February 19, 2026 ANOTHER YEAR

 

FEBRUARY 17, 2026

ANOTHER YEAR

We are quickly approaching the time change and the beginning of a new season of Tuesday Night Sailing.  Every year, at this time, we analyze our event to see how we can improve and continue to grow.   Ideas for improvement often arise when one of our many participants approaches me with a suggestion for improvement.  We may not have the ability to solve problems beyond our control, like another windless evening, but we can attempt to accommodate problems that may arise. So what changes are in store for this year?

Spinnakers:  People have always asked for a spinnaker division for Tuesdays.  There has been interest, but some people say that Spinnakers on Tuesday would be competing with Wednesday nights.  The last thing I want to do is compete or detract from the Wednesday Beer can races, but it is time to accommodate those that want to compete flying spinnakers on Tuesday Night Sailing.  We will have three fleets this year. Spin fleet starts first with a 17:50 start.

The starting sequence.  This year, the signal horn will be blown at 15:45.  This horn is a 5 minute signal for Spin fleet (starting at 15:50).  It is a 10 minute signal for Fleet A (starting at 15:55) and a 15 minute horn for Fleet B (starting at 18:00).

Regatta Hero: This app is very accommodating and working well for us.  All courses on the course card are entered into the app, making it easy to implement courses. Regatta Hero also backs up our starting sequence announcing count-downs for each fleets start. It is important to run this app when competing on Tuesday Nights.

Shortening courses: One suggestion for improvement was to have longer races.  This is a challenging proposition.  I have always called for courses that allow every serious racer to finish.  This strategy has failed resulting in some 20 minute races.  As our conditions (and wind) get more variable, it is impossible to predict what is going to happen. We can start in great wind which can dissipate to no wind.  Then there is the very light wind which increases through the evening.  Both situations are challenging, but Regatta Hero may be our savior since we can easily shorten course.  We can call for a longer course and if conditions do not allow it, we can shorten course to allow boats to finish.

TIPS: To this point we have had sailing instructions on the back of the course card.  As the SI’s have grown, we now have “TIPS” on the back of the course card.  The SI’s for the season can be found online in clubspot under regattas. TIPS expresses pertinent information to assist sailors around the course. VHF radio channel to monitor, timing of announcements, how to finish and even tips on using Regatta Hero.

Tuesday Night Sailing is often referred to as “Barry’s Tuesday Night” event.  I wish I could claim full credit but I cannot. Around this time of year I have what I call my “Brain Trust”. A group of very respected sailors to meet and discuss problems and resolutions.  This year Fred Molnar, Chris Hofmann, Paul Tara, Doug Mahone, Mark McCord and Hilarie DeGroot gave invaluable assistance in our deliberations.

I encourage you to check out the new 2026 NOR, SI’s and TIPS in Clubspot.  Go to  https://scyc.org/regatta/Lfy9pa0mIX to view these documents.  While on the site,  go ahead and register for the new season.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice