Zoop 29:56 then Perfect 36 31:16, Makani 34:19, Avatar 35:07, TOAD 36:02, Kicks 36:50, Pair A Dice 38:15 and Wind Goddess 44:29.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 2.6 NM.

It was a great night to be out on the water despite the big swell and the mixed wind.  Thankfully, there were no incidents that occurred with the big swell and mixed wind.

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                   BOAT                                     PHRF                     ADJUSTED TIME

FLEET A:

1                             WATTS MOORE                 150                        23:30

2                             ABORIGINAL                      33                           24:48

3                             YELLOW BELLY                141                        24:53

4                             GOOD TIMIN’                     141                        27:41

5                             SAGITTARIUS                    120                        29:28

6                             PERIGON                             81                           30:04

7                             DOUBLE ESPRESSO          99                           31:33

8                             AQUAVIT                             72                           38:13

9                             QUIXOTIC                           38                           40:49

FLEET B

1                             ZOOP                                    144                        23:41

2                             PERFECT 36                        144                        25:01

4                             MAKANI                              147                        27:58

5                             KICKS                                  180                        29:02

6                             AVATAR                                132                        29:23

7                             TOAD                                    150                        29:32

8                             PAIR A DICE                         180                        30:27

9                             WIND GODDESS                 168                        37:12   

 

RACE QS:

Race QS is back, for now.  The track for this evening can be reviewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1017739&divisionId=94650&updatedAt=2023-09-27T02:01:17Z&dt=2023-09-26T17:50:01-07:00..2023-09-26T19:01:15-07:00&boat=Perf36&time=1695775841229&focus=Perf36&rival=PERIGON&tab=fleet&view=match                                         

Last night most of the boats uploaded a track and reported their finish time.  This seems to be a good backup system: run the track and record your finish time.  We will see how dependable Race QS will be in the future.

I was not optimistic about race QS functioning and set the prestart to run a track but I did not put the phone in the cradle as I normally do. This allowed the phone to migrate around on the chart table and my track stopped mid-race.  Just another tip about Race QS: follow their suggestion to mount the phone close to the center of the boat.

BATTLE OF THE WINDS:

We sensed the beginning of a very warm North wind even before the start.  Decisions need to be made!  Which wind will prevail? This is not an easy decision. The Northwest wind was chilly and the North wind was very warm.  You would think the warmer air would rise and the chilly air would settle in, but the common thought in sailing is to “sail to the new wind!”  The boats that sailed inside (toward the new wind) to take advantage of the Northerly, leap-frogged ahead of the boats that went outside for the perceived “better wind”.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 GREAT RACE MINUS RACE QS

 

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

GREAT RACE MINUS RACE QS

It was encouraging to see the flags indicating a good breeze through the afternoon.  It was looking like the call for decreasing wind in the evening would not severely affect our race.   When we left the harbor at about 5:15, the wind was increasing as we made our way to the start area and also seemed to be increasing as we got closer to the start time.  We determined the wind was blowing from about 240 and set a line square to that direction.  We called for a course: Whiskey 2 and blew the 10 minute horn for a Fleet A start at 5:55 and B Fleet start at  6pm.  As the wind was increasing, sail area was decreasing as we witnessed many boats tucking in a reef.

On this night, I decided to be the sheriff boat and call OCS boats.  I set up for the A fleet and one boat was OCS and when announced went back to start again.   As we set up for B fleet start, we went to the other end of the line. At the start, there were about four boats that were OCS.  It is difficult to be the “race committee” sighting the line, sailing a boat that is setting up for a race and announcing multiple  boats that are OCS is more than is possible, at least for me.  I was not able to call out the OCS boats.  In a normal regatta, this would have been a general recall, and everyone would have to wait to start again.

All boats made their way around the course and the wind kept up through the evening.  It was a beautiful sunset as we made our way to the harbor and with the wind sustaining through the evening, it was a great sail. 

When I got to the harbor, I uploaded my track as normal and thought all was good.  When I got home I attempted to set up the race and realized that Race QS was once again  not functioning.  In the past, when this happens, after a couple of days it comes back up.  As it is now, I cannot rate how boats finished, but if data becomes available from Race QS, I will do another blog to publish results.

RACING WITHOUT RACE QS:

Though Race QS is a great app to review how well you are sailing and score our races, not having Race QS will not stop our fun.  I would still encourage everyone to upload a race QS track, but as a backup strategy, we need to record our finish time.  It would be good to have someone on the bow to sight the line and someone to record the time of the finish for your boat. In order to enhance the accuracy of the finish time, we will change the course card instructions to finish on the EXTENSION of the line.  When the course is announced, the side that the finish mark should be taken will also be announced WHICH MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE COURSE CARD.  In the future, you can report your finish time at:    scyc.race.results@gmail.com  or you can send me an email with your finish  time and boats that were in front of you and behind you.  My email is:  sailingpairadice@gmail.com. 

OCS:

Being OCS (on course side) for the start is a tempting position to be in.  After all, you are guaranteed clear air.  Our series of sailboat racing does not have a committee sighting the line, though we can have a sheriff boat sight the line for OCS boats.

How do you prevent being OCS?  One way is to sight the line and pick a landmark that indicates the start line.  Sighting the line toward shore, you see that the red ball lines up with a tree or other landmark. Having someone on the bow sighting for this lineup will indicate whether you are over the line. 

There are electronic devices that help, but a compass can also be used.  Take a compass bearing for the line from one end to the other and use this compass bearing as you approach one end of the line.  If sailing along the line, you should be sailing on that compass bearing on the right side of the line until the start time.  There are many elements at play and many boats in the mix which makes the start the most exciting part of the race.  With practice, you can perfect the art and be right on the line right on time.

NEXT TUESDAY IS THE LAST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH AND WILL BE BARBECUE AT THE CLUB NIGHT.  BRING YOUR BEST GRILLING FOOD!

I hope to see you sailing next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 ZERO TO TWELVE IN FIFTEEN

 

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023

ZERO TO TWELVE IN FIFTEEN

I was encouraged by the display of wind on the flags through the afternoon.  Today was my birthday and what better way to celebrate than a good sail.  My heart sank as we exited the harbor just after 5 to see a pond-like ocean with no wind.  We approached the start area and studied the conditions.  It was encouraging to see fog down by Aptos which is usually a precursor to a developing Easterly.  Sure enough, we watched as  the Easterly ripples approached  and filled in with a solid 12 knot breeze.  As the wind was building, we decided to set up a reaching mark and also set the start line mark.  We called for course Echo 2, with the option to shorten course if the wind subsided.  We had close to 30 boats out for the fun and blew the 10-minute horn: 5minutes for A Fleet start and 10 minutes for Fleet B start.

Fleet A and B had clean starts, as best determined by Race QS tracks.  All boats tacked their way to Blacks then to the offset mark, then around again.  The first A fleet boat to round S/F for the first rounding was Aboriginal followed by Double Espresso, Interlude, Yellow Belly, Good Timin’, Aquavit and Rosie.  The first of B fleet to round was Avatar, followed by Makani, Perfect 36, Big Mac,  Wind Goddess, Pair A Dice, Simpatico, TOAD, Pacific Spirit,  and Kicks.

At the finish, Aboriginal was first 23:04 followed by Double Espresso 26:26, Interlude 26:44, Yellow Belly 27:29, Aquavit 28:47, Good Timin’ 29:08 and Rosie 31:56.  B Fleet was led by Avatar 27:22 followed by Makani 27:55 and Perfect 36 27:55, Big Mac 29:19, Wind Goddess 29:47, Simpatico 30:26, TOAD 30:31, Pair A Dice  30:35, Pacific Spirit 31:42 and Kicks 32:56.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 2.03NM.

It was a great evening to be sailing.  We started at 5:15 with zero wind,  but it filled in with a twelve knot Easterly within 15 minutes.  Zero to twelve in Fifteen.

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS

PLACE                   BOAT                                     PHRF                     ADJUSTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             ABORIGINAL                                      33                           21:57

2             YELLOW BELLY                                141                        22:42

3             DOUBLE ESPRESSO                         99                           23:05

4             GOOD TIMIN’                                    141                        24:21

5             AQUAVIT                                           72                           26:20

6             ROSIE                                                 162                        26:27

                INTERLUDE (UNREGISTERED)   141?                      21:57

FLEET B:

1             BIG MAC                                              222                        21:48

2             AVATAR                                                132                        22:54

3             MAKANI                                              147                        22:56

4             PERFECT 36                                        144                        23:02

5             WIND GODDESS                                168                        24:05

6             PAIR A DICE                                        180                        24:29

7             SIMPATICO                                         165                        24:51

8             TOAD                                                   150                        25:26

9             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                  165                        26:07

10           KICKS                                                  180                        26:50 

 

Race QS:

The Race QS track for this evening can be reviewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=94200&updatedAt=2023-09-13T02:11:32Z&dt=2023-09-12T17:45:09-07:00..2023-09-12T19:01:54-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1694568776881&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Makani&tab=fleet&view=follow&lat=36.951436&lon=-121.994081&tilt=2&range=413&heading=234

REGISTRATION:

We have several boats that enjoy our Tuesday Night sails that are not registered.  I realize it is getting close to the end of the season and I don’t expect people to register their boats without trying it out first.  To encourage registration, remember that we do not stop sailing when time changes.  When the time changes, we continue sailing but start earlier in the day throughout the winter as long as conditions permit.  It is difficult to sail if the harbor is shoaled or intense winter storms are engaged.   Also, in order to be counted in the ratings I need to know your PHRF which is included in the registration process. 

Beware of the “idiot boat” that is not registered but likes to interfere and foul boats for the start, then don’t race but just sail away.  You cannot protest a boat that has totally fouled you when they are not racing.  I do not understand this weird behavior.

I hope to see you next Tuesday.

 

Barry Keeler

 SAILING PAIR A DICE

 

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 POST LABOR DAY SAILING

 

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

POST LABOR DAY SAILING

 

Predictions were for great wind through the day but for the wind to die as the evening progressed.  Considering the predictions for a dying breeze, I kept the 155 jib for the evenings sail. As we left the harbor at 5pm, the wind was brisk on the outside with gusts up to 21 knots though the wind was less toward the beach.  We determined the wind was from 130 degrees and set the start line mark.  We called for course Whiskey 2 and blew the 10minute horn.  Both fleets got off to a clean start and tacked their way to the first mark: Schuyler.

At Schuyler, the first A fleet boat to round was Aboriginal followed by Yellow Belly, Tusitala, Aquavit, Watts Moore and Rosie.  Fleet B was led by Makani followed by Pair A Dice, Avatar, Pacific Spirit, Wind Goddess, Simpatico, Sweet Pea, Natorious, Toad, Kicks and Nidaros.  It was a wild reach to Mile as the boats shook out their reefs for the downwind run.  After rounding Mile, many boats set their whisker pole for the straight downwind run trying to catch waves to maximize speed.

The wind was decreasing slightly as B Fleet approached Blacks, but was still strong enough for good sailing.  At the finish, the first A fleet boat was Aboriginal 27:45 followed by Yellow Belly 35:52, Tusitala 37:25, Watts Moore 40:04, Aquavit 45:38 and Rosie 46:58.  Fleet B was led by Makani 52:52 followed by Sailing Pair A Dice 53:39, Avatar 54:19, Wind Goddess 55:03,  Pacific Spirit 55:49, Simpatico 56:45, TOAD 1:00:59, Sweet Pea 1:01:06, Kicks 1:04:54, Natorious 1:05:15 and Nidaros 1:07:41.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 3.92NM.

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                   BOAT                                     PHRF     ADJUSTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             ABORIGINAL                                      33           25:35

2             YELLOW BELLY                                 141        26:39

3             WATTS MOORE                                  150        30:16

4             TUSITALA                                            90           31:32

5             ROSIE                                                   162        36:22

6             AQUAVIT                                             72           40:55

FLEET B:

1             SAILING PAIR A DICE                       180        41:53

2             MAKANI                                              147        43:15

3             WIND GODDESS                                168        44:04

4             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                  165        45:02

5             AVATAR                                                132        45:41

6             SIMPATICO                                          165        45:58

7             SWEET PEA                                         165        50:19

8             TOAD                                                    150        51:11

9             NATORIUS                                           189        52:54

10           KICKS                                                   180        53:08

11           NIDAROS                                             108        60:37

 

FLEET A STARTS THE POST LABOR DAY SAIL

RACE QS:

The track for this evening can be reviewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=93939&updatedAt=2023-09-06T02:23:45Z&dt=2023-09-05T17:45:02-07:00..2023-09-05T19:20:41-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1693965125420&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Makani&tab=fleet&view=follow&lat=36.952303&lon=-121.996397&tilt=9&range=839&heading=223

RACING IN 20 KNOT GUSTS:

Every boat is different, but for this evening there were several factors that helped us.

SAILS AND SAIL TRIM:

We had the 155 jib which was a little too much sail for upwind sailing, but worked well for the off-wind legs.  We fully deployed the large jib but tucked a reef in the mainsail.  We sailed to weather with the jib fully strapped in and the main travelled down a little to help prevent excessive heel. It was not easy steering the boat in these conditions,  but I just kept the telltales streaming as well as possible. It also helped to have someone travel down on the main when puffs came.  A boat that is “wobbling” back  and forth (from excessive heel to less heel) is not a fast boat!

WEIGHT DISPLACEMENT:

In greater wind it is best to have a large crew for weight on the rail.  You see pictures of large race boats sailing to weather with the whole crew on the windward side of the boat to keep the boat from heeling excessively.  This obviously works.  Getting  your crew out of the cockpit and on the rail going to weather works to keep the boat from heeling excessively.

Going down wind and down waves, having the crew gather midship over the keel stabilizes the boat and makes it much easier to control the boat.

SCYC REGATTAS:

JACK AND JILL REGATTA:

The Jack and Jill regatta will be on September 23.  Sydnie Moore has worked to keep this regatta going over the years and this year has several changes to open the field to more sailors.  This is always a  fun event.  Why not apply some of the skills you have learned on Tuesday Night sailing to a formal race? Check out the SCYC.ORG/Regattas web site for specifics.

 

FALL SCORE RACE:

The Sunday after the Jack and Jill (September 24) will be the Fall Score race.   This is a series of races and specifics can be viewed at the SCYC website.

I hope to see you next Tuesday on the water.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 DEALINGWITH BARGING

 

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

DEALING WITH BARGING

Attached is the write up for the barging protest that occurred on 8/22/23.  Thank you Mackenzie Cook and Chris Hofmann for your time and diligence in judging this case.

 

BARGING:

We have a diverse group of sailors on Tuesday Nights.  I am honored and enjoy sailing with the seasoned pros, but I also love to see novice racers participate and learn the finer nuances of racing and learning the rules.  “BARGING” is a term that experienced sailors use frequently.  It is amusing to me that you could read the rule book from cover to cover and not find the word ”barging” anywhere.  For this reason, I thought it would be good to explain what “barging” is and also present ways to avoid committing this foul.

The rules that are involved in barging are in Part 2 of the rule book.  Section A (right of way)

 Rule 11: When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.

 Rule 12: When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.

 Finally, in section B (general limitations)

 rule 17: If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within two hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain on the same tack and overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat. This rule does not apply if the overlap begins while the windward boat is required by rule 13 to keep clear.

Rule 11 is pretty straightforward indicating that any leeward boat on the same tack that is overlapped with a windward boat can luff the windward boat UP TO head to wind.  Going any further than head to wind would be breaking rule 16.1: When a right of way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.

Rule 12 will be discussed below in how to avoid barging.

Finally Rule 17 offers more restrictions on the leeward boat indicating that if the leeward overlap occurs from behind within two hull lengths, she shall not sail above her proper course. The key phrase is “proper course”.  Before the start, there is no proper course so luffing up the windward boat is legal,  but once the start signal (or time in our case) occurs the leeward boat must sail a proper course.  Proper course may mean the leeward boat is luffing up to clear a mark. Achieving an overlap from behind is called a “restricted overlap” because of this necessity to sail proper course after the start. If overlap is not achieved from behind as when a boat tacks into an overlapping leeward position, it is not a restricted overlap and it is legal to luff a boat up even after the start.  This may be a good move  in team racing, but in fleet racing it is usually better to just “go for speed”.

Rule 13: WHILE TACKING: After as boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course. During that time rules 10,11 and 12 do not apply. If two boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the other’s port side or the one astern shall keep clear.

A few links on Barging:  https://www.uksailmakers.com/what-is-the-barging-rule/#:~:text=Barging%20is%20when%20an%20inside,2%20of%20the%20rule%20book.

 

https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2020/07/19/barging-and-the-racing-rules-of-sailing/

 

http://david-sailing.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/barging.html

  

HOW TO PREVENT “BARGING”:

Barging is just another form of being luffed up over the start line, it just happens to occur at the end of the line.  Experienced sailors are always avoiding the “getting hooked” scenario.  Getting hooked means a leeward boat establishes an overlap and can luff you up.  To avoid “getting hooked” you can use the following tricks.

1)   1   Watch out for potential leeward boats.  You can see them before the start and duck their stern. In a crowded start, you may need to duck multiple boats.

2)     2 If sailing the line anticipating the start, if potential leeward boats are present, you can sail at least a boat-length away from the line.  This way you can luff up and not be over the line. This action may even break the overlap, though it will also slow you down. The leeward boat in this situation will often fall off for speed allowing you to do the same.

3)    3  If you get caught barging, you can slow down (relax your sails or luff up) and start just astern of the boat  that was luffing  you  up or do a quick turn to start again assuming no other boats.

4)  4    Boats congregate at one end of the line for a reason: there is usually a favored end of the line!  But it often is be better to avoid the kerfuffle at the favored end and achieve clear wind further down the line.

The start of a race, with the close proximity and employment of multiple rules is frequently the most exciting  part of racing.

See you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair a Dice