AUGUST 27, 2024 FOG WIND

 

AUGUST 27, 2024

FOG WIND

The afternoon was encouraging as the flags were stiff with wind from the northwest.  There was also a heavy fog bank just offshore that spread clear to Aptos which is a positive predictor for wind.  As we left the harbor just after 5, the fog bank was still present and a healthy Easterly breeze was strong enough to call for an ambitious course, even though it was barbecue night!  I called for course Echo 1 which includes sailing out to SC3.  As the clock ticked down to 20 minutes till 6, I noticed that the wind was dissipating.  There was a suggestion to sail a course: start to Blacks, GOV and finish at the start mark.  I announced the new course as the wind seemed to be coming in waves, increasing and decreasing.  We had the start line set square to the wind and blew the ten-minute horn.

We observed the line for the Fleet A start and it was a thing of beauty to see all boats right on the line right on time.  B Fleet also got off to a clean start as all boats made their way to Blacks.  It got a little crowded as A fleet rounded Blacks with B Fleet approaching but rules were honored and there were no collisions.    The run to GOV was straight downwind so most boats were using their whisker poles.

The first A Fleet boat to round GOV was Aboriginal followed by Pegasus, Sweetheart, True Love, Sagittarius, Yellow Belly, Duet, Aquavit, Watts Moore, Flexi Flyer, Interlude and Rosie.  Fleet B was led by Zoop then Big Mac, Nidaros, Pair A Dice and Perfect 36 together, Simpatico, Kicks, TOAD, Wind Goddess.  Just as Zoop rounded, they saw Guenter on Wind II was disabled after being hit by another boat that tore his rudder off.  Zoop and crew displaying the true Corinthian spirit aborted the race to rescue Guenter and got him back in the harbor.

TEAM ZOOP RESCUING GUENTER

After rounding Gov, it was a beat back to the finish.  A Fleet was led by Aboriginal 29:38, then Pegasus 32:51, Sweetheart 35:05, True Love 35:21, Sagittarius 35:38, Yellow Belly 36:25, Duet 36:54, Aquavit 37:36, Flexi Flyer 38:29, Watts Moore 39:03, Interlude 39:29 and Rosie 40:33.  B Fleet, absent the Zoop rescue team, was led by Perfect 36 38:22, Nidaros 39:01, Big Mac 39:15, Simpatico 39:42, Sailing Pair A Dice 41:15, TOAD 41:29, Kicks 42:09 and Wind Goddess 44:39.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 2.83 NM

It was interesting sailing on a fog line with the wind increasing and decreasing on the course. At least the fog was elevated so it did not affect visibility. This is what its like when you sail in FOG WIND.

SAILING BACK TO FINISH LINE

 PHRF CORRECTED RESULTS

PLACE                 BOAT                                                   PHRF                   CORRECTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             ABORIGINAL                                                   33                          28:04

2             PEGASUS                                                          78                          29:10

3             YELLOW BELLY                                              141                       29:45

4             SAGITTARIUS                                                  120                       29:58

5             DUET                                                                 141                       30:15

6             TRUE LOVE                                                     75                          31:48

7             WATTS MOORE                                                150                       31:58

8             INTERLUDE                                                     141                       32:50

9             ROSIE                                                                162                       32:54

10          FLEXI FLYER                                                    96                         33:57

11          AQUAVIT                                                           72                          34:12

12          SWEETHEART                                                  -6                           35:22

FLEET B:

1             BIG MAC                                                          222                       28:46

2             PERFECT 36                                                     144                       31:34

3             SIMPATICO                                                      165                       31:55

4             SAILING PAIR A DICE                                   180                       32:45

5             NIDAROS                                                         118                       33:27

6             KICKS                                                               180                       33:39

7             TOAD                                                                150                       34:24

8             WIND GODDESS                                             168                       36:43

RACE QS:

The track for this evening  can be viewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=102074&updatedAt=2024-08-28T02:07:29Z&dt=2024-08-27T17:45:37-07:00..2024-08-27T19:03:48-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1724809599015&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Big%20Mac&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.958770&lon=-121.997074&tilt=6&range=2622&heading=91

BARBECUE:

The end of the month barbecue was beyond belief.   The variety of food being grilled and offered was incredible.  A huge note of recognition and thanks to Mike Gross for his expertise and work on the grill and Maggie for helping  Mike with the clean-up after the party.

Lets hope for wind next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

AUGUST 20, 2024 NORTH WIND JUST FOR US!

 

AUGUST 20, 2024

NORTH WIND JUST FOR US!

As usual, I was discouraged by limp flags through the afternoon.   This frustration was enhanced as we left the harbor and saw a dying Easterly.  The wind was coming from about 110 degrees, and we set a line square to this as the wind was dying even more.  As the clocked ticked down and we were getting close to 5:35 I was thinking we had no other option but to cancel the race.  Suddenly, about 5:40 we witnessed boats leaving the harbor sailing down-wind.  We had a quickly developing Northerly breeze. I was considering an impromptu course and Bret sailed by suggesting course November 1 with possible shortening, so we called for this course.  With the wind shifting almost 180 degrees, we  used the original start line going the opposite direction. 

We blew the 10-minute horn and witnessed the A fleet start.  A couple of boats were OCS and restarted displaying the true Corinthian spirit.  B fleet got off to a clean start and all boats made their way to the first mark, GOV.  It was awesome sailing in a good breeze and with the gusts providing a lift, many boats nearly made it to GOV without having to tack.  The first A fleet boat to round GOV was Aboriginal followed by Frisky, Watts Moore,  Pegasus, Perigon, Quixotic and  Magic.   B Fleet was led by Avatar then Double Espresso, Sailing Pair A Dice,  Nidaros, Perfect 36, Simpatico, Pacific Spirit,  Big Mac  and Blonde Ambition.

After rounding GOV, we were reaching back to Blacks, but I thought the wind was dying a little, so I announced to shorten course to finish at S/F after rounding Blacks.  There was a lot of “non-sailing” chatter on our channel 69 so some boats may have turned the radio off and did not hear the shorten course announcement proceeding to round GOV again. A note of recognition for Kicks who towed a boat with mechanical problems back to the harbor, so missed the start.

The first A fleet boat to cross the finish line was Aboriginal 27:16, then Frisky 29:24, Watts Moore 32:35, Magic 34:32 and Quixotic 35:26.  B Fleet was led by Double Espresso 29:31, then Avatar 30:35, Sailing Pair A  Dice 34:04, Nidaros 35:05, Simpatico 35:30,  Pacific Spirit 35:39, Big Mac 36:38 and Blond Ambition 43:41.  All times are elapsed and the course distance  was  2.84 NM.

With the initial frustration dealing with total lack of wind and the awesome Northerly filling in just in time for the start, it was like it was NORTH WIND JUST FOR US!

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                 BOAT                                                   PHRF                   CORRECTED TIME

FLEET A

1             WATTS MOORE                                             150                       25:29

2             ABORIGINAL                                                 33                          25:42

3             FRISKY                                                            81                          25:44

4             MAGIC                                                             141                       28:50

5             QUIXOTIC                                                       51                          33:00

FLEET B:

1             AVATAR                                                            132                       24:20

2             DOUBLE ESPRESSO                                      99                          24:50

3             BIG MAC                                                         222                       26:07

4             SAILING PAIR A DICE                                  180                       26:16

5             PERFECT 36                                                   144                       27:15

6             SIMPATICO                                                    165                       27:45

7             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                             165                       27:50

8             NIDAROS                                                       118                       29:30

9             BLONDE AMBITION                                    165                       43:41                 

 

RACE QS:

The track for this evening can be viewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=101778&updatedAt=2024-08-21T02:10:40Z&dt=2024-08-20T17:45:03-07:00..2024-08-20T19:07:39-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1724202473502&focus=Aboriginal&rival=Watts%20Moore%E2%80%A6&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.953546&lon=-121.997937&tilt=31&range=444&heading=10

 

TUESDAY BARBECUE:

This coming Tuesday is the last Tuesday of the month which means it is BARBECUE NIGHT AT THE CLUB AFTER THE RACE! BRING YOUR BEST GRILLING FOOD FOR THIS AWESOME EVENT!            

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

AUGUST 13, 2024 ANOTHER CHALLENGING TUESDAY

 

AUGUST 13, 2024

ANOTHER CHALLENGING TUESDAY

As I was hanging out on my boat through the afternoon, the wind was not very promising as the flags hung limp.  We left the harbor at 5pm, it looked like an Easterly was developing.  Would it persist or fade as the evening progressed?  Paul Tara taught me long ago to check for fog in Aptos to confirm that the Easterly would stay.  With no fog in Aptos, I set for a shorter course using an offset mark.  I announced the course but as boats left up the harbor, a desire for a longer course was expressed, so we abandoned the short course and called for Echo 1.  We blew the horn and watched as A Fleet got off to a clean start as did B Fleet 5 minutes later. 

It was exciting to be sailing in a nice Easterly as we all made our way to SC3.  As we progressed toward the mark, we noticed pockets where there was much lighter wind.  At SC3, the first A fleet to round was Aboriginal, then Interlude, Yellow Belly, Pegasus, Watts Moore, Sagittarius, True Love, Aquavit and Perfect 36. B Fleet was led by Avatar, then Pacific Spirit, Big Mac, Pair A Dice and Blonde Ambition.  As all boats made their way to round Blacks and finish, the wind was on a steep decline as several  B Fleet boats retired.  We had three boats that basically rode the current at less than one knot boat speed to cross the finish line.  Kudos to Big Mac and Blond Ambition for hanging on to finish.  You know you are in trouble when you look at your calendar rather than your watch for the finish time! 😉

At the finish Fleet A was led by Aboriginal 54:34 then Pegasus 59:10, Watts Moore  59:31, Interlude 59:52, Yellow Belly 1:00:16, True Love 1:01:35, Sagittarius 1:02:13, Wind II 1:02:48, Aquavit 1:11:55 and Perfect 36 1:11:42.  Fleet B was led by Avatar  1:14:45 then  Pacific Spirit 1:19:16, Big Mac 1:25:02, Pair A Dice 1:32:02 and Blonde Ambition 1:32:45.  All Times are elapsed  and the course distance  was 2.90NM.  Though it was a beautiful evening on the water, as the wind was dying it was just another challenging Tuesday!

THE A FLEET START    

 RACE QS:

More people are reporting problems with this app.  This is why I recommend people record their finish times to report to me in  case your track does not upload. For me to use this finish time, it is critical to indicate the fleet you started with, and if the time reported is elapsed time (Fleet A) or your watch time.  Also, I need your position with regards  to other boats.

The track for this evening can be reviewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=101527&updatedAt=2024-08-14T02:57:29Z&dt=2024-08-13T17:45:46-07:00..2024-08-13T19:56:05-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1723597246733&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&tab=setup&view=auto

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                 BOAT                                                   PHRF                                   CORRECTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             WATTS  MOORE                                            150                                       52:16

2             WIND II                                                           213                                       52:30

3             ABORIGINAL                                                 33                                          52:59

4             INTERLUDE                                                   141                                       53:03

5             YELLOW BELLY                                            141                                       53:27

6             PEGASUS                                                         78                                         55:24

7             SAGITTARIUS                                                 120                                       56:25

8             TRUE LOVE                                                     75                                         57:59

9             PERFECT 36                                                     144                                       1:04:44             

10          AQUAVIT                                                           72                                         1:08:26

FLEET B:

1             AVATAR                                                             132                                       1:08:22

2             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                               165                                       1:11:17

3             BIG MAC                                                          222                                       1:14:18

4             SAILING PAIR  A DICE                                  180                                       1:23:20

5             BLONDE AMBITION                                     165                                       1:24:46

WATCH OUT FOR HOLES IN THE WIND:

We all know to sail toward the new wind, but when the new wind is dissipating the situation gets challenging.  On this evening, we were tacking toward SC3 considering lay lines and traffic, but I was ignoring a third critical element: observing the water for areas of less wind to avoid.  Lesson learned: in questionable conditions, always try to stay in the stronger wind.

Lets hope and pray for more wind next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

AUGUST 6, 2024 WELCOME TO FOG-CONFUSION

 

AUGUST 6, 2024

WELCOME TO FOG-CONFUSION

I was encouraged to see a hint of an Easterly developing as early as 3 o’clock.  It was even more encouraging to see a huge fog bank emanating from Aptos.  Sure enough as we left the harbor at 5pm, we were blessed with steady winds in excess of 10 knots.  We determined the wind direction was 80 degrees and set a start line square to this.  We called for course Echo 1 and blew the “10-minute horn”.   Both Fleet A and Fleet B got off to a clean start.

As the race progressed, the fog was getting thicker and the confusion was increasing.  It did not help that SC4 (which is at least a quarter mile south of SC3) was shining like a beacon in one of the few clear areas of the bay, drawing several boats off course.  The boats that focused on their GPS were able to find the first mark in the heavy fog and were able to round and make their way toward Blacks.

The first of A Fleet to round SC3 was Ethos followed by Sweetheart, Watts Moore, Sagittarius,  Interlude, Duet, Aquavit, Quixotic  and Double Espresso.   B Fleet was led by Zoop, then Perfect 36,  Makani, Pair a Dice, Pacific Spirit, Nidaros, Simpatico and Kicks.

After rounding SC3 confusion increased as Blacks was also obscured  in the fog.  If you did not have the  new position for Blacks entered in your GPS, it was almost impossible to find.

Several boats gave up on the pursuit and headed for the harbor. At the finish, A Fleet was led by Watts Moore 41:40 then Sweetheart 42:00, Quixotic 42:06, Interlude  42:16, Sagittarius 42:23, Duet42:42, Ethos 42:44  and Aquavit 42:54.  B Fleet was led by Makani 42:47, then Zoop 44:02, Sailing Pair A Dice 44:50, Pacific Spirit 44:53, Perfect 36 48:48 and Simpatico 51:17.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 2.90NM. 

It was an awesome evening for a sail with plenty of wind and the flock of shearwater birds was engulfing the whole fleet.  The most intimidating presence was the heavy fog we all had to negotiate:  WELCOME TO FOG-CONFUSION.

SHEARWATER FLOCK ENGULFING THE FLEET

                       

  PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                 BOAT                                                   PHRF                   ADJUSTED TIME

FLEET A

1             WATTS MOORE                                             150                       34:25

2             INTERLUDE                                                   141                       35:27

3             DUET                                                               141                       35:53

4             SAGITTARIUS                                                120                       36:35

5             ETHOS                                                             72                          39:15

6             AQUAVIT                                                         72                          39:25

7             QUIXOTIC                                                       51                          39:38

8             SWEETHEART                                                -6                           42:17

FLEET B:

1            MAKANI                                                          147                        35:40 

2            SAILING PAIR A DICE                                   180                       36:08

3             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                             165                       36:59

4             ZOOP                                                               144                       37:04

5             PERFECT 36                                                   144                       41:50

6             SIMPATICO                                                    165                       43:18

 

RACE QS:

The track for this evening can be reviewed at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&updatedAt=2024-08-07T02:13:59Z&dt=2024-08-06T17:45:03-07:00..2024-08-06T19:11:39-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1722996388043&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Makani&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.955021&lon=-121.995586&tilt=2&range=3915&heading=265

EIGHT BELLS FOR ROSS CLARK:

It is with a heavy heart that I report the loss of one our cherished members.  Ross Clark passed on Monday August 5.  He was an ambitious sailor owning two sailboats: Sweet Pea  (Catalina 32) and AZOR (Santana 22).  Personally, I will always miss his always present smile and positive attitude.  Condolences to wife Shivaun and family.

BBBS:

I hope to see you sailing this Sunday in the Big Brother Big Sister regatta.

 

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

JULY 30, 2024 SAILING WITH WHALES

 

JULY 30, 2024

SAILING WITH WHALES

I did not sail on this evening since I had an appointment with COVID.  Remember when positive results on a test was a good thing?   Stefan ran the race for us.  As reported the wind was about 8 knots from 110 degrees.  A line was set square to the wind and the course was announced: Start to Blacks twice around.

Both Fleet A and B got off to clean starts as boats made there way to Blacks.  The first A Fleet boat to round Blacks was Aboriginal then Sagittarius, Yellow Belly and  Magic.  B Fleet was led by Zoop, then Makani, Perfect 36, Kicks, Gold Rush, Simpatico, Toad, Nidaros, Pacific Spirit AND Sailing Pair A Dice.

Fleet A was led at the finish by Aboriginal 19:03 then Sagittarius 22:34 and Yellow Belly 24:50.   B Fleet was led by Zoop 21:51 then Gold Rush 24:08, Makani 24:38, Perfect 36 24:41, Nidaros 25:51, Kicks 28:47, Simpatico 28:53, TOAD 30:30, Pacific Spirit 31:14   and  Sailing Pair A Dice 37:50.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 1.85 NM.

It was another light wind evening, but whales seemed to be present.  What can  be better than sailing with whales.

 

 

 

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                 BOAT                                                   PHRF                   ADJUSTED TIME

FLEET A

1             ABORIGINAL                                                   33                          18:02

2             SAGITTARIUS                                                 120                       18:05

3             YELLOW BELLY                                             141                       20:29

FLEET B

1             ZOOP                                                                 144                       17:24

2             MAKANI                                                           147                       20:06

3             GOLD RUSH                                                     126                       20:15

4             PERFECT 36                                                      144                       20:25

5             NIDAROS                                                          118                       22:12

6             KICKS                                                                180                       23:08

7             SIMPATICO                                                       165                       23:47

8             TOAD                                                                 147                       25:52

9             WIND II                                                              213                       25:55

10             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                                165                       26:08

11          SAILING PAIR A DICE                                     180                       32:17

 

RACE QS:

We had many boats that raced but showed no track on Race QS.  If you raced, uploaded a track and don’t see your boat listed, did you get your finish time? Also, giving your position to other boats at the finish will help determine your finish time. If you can communicate this information  to me, I can do my best to include your results.

The track for this evening can be seen at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1017739&divisionId=101040&updatedAt=2024-07-31T01:42:36Z&dt=2024-07-30T17:50:03-07:00..2024-07-30T18:42:35-07:00&boat=Perf36&time=1722387083879&focus=Perf36&rival=Makani&tab=fleet&view=follow&lat=36.952538&lon=-121.994084&tilt=80&range=74&heading=194

BBBS:

This very fun event is very soon: August 11.  Be sure to register.  This is a very worthy cause.

I hope to see you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice