MAY 19, 2026 D'EJA' VU

 

MAY 19, 2026

DÉJÀ VU

Predictions were calling for the wind to build until 6pm but the flags were showing much more wind through the afternoon.  Looking at the ocean showed a sea state of at least 20 knots.  As crew arrived around 4:30 we were getting ready to swap the 155 jib for the 135, but one more look at the flags showed the wind decreasing.  As warm as it was inland, I fully expected an Easterly to develop, but at about 5pm there was a good Westerly.  We waited a few minutes and felt the Easterly start to build as the Westerly died.  We set a line square to the wind and called for course Echo3, the same as last Tuesday.  It was an awesome evening for a sail, just like last week, leaving a strong feeling of Déjà vu.

To review Spinnaker Fleet track:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Spinny%20Fleet&race=19.5.2026%2017:50:00&language=en

Fleet A Track:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20A&race=19.5.2026%2017:55:00&language=en

Fleet B track:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20B&race=19.5.2026%2018:00:00&language=en

 

 

Jennifer Kinsman photo of Aboriginal

 PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:  COURSE E3  COURSE DISTANCE 2.687NM

PLACE                BOAT                                 PHRF                  ET                         CORRECTED

SPINNAKER FLEET:

1            ZOOP                                               144                      37:02                  30:35

2            INTERLUDE                                   141                      37:40                  31:21                 

A FLEET:

1            ABORIGINAL                                 33                         31:37                 30:08

2            WATTS MOORE                             150                      39:52                  33:09

3            PACIFIC HIGH                               96                         37:47                 33:29

4            MAIN SQUEEZE                           72                         38:45                  35:32

5            WIND II                                          213                      46:12                   36:40

6            AQUAVIT                                       72                         40:53                  37:40

7            KEMOSABE                                  81                         44:53                  41:15

8            ROSIE                                            162                       50:36                  43:21

9            WINDLUST                                   66                         50:19                  47:22

B FLEET

1            SAILING PAIR A DICE               180                      41:01                  32:57

2            BIG MAC                                      222                      44:13                  34:16

3            PERFECT 36                                 144                      41:49                  35:22

4            NIDAROS                                     114                      40:30                  35:39

5            KICKS                                           180                      44:00                  35:56

6            ANIMAL HOUSE                          96                       40:34                  36:16

7            PACIFIC SPIRIT                           165                      44:48                  37:25

8            TARA                                             243                      49:29                  38:36

9            AZOR                                             243                      59:00                  48:07

                                                                 

NEXT TUESDAY IS THE LAST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH WHICH MEANS:

BARBECUE NIGHT AT THE CLUB AFTER THE RACE!

BRING YOUR FAVORITE GRILLING FOOD TO ENJOY AND SHARE

_)                            _)                                     _)                                               _)

Next Sunday, May 24 is the second SCORE race of the season.    We only have two boats in Jib and Main. Why not register and use the knowledge you have gained by sailing on Tuesdays.  You need to have a current PHRF certificate to enter. To register go to scyc.org/regattas and click May 24 on the calendar.

                                                             ********

OCS:

We have a unique format on Tuesdays.  No stationary committee boat, no flags and horns other than Regatta Hero and our “15 minute horn”.  In normal racing, when a boat is OCS, the committee boat blasts a horn and displays the “x flag” indicating an OCS situation. This is fair warning that if you don’t restart, you will not be counted.  There are several devices and apps that help you determine your distance to the start line and count down to the start.  Many sailors use these devices and when OCS, they return to start correctly.  I am inspired when I see these Corinthian, self-policing actions by our sailors.

So, it’s another beautiful day for a sail, you see that you are OCS and you do not want to restart.  At this point, you are no longer racing, you are out for a sail.  To retire from the race, just open your RH app and click “leave the regatta”.  This will stop your track and remove you from the race. If you continue to sail the course (with no track), please honor the racing rules of sailing while you are out for your sail.  If your track  shows you are OCS and you do not restart or leave the regatta, we will not count your place in the standings in the blog.

ZOOP SCOOP BY PAUL TARA

E-TICKET RIDE, NO WAITING!

This week’s easterly was about two-thirds the strength of last week’s, but it showed up right on time. It also seemed as though conventional wisdom reasserted itself, with boats that went inshore having a slight edge over those that tacked immediately onto port, particularly on the beat from Gov to S/F. A look at the results shows how close the racing was. In the B Fleet, the first three boats all finished within 27 seconds of each other. But it still paid to sail the shortest distance; the fastest boat in B, finished first on elapsed, but sailed further and ended up back in the pack on corrected. Meanwhile, Pair-A-Dice stuck to the straight and narrow and came out on top. In the A Fleet, the fastest boat (by far) also sailed the shortest distance — probably somewhat due to less leeway — an unbeatable combo.  Zoop elected to sail in the Spinnaker Fleet (I refuse to call it ‘Spinny’) because last week in A Fleet, W-3 gave us such a great run to Gov, that all the way down we were jonesing about what a nice spinnaker run it would have been.  This week, with the kite, we were lamenting the demise of SC 3 which would have made it even better. 

“GET BACK, GET BACK, GET BACK TO WHERE YOU ONCE BELONGED” 

 

Sooner or later, everyone ends up OCS (Over Course Side). The Beatles knew what to do: “GET BACK.”  Tuesdays are a great opportunity to practice for this eventuality because, even though there are no formal series standings (except at the bar), the importance of returning to restart remains the same.  Sailboat racing is self-policing. If you’re going to sail by the rules, you must return and restart. To not do so, unfairly disadvantages your competitors, and (heads up!) the designation OCS does not require a hearing.  I mean, come on guys, 17 seconds! Is this really necessary?  

 

If the inevitable happens, two phrases to remember are “He who hesitates is lost” and “Make haste slowly.” First, make the decision, don’t wait.  Alert the crew, SLOW DOWN and LOOK AROUND. Don’t compound your troubles by making a sudden maneuver and fouling another boat. Never tack without first looking over your shoulder.  If you’re near an end of the line, you might be able to sheet in, accelerate and go around it. Otherwise, the best tactic is to slow by easing sheets while remaining on starboard tack — you still have rights — and the herd will go by quickly. Once traffic thins, look for a gap. You might be able to just dip back across the line.  Be careful  — once you begin heading back, Rule 21.2 kicks in — and you absolutely must keep clear of other boats. If you can’t dip, then a tack or jibe may be required to get back. Bearing away on starboard is usually safer, but you need to watch out for leeward boats coming up from astern. If you decide to tack, holding the jib aback can help to spin the boat into a tighter turn.

 

Whether to tack or bear away depends on traffic, and which way you want to go after you’re clear. If the left is favored, say because there’s more wind outside, a tack onto port with a quick bear-away, followed by a jibe back onto starboard works well. If you initially planned on tacking away onto port, a starboard bear-away with a jibe onto port is very effective.  Note that in both scenarios, the boat jibes onto the new starting tack. Boats accelerate more quickly coming out of jibes. You can often pop out on port, headed for the right side while, with any luck, the bulk of the fleet is craning its collective neck, trying to see if they’re clear to tack. (In which case you can bet they’re not looking at their jib telltales.) Just be sure to let the crew know what’s coming so they can keep up. Once you start the return, things tend to happen pretty fast. This is important, because as soon as the boat recrosses the line, priorities shift from “Get Back” to Get Going.

Thank you Paul!  Awesome points.                 

I hope to see you next Tuesday for the sail and BBQ.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice                                                   

MAY 12, 2026 JUST WAIT FOR THE SHIFT

MAY 12, 2026

JUST WAIT FOR THE SHIFT

Predictions were for 17 knot breeze from the West with gusts up to 21 knots.  As we left the harbor at 5pm, we were amazed to see a healthy 17 knot Westerly across the bay.  Wow, Predictwind was spot on.  We determined the wind was from 240 and set a line square to this.  By the time the “15 minute horn”  was sounded, the wind seemed to be rapidly decreasing.  Suddenly, we saw evidence of a very weak Easterly which seemed to be increasing.  With the first of the 3 fleets getting ready for their start, we announced that we were postponing the races as the Easterly seemed to be building.  Meanwhile, we had motored down to set a temp mark for course E4, but as the wind was steadily increasing we changed the course to E3: Start>Blacks>red ball>Gov>finish at S/F to port.  Kudos to my crewmember Zach Shepard who I call my “Regatta Hero” as he was able to set the new course and start times in the app.

We had a wonderful race with an awesome Easterly. Sometimes you just wait for the shift!  I believe we broke a record with close to 30 boats out.

 

  

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:  COURSE E3  COURSE DISTANCE 2.702NM

PLACE                BOAT                                 PHRF   ET                         CORRECTED

SPINNY FLEET

1            PEGASUS                                       150       30:31                  23:46

2            HEARTBEAT                                  12         25:53                  25:21

FLEET A:

1            ABORIGINAL                                 33          27:29                  26:00

2            ZOOP                                               144        33:12                  26:43

3            ROSIE                                              162        35:03                  27:45

4            AQUAVIT                                         72         31:37                  28:22

5            INTERLUDE                                   141        34:46                  28:25

6            WATTS MOORE                             150        36:47                  30:02

7            KEMOSABE                                    81         34:46                  31:07

8            WINDLUST                                     66         41:12                  38:14

FLEET B:

1            GOLD RUSH                                 126       32:49                  27:09

2            PERFECT 36                                  144       33:56                  27:27

3            TARA                                              243       38:52                  27:55

4            SAILING PAIR A DICE                 180       36:24                  28:17

5            SIMPATICO                                    165       35:51                  28:25

6            BIG MAC                                        222       38:51                  28:51

7            PACIFIC SPIRIT                            165       37:30                  30:04

8            AZOR                                              243       41:14                  30:17

9            ANIMAL HOUSE                           96          34:42                  30:23

10          KICKS                                            180       39:00                  30:53

11          ABSOLUTE 05                               117       36:57                  31:41

12          NIDAROS                                       114       37:38                  32:30

13          SWEET PEA                                   163       43:00                  35:44

 

To view Spinny fleet tracks:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Spinny%20Fleet&race=12.5.2026%2018:05:01&language=en

To see A Fleet tracks:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20A&race=12.5.2026%2018:10:02&language=en

B Fleet  tracks at:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20B&race=12.5.2026%2018:15:01&language=en

 

 

THE ZOOP SCOOP  BY PAUL TARA

A BIG “E”

 

E for EXCELLENT EASTERLY! One reason racing in Santa Cruz is so interesting is because we’re basically sailing in what amounts to an atmospheric whirlpool. The phenomenon is so well known that meteorologists call it the Santa Cruz Eddy.  Westerly outside, easterly inside, transition in between.  Most think of the easterly as a moderate, late afternoon breeze because that’s when we usually encounter it. I tend to think of the transition as an “eye”, or an area of localized low pressure around which there can be counter-clockwise flow anytime of the day. Tuesday at noon, there was a stiff southeasterly at the Rio Theater as the fog began to burn off. But the marine layer was quite thick and it remained just offshore throughout the day.  When we exited the Harbor it was still there, with a long curling tendril reaching in towards Capitola.  There was still a light westerly at S/F but it was diminishing rapidly.  Fortunately Barry postponed  — he has learned to be patient — a great call. When the westerly beats a hasty retreat, the eye is expanding, and if the fog is sweeping around towards Capitola, a robust easterly is a good possibility.

 

Which is what we got. But many other easterly mysteries remain unsolved.  For example, we were about a half boat-length OCS in A Fleet. By the time we got untangled, we restarted about 1:20 late, after jibing around onto port tack. We held port all the way to the layline, and were surprised to come out head-to-head with most of the fleet which had gone inshore. This is contrary to the conventional wisdom that says when the fog is sweeping into Capitola, the easterly tends to come more offshore and lift the boats inside on port.  But then, I watched the B Fleet track.  Gold Rush started at S/F, near where we had restarted, tacked immediately onto port, held it to the lay-line, was first around BP, and went on to win.  I have no clue. Except to say that, as we approached the layline, we did get a slight header on port, and that easterlies restrict the playing field on the left side of the course. When you start running out of water, the number of lanes available for clear air diminishes quickly.

 

CARDINAL SIN # 5, DON’T SAIL THE WRONG COURSE

In order to get a finish, you have to sail the course.  For some reason boats persist in sailing through the starting line, expecting to get a finish.  As far as Regatta Hero is concerned, once your start has taken place, the starting line no longer exists.  Let me repeat that, “The starting line no longer exists.” S/F then becomes just a MARK. Let’s take Tuesday night, the course was BP, Red Ball, Gov., S/F all marks to port. If you sailed through the no longer existent starting line “from the direction of the last mark” and passed  S/F to starboard, you did not follow the sailing instructions, (i.e. course description). Sorry, NO LOLLIPOP.  So, here’s the deal. Barry loves to call this a development series. “Arrested Development” might be more appropriate. Try to stop relying so much on Barry. Take time to read the sailing instructions and understand the course sheet. Every time someone uses their VHF to ask what the course is, I guarantee you half the fleet is in hysterics. The front half.

Thank you Paul

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

 

 

MAY 5, 2026 CHILLY CINCO DE MAYO

 

MAY 5, 2026

CHILLY CINCO DE MAYO

Predictions were for 17 knot winds decreasing to 4 knots and when I got to the harbor around 1pm, there was definitely wind showing on the flags.  The only problem with the conditions was a heavy cloud cover that was casting a chill colder than any winter day I have seen in Santa Cruz.  Optimistically there were clear skies to the south but they never came north.

When we left the harbor at 5pm, we determined that the wind was coming from 260 and  we set a line square to this as boats were streaming out of the harbor for the chilly sail. It was actually a perfect evening on the water with a steady breeze but a chilly Cinco de Mayo.

 

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:  COURSE W4  DISTANCE2.92NM

PLACE                BOAT                                 PHRF                  ET                     CORRECTED

SPINNY FLEET

1            RIO                                                  141                      47:00                  40:08

A FLEET:

1            ZOOP                                              144                      35:18                  28:18

2            PACIFIC HIGH                               96                         33:00                28:20

3            INTERLUDE                                  141                      36:06                  29:14

4            WATTS MOORE                            150                      37:02                  29:44

5            MAIN SQUEEZE                           72                         33:46                 30:16

B FLEET:

1            PERFECT 36                                 144                      37:46                  30:46

2            SAILING PAIR A DICE                180                      39:54                  31:08

3            SWEET PEA                                  163                      39:40                  31:44

4            SIMPATICO                                   165                      39:54                  31:52

5            AVATAR                                         132                      38:27                  32:02

6            PACIFIC SPIRIT                            165                      41:22                  33:20

7            TARA                                              243                      45:23                  33:33

8            AZOR                                              243                      45:38                  33:48

9            ANIMAL HOUSE                          96                         41:54                  37:14  

 

Spinny Fleet can be viewed at:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Spinny%20Fleet&race=5.5.2026%2017:50:00&language=en

FLEET A TRACK CAN BE VIEWED AT:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20A&race=5.5.2026%2017:55:00&language=en

FLEET B TRACK CAN BE REVIEWED AT:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20B&race=5.5.2026%2018:00:00&language=en

 

FLEETING CONFUSION

 

This Tuesday, as we approached the starboard end of the line for a start in A Fleet, our plan (tack onto port at the mark) was thrown into disarray by the presence to leeward of a boat that usually races in B fleet. But were they? If they weren’t, they were doing a damn good job of imitating a boat setting up to execute our plan perfectly. With 40 seconds to go — we were clearly in a barging position — our only option was to slow and duck their transom. This saved us from a protest (or so we thought) but foiled our plan and made us quite late. By the time we crossed on starboard, most of A fleet was already away on port, headed right, leaving us no clear lane. A glance aft showed the boat we ducked did not start in A, but tacked away for her B Fleet start.

 

We currently have three fleets racing: Spinnaker, A, and B.  Choice of fleet is open, but on any given day, it sure would be nice to know who in hell you’re racing.  And, who you’re not. While some tech wizards amongst us may be able to look at Regatta Hero at the last minute and discover who’s registered in their fleet I, for one, am not among them. No way will you catch me diddling around with my phone in a crowded starting area.  In junior sailing, different fleets are designated by colored ribbons secured to the end of the boom. Is this an idea that could work for us? Too much trouble? Let us know in the comments. Lacking that, please stay clear of the starting line until after your preparatory signal.

 

As for our plan? It was completely obliterated (an increasingly overused term). So, off to Plan B. “If you’re given lemons, make lemonade.”  We knew there was more breeze outside (we had changed down to our #2) so we hit the left hard.  Clear air and plenty of it. When we came back on port, we were right back in the fray. In retrospect, it’s possible we should have hit the left harder.  Both Pacific High and we under-stood the starboard lay-line to Schuyler, indicating the lack of a strong right shift near the mark. (After her performance last week, I will now think of that shift forevermore as the Sagittarius Effect.)  This week the fleet was small (5 boats) so there was plenty of space for a port tack approach.  As it was, after all that blather last week about not over-standing, we were so determined to remain sin free, we tacked a bit too soon, forcing us to throw in a quick hitch near the mark. On the reach back into the finish we stayed low, saving our powder for the lighter air nearer shore, allowing us to correct out over Pacific High by two seconds. Whew! 

 

In the B Fleet, Tara made a perfect port tack start, but nothing could save her from Perfect 36 in that much wind, as the latter water-lined the fleet for the win.  Aboard Zoop, we have a healthy respect for P36 when it’s breezy. 

  Thank you Paul

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

APRIL 28, 2026 IT DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS

 

APRIL 28, 2026

IT DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN THIS

Predictions for the evening indicated 16 knot breeze with gusts to 19 and decreasing through the evening.  When we left the harbor shortly after 5, there was a beautiful 13-16 knots of wind across the bay.  The wind was coming from 240 and we set a line square to this.  With such great wind we called for a long course Whisky 1 and blew the “15 minute horn” at 5:45. As the clock ticked down for the B fleet start the wind was increasing to a steady 20 knot plus and a few boats put in reefs.  All boats had clean starts and made there way around  the course as the wind started to decrease to 13 knots.  Still a nice breeze to sail in.  It Doesn’t get better than this!

    

 
Jennifer Kinsman photo

  

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS: COURSE  W1  DISTANCE 3.884NM

PLACE                BOAT                                 PHRF                  ET                         CORRECTED

SPINNY FLEET

1            PEGASUS                                       78                         42:53                  37:50

FLEET A

1            HEARTBEAT                                  12                         36:57                  36:10

2            TRUE LOVE                                   72                         41:05                  36:25

3            INTERLUDE                                   141                      46:35                  37:27

4            ZOOP                                               144                      46:52                  37:32

5            SAGITTARIUS                                120                      45:28                  37:41

6            FLEXI FLYER                                  96                         43:55                  37:42

7            AQUAVIT                                         72                         44:14                  39:34

8            WATTS MOORE                              150                      51:14                  41:31

9            QUIXOTIC                                       57                         59:40                  55:58

10          WINDLUST                                      66                         1:05:01             1:00:44

FLEET B

1            GOLD RUSH                                   126                      50:45                  42:35

2            PERFECT 36                                   144                      52:23                  43:03

3            PACIFIC SPIRIT                              165                      55:03                 44:22    

4            BIG MAC                                        222                      58:54                  44:31

5            SIMPATICO                                    165                      56:58                  46:17

6            SAILING PAIR A DICE                 180                      58:30                  46:50

7            ABSOLUTE05                                117                      55:24                  47:49

8            SWEET PEA                                   163                      1:01:49             51:15

9            NIDAROS                                       114                      59:36                  52:13

10          AVATAR                                          132                      1:01:24             52:51

11          AZOR                                              243                      1:09:43             53:59                                

 

Spinny Fleet track can be viewed at:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Spinny%20Fleet&race=28.4.2026%2017:50:00&language=en

A Fleet track can be seen at:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20A&race=28.4.2026%2017:55:00&language=en

Fleet B track can be seen at:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20B&race=28.4.2026%2018:00:00&language=en

 

THE ZOOP SCOOP BY PAUL TARA

THE MOST COMMON SIN

Joe Duplin, a Star world champion, and the coach at Tufts, preached the 7 most common mistakes to be avoided by college sailors. He believed that if a boat avoided these errors, it almost guaranteed a finish at or near the top of the fleet. Care to guess which is the most difficult to avoid off Santa Cruz?  Here they are:

1. Don’t be late to the start.
2. Don’t be over early.
3. Don’t hit a mark.
4. Don’t foul another boat.
5. Don’t sail the wrong course.
6. Don’t over-stand the weather mark.
7. Don’t capsize. 

I hope you chose number 6, over-standing the weather mark; all the rest are gimmes. This Tuesday, about two-thirds of the way up the beat, we were on starboard, about three lengths abeam and to weather of Sagittarius, when we got a slight header and tacked away, to get further to the right, “up inside, on the layline”. Sagittarius stayed on starboard, was eventually lifted up, and squeezed around the mark.  We rounded well behind, having lost them, as well as Interlude, Aquavit, and Flexi. If you look at our “route” on RH, we sailed almost an extra quarter mile we didn’t need to.

 

If I had a nickel for every time I’ve “misunderstood” that persistent shift off Lighthouse Point, I could afford a new jib. In the old days, in 5o5’s, Dennis Surtees, the reigning NA champion, used to say, “When you smell the sea lion crap on Seal Rock, tack, you’re on the lay line.”  The only problem now is things have changed; the mark is no longer in that spot, and the sea lions have all moved to under the Wharf. (And even that is shorter!)  But, calling the starboard lay-line is still one of the most critical parts of the race.  If the fog’s in and the breeze is dying, the shift  may not be there, but if there’s a strong westerly, odds are it will be.  How much, is the critical question.  If you tack early onto starboard and can’t lay, you’re committed to a final approach on port, possibly in traffic (remember, if you tack inside the 3 boat-length zone, you essentially have no rights). But, if you play it safe and join the starboard tack parade, you risk over-standing. That’s because the lift, usually increases as you approach the mark, and the fact that, as boats join the parade, they often “go just a little further” before tacking, rather than sail in the bad air of the boat ahead. Which, of course, leads to each boat over-standing just a teensy bit more.

 

CLOSE RACING

In the A fleet, Heartbeat only beat True Love by 15 seconds, and the total spread between 3rd and 6th place was another 15 seconds. Interlude beat Zoop by 5 seconds and Sagittarius beat Flexi by one second.  In the B fleet, Pacific Spirit beat Big Mac by 9 seconds.  Unfortunately Gold Rush, which lead all of the way, recorded a track, but not a finish. Too fast for her own good, apparently.   

 

I hope to see you sailing next Tuesday.

 

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice