MARCH 26, 2024 AWESOME START FOR THE SEASON

 

MARCH 26, 2024

AWESOME START FOR THE SEASON

With the problems concerning harbor shoaling, we have all been anxious to get out for a sail.  For this Tuesday, the harbor entrance was barely deep enough, and then only if you could find the narrow channel created by the dredge crew.  As usual I witnessed the harbor entrance and there was no surf to speak of.  I always say it is the skipper’s decision whether to go or not.  Special recognition goes to Mike Hutchison on Aquavit (42 ft Jeanneau) who got his boat ready with an crew anxious to sail, but did not like the depth and returned to the slip. Better safe than sorry!

The wind was brisk through the afternoon with predictions for it to decrease later in the evening.  As we were leaving the harbor, the wind seemed to already be decreasing close to the beach, with more wind further out. As we approached the start mark area, we determined that the wind was coming from 255 and set a line square to that direction.   We watched as boats exited the harbor to join the party!  I called for course Whiskey 5: Start>Schuyler>finish at S/F.  We blew the “10 minute til 6pm horn” as a five minute horn for A fleet and a10 minute horn for B Fleet. Both fleets got off to a clean start with at least one boat in B fleet thinking they were OCS and circled to restart. I LOVE the Corinthian spirit!  This is a “self-regulating” sport.

All boats tacked their way to Schuyler attempting to find the stronger gusts of wind.  The first of A fleet to round was Double Espresso then Watts Moore, Good Timin’ and Wind II.  B fleet had Zoop rounding first followed by Perfect 36, Avatar, Pair A Dice, Pacific Spirit, Sweet Pea, Simpatico, Big Mac and Skip Jack.

On the long run back to the finish line most boats set their whisker poles as the wind was slowly decreasing.  The first A Fleet boat to finish was Double Espresso 40:45 followed by Watts Moore 42:55, Good Timin 43:01 and Wind II 48:51.  B Fleet was finished first by Zoop 38:14 then Perfect 36 43:12, Avatar 43:44, Pair A Dice 44:00, Pacific Spirit 44:21, Sweet Pea 45:06, Simpatico 46:26, Big Mac 47:50 and Skip Jack 51:28.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 2.62 NM.

It was special to be able to get back out on the water as the sky cleared for a beautiful sunset. Conditions were so splendid; it was an awesome start for the season!   To top it off, we had a barbecue with many people enjoying excellent food.  Special thanks to Mike Gross for keeping the barbecue in order and bringing special meat to grill!

 

 PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE          BOAT                     PHRF            ADJUSTED TIME

FLEET A:

1        WATTS MOORE                 150             36:22

2        DOUBLE ESPRESSO         99              36:25

3        GOOD TIMIN                      141             36:51

4        WIND II                                213             39:32         

FLEET B:

1        ZOOP                                 144             31:56

2        SAILING PAIR A DICE    180             36:08

3        PERFECT 36                     144             36:54

4        PACIFIC SPIRIT                165             37:08

5        SWEET PEA                      165            37:53

6        AVATAR                             132             37:58

7        BIG MAC                           222             38:08

8        SIMPATICO                       165             39:13

9        SKIP JACK                        243             40:51

Race QS: 

The track for this evening can be reviewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1017739&divisionId=97619&updatedAt=2024-03-27T02:03:07Z&dt=2024-03-26T17:48:02-07:00..2024-03-26T19:03:07-07:00&boat=Perf36&time=1711500563077&focus=Perf36&rival=Sailing%20Pair%20A%20Dice&tab=fleet&view=auto

ARE WE SAILING OR RACING?

Obviously, the cockpit of a boat is the most comfortable place to be when sailing.  But if you are serious about your performance, you should use your weight to improve the boats performance.  Rail meat to flatten the boat is important when beating, but when going downwind and down waves, getting out of the cockpit is critical to improve boat speed.  On my boat, when sailing for pleasure everyone congregates in the cockpit.  When racing, we distribute the weight for the best performance.

I hope we can get out next Tuesday!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice