MAY 27, 2025 WIND SWITCHEREW

 

MAY 27, 2025

WIND SWITCHEREW

Predictions were for 15 knot winds from the West, decreasing as the evening progressed.  The flags were showing a strong breeze as the afternoon progressed.  As we exited the harbor we noticed a fog bank forming down by Aptos which usually precedes an Easterly breeze.  We approached the S/F area and determined the wind direction was 220 degrees and set a line square to this direction.  We called for course W5, which would be a short course if the wind sustained. It is best to have a short course on barbecue night.  As the clock ticked down, boats reported a developing Easterly close to shore.  I decided to use the same line and same course which was a downwind start.  A Fleet got off to a clean start as did B Fleet.

All boats sailed down-wind to the Schuyler mark in painstakingly slow 3-4 knot winds.  Sailing into the seas had us creeping along at 1-2 knots.  It even got worse as multiple boats arrived to round Schuyler with the wind almost nonexistent.  I started my engine and backed away from the mark to prevent collisions. A couple of boats also started their engines and made their way to the bar and barbecue.  The Easterly finally arrived and we had a delightful sail in 12 knot winds back to S/F.  It is amazing the resilience of our group of sailors with so few boats retiring in challenging very light winds.

It was the evening of the wind switcherew, using the same line with winds switching nearly 180 degrees.

Regatta Hero is becoming more familiar as we learn more about it.  Unfortunately, due to an error on my part, tracks for Fleet A were not recorded so we have no A Fleet data for this evening.  Please bear with me as I learn this new app.

Fleet B results:

PLACE                 BOAT                                   PHRF         ET (SECONDS)       CORRECTED TIME

1             BIG MAC                                            222                       4291                    1:02:37

2             PACIFIC SPIRIT                                165                       4364                    1:06:08

3             NIDAROS                                          118                       4353                    1:07:48

4             SIMPATICO                                       165                       4476                    1:08:00

5             TOAD                                                 150                       4527                    1:09:27

6             KICKS                                                180                       4641                    1:09:57

7             MYSTIC                                             150                       5072                    1:18:32

NOTES ON REGATTA HERO:

I had become accustomed to Race QS, where you create the race after everyone uploaded their tracks.  Regatta Hero requires setting the race up ahead of time requiring multiple tasks to prepare for the race.  Fortunately, participating as a competitor using Regatta Hero is a very simple process and works well.  I believe it is critical that at least two people on the organizing boat know the app and how to use it.  I find it impossible to manage a boat and do all of the tasks required.  With the app, it is possible to postpone a race, change the course sailed, post an announcement and restart the series.  The app allows this but IMO, it is impossible to accomplish alone while managing a boat.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice