APRIL 21, 2026
STARTING TACTICS AND RULES
Since there was a strong
possibility of rain, I thought it would be good to have a seminar for race starting
tactics and rules. Chris Watts offered
to discuss starting tactics and Chris Hofmann offered to discuss some rules
centered on starting also. I thought
this would be more interesting for the group than dodging rain drops.
Chris gave an awesome
presentation and emphasized the importance of “situational awareness”. This is much more than being aware of other
boats in close proximity. You must keep
track of the start line position and how long it takes to sail the line at full
speed. In anticipation of the start,
while sailing, always sail at full speed.
This helps when trying to
time your start. Also, keep an eye on the wind for shifts to determine
which end of the line is favored. If
there is a heavily favored end of the line, it may be better to start further
down the line for clear air if there are many boats at that end. Chris emphasized the importance of the
skipper to communicate with his crew what you are doing. It is good to have a race plan, noting where
other boats are so you can sail in clear
air. Chris commented on the common
technique of sighting a line to something on shore to determine if you a OCS. Unless you have a crew on the bow to sight
this, it is not possible and seldom used.
There is technology that works very well to determine your position to
the start line.
Another critical thing to know is
the lay line for both ends of the line.
Also discussed is the ability to ascertain time and distance. For this, You pass the end of the start line
you want to start at and note the time to the start. How long do you sail away from the mark to
tack (or gybe) around to start right on time?
This is another reason to keep the speed up at all times to be able to
gauge these times and distances. This is
a skill that develops with practice.
Chris Hofmann continued the
presentation by discussing starting rules and barging. This is interesting because you will never
find the word “barging” in any sailing rule
book. Yet the term is frequently used by
sailors when a windward boat does not yield to a leeward boat on the start
line. This usually happens at an end of
the start line.
“Barging” actually involves 6-8
rules and Definitions;
Rule 11: same tack overlapped,
Rule 12 same tack not overlapped
Rule 15: acquiring ROW
Rule 16: changing course
Section C Preamble 18, 19, 20
31 touching a mark
All of these rules can be
applied, but most sailors just consider rule 11 which states that when
overlapped, windward boat must keep clear of the leeward boat. If you get “hooked” (leeward boat establishes
overlap with you) while sailing down the line, the leeward boat can luff you up
no further than head to wind without breaking rule 16
It was a great presentation by
both Chris Watts and Chris Hofmann .
I will add that if you are going
to do any sailboat racing, you must have a copy of the US sailing rule book to
refer to. Chat GPT is not a reliable
source of information. You must join US
sailing online to buy the book and download a copy of the book on your phone.
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NEXT TUESDAY IS THE LAST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH WHICH IS:
BARBECUE NIGHT AT THE CLUB! BRING YOUR BEST BARBECUE FOOD TO GRILL AND
ENJOY!
This coming Sunday (April 26) is the
first of the series for this seasons’s SCORE races. It is time to register on line for the fun!
ZOOP SCOOP by Paul Tara
FLEET DEMOGRAPHICS
It
takes about 10 quality hours afloat (not calm, not too sporty) for kids to
learn how to sail. In the Beginners Class at Stockton Sailcamp, after
Monday we’d be thinking, “There’s no hope”. By Wednesday
afternoon, there would be some. Thursday was the day. By it’s end, they’d be
asking questions about starting tactics and mark room.
Zoop
was one of the first (if not the first) non-Catalina boats
Barry invited to participate on Tuesdays. That was in 2017. There was one
fleet, with about 10 boats. Over the intervening years, participation has
steadily increased and the character of the fleet has changed. As more race
boats began to compete, Barry dropped “cruising” from the series marque and
split the fleet into A and B. At the same time, the level of competence
in the fleet has improved dramatically. Zoop’s slip on D dock offers an
excellent venue for seamanship spectating. It’s probably safe to say that, when
they were first invited, for half the SC27 fleet, docking meant “controlled
crash”. Not any more.
Now,
as the attendance at Tuesday’s starting and rules presentation shows,
metaphorically we’re at Thursday afternoon at Sailcamp. Most boats
now get around the course in good order and there is a heightened interest in
tactics. Particularly starting tactics. Because of the increased
competitiveness on the line, it’s critical to remember the RULES are the basis
for all tactics, and that boats don’’t all handle the same. Not having a
thorough knowledge of the rules, is like being a deer in headlights, an analogy
made more accurate by our mixed fleet, i.e., you can see the headlights, but
you’re never quite sure how fast they’re coming at you. Above all, it’s
important to remember that, although the rules can be used as a weapon, their
primary purpose is to prevent damage and injury.
OROGRAPHIC CORRECTION
How
do you like that segue? From demographic to orographic in one fell scoop!
(Sorry). In the last Scoop I incorrectly used
the word orthographic to describe the characteristics of our
local northerlies. The correct word is orographic. Orographic
winds are those influenced by geographic features or terrain. Most familiarly,
the term “orographic lift” is used by meteorologists when describing
precipitation caused when moisture laden air is forced upward by rising
terrain. But the opposite can also occur. High pressure building aloft to the
north and east, say behind a frontal passage, often forces lower level air to
get out from under, literally squeezing it out downhill through gaps in the
terrain to the lower pressure remaining offshore. Locally, the San Lorenzo
Valley, Arana Gulch, Rodeo Gulch, and Soquel Creek act to funnel offshore flow
down to the shore at the Boardwalk, Harbor, Corcoran Lagoon (KSCO) and
Capitola. These are the areas to watch for the first offshore puffs.
PROPULSION
Recently,
the question was asked, “Where do the rules say when to shut off your engine?”
Good question. Because they don’t actually say it in those exact words. What
they do say, in Definitions, is that “a yacht is racing from
her preparatory signal until she has finished and cleared the line”.
Then, Rule 42, Propulsion, states a boat shall compete by using
only the wind and water to increase or decrease her speed. To
compete, she has to race, ergo, no engine after her preparatory signal. EXCEPT,
Rule 42.3 i states, “Sailing Instructions may, in stated circumstances, permit
propulsion using an engine or any other method provided the boat does not gain
a significant advantage in the race.” Our Tuesday Sailing Instructions do
specifically state that an engine may be used to avoid a collision. Just watch
out for those words “gain” and “advantage”. The rest of the fleet will
be. Oh, another word of advice, if you think we’re going to hit you,
start your engine. Zoop’s engine is gas. By law, we must run
our blower for 4 minutes to evacuate potentially explosive fumes before
starting up. I guess we could skip the blower, but still….
Thank you Paul
I hope to see you sailing next
Tuesday!
Barry Keeler
Sailing Pair A Dice
