APRIL 23, 2024 CHILLY WIND AND CHOPPY SEAS

 

APRIL 23, 2024

CHILLY WIND AND CHOPPY SEAS

While I was away on vacation, Stefan Berlinski was kind enough to, once again, conduct the race for this evening. I understand there was a good breeze which was strong enough to call for course Whiskey 3 and both starts got off without a hitch.

As all boats tacked their way to Schuyler, it was apparent from the race QS track that rounding Schuyler was quite a challenge for this evening as almost all boats needed to throw in an extra tack or two to get around.  The first of A fleet to round Schuyler was Aboriginal followed by Sweetheartr, Perigon, Sagittarius, Flexi Flyer, Aquavit, Good Timin, Interlude, Rosie and Sophie.  Fleet B was led by Zoop then Avatar, Big Mac, Perfect 36, Gold Rush, Kicks, Sailing Pair a Dice, Pacific Spirit and Simpatico.

The wind was consistent enough for all boats to finish and Aboriginal finished first 37:52 then Sweetheart 40:51, Perigon 43:45, Sagittarius 44:58, Flexi Flyer 45:44, Aquavit 47:46, Good Timin’ 48:21, Interlude 50:41, Rosie 53:19 and Sophie 56:05.  Fleet B was led by Zoop 46:31, then Avatar 49:31, Gold Rush 50:34, Perfect 36 53:30,  Pair A Dice 53:51, Big Mac 54:55,  Pacific Spirit 55:58, Kicks 56:37 and Simpatico 58:17.  All times are elapsed an the course distance was 3.60 NM.  It was a chilly wind with choppy seas for this evening’s sail.

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                BOAT                   PHRF                   CORRECTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             ABORIGINAL                   33                          35:53

2             SAGITTARIUS                 120                       37:46

3             PERIGON                          81                          38:53

4             GOOD TIMIN’                  141                       39:53

5             FLEXI FLYER                   96                          39:58

6             SWEETHEARETR           -6                           41:12

7             INTERLUDE                     141                       42:13

8             AQUAVIT                          72                          43:26

9             ROSIE                                162                       43:35

10          SOPHIE                               141                       47:37

FLEET B:

1             ZOOP                                  144                       37:52

2(tie)    AVATAR                                132                       41:35

2(tie)    BIG MAC                             222                       41:35

4             GOLD RUSH                     126                       43:00

5             SAILING PAIR A DICE    180                      43:03

6             PERFECT 36                     144                       44:51

7             KICKS                               180                       45:49

8             PACIFIC SPIRIT               165                       46:04

9             SIMPATICO                      165                       48:23

  

RACE QS:

The track for this evening can be reviewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011635&divisionId=98053&updatedAt=2024-04-24T02:20:03Z&dt=2024-04-23T16:50:44-07:00..2024-04-23T19:20:02-07:00&boat=Dice&model=J24&time=1713917650105&focus=Flexi%20Flyer&rival=PERIGON&tab=match&view=manual&lat=36.955234&lon=-121.992280&tilt=2&range=3101&heading=355

 

N

WHITE BAY ON JOST VAN DYKE, BVI

Next Tuesday is the last Tuesday of the month making it BARBECUE TUESDAY AT THE CLUB AFTER THE RACE.  BRING YOUR BEST BARBECUE FOOD TO ENJOY AND SHARE!

I hope to see you out there next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

 

APRIL 16, 2024 CONFUSED WIND AGAIN

 

APRIL 16,2024

CONFUSED WIND AGAIN

Since I am on vacation, Stefan Berlinski was kind enough to set the course for this evening and provided the following recap.

When I got to the boat, Sam was there and soon Scott and Steve showed up. Betsy came last and I put Alex on board as Kicks, which he had hoped to sail on, was not at the dock yet. The breeze had been 10 to 12 from the southwest all day. It stayed there as we sailed around waiting for a change. At 5:30 or so we dropped the pin for a 230 wind. Five minutes later it began to back and was soon at 100. We picked up the mark and streamed it to the new position. The breeze was very light, so I called a course Start, Blacks, Start to starboard, Blacks and finish to starboard with the line an extension from Black’s Point through the Start buoy. I got a call on the radio from Homer about doing the first rounding of start to port, but replied that if I shortened course, that would be a better way to finish and there would be no rounding conflicts. We had 27 boats and two fleets for a 5:55 A fleet and a 6:00 B fleet start. Ten minute horn and the breeze began to fill in. We policed the line for the A fleet start and all were clear. Then I thought we were in good position to do a port tack start and be on lay line for the windward mark. I had badly miscalculated and we were stuck in a cluster of slower boats with no hope of getting free for a while. We finally were able to break out into clear air. The breeze had filled in to a nice 12 knots apparent. I got on the radio and announced a course change before the first A fleet boats had gotten back to Start. The first rounding of Start was to leave it to port. That way the rounding issues would be resolved. I heard from Aboriginal that they had turned the radio off after the start and didn’t get the message. I had to wonder how they would have known if the course was shortened. We had a nice windward rounding and tried to set a pole. There was some delay, then we couldn’t get it down so we could gybe back and wound up going a hundred yards or so past the mark. Got that sorted out and started our second lap. The next rounding was done perfectly and we deployed the pole, then gybed right onto the lay line for the finish. Betsy took our finish time: 18:37:15.

 

We found out later that Makani and Big Mac had a collision. Big Mac had the inside at the leeward mark and Makani gybed right next to them and hooked Mac’s backstay. Makani had a cleat on the end of their boom for the topping lift and this engaged Big Mac’s backstay so that Mark had to jump om Makani, release the backstay and jump back on Big Mac. Wish we had been close enough to see that! Stuart took a turn, but, technically, he should have retired. They talked it over and I think they came to an agreement about the damage. Betsy has a fuller story. This could be a great learning experience. A number of sailors came up at the club and said how they were happy with the course. The check had cleared at the last minute.

 

Stefan

 

Thanks Stefan.  Paul Tara also sent out an excellent piece about  rule  18 and rounding marks which would be good for review.

 

The course was 1.9nm for this evening and the results are as follows.

PLACE                 BOAT                   ELAPSED TIME  CORRECTED              PHRF

FLEET A:

1             ROSIE                                 32:08                  27:20                  162

2             FLEXI FLYER                    30:59                  27:56                  96

3             ABORIGINAL                    39:01                  28:00                  33

4             WATTS MOORE                32:50                  28:05                  150

5             INTERLUDE                      32:55                  28:27                  141

6             SWEETHEART                  28:54                  29:05                  -6

7             SAGITTARIUS                  33:51                  30:03                  120

8             GOOD TIMIN’                   35:10                  30:42                  141

9             TUSITALA                         34:12                  31:21                  90

10          SOFIE                                  38:36                  34:08                  141

11          AQUAVIT                            36:49                  34:32                  72

FLEET B

1             AVATAR                              31:14                  27:03                  132

2             ZOOP                                  31:38                  27:04                  144

3             BIG MAC                            35:04                  28:02                  222

4             GOLD RUSH                      32:35                  28:35                  126

5             PACIFIC SPIRIT                 34:13                  28:59                  165

6             KICKS                                 35:07                  29:25                  180

7             NIDAROS                           33:00                  29:34                  108

8             MAKANI                            34:48                  30:08                  147

9             PERFECT 36                      35:41                  31:00                  144

10          SAILING PAIR A DICE     37:10                   31:28                  180

11          SWEET PEA                       36:48                  31:34                  165

RACE QS:

The track for this evening’s sail can be viewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011635&divisionId=97925&updatedAt=2024-04-17T02:04:27Z&dt=2024-04-16T17:04:15-07:00..2024-04-16T19:04:26-07:00&boat=Dice&model=J24&time=1713318385448&focus=Aboriginal&rival=Flexi%20Flyer&tab=match&view=auto

Lets all hope for good conditions next Tuesday!

 

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

APRIL 9, 2024 REMEMBER TO LOOK EAST FOR THE WIND

 

APRIL 9, 2024

REMEMBER TO LOOK EAST FOR THE WIND

As I was hanging out on my boat early in the afternoon, I was encouraged to see the flags indicating a good breeze.  BUT,  predictions were for the wind to decrease through the evening and sure enough, by 4:30 the flags were going limp.   We left the harbor at about 5pm and I was encouraged to see good wind across the bay, increasing as we went further out.  It was apparent that the wind was receding.  It’s bad enough to have a receding hairline, but a receding wind line when trying to run a race is even worse.  I was in a quandary.  How could I have a race as the wind was rapidly dissipating?    As I expressed my consternation on the VHF, someone noted that an Easterly was building.  We quickly moved the start line ball for a 90 degree wind  direction rather than a 240 and set an offset mark.  I called for a course: start>Blacks>offset mark>S/F twice around course finishing with the S/F to starboard (Finish line an extension of Lighthouse through S/F).  We blew the 10 minute till 6 horn.

Both A fleet and B fleet got off to a good start as the Easterly filled in nicely. The first rounding of the S/F mark for Fleet  A was Flexi Flyer followed by Sagittarius, Watts Moore, Aquavit, Duet, Rosie, Interlude and Sophie.  B Fleet was led by Avatar, Big Mac, Makani,  Zoop,  Perfect  36, New Perspective, Pair a Dice and Simpatico.  There was definitely close quarter sailing when B fleet rounded the offset mark and S/F.  As the northwest wind died completely the Easterly continued to build up to 15 knots!

At the finish, Fleet A was led by Aboriginal 24:03, then Flexi Flyer 25:39,  Sagittarius 27:48, Watts Moore 28:35, Aquavit 28:44, Duet 30:08, Interlude 30:50, Rosie 31:02 and Sophie 32:16.  B Fleet was led by Avatar 28:58 then Zoop 30:37,  Makani 30:57, Big Mac 31:07, The Perfect 36 32:32, Sailing Pair A Dice 33:47, New Perspective 33:56 and Simpatico 35:29.   All times are elapsed and the course distance was 2.02 NM.

The evening started with extreme frustration over a dying breeze, but ended with exhilaration when the Easterly filled in so well.   All through the winter, we had northwesterly breezes, but now that spring and summer are coming we must remember to look East for the wind!

 

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS

PLACE                 BOAT                                   PHRF                   CORRECTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             FLEXI FLYER                                    96                          22:45

2             ABORIGINAL                                   33                          22:56

3             WATTS MOORE                               150                       23:32

4             SAGITTARIUS                                  120                       23:45

5             DUET                                                 141                       25:23

6             ROSIE                                                162                       31:02

7             INTERLUDE                                     141                       26:05

8             AQUAVIT                                          72                          26:18

9             SOPHIE                                              141                       27:31

FLEET B:

1             BIG MAC                                            222                       23:38

2             AVATAR                                              132                       24:31

3             ZOOP                                                  144                       25:46

4             MAKANI                                            147                       26:00

5             SAILING PAIR A DICE                     180                       26:28

6             THE PERFECT 36                              144                       27:41

7             NEW PERSPECTIVE                        144                       29:05

8             SIMPATICO                                        165                       29:55

A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR A SAIL

               RACE QS:

The track for this evening can be viewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=97796&updatedAt=2024-04-10T02:15:08Z&dt=2024-04-09T17:45:22-07:00..2024-04-09T19:11:18-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1712711214678&focus=Interlude&rival=Flexi%20Flyer&tab=match&view=auto

Most tracks are uploading well, but it is important to record your finish time just in case Race QS drops the ball.

Lets all hope for favorable conditions next Tuesday!

 

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

APRIL 2, 2024 CHILLY BREEZE EVENING

 

APRIL 2, 2024

CHILLY BREEZE EVENING

Finally, all conditions came together so most boats could get out of the harbor.  Predictions were for 16 knot winds that were to decrease through the evening.  We left the harbor earlier than normal and saw 18-20 knot breeze coming from 235 degrees and set a line square to this direction.  We watched as boats filed out of the harbor and finally achieved 21 boats out for the fun.  With the crowd back out again, it felt like summer, despite the chilled breeze. We called for course Whiskey 3 and blew the “10 minute horn”.  Both fleets got off to a clean start and made their way toward Schuyler.  Many boats took the inside course closer to the beach while some stayed outside where there was a little more wind.

The first A Fleet boat to round Schuyler was Flexi Flyer then,  Perigon, Aquavit, Interlude, Watts Moore, Good Timin’, Odonata, Rosie and  Sophie.  B Fleet was led by Zoop then Avatar, Makani, Perfect 36,  Pacific Spirit, Pair A Dice,  Big Mac, Simpatico and Kicks. All boats sailed the dead downwind course to Blacks, taking advantage of the waves occasionally increasing boat speed. 

After rounding Blacks, all boats made their way to the finish line which was an extension of the line from Blacks point through S/F. The first of A fleet to finish was Flexi Flyer  46:08 followed by Aquavit 48:31, Interlude 48:38, Perigon 48:44, Watts Moore 50:22, Good Timin’ 52:53, Rosie 55:22, Odonata 55:42 and Sophie 58:01.  B Fleet was led by Zoop 46:51, Avatar 48:25, Perfect 36 50:53, Makani 51:08, Pacific Spirit 52:32, Pair A Dice 53:36, Big Mac 55:42, Simpatico 56:31 and  Kicks 1:05:06.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 3.23NM.

It was a beautiful evening on the water and while the sun was shining and it was warm on land, on the water it was a chilly breeze evening.

 

AFTER  A CHILLY, WET BASH TO WINDWARD, THE LONG DOWNWIND LEG TO BLACKS WAS A JUST REWARD.

 Race QS:

The track for this evening can be viewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=97701&updatedAt=2024-04-03T02:21:16Z&dt=2024-04-02T17:45:00-07:00..2024-04-02T19:13:31-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1712110411000&focus=Interlude&rival=PERIGON&tab=match&view=match

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                 BOAT                                   PHRF                   CORRECTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             FLEXI FLYER                                    96                          40:57

2             INTERLUDE                                       141                       41:02

3             WATTS MOORE                                 140                       42:17

4             ODONATA                                          243                       42:36

5             PERIGON                                          81                          44:22

6             AQUAVIT                                          72                          44:38

7             GOOD TIMIN’                                   141                       45:17

8             ROSIE                                                 162                       46:38

9             SOPHIE                                              141                       50:25

FLEET B

1             ZOOP                                                  144                       39:05

2             AVATAR                                              132                       41:18

3             PERFECT 36                                      144                       43:07

4             MAKANI                                            147                       43:13

5             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                165                       43:39

6             BIG MAC                                            222                       43:44

7             SAILING PAIR A DICE                     180                       43:54

8             SIMPATICO                                        165                       47:38

9             KICKS                                                 180                       55:24 

 

“SHOULD I GO OR SHOULD I STAY”

This song, released by the group Clash in 1982 was about a relationship, but every skipper is confronted with this dilemma when they prepare for a sail in Santa Cruz. Each skipper is responsible for making the decision to risk shoaling and other dangers before leaving the harbor. There are several things to consider.

 The harbor shoaling and position of the channel is critical to know.  The deepest part of the harbor entrance has been shifting a lot recently.  Is it deep enough for the draft of your boat in this deepest part of the entrance?

What are the tides doing?  You want a rising tide as you are leaving the harbor.  A tide that is going lower will increase the force of any waves that must be  dealt with on both leaving and entering the harbor.  I believe the “wave state” is the most critical thing to watch.  On both leaving and entering the harbor while shoaled, it is critical to avoid big waves.  Dangers consist of crashing down the back or front of a sizable wave and bouncing off the bottom.  A hard enough hit can necessitate an emergency haul out to keep your boat from sinking. Another danger is following a boat into the harbor too close.  With a narrow channel, sometimes boats need to go “single file” through the channel and if you are close behind another boat, the force of a wave can push you into the boat ahead.  When dealing with surf, it is always good to have a surfer on board to advise about waves that are approaching as you are leaving and entering the harbor.

I encourage each skipper to consider the risks before leaving the harbor.  We all want to sail but please consider the risks and feel no “pressure from the group” to join if conditions do not warrant the risk.

We are approaching the time of the year where “soon” we will not need to worry about shoaling for this sailing season.

Hopefully we can all go out next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice