CATALINA SAILBOATS SAILING TUESDAY EVENINGS: JUNE 16, 2015 STEADY EASTERLY

Catalina Tuesday

June 16, 2015

STEADY EASTERLY

All predictions were for gnarly winds from the northwest, so I was quite surprised to see the flags blowing lightly from the South when I got to the harbor.  I was sure we would need the 135 for tonight, but the 155 was what we had on as we ventured to the open ocean.  Alas it was the right call.  By the time we got to the start mark, it was a steady Easterly blowing.  We decided to call course 11A1 for the night: start, Blacks (P), Gov(P) and finish to port.  We gave a 5 minute horn and everyone set up for their start.  On Pair A Dice, we wanted to be on starboard right at the mark.  

Alas, Pacific Spirit nailed the start and we were about 30 seconds behind them.  With our 155 flying, we were able to point a little higher than Pacific Spirit, but they rounded Blacks ahead of us by about 30 seconds again.  Pair a Dice rounded Blacks just ahead of Perfect 36 and we all marched off to Gov.  Pacific Spirit sailed in closer to shore with the thought that a building Easterly usually filled in toward the beach.  On Pair A Dice, we rhumb lined it to the mark with the pole out on port first then jibing over with the pole on starboard. By jibing the pole onto starboard we were able to avoid the waves on our bow and took them on the beam.  With the added speed from not fighting the waves we were able to sail clear of Perfect 36 which was threatening to steal our wind.  Ultimately Pacific Spirit rounded Gov about 2 minutes ahead of us, accentuating the point that maybe their stint to the beach was the right move. 

After rounding Gov, Pacific Spirit took a stint outside then tacked back over inside again.  On Pair A Dice, we noticed the wind was building more as we moved outside.  Additionally we were on the longest tack to the mark and sailing closer to the mark.  We watched closely to be certain we didn’t sail into lighter wind and a transition zone outside.  We sailed out to the layline for the finish mark as Pacific Spirit passed us on the inside. Pacific Spirit rounded the finish mark about one and a half minutes ahead of us, then Perfect 36, Kicks, Aeolian, Toad and Thalasia. 

The Dance of the Start:

Races are frequently won and lost at the start.  A great start puts you in the lead and all you have to do is protect that lead.  Starts are very challenging and it only comes with practice.  The reason I call it a dance is because you are interacting with every other boat at the start.  Quick reflexes and quick decisions are critical.  Having an uncanny ability to judge time and distance also helps.  How much time will it take the boat to cover a certain distance?  If you really want to improve your start, get out with your crew and practice passing a buoy and getting back to the buoy by a certain time.   This is a minimal exercise, but critical.  If you can’t nail a start with no competition, you don’t stand a chance with other boats involved.   

Taking time to assess the situation before the race is critical to a good start.  On Pair A Dice, we follow the following process and rules.

-Light variable wind=do not get far from the start line!

-Determine favored end of line: Luff up head to wind and the end of the line the bow is pointing toward is the favored end.

-starboard or port tack start: Port tack starts are very risky since you have no right of way, but can pay off with huge gains when done well.

-Critical: Do not do any big moves at least 30 seconds before the start, even more time in lighter wind. 

Most experienced sailors will time the line and broad reach by the preferred end of the line sailing away from the start area. Then then time their tack and approach the line on a broad reach.  This allows them to run the line while waiting for the clock to run out for the start.  Keep in mind, it is better to be early to the start than late, though be careful that you are not stalling at the start.  You want to be up to speed and sailing at the start. 

What’s with the course numbers on the course charts? 

Why in the world are there courses numbered 11A1?  I have been putting these cards out for 3 summers now.  Each summer we come up with new different courses.  I keep all of the courses that were on  each of the previous cards so if someone comes out once every 3 years, the course numbers will be the same.  The newer courses have the unusual numbers like 11A1.  These courses will always be clarified over the radio on channel 69. 

Next Tuesday will be the 23^rd.  Barbecue Tuesday at SCYC will be the following week on the 30^th.   

We will see you next Tuesday. 

Barry

Sailing Pair A Dice

CATALINA SAILBOATS DAILING MONTEREY BAY ON TUESDAY EVENINGS: AN EXCRUCIATING NIGHT

CATALINA TUESDAYS June 9,  2015

ONE EXCRUCIATING NIGHT

All indications pointed toward a wonderful night of sailing.  Sailflow and Predictwind forecasted great wind.  In the morning I noticed how blustery it was and anticipated great wind.  Getting to the harbor, the flags were certainly flying confirming a great evening of sailing.  Naturally, with this much wind we aggressively chose course 4 again: start, wharf, gov, finish.  It seemed like a no-brainer.  We blew the horn for the 5 minute warning for a 6:05 start and the wind started subsiding.  From the time the horn blew until the start, the wind decreased from a steady 9 knots to 4-5 knots.  By the end of the evening we would have welcomed 5 knot breezes. 

On Pair a dice we decided a starboard tack start would be in order and set up for this.  The problem was that we ended up with Diver Down directly to windward of us taking what  little wind there was.  They romped on ahead.  On Pair a Dice, we watched as boat after boat in the parade tacked over to the inside and got stuck in a hole.  It seemed like nobody was moving at all!  We continued to sail further out on starboard tack and noticed that the wind was shifting ever so slightly and creating a lift for us.  It lifted us so much that we ultimately sailed around wharf without ever tacking!  We knew we were taking a flier sailing so far from the rest of the fleet and we really thought it would pay off for us when we saw a dark band of wind forming on the water from the East.  It quickly closed on us and just before it hit us died completely. 

Meanwhile we watched with amazement while Pacific Spirit and Makani rounded wharf and headed for Gov, they seemed to catch some great wind inside and were leaving us in the dust!  It was excruciating bobbing around in no wind.  The rest of the boats had retired and gone in and Pacific Spirit and Makani and Pair a Dice were still out in the quickly disappearing light.  We were moving so slowly I quipped on my boat “I do have to be to work at 9AM tomorrow!”  It is not like me to give up on a race, but this was too much.  I announced on the radio “great race tonight, Pacific Spirits has won with Makani second”. It did not take long for  Makani to reply “I thing we could take them!” and quickly Pacific Spirit came back with “Game on!”.   We finally furled our sails and motored over to observe the finish and Pacific Spirit finished just ahead of Makani.  Pair A Dice was DNF! As painful as a bob-fest can be, I gotta hand it to Pacific Spirit and Makani for their great competitive spirits! 

You can observe the tracks on Race qs on this link.  You must have google earth downloaded on your computer. 

http://raceqs.com/tv/tv.htm#userId=1011017&video_offset=&track=416ef09c-2ce6-48c3-bbb7-cdd4cf2ef024&start=2015-06-09%2017%3A56%3A55.711%20-07%3A00&finish=2015-06-09%2020%3A34%3A33.789%20-07%3A00&boat=Pair&extradata=1&fleet=3&race=1&time=1433907273789&focus=Pair&rival=Makani&tab=match&view=leg

 

For this race we only had 3 boats upload their tracks.  Please download and use this free app on your cell phone. 

Bringing up YOUR game:

We all want to improve in our sailing abilities.  Many of the boats are going to great means to improve their results. Improving the bottom of your boat, lightening the boat and getting a folding prop really helps.  If you are serious about racing, emptying all of your holding tanks is step number one.  Use the Race qs app to evaluate your helmsmanship.  If your track shows you wandering all over the place, it only makes it more difficult to beat a boat with a steadier hand on the wheel/tiller. Are your tacks efficient? Races QS evaluates each tack with multiple parameters. The QRs beta indicator on Race QS indicates how well you are sailing, the higher this number, the better you are doing. One other thing is a clean bottom: essential if you are racing! 

See you next Tuesday.

 

Barry L. Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

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CATALINA SAILBOATS RACING TUESDAY NIGHTS IN MONTEREY BAY: IN OR OUT?

CATALINA TUESDAYS

JUNE 2, 2015

OUT OR IN?

It sure looked like a light wind evening as I entered the harbor parking lot.  I was considering hoisting the 155 for light wind, but Fred did not think it was a good idea.  He was spot on with this opinion.  As we exited the harbor, we could see there was plenty of wind outside.  With everyone spread out over the ocean, we set a 6:05 start time and course 4: Start, Wharf, Gov, finish.

 

With all the wind being outside, almost all of the boats started on starboard to go outside.  I thought I was pulling a slick move starting further down the line to get clear air from Diver Down and Perfect 36, which wisely started closer to the pin.  I was feeling pretty smug because I thought I had both boats pinned and could drive them all the way to the layline.  We had good speed and were keeping up with them pretty well.  I was quite surprised when Diver Down tacked over, thinking it would be impossible for them to cross us.  As I watched, it was apparent they had good speed and would cross just in front of us.  There were several tacks on the way to Wharf and several good crossing situations.  Diver Down and Perfect 36 rounded wharf just ahead of Pair A Dice and Pacific Spirit rounded right behind us.

 

As we all made our way to Gov there was a transition zone. It looked as though the wind was going to die on us, but it did not take long to see the Easterly filling in as the water turned darker by the harbor entrance.  With the transition all of the boats compressed.  The light wind was not our only obstacle since there was a Coast Guard cutter moored to Gov.  We all gave the Coasties a wide berth and made our way to the finish line.  Diver Down and Pair A Dice stayed inside in the easterly and Perfect 36 tried to go back through the transition zone and the stronger wind outside.  Ultimately this race was going to be won or lost by this decision: In or Out?  While Diver Down and Pair A Dice had a tacking duel in a pretty tight range, Pacific Spirit took one long tack in toward the beach.  When Pacific Spirit crossed us again, they were ahead of us but behind Diver Down.  At the finish it was Diver Down, Pacific Spirit, Pair A Dice, Perfect 36, Aeolian, Makani, Sea Quake, Blue Ribbon, Andiamo, Kicks.

 

Race Qs analysis:

While I was feeling smug about starting further down the line, after analyzing the Race Qs replay, it was apparent I was giving up quite a lead by doing this.  I did not do my pre-race analysis to determine the preferred end of the line.

 

Crossing situations:

Crossing situations are always interesting, some get very interesting.  As noted earlier when Diver Down tacked to cross me, it was a very close crossing but they made it.  It surprised me that they had so much speed.  Talking to Homer over dinner he said he took into consideration that I was still bucking the waves and he would no longer be fighting the waves and would be able to go faster and clear us.  It was frustrating, but a lesson well taken: consider the different points of sail and effects other than wind such as waves and currents.

 

Considerations when crossing other boats.  Starboard tackers have right of way over Port tack boats.  If on port tack, the part of the boat that must clear is the stern of your boat. This means the person checking for ranging should be in the back of the boat.  The helm-person must fight the urge to pinch, you must keep the speed up to clear.  Even if on Starboard tack, always avoid contact. Crunching fiberglass and injuries are never fun,  even if you are in the right.  If your judgement happens to be erroneous and you have fouled another boat, exonerate yourself with a one turn penalty and keep on sailing.

 

If you want to review the Race Qs replay check this site:

 

http://raceqs.com/tv/tv.htm#userId=1011017&video_offset=&track=0a5f7e70-1b75-4c32-93ed-452cf1130da6&start=2015-06-02%2018%3A06%3A12.478%20-07%3A00&finish=2015-06-02%2022%3A00%3A57.614%20-07%3A00&boat=Pair&extradata=1&fleet=1&race=1&time=1433293576002&focus=Makani&tab=fleet&view=follow&lat=36.956243&lon=-121.997858&tilt=0&range=1882&heading=-79

 

Everyone should download this app and use it.  The analysis is great and it would be great to have all boats show up in the replays.

 

See you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

Steve Niemann wanted to add this comment to this blog:

From Steve Niemann, So after reading  Barry's blog this AM, me and God went out on the bay for a row and a had long talk, it was enlightening.    So here is Tuesday's race from my honest evaluation, (God made me do it!)    First, thanks Barry for being kind in your blog, which left me to do my own naked evaluation.    Here it is, no excuses.          We started the race in first postion, (that always happens when you start about six seconds early!)  The crew said, gotta do a three sixty, I said ho, its just Tueday race not doing it. (More on that decision later)    We where holding our own until the Silver Fox (Homer on Dive Down) decided he had enough and fell off, gained a coulple of knots and sailed right by us. Lesson #1, speed is better than a high point of sail.      Pair a Dice was in hot pursuit and had both Diver Down and The 36 pinned, but I told the crew if Diver tacks, we will sail past their point of tack and tack also.  Diver tacked, we sailed past and tacked.  When we tacked my hat blew off and took my glasses with it, looked down pick them up, (3 seconds), then returned to sailing the boat.    Big mistake, sloppy tack lost most boat speed, regained speed, realized was I going to fowl Pair a Dice, saw their crew scrambling to avoid a collision, decided to not make a bad situation worse and stayed my course. That was a good decision, and thank you Pair a Dice.  BIG lesson here, NEVER lose focus in tight situations of WHERE your boat is, what its doing and where all the other boats are.  (Buy another pair of glasses, safety rules all!)  (Note, didn’t do the required 360 here either.)
>>>  Here is the big picture, lesson learned, Tuesday races are not just “Ho, its just Tuesday races", Tuesday is by design to TEACH AND FOLLOW, racing rules, sailing techniques, and above all safety, and sportsmanship. In my over the top exuberance I failed just about every test, all in one race!!!    HOWEVER, I have learned the lesson.   
>>>  In conclusion, I and the crew, love Tuesday races, we will be back out with the same exuberance and much more experience. 
>>> P.S.  Never try to out guess the Silver Fox.  Fair Winds, Steve
>  

 

 

MAY 26, 2015 CATALINA SAILBOATS RACING MONTEREY BAY: STEADY WINDS

MAY 26, 2015

STEADY WINDS

My first glimpse of the harbor had the flags as stiff as boards.  The wind was blowing very hard indeed.  As we left the harbor we were considering reefing, but decided not to since the sea state did not look bad at all.  The wind was blowing steadily from the Southwest between 15 to 18 knots.  We all filed out of the harbor and congregated around the start mark.  We chose course number 1 with a start time of 6:05.   

On PairaDice we decided to approach the line on port tack and tack into the first hole we saw.   As it turned out, Diver Down and Pacific Spirit were charging down the line on Starboard tack.  We had to wait for them to clear before we could tack over on Starboard.  Doing this move made us a little late to the line.  Everyone that crossed the line on starboard tack immediately tacked over on port ended up sailing inside on port tack as we sailed out on starboard tack for a little bit before tacking over and following everyone on port tack. At least we were not stuck in everyone’s bad air for once.  When all boats met again, we passed in front of Toad and Diver Down and Pacific Spirit cleared us easily on the layline for Wharf.  We sailed a little further and tacked over toward Wharf right in front of Aeolian.

 

As we sailed toward wharf we realized we had tacked too soon and had to pinch to make the mark.  We wished for a lift and we prayed for a lift, but it never materialized and we ultimately had to do two quick tacks right at the mark in order to get around it. 

This did not help in our attempt to close the gap between Diver Down, Pacific Spirit and us.  They were well on their way to Mile. We had our own problems with Aeolian trying to steal our wind.  We were barely able to keep out of their wind shadow and jibed around Mile just ahead of them.  We made our way to Blacks watching Diver Down and Pacific Spirit fight it out as we slowly shortened the distance between us.  Meanwhile the splendor of Monterey bay was displayed behind us with the rest of the boats sailing in bright sunlight with dark clouds behind them.

THE SPLENDOR OF MONTEREY BAY

 

 At the finish it was Diver Down, Pacific Spirit, Pair A Dice, Aeolian, Kicks, Toad, Andiamo and Sea Quake.  It was a great night to be on the bay!

 

After the race, we had a BBQ at SCYC with the bar open for us for the first time on Catalina Tuesday.

 

FIRST SCYC 'OPEN' BARBECUE
 

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG:

It doesn’t matter how long you sail and race, things will go wrong at the most inopportune time.  The greatest chance for errors is when boats are in close proximity: starts and mark rounding.  How do you handle it when you are fouled? How do you handle it when you have fouled someone?  Obviously we all do everything to avoid fouling other boats, but things do not always happen as planned.  Someone standing on a sheet, kinks in sheets that prevent the jib from coming around or simply errors in judgement.  Obviously, if you can abort a move and prevent a foul go for the abortive measure!

 

Let me illustrate with a true story.  We were in a score race and determined that pin end on port was the preferred start.  As it turned out, by the time we crossed the line we were inundated with a bunch of Moore 24’s on starboard tack.  I was on the helm and knew if I ducked one, I would have to duck them all.  I tacked over onto starboard trying to get in line and stay out of their way. One of the Moore drivers told me very politely (considering the circumstances) that I had fouled him: he had to divert his course to avoid collision.  We waited until we were clear and did a turn for the penalty.  I found later that you should “immediately sail to a clear area and complete 1 turn including a tack and a jibe”.  The penalty in the rule book for this (failure to yield right of way) is actually 2 turns, but most SI’s now say 1 turn.  In the heat of the moment, it is hard to be polite and not yell if you are being fouled.  It is necessary sometimes to speak louder to be heard, but screaming insults and profanity does no good.  As I say, we all find ourselves in these awkward situations sooner or later.  All you can do if you foul someone is apologize and take a turn.  Notice the course card indicates, as most local SI’s do, that a one turn penalty is all that is required.  Always follow the SI’s for your race. As terrible as fouling someone feels, thank your lucky stars if there was no contact/damage or injury.

 

CURRENT EVENTS:

All sailors know how to read currents if there is a buoy in the water looking for eddies around the buoy.  Buoys are not always available.  How can you tell which way the current is going?  If there is a kelp bed around observe the kelp.  It’s not good to sail through the kelp, picking up hitch-hikers is never a way to win races.  Sailing by the kelp have one of your crew observe it.  If all of the kelp that is still attached by a root is streaming in one direction, that is the way the current is going.  If the kelp is all disorganized with some strands floating every which way, the current is negligible.  Sailors always curse kelp, but it can help decipher currents and win races.

 

RACE QS UPLOAD:

Copy and paste this site and you should be able to replay the race on Race QS:

 

http://raceqs.com/tv/tv.htm#userId=1011017&video_offset=&track=f29db282-7d4a-4e90-ae75-1da2ea9b3ef5&start=2015-05-26%2017%3A55%3A48.116%20-07%3A00&finish=2015-05-26%2019%3A13%3A54.971%20-07%3A00&boat=Pair&extradata=1&fleet=3&race=1&time=1432688270194&focus=Pair&rival=Seabird&tab=fleet&view=auto

 

Please download and use RaceQS.  It would be great to have every boat accounted for in our replays.

 

See you next Tuesday.

 

Barry

May 19, 2015: HEAVY WEATHER JIBE

Tuesday May 19, 2015

                                                            HEAVY WEATHER JIBE

 

What a great spring we have had for wind!  This night was no exception.  As we left the harbor and got close to the start buoy, it was apparent we needed a reef with 21 knots of true wind.  We had over 10 boats out for the fun with about 9 taking part in the race.  We established course 1 with a start time 6pm.  With this much wind, the longest course seemed appropriate: Start, Wharf,Mile, Blacks finish. 

On Pair A Dice, we approached the start line on port tack and tacked over onto starboard tack just in front of Diver Down.  We came very close to lee bowing Diver Down, but she was too fast and just rolled us.  We tacked over to port with Makani closing the gap behind us.  When we both tacked over on to starboard we were so close we could have shared drinks with each other.  What a sight to be so close to a 34 foot boat with it’s rail buried in the water.  When they finally got ahead of us, we tacked over on port again.  The next time we crossed we barely cleared ahead of them, but just before the mark, we had to duck them.   

Meanwhile Diver Down rounded way ahead of us all.  It is quite a complement to our Catalina fleet, having such an accomplished sailor as Homer Lighthall sailing with us.  Diver Down is certainly a very fast boat, but with Homer at the helm their lead over other boats becomes incredible.  I wonder if Jimmy Spithill would be interested. J  On the way to Mile, Diver Down was way in front followed by Pacific Spirit,Makani and finally Pair A Dice with Perfect 36 just behind us.

 

 

The rounding of Mile was rather interesting being a heavy weather Jibe.  Several of the boats rounded up right after the jibe making an interesting spectacle. On the way to Blacks, Pacific Spirit and Makani took a higher line and we took the rhumb line straight toward the mark.  Diver Down was way off in the distance.  Makani Rounded ahead of us and we rounded with Pacific Spirit.  Since Pacific Spirit had an inside overlap, they were entitled to “room at the mark” which we freely gave them.  Right after rounding, we tacked back out for clear air to get away from Pacific Spirit’s bad air.  Ultimately the inside tack was preferred and their lead over us extended.  At the finish: Diver Down, Makani, Pacific Spirit, Pair A Dice, Perfect 36, Aeolian, Kicks and Sea Quake.

 

THE HEAVY WEATHER JIBE:

This maneuver is correctly accomplished differently on different types of boats.  For the heavier Keel boats, like Catalinas, the key person on the boat is the main sheet trimmer.  In lighter winds the mainsheet is released as the boat passes from a reach to dead down wind, then as the stern passes through the eye of the wind, the mainsheet trimmer quickly sheets in and releases out on the other side.  In heavier wind, it is critical to be sheeting in as the boat heads dead down wind.  The helm person can stall momentarily in the DDW position to give time for the mainsheet to come in.  The critical point is when the boat finally is on the new heading is to NOT CLEAT THE SHEET!  If the sheet is cleated you will surely round up.  It helps for the helmperson to ease into the new heading to allow the main to ease out.  Taking the turn too rapidly with the sheet uncleated creates tremendous force which you do not want to slam into your aft shrouds.   These are my thoughts on heavy weather jibes.  Any comments from readers would be appreciated.

 

RACEQS A VERY COOL ‘APP’

This app is very cool and free.  Download it onto your phone and mount your phone in the center of the boat, set the start time and it tracks your boat.  It gives valuable feedback on your steering technique, tacking technique and many other features.  The cool thing is that you upload to their website and everyone can download to your computer and watch the replay on your computer at home. We already have 4 boats in our fleet using it and I watched the replay of our whole race showing how well all of the boats were being handled.  It would be very cool to have an upload from all of the boats.  Download it and use it!

 

NEXT TUESDAY IS BARBECUE NIGHT AT SCYC AFTER THE RACE.  BRING YOUR FAVORITE FOOD TO GRILL, AND GREAT FELLOW SAILORS.

 !*PLEASE NOTE: SCYC BAR WILL BE OPEN.  DO NOT  BRING DRINKS.  TAP BEER AND MIXED DRINKS, A PERFECT WAY TO END A NIGHT OF SAILING!*****

See you next Tuesday,

 

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

TUESDAY MAY 12, 2015: NIGHT OF SHIFTY WINDS

Tuesday May 12, 2015

NIGHT OF SHIFTY WINDS 

The wind was blowing insanely for the second night in a row, from the North with a little West in it.  It had blown all day, but seemed to be decreasing slightly.  We still raised the sail in the harbor with a reef in.  As we left the harbor, the wind seemed to switch around to the West with a little North in it.  We set a course for the Northwest wind and the wind shifted to North (straight offshore).  We switched to a North wind course 14.  With the wind blowing a steady 20-22 knots, timing the line was rather challenging.   

Everyone seemed to be aware that the start buoy end of the line was the preferred place to be.  The problem was with the steady wind, we were all stalling to not be over the line at the start.  We all nearly crossed the line in unison, with Pair A Dice slightly behind Perfect 36 and Diver Down. We were  getting bad air once again.   Finally, we tacked over to get clear air and to sail in smoother water.  Diver Down tacked on us to cover.  The problem was to choose a lay line for Gov with all of the wind shifts.  We tacked over way before our normal lay line.  Initially, it looked like we had tacked way too soon, but we ultimately got lifted and rounded Gov with Pacific Spirit after Diver Down and Perfect 36.  Makani was in close pursuit right after us.  

It was a mad dash to Blacks after rounding Gov.  Diver Down had taken a turn to mile (sorry for that confusion) and it was Perfect 36 and Pacific Spirit sprinting toward Blacks, with us sailing to leeward in their bad air and Makani right behind us. There was no room for bad sail trim in this drag race.  Diver down had made the turn toward Blacks and was making incredible time toward Blacks surfing every wave possible.  With a good puff of wind on us, we hardened up to try to get to windward of “36” and Pacific Spirit.  After we ducked their sterns, we were not able to catch up enough to take their wind. As much as I wanted to see the tail of our windex pointing into their sails, it just was not going to happen! 

By the time we got to Blacks, Diver Down had caught up and we all rounded nearly in unison, Perfect 36 first, then  Diver Down, Makani,Sailing Pair a Dice and Pacific Spirit.  In the drag race to the finish mark, it was Diver Down first, Perfect 36, Makani, and  Pair A Dice leading Pacific Spirit by less than a boat length. 

Another great night of racing!  Great job Diver Down (again!) 

CORRECTION:   Everyone with a course card please note: Course 14 needs to have MILE  scratched out, otherwise it is just a repeat of course 13.  I am sorry for this error which was pointed out to me after most of the cards were distributed.

Tactics:  INSIDE OVERLAP

Onc tactical rule to follow: ALWAYS SET UP FOR AN INSIDE OVERLAP AT THE  NEXT MARK.   While we attempted this on the way to Blacks, we were unsuccessful and could not take the wind away from Perfect 36.  Having inside overlap enables you to claim “Mark Room” and  have the inside track rounding the mark.  Though we tried, we were unable to claim inside overlap at Blacks and this is where we lost the race. 

I must say, it is very exciting to have everyone in such a tight race.  Everyone is definitely bringing their game up.  This is very exciting sailing!

See you next week.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A DIce

 

 

 

 

Tuesday May 5, 2015: SHOOTING THE BREEZE

TUESDAY MAY 5, 2015

SHOOTING THE BREEZE

 

It was a clear, windy evening.  All memories of last week’s drift fest were quickly erased.  There were 8 boats out for the fun.  To avoid going outside into the gnarlier wind, we decided on course number 4: Start, Wharf, Gov Fnishish.  We set the start time for 6:05, but had to postpone because Makani was coming out of the harbor halfway through the count down.  On Pair a Dice we decided on a Starboard tack start right at the pin.  Our plan was flawless, but Diver Down was right with us a little to leeward of us.  Right at the start, Diver Down had no problem leaving us in her dirty air, perfectly lee bowing us!  This was Frustrating for us: Continue on in bad air, or tack over into lighter wind!?   We continued on until we could tack over into some wind.  By that time, they were way ahead of us.  You gotta love a properly faired bottom. Homer did quite a job for Diver Down on their last haulout.  We finally tacked over for clear air, and Diver Down tacked to cover, but they were far enough away to not affect us.

 

Diver Down rounded Wharf comfortably ahead of all other boats. Pair a Dice was the second around Wharf followed closely by Makani and Odonata.   The gap between Pair a Dice and Makani and Odonata was closed even more on the way to Gov.  The race was on to the finish mark.  Diver Down rounded finish with a very comfortable lead.  Pair a Dice was being slowly overtaken by Makani and Odonata which was flying a spinnaker on this leg.  We put our pole up and maintained our lead to finish second followed by Odonata, Makani, Pacific Spirit, Aeolian, Kicks and Andiamo all in rapid succession.  It is amazing how fast everyone is bringing their game up and finishing much closer than they were even a month ago.

 

I was feeling pretty smug keeping ahead of Makani, a 34 foot boat on the last leg.  Over dinner, Stuart informed us that he was chartering the boat for visitors from Minnesota that really wanted to get out on the ocean.  He had none of his crew on board, so in essence was sailing the boat by himself.  This answered our question “Why doesn’t he put his pole up?”.   What an amazing performance!  I am sure the people from Minnesota had no idea what was going on.  They were able to see the whales, participate in a race and enjoy a beautiful sunset while on the ocean.

 

I am looking forward to what next Tuesday brings.  See you then.

 

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice