JULY 22, 2025 PRAYERS FOR WIND ANSWERED!

 

JULY 22, 2025

PRAYERS FOR WIND ANSWERED!

Predictions called for winds of 4 to 20 knots for the whole evening.  The wind was howling in the harbor all afternoon.  As crew arrived, we swapped out our headsail from the 155 to the 135 which worked for us with winds consistently 21-26 knots.  We determined the wind direction was 230 and set a line square to that direction.  We called for course W1 for Fleet A and W2 for Fleet B and both fleets got off to a clean start.

Some of the larger boats did not reef at all.  On PAD we put a reef in and even minimized the jib only unfurling halfway. We all tacked our way to Schuyler.  As usual the rounding of Schuyler presented its problems and we “kissed the mark” and did our 360 exoneration.

After months of cursing low to no winds and all of us wishing and praying for enough wind to race in, it seems our prayers for wind were answered!

Paul Tara (Zoop) frequently sends me his assessment about our sails.  I asked him if we could share his perspective in the blog.  Following is Paul’s comments about this sail, print in the color of Zoop.

Let’s give a big shout out to Doug Mahone of Avatar for discovering and implementing Regatta Hero.  Without it, this would be a sad season by now. There are 51 entrants in the Tuesday night series.  If you are entered, but not using the app on your phone, you are missing a BIG shift.  Because, you already paid your 40 bucks, and you’re losing out on one of the most beneficial aspects of the series: the opportunity to learn from your mistakes.

For example, let’s compare the tracks from last Tuesday and this Tuesday. (No, I’m not going to give you a screenshot; You have to do it!)  Note, the default trail length is 6 minutes. You can change this while replay is running; I set mine at 20 minutes which is about enough to see the entire weather leg.  Last week, the edge of the fog was at Soquel Ave., and the outside boats did well. This week the edge was offshore, conditions were quite “sporty,” and the inside boats did well. Last week, boats on port were lifted above the end of the Wharf.  This week, the lead port tack boats didn’t lay Gov.  Why?

In the northern hemisphere, strong breezes generally veer (shift right), while dying breezes back (shift left). Last week the course was under the fog, where the breeze was slowly dying; this week it was in the clear and the wind was strong.  Strong winds are constantly being refreshed by mixing from aloft, which, in the northern hemisphere, is almost always veered relative to surface winds, due to the Coriolis effect of the earth’s rotation. Right shift, go right. Left shift, go left.

But, don’t just watch the tracks. The accompanying table contains critical data, which updates as the race progresses.  This week, in B fleet, the first three elapsed time finishers all sailed the 3.484 nm course at 6.2 knots. But their “routes” (distances sailed) were 4.247, 4.273, and 4.425 nm respectively.  The difference between 4.247 and 4.273 is 158 feet, or as it turns out, about 27 seconds. Take a look at your route.

Thanks Paul for your insight!  

Barry

To review the track for Fleet A:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20A&race=22.7.2025%2017:55:00&language=en

To review the track for Fleet B:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20B&race=22.7.2025%2018:00:00&language=en

                               Jennifer Kinsman photo: challenging but fun conditions 

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                 BOAT                                   PHRF                   ET                          CORRECTED

FLEET A: COURSE W1 DISTANCE 3.873NM

1             ABORIGINAL                                   33                          36:28                  34:20

2             TRUE LOVE                                     72                          39:36                  34:57

3             DOUBLE ESPRESSO                       99                          49:44                  43:20

4             DUET                                                 141                       54:00                  44:53

FLEET B:  COURSE W2  DISTANCE  3.484NM

1             ZOOP                                                144                       40:51                   32:29

2             PERFECT 36                                    144                       42:44                  34:22

3             SAILING PAIR A DICE                  180                       46:49                  36:21

4             MAIN SQUEEZE                            72                          41:18                  37:07

5             AVATAR                                           132                       47:08                  39:28

6             SIMPATICO                                     165                       50:49                  41:14

7             PACIFIC SPIRIT                             165                       52:27                  42:52

8             BLOND AMBITION                      100                       50:47                  44:58

9             TOAD                                              150                       54:30                  45:47

10          WIND GODDESS                            165                       57:37                  48:02

11          NIDAROS                                         118                       1:01:22              54:30

_)                                      _)                                           _)                                     _)                                                (_

Next Tuesday is the last Tuesday of the month meaning:

BARBECUE POTLUCK AT THE CLUB AFTER THE RACE!

BRING YOUR BEST BARBECUE FOOD TO COOK AND SHARE!

I hope to see you next week at the sail and barbecue!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

JULY 15, 2025 JUST ENOUGH WIND

 

JULY 15, 2025

JUST ENOUGH WIND

“Just show up and deal with what you have” was the advice offered by an experienced race officer when discussing the anxiety experienced by race officers with regards to weather. Good advice, but I would also add, pay attention to predictions of “wind decreasing through the evening”.  The wind through the afternoon was light but steady, maybe 10 knots on the water.  Once again the temperature in San Jose was not high so I did not anticipate a developing Easterly and called for course W5 for both fleets.  It is amazing how everything comes together, our countdown clock and the Regatta Hero announcements in prefect cinque.

Fleet A got off to a clean start as did Fleet B as we all tacked our way to the first mark.  There seemed to be a little more wind outside and many boats took advantage by sailing outside first.  As usual, once we rounded the windward mark the wind seemed to get much lighter, but if you added the apparent wind to the boat speed, we were still in a 10 knot breeze.  Just as the last B Fleet boat finished, the wind did drop considerably.  It was just enough wind to finish the race!

PHOTO BY JENNIFER KINSMAN 

 PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS: COURSE DISTANCE 2.4NM

PLACE                 BOAT                                   PHRF                   ET          CORRECTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             ABORIGINAL                                   33                          32:07                  30:47

2             SAGITTARIUS                                  120                       37:15                  32:26

3             MAIN SQUEEZE                              72                          38:15                  35:22

4             ODONATA                                         243                       46:15                  36:32

5             WIND II                                             213                       45:05                  36:34

6             ROSIE                                                162                       43:49                  37:20

7             AQUAVIT                                           72                         43:37                  40:44

FLEET B:

1             ZOOP                                                  144                       39:38                  33:52

2             SIMPATICO                                       165                       45:08                  38:31

3             BIG MAC                                           222                       47:34                  38:41

4             MAKANI                                           147                       45:11                  39:18

5             PERFECT 36                                      144                       45:22                  39:36

6             AVATAR                                             132                       44:56                  39:39

7             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                165                       46:55                  40:18

8             NIDAROS                                          118                       46:27                  41:43

9             TOAD                                                 150                       47:57                  41:56

10          WIND GODDESS                               165                       50:29                  43:52

11          SAILING PAIR A DICE                      180                       51:44                  44:31

12          KICKS                                                 180                       53:05                  45:40

13          TARA                                                   243                       56:59                  47:15

14          BLOND AMBITION                           100                       54:25                  50:24

15          SWEET PEA                                        165                       57:21                  50:44

_)                            _)                                            _)                                            (_                                            _)

The track for A Fleet can be  viewed at:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20A&race=15.7.2025%2017:55:00&language=en

The track for B Fleet can be viewed at:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20B&race=15.7.2025%2018:00:00&language=en

DAY ON THE BAY REGATTA:

The Day on the Bay Regatta will be on Sunday, August 3 this year.  This is always a fun event, so get your crew together for a fun sail.  You can register your boat at:  scyc.org/regattas.

I hope to see you sailing next Tuesday!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

JULY 8, 2025 ANOTHER GLORIOUS DAY!

 

JULY 8, 2025

ANOTHER GLORIOUS DAY!

It has become our normal pattern in Santa Cruz:  a healthy wind build building and blowing through the afternoon.  The question is always: will the wind continue through the evening long enough to have a race? This afternoon was no exception to the norm.  As we left the harbor at 5pm, my eyes focused on Aptos to see if there was a fog line.  No fog line, but there was a thin band of clouds hovering over Aptos.  Someone on the boat reported that it was not very hot in San Jose today and that higher temperatures in San Jose increase the effects of the Santa Cruz Eddie and a developing Easterly.  If it was cool in San Jose, it increased chances that the wind would not die or change?  We determined the wind was coming from 245 and set a start line square to this.   I optimistically called for ambitious courses for the night: W1 for Fleet A and W2 for Fleet B.  In addition to posting the message on Regatta Hero, we announced the courses on the radio and blew the traditional “10 minutes till 6” horn.  We counted 32 boats out for the fun!

Fleet A got off the line for a clean start and tacked their way to Schuyler followed 5 minutes later by Fleet B.  It was interesting to see the wind increase as the evening progressed and we sailed further out.  It was a relief for  me to see the wind hold until all boats finished. It was just another glorious day of sailing  in Santa Cruz!

 

                                      THANKS TO JENNIFER KINSMAN FOR THE PHOTO

 The track for A Fleet can be reviewed at:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20A&race=8.7.2025%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=8.7.2025%2018:00:00&language=en

PHRF CORRECTED RESULTS:            

PLACE                 BOAT                                   PHRF                   ET                          CORRECTED TIME

FLEET A: COURSE W1= 3.873 NM

1             ABORIGINAL                                   33                          38:11                  36:03

2             DOUBLE ESPRESSO                       99                          45:58                  39:34

3             BLUE FIN                                          72                          44:56                  40:17

4             INTERLUDE                                     141                       49:25                  40:18

5             ABSOLUTE 25                                  48                          44:16                  41:10

6             ROSIE                                                162                       51:42                  41:14

7             SOPHIE                                              141                       51:13                  42:06

8             DUET                                                 141                       51:31                  42:24

9             AMOR FATI                                       80                          48:25                  43:15

10          AQUAVIT                                            72                          48:13                  43:34

FLEET B: COURSE W2=3.484NM

1             ZOOP                                                  144                       42:32                  34:10

2             MAKANI                                            147                       45:05                  36:32

3             BIG MAC                                            222                       50:21                  37:27

4             SIMPATICO                                        165                       47:16                  37:41

5             SAILING PAIR A DICE                     180                       48:14                  37:46

6             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                165                       48:47                  39:12

7             WIND GODDESS                              165                       50:00                  40:25

8             AVATAR                                              132                       48:51                  41:11

9             ETELLE                                               170                       54:40                  44:47

10          TOAD                                                   150                       54:34                  45:51

11          NIDAROS                                             118                       53:02                  46:10

12          MYSTIC                                               150                       1:00:53              52:10 

_)                        _)                                                  _)                                              (_                                              (_

REGATTA HERO:

If you are having problems with this app, open and look over this file:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=e4ab764cce&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1837193572740371577&th=197f05d20ed21479&view=att&zw&disp=inline

I hope to see you sailing next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

JULY 1, 2025 LIKE SAILING IN A DREAM

 

JULY 1, 2025

LIKE SAILING IN A DREAM

Conditions have been challenging for our sailing on Tuesdays.  The wind has been consistent every Tuesday through the afternoon, then dying or shifting 180 degrees for our start times.  As this afternoon ticked down to start time, the wind seemed to be a consistent breeze from the normal 240 degrees.  But would conditions change again?   We set the line square to 240 and kept our fingers crossed as boats exited the harbor. We called for Whiskey 2 course for both fleets.

We had over 20 boats competing and both fleets got off to a clean start.  In rounding Schuyler Fleet A was led by Aboriginal, then True Love, Sagittarius, Aquavit and Interlude.  Fleet B was led by Zoop then Perfect 36, Simpatico, Pacific Spirit, Pair A Dice, Avatar, Wind Goddess, Big Mac, Toad, Mystic and Estelle.

The wind stayed with us to the end as all boats finished.  After all of the recent problems we have had with inconsistent wind, this evening felt like we were sailing in a dream.

                              PHOTO OF SAGITTARIUS BY JENNIFER KINSMAN

                              Jennifer is great at photos and sewing minor canvas repairs

                                (585)-553-0728 call her is you need any sewing done.     

_)                                                      _)                                      _)                                    _)                 

 PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS: COURSE LENGTH 3.48NM

PLACE                 BOAT                                   PHRF    ET                         CORRECTED TIME

FLEET A:

1             SAGITTARIUS                                  120       40:29                  33:30

2             TRUE LOVE                                      72          38:16                  34:05

3             ABORIGINAL                                   33          37:25                  35:30

4             INTERLUDE                                     141       44:48                  36:36

5             AQUAVIT                                           72          43:44                  39:33

6             ROSIE                                                 162       51:25                  42:00

FLEET B:

1             ZOOP                                                  144       42:14                  33:52

2             PERFECT 36                                      144       45:41                  37:19

3             BIG MAC                                            222       50:55                  38:01

4             SIMPATICO                                        165       48:28                  38:53

5             SAILING PAIR A DICE                     180       49:39                  39:11

6             WIND GODDESS                              165       50:55                  41:20

7             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                165       51:10                  41:35

8             AVATAR                                             132       49:10                  41:38

9             NIDAROS                                          118       51:00                  44:08

10          TOAD                                                  150       55:54                  47:11

11          ESTELLE                                            170       1:00:18              50:25

12          MYSTIC                                              150       1:02:02              53:19

The track for Fleet A for this evening can be reviewed at:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20A&race=1.7.2025%2017:55:00&language=en

Fleet B can be reviewed at:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20B&race=1.7.2025%2018:00:00&language=en

REGATTA HERO:

This app works well for us.  I counted over 20 boats out tonight and 17 boats used the app.  You must use the app to be counted.  After downloading the app, there is a registration page where you enter information about your boat. There is an organization field where you enter “scyc” and the code for our series is “517949”.  In the area that calls for sail number, enter your boat’s name.  After getting registered,  it is a simple app for contestants to use.

SAILING WITH NO MISTAKES:

As we all improve, the corrected times get closer and closer.  For two weeks in a row, we had a tie between two boats on corrected time.  The secret to improving is identifying your weaknesses and correct these areas.  Are your tacks efficient? Is your steering not in a nearly straight line?  How are your tactics and strategy? As you and your crew improve on all  aspects of sailing, you will move up in the ranks.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

JUNE 24, 2025 A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

 

JUNE 24, 2025

A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

I am learning not to trust Predictwind for forecasts of conditions in our area.  When I got to the harbor around one o’clock, the flags were showing a stiff Westerly breeze  confirmed by reports from sailors coming back to the harbor.  When we left the harbor at 5pm, there was a strong wind line showing a 15-18 knot breeze from the normal direction with no hint of weakening.  Closer to S/F mark we had a weak southeast wind.  There was no fog bank in  Aptos but there were clouds above Aptos.  With such strong wind I ambitiously called for course W2 but it didn’t take long to see that the wind was getting lighter, so I shortened course to W5.  As the clock ticked closer to our start time, the wind had completely died with the Westerly wind line way out toward Mile buoy.  There was no way to have a race in such conditions!  I was ready to cancel the race and just go for a sail until people reported an Easterly building in toward the shore.  We raised the AP flag in Regatta Hero to allow time to set a new course which is not on the course card but is in our Regatta Hero list of courses:  Start>Blacks>Finish.  As we lowered the AP flag, the 6 minute countdown started with a start time of 6:01:13. In the commotion on PAD, I did not succeed in changing the course for Fleet A to the new course E8.  All of the tracks for Fleet A were uploaded and though labeled DNF, I was able to get finish times from the tracks in Regatta Hero.

With both fleets starting at the same time, it was a very exciting crowded start.   All boats honored the RRS and there were no issues other than trying to find clear air.  All boats tacked their way to Blacks.  This year’s increased distance between S/F and Blacks worked out well and, with everyone once again following the RRS, there were no issues.

It started as a very frustrating evening to be racing but it was salvaged as my friends on the water informed me of the developing Easterly.  Sometimes I get by with a little help from my friends!

You can review the tracks from tonight at:

https://www.regattahero.com/mapviewer/?organisation=scyc&passcode=233793&regatta=Tues%20Fleet%20A&race=24.6.2025%2018:01:12&language=en&defaultspeed=5&loop=no

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS (course length 1.16nm)

PLACE                 BOAT                                   PHRF   ET                          CORRECTED  TIME

FLEET A:

1             ABORIGINAL                                   33          19:00                  18.22

2             TRUE LOVE                                      72          21:14                  19:50

3             SUMO                                                 141       23:51                  21:08

4             INTERLUDE                                     141       23:56                  21:13

5             SOPHIE                                              141       24:14                  21:31

6             DOUBLE ESPRESSO                       99          26:15                  24:20

7             AQUAVIT                                          72          26:02                  24:38

8             BLUE FIN                                          72          29:02                  27:38

FLEET B:

1             AVATAR                                              132       22:47                  20:13

2             SAILING PAIR A DICE                     180       24:53                  21:24

3             PERFECT 36                                       144       24:21                  21:33

4             BIG MAC                                            222       26:41                  22:23 TIE

4             SIMPATICO                                        165       25:35                  22:23  TIE

6             TOAD                                                  150       25:40                  22:45

7             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                 165       26:13                  23:01

8             WIND GODDESS                               165       28:20                  25:08

9             KICKS                                                 180       31:02                  27:27

10          ESTELLE                                             170       32:32                  29:14

_)                                            _)                            (_                                            (_                            _)

REGATTA HERO:

This app is working well for us, even in challenging situations like this night.  One thing that would help.  In the registration window there is a field that is labeled “sail number”.  It helps if you put your boat name in this field which will specify your boat in the playback.  I know boat names but have no idea what your sail number is.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE:

People often thank “me” for my efforts on Tuesday nights.  A reality check reveals that it is a team effort with many people helping to navigate this event.  A big thanks should be given to Doug Mahone for his continuing efforts on Regatta Hero. It also could not be done without the assistance of Chris Hofmann, Fred Molnar, Mark Mccord and Jon Robison.  Even the simple notification that “hey we have an Easterly building in here” was a huge help on this evening.  It takes a village!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice