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