OCTOBER 24, 2023 THE VAGARIES OF SAILING IN FOG

 

OCTOBER 24, 2023

THE VAGARIES OF SAILING IN FOG

 Conditions always seem to be changing for our Tuesday sails.  The wind was light in the harbor as the afternoon progressed.  As we left the harbor just after 4, it was encouraging to see a good Easterly developing.  As we observed the fog in Aptos (usually a precursor for a good Easterly) we got a little ambitious in selecting a course. To  complicate things there was also a fog bank directly South of us.  We decided on an impromptu course of Start>Blacks>Gov and finish with S/F to port.  I figured if the wind started to diminish, we could shorten course to finish at Gov.  I hate to see boats in a bob-fest with boats retiring.

We blew the “10 minute horn” a minute late at 4:51 and observed as Fleet A got off to a clean start as Fleet B did 5 minutes later. As we all rounded Blacks and headed toward Gov, almost all boats took the inside course closer to the beach following the traditional thought that Easterly breezes develop first closer to shore.  We noticed the southerly fog bank was approaching and sailed out for the “fog line wind”.  As we were all inching very slowly toward GOV, it seemed prudent to shorten course, so I called to shorten the race to finish at Gov.

Just as we approached GOV, the wind increased and almost all boats sailed back to finish the original longer course.  This beat back to S/F was the best sailing of the evening. This building fog line wind created an unusual two races in one with a finish at GOV and another finish at S/F.  Such are the vagaries of sailing in waves of fog. 

THE GOV FINISH: COURSE DISTANCE 1.5NM

FLEET A

PLACE   BOAT                                     PHRF                     ELAPSED TIME      CORRECTED TIME

1             WIND II                                213                        35:49                                    30:29

2             GOOD TIMIN’                     141                        37:24                                    33:52

3             JERSEY GIRL                      141                        38:25                                    34:53

4             INTERLUDE                        141                        38:26                                    34:54

5             ROSIE                                   162                        39:01                                    34:58

6             TUSITALA                            90                           37:25                                    35:10

7             PERIGON                              81                           38:41                                    36:39

8             SWEETHEART                     -6                            36:55                                    37:04

FLEET B

1             AVATAR                                132                        32:04                                    28:46

2             ZOOP                                    144                        32:36                                    29:00

3             BIG MAC                              222                        35:29                                    29:56

4             PAIR A DICE                        180                        34:53                                    30:23

5             PERFECT 36                        144                        35:18                                    31:42

6             GOLD RUSH                       126                        35:52                                    32:43

7             SIMPATICO                         165                        37:12                                    33:04

8             NIDAROS                            108                        36:04                                    33:22

9             KICKS                                  180                        38:44                                    34:14

10           TOAD                                   150                        38:51                                    35:06

11           MAKANI                              147                        38:58                                    35:17

12           WIND GODDESS                168                        40:50                                    36:38

 

FOR THOSE THAT WENT THE EXTRA MILE (FINISHED AT S/F): COURSE DISTANCE 2.46NM

FLEET A:

PLACE   BOAT                                     PHRF                     ELAPSED TIME     CORRECTED TIME

1             GOOD TIMIN’                    141                        48:59                                    43:12

2             INTERLUDE                       141                        49:10                                    43:23

3             JERSEY GIRL                     141                        49:44                                    44:10 (TIE)

3             ROSIE                                  162                        50:49                                    44:10 (TIE)

5             PERIGON                             81                           50:21                                    47:01

6             SWEETHEART                    -6                            47:43                                    47:57

FLEET B:

1             AVATAR                                132                        43:21                                    38:16

2             BIG MAC                              222                        48:20                                    39:13

3             PAIR A DICE                        180                        46:41                                    39:18

4             PERFECT 36                        144                        45:55                                    40:00

5             GOLD RUSH                       126                        46:33                                    41:23

6             SIMPATICO                         165                        49:41                                    42:55

7             NIDAROS                            108                        47:44                                    43:18

8             (and) KICKS                        180                        51:00                                    43:37

9             MAKANI                             147                        49:08                                    43:46

10           TOAD                                   150                        52:24                                    45:15

11           WIND GODDESS                168                        53:41                                    46:47

 

RACE QS:

Race QS seems to be working for most boats.  The track for this evening can be found at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=95343&updatedAt=2023-10-25T01:15:21Z&dt=2023-10-24T16:45:34-07:00..2023-10-24T18:08:48-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1698195145311&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Perf36&tab=setup&view=manual&lat=36.954369&lon=-121.998716&tilt=1&range=2102&heading=322

 

THE SEASON FINALE:

Next Tuesday will be our last “Tuesday Night sail” of the season starting at 5pm.  It will be Halloween night and, since it is the last Tuesday of the month it will be barbecue night at the club  after  the race.   These barbecues are always fun events and the last Tuesday night sail celebration is also very special.  BE SURE TO BRING YOUR BEST GRILLING FOOD FOR THE BARBECUE.

THE FUN CONTINUES:

After next Tuesday’s sail, we will start Tuesday afternoon sailing through the winter.  Winter sailing will start at 3 in the afternoon (10 minute horn at 2:50).  Winter sailing is different from summer sailing with rain, harbor shoaling and storms preventing sailing on certain days.  If sailing is cancelled for any reason, expect an e-mail notice by noon of the day of cancellation.

Another very fun series is the Midwinters series of races offered by the yacht club.  We have all improved our sailing by participating in our Tuesday sails.   Why not apply what you have learned by entering and sailing in these races. There is a jib and main division!  The Midwinter series are held on the third Saturday of each month from November through March.

I hope to see you next Tuesday for the season finale!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice