MARCH 10, 2023 TUESDAY NIGHT SAILING: NEW SEASON DOCUMENTS

 

NEW SEASON DOCUMENTS

 

Attached are three documents regarding our Tuesday Night Sailing this year. Please print the application form and fill it out completely, signing the waiver.  I have included space for email addresses for crew members if they want to be notified when new blogs are posted.  The fees for entry are slightly higher this year:  $40 for  members and $55 for nonmembers. Please make checks out to Santa Cruz Yacht Club and either drop it off at the club or get it to me if you see me at the boat. Please enter the PHRF from your current PHRF certificate.  I am still working on the new course card and will get one to you after it is done and your application is submitted.

 

The current situation with weather and shoaling is a big unknown.  Keep checking your email to stay current on start times.  The SCYC buoys should be in place sometime in April, so we must conduct races like we do during the winter months.   This means starting over by Gov rather than the usual summertime start area.

 

I am looking forward to another great year of Tuesday Night Sailing.

 

__)                   _)                                _)                                   _)

COMMODORES REGATTA:

The Commodore’s regatta will be Saturday April 8 this year.  You can participate if you have a current PHRF certificate.  This should be a fun event with three divisions: Jib and Main, Spinnaker and Multihull with a pursuit race format.  This means slower boats (larger PHRF) boats start first.  Our Tuesday night participants will fit in well with a division (Jib and Main) for us.  You can register online at SCYC.org under regattas.

 

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

 

                                                2023 Series Entry and Waiver Form                                                                                            Each Tuesday Night during Daylight Savings Time

                                               Santa Cruz Yacht Club, Santa Cruz, CA

 Entry Form 

Name: _____________________________ Sail Number: _______________

Address: ___________________________ Boat Name: ________________

Boat make and model:_____________________ PHRF*:________________

City/St/Zip: _________________________ Boat location(slip#)__________

E-mail: ______________________      Cell Number:_____________________

(E-MAIL AND Cell number will be available to other participants.)

Crew name and E-mails  (for blog notifications)

______________________________

______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

 

*PHRF certificate applications may be found at:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gp23M0bRQ2-v-f_XCkuWKevJFKFCthB1/view   Certificates cost $20 for one year. If proper certificate is not obtained the race committee will assign a PHRF value with best available information.  PHRF values as indicated by PHRF certificate will be used for Tuesday racing. 

Waiver and Release of Liability

In consideration of my entry in the Regatta on behalf of myself, my heirs, successors and

assigns, I hereby waive any and all claims, actions, suits and demands against Santa Cruz

Yacht Club, the respective officers, directors, employees, and agents (all the forgoing

hereby referred to as “the Hosts”) for any personal injury (including death) or property

damage resulting from the negligence or other acts of omission by the Hosts or any of

them as a result of my participation in the Event and do hereby release and discharge the

Hosts there from. I acknowledge that participation in the sport of sailboat racing involves

substantial risk of personal injury or even death and I hereby assume the risk of any such

injury that may occur while participating in the Event.

I agree to be bound by The Racing Rules of Sailing and any other rules that govern this

event. 

Owner/Skipper __________________________ Date ________________

Entry Fee for series: $40 for SCYC members    $55 for nonmembers 

Payment options:                                                                                                                                   Cash

Check (Check Number ____________) payable: Santa Cruz Yacht Club

Clubspot payment: 

Payment received by _______________ Date ________________

 

 

Each Tuesday Night during Daylight Savings Time 2023

Santa Cruz Yacht Club  Sailing Instructions

 Rules:   The Regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing unless otherwise indicated in these sailing instructions.  The first sentence of RRS 40                                       

is changed to: Competitors shall wear personal floatation devices, except briefly while changing or     adjusting clothing or personal equipment                                                              

Notices to Competitors: Notice to competitors will be announced by e-mail sent by noon on each Tuesday if that days race is postponed or cancelled.  General race information and recaps may also be posted online at http://sailingpairadice.blogspot.com/

Schedule: 

Racing is scheduled for each Tuesday Night of 2023 during Daylight Savings Time.

First warning signal will be sounded at1750.

Post-race social activities, (dinner, racing debriefs, and rules discussions are planned at SCYC clubhouse after racing each Tuesday.

The last Tuesday of each month is designated as a potluck BBQ night at SCYC.

Racing may continue during the winter starting in afternoon. Monitor e-mail and channel 69 for updates.

Racing Area: The racing area will be within 3 miles of Walton Lighthouse.

Communications:  Boats should Monitor VHF channel 69 before start time for course location, start time, and designated course. 

Marks: Marks are described in the attached Tuesday Night Course Card.

The Start: The start line shall be a line containing S/F BUOY, MILE or SC2 BUOY . A red ball, another temporary mark, or other designated location will establish the other end of the line.   Starting area may be moved to other locations as announced prior to racing on VHF Channel 69. 

RRS 26, and 27 shall be replaced with the following simplified starting procedure. Scheduled start times are 1755 (Fleet A) and 1800 (Fleet B).  A single signal horn shall be sounded at 1750 which is a 5 minute horn for fleet A and a 10 minute horn for fleet B. Monitor VHF 69 for changes in this schedule. Fleets may be combined to a single start.

Recalls: RRS 29 will be changed to the following:  A designated boat may sight the line to identify On Course Side (OCS) boats.  OCS Boats may be announced on VHF Channel 69. Not having a designated boat that hails OCS boats via VHF 69 does not absolve a boat of its obligation to start correctly.

Courses:  Attached Tuesday Night Course Card indicates courses to be used. Courses will be communicated from the organizing race boat to the racing fleet over VHF channel 69 prior to the 1750 signal.  This changes Rule 27.1

The Finish:The finish line will be listed on course card. It may be an extension of a line, so round finish mark as indicated (Pt/Stb). If finish line is an extension, finish mark should be rounded within 200 feet.

PENALTY SYSTEM:

RRS 44.1 is changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty. 

PROTESTS AND TIME LIMITS:

Protests in this series are for educational purposes and may be shared among all participants.  

 

Protests can be filed within 24 hours following the race by sending email to SAILINGPAIRADICE@GMAIL.COM. 

A protest committee or arbiter will collect information from involved parties and render a decision.   Decisions will be documented on the race blog.

 

2023 Tuesday Night Developmental Race Series

Each Tuesday Night of 2023 during Daylight Savings Time

Santa Cruz Yacht Club, Santa Cruz, CA

 

Notice of Race 

Invitation: The Santa Cruz Yacht Club invites interested boats and their crews to participate ina developmental racing skills series.                                                                                                       RulesThe Regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing.

The SaTUiling Instructions will change RRS 40 so that flotation devices are worn regardless

of the display of Flag Y. Full text of this and other changes to the racing rules will appear in the SI’s.

Eligibility and Entry: 

Racing is open to all registered boats. Boats may self-select to a designated fleet each Tuesday evening. “A fleet” is designated for more experienced crews and higher performance boats. “B Fleet” is designated to accommodate new racers and lower performance boats. Eligibility is established by completing the attached entry form and returning it with the entry fee to SCYC before participating in the race series. 

Schedule: 

Each Tuesday Night of 2023 during Daylight Savings Time Racing will be initiated with a

1750 horn. This is a 5 minute horn for Fleet A and a 10 minute horn for Fleet B. Following the racing on the last Tuesday of each month a post-race debriefing may be held, and potluck barbecue will be held at the SCYC Clubhouse.

Scoring:

The racing will be scored applying handicaps to finish times from their recorded .gpx tracks on RaceQs https://raceqs.com/ ). Race QS is a free app used on your phone.  This app MUST BE USED to be counted in this series. However, being a developmental regatta, the races may also not be scored.  

 

 

 

 

 

JANUARY 3, 2023 THE CALM BETWEEN THE STORMS

 

JANUARY 3, 2023

THE CALM BETWEEN THE STORMS

Wind predictions were not optimistic for the afternoon so I was surprised when I got to the harbor and saw the flags indicating a good breeze blowing from the northwest.  At least there was no rain!  It feels somewhat un-Californian to wish for no rain, if even for a few hours.   We prepped the boat and as we left the harbor just after 2 o’clock, there was a beautiful breeze of about 12 knots across the bay.   We optimistically set the windward mark thinking the second mark would be Mile.  As is customary for winter sailing, the wind started decreasing as the start time approached.  We had 8 boats out for the fun.  We called for a course: Start, windward mark, SC2 and finish between Gov and end of the wharf.

We had a decent start with all boats tacking their way toward the first windward mark. The first to round the windward mark was Avatar followed by Geronimo, Perfect 36 and Pair a Dice.   Nidaros was somewhere in there along with Perfect 36 but their track did not upload.  The wind seemed strong enough (and with enough daylight left) we extended the course.  When I announced the lengthening of the course, I used the term “twice around” and called the course out to finish after rounding the windward mark the second time.  This resulted in confusion as two of the boats rounding SC2 for the second time before finishing and the other two finishing after rounding the windward mark.  Pair A Dice got stuck at the back of the fleet as the wind died completely requiring us to start the engine to retrieve the marks (Pair A Dice DNF).

At the finish, it was Perfect 36 46:14 finishing the shorter course just in front of Geronimo 46:35 then Avatar (long course) 47:26 and Nidaros short course 50:39.  Because of my confusing directions and multiple courses being sailed, I will not apply PHRF corrections.

After the nasty weather we have been experiencing, it was awesome to get a sail in the calm between the storms.  I checked the ocean on Wednesday and with the new storm, the ocean was in a “Victory at Sea” state with whitecaps sweeping over the Gov buoy.

RACE QS:

The track for this evening can be seen at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=86914&updatedAt=2023-01-04T00:32:13Z&dt=2023-01-03T14:40:04-08:00..2023-01-03T16:30:08-08:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1672788477756&focus=Avatar&rival=Geronimo&tab=match&view=match

UNUSUAL CONDITIONS:

This evening had many issues to deal with.   Though the wind was very light, the waves were coming through with size, offering a learning experience in dealing with waves (downwind, upwind and from  abeam). There was also a strong current sweeping down the coast making it very difficult to round the weather mark.  On top of these obstacles, the wind was constantly changing.  Changing (very light) winds in  strong surf and adverse currents, what could go wrong?  Also there was a plethora of floating logs requiring an alert crew to keep an eye out for these obstacles. 

LIMITING CONFUSION:

I always say that this is a work in progress.   Without the SCYC marks in the winter, we are not able to use our course cards.  To limit confusion, let’s use the following winter course guide.

_)                        _)                       _)                             (_                               (_                                   (_

WINTER COURSES

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS ARE AS LISTED ON THE SUMMER CARD

LIST OF MARKS:

Start line is from Gov to temporary mark                                 SC2  Yellow Can buoy

Windward mark:Temporary mark (usually orange ball)        Mile Buoy

Finish line is usually the line between wharf-end  and Gov unless noted otherwise

ALL MARKS TAKEN  TO PORT UNLESS SB IS NOTED AFTER THE MARK NAME

G1:  Start line , finish at  SC2 (to port) (finish line is an extension of line from end of  wharf through SC2).

G2:   Start line,  SC2,  finish line

G3: Start, Windward mark, finish line

G4: Start, Windward mark, SC2, Finish line

G5 Start, Windward mark, SC2, Windward mark, Finish line

G6: Start, Windward mark, SC2, Windward mark, SC2, Finish line

G7: Start, Mile, finish line

G8: Start, Mile, SC2, finish line

G9: Start, Windward mark, Mile, finish line

G10: Start, Windward mark, Mile, SC2, finish line   

NORTH OR EAST WIND COURSES:

GN1:  Start, Windward mark, SC2 (SB), finish line

GN2: Start, Windward mark, SC2 (SB), Windward mark, finish line (Gov to SB)

GN3  Start, Windward mark, SC2 (SB), Windward mark, SC2 (SB), Finish line (Gov to SB)

_)                        _)                     _)                                  _)                                         _)

Please print this out for temporary use.  If it works, I will get course cards printed up for future use.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

       

DECEMBER 20, 2022 YULE TIDE SAILING

 

DECEMBER 20, 2022

YULE TIDE SAILING

I got to the harbor and followed my usual Tuesday afternoon routine looking at the flags to see if there is any prospect of breeze.  Once again it was a light breeze showing on the flags.  If it weren’t for the spectacular weather (despite light wind) we have in the wintertime, it would be very frustrating.  We prepped the boat and left the harbor to see very light wind showing with patches of ripples on the water.  We went to the GOV start area, set the line square to the wind and set the red ball as the windward mark. Calling a course in these conditions can be very challenging.  It is good to have options for shortening or lengthening the course as conditions play out.   I called for a course to take the windward mark to port, then SC2 to port and finish at the line between Wharf end and GOV.  I was surprised to see 14 boats out for the fun! We blew a 2:55 horn as the 5 minute horn for a 3pm start with all boats starting at the same time.

We are not accustomed to the next occurrence: the wind increased a little as the start time approached and we all shot off the line in the brisk 6-7 knot breeze.  You must work with what you can get!  As the first boats rounded the windward mark, I called to increase the length of the course making the new course: Start, Windward mark, SC2, Windward mark, finish at the Wharf-Gov line.  Right after I announced the new course, the wind seemed to die a little, but all boats finished the course so it was a good call after all.

The order of the boats finishing was Sweetheart 29:06, Geronimo 29:28, Yellow Belly 29:39, Wind II 31:50, Nidaros 32:31, Aquavit 32:46, Tusitala 33.29, Avatar 34:00, New Wave 34:40, Perfect 36 35:29, Big Mac 36:41, Pair a Dice 37:33, Pacific Spirit 38:25 and Kicks 43:39.  All times are elapsed and the course length was 1.42 NM.

Though the wind was light, conditions were delightful, and it was a beautiful example of Yule Tide sailing. We had an awesome turnout at the club for the barbecue even though the club was closed.  A big thanks to Mike Gross for setting up the barbecue and to everyone that contributed awesome food for the barbecue. A special thanks to Todd Johnson for the beer he provided.

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                   BOAT                     ADJUSTED TIME

1              WIND II                                26:47

2              YELLOW BELLY                   27:56

3              GERONIMO                        29:28

4              SWEETHEART                     29:21

5              NIDAROS                             30:24

6              AQUAVIT                             31:17

7              AVATAR                               31:41

8              TUSITALA                            31:50

9              BIG MAC                              32:45

10           NEW WAVE                        34:40

11           PERFECT 36                         32:56

12           SAILING PAIR A DICE       34:21

13           PACIFIC SPIRIT                   35:32

14           KICKS                                    39:23                                                                                    

WINTERTIME SAILING IN SANTA CRUZ

  Race QS:

The track for this evening can be seen at:  

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=86811&updatedAt=2022-12-21T00:32:19Z&dt=2022-12-20T14:40:02-08:00..2022-12-20T16:27:14-08:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1671579821228&focus=Avatar&rival=Big%20Mac&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.956400&lon=-122.010058&tilt=2&range=377&heading=184

SEASONS GREETING:

I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas and an awesome new year!  It is an esteemed honor for me to be associated with such an awesome group of sailors.  I am looking forward to next year to continue our traditional awesome Tuesday sails.

NEXT TUESDAY:

Next Tuesday will be two days after Christmas and the last Tuesday of the month and year.  Though the club will be closed, we will have a barbecue potluck once again: WEATHER PERMITTING.  Since the club will be closed once again, it will be bring you own food and drink.  If weather is questionable, keep an eye on your e-mail for a cancellation notice which will be posted by noon if the race is called off.

Merry Christmas to all!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair a Dice

DECEMBER 13, 2022 AREN'T WE BLESSED

 

DECEMBER 13, 2022

AREN’T WE BLESSED!

I got to the harbor around 1:30, and as usual, there was a breeze showing on the flags.  This is a positive sign that can quickly disappear, leaving us flat, anxious, and cursed.  We prepped the boat and left the harbor around 2 with wind still showing on the water.  We went to the start area around GOV and set a start line using the small, yellow with red flag mark.  We then motor-sailed to an area towards Steamer Lane to set the red ball mark as the windward mark.

We had about 10 boats out for the fun and called for a course: Start to windward mark, Mile and back to the finish line between the end of the wharf and GOV.  We blew a 5-minute horn at 2:55 for a one fleet start. We had a clean start with several boats crowding at the GOV end of the start line.  We all tacked our way toward the windward mark which was plagued with varying winds and current creating difficulties in getting around it.

After rounding the windward mark, we all made our way to Mile with the first to round being Avatar, followed by Nidaros, Aquavit, Big Mac, Simpatico, Perfect 36, Pair A Dice and Kicks.  As we all made our way back to the finish line, the wind seemed to be decreasing from the brisk 8-9 knot wind to a more anemic 5-6 knots. At the finish Aquavit was first over the line 39:24, followed by Nidaros 40:35, Avatar and Wind II both at 40:51, Big Mac 43:33, Perfect 36 44:05, Simpatico 44:14, Pair A Dice 44:15 and Kicks 49:20.  Times are elapsed, and the course distance was about 2.80 NM.

With the windy, rainy weather we have had in the last week, it was incredible to have such a beautiful sunny day with enough wind to have a good race. When you consider that most of the country is digging out from blizzards, we have weather like today: aren’t we blessed!

PHRF ADUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                   BOAT                     ADJUSTED TIME

1              WIND II                                30:54

2              BIG MAC                              34:35

3              AVATAR                                35:30

4              NIDAROS                             35:42

5              AQUAVIT                             35:58

6              PAIR A DICE                        36:57

7              SIMPATICO                          37:40

8              PERFECT 36                         39:28

9              KICKS                                   49:20

 

RACE QS:

The track for this afternoon can be found at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=86751&updatedAt=2022-12-14T00:38:39Z&dt=2022-12-13T14:45:05-08:00..2022-12-13T16:38:18-08:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1670976505957&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Big%20Mac&tab=match&view=auto

TACTICS AND RULES:

As noted above, it was an exciting rounding of the windward mark.  On PAD, I could not round the mark and used the tactic called “shooting the mark”.  This is when you aim below the mark to gain speed, then turn head to wind to coast around the mark. The move is best attempted with no other boats close by, but this was not the case for us, with a boat entering the zone to windward of us.  While we were successful in this attempt (not hitting the mark), it was a good education for me.  To this point in the race, we were doing well, but coasting to a stop in 6 knot winds on a heavy boat is not a good tactic! By the time we got up to speed again, we had surrendered our good position.  Using this move to round a finishing mark may be appropriate, but not in the middle of the race. It would have been better to do two tacks.

 The rules involved in this situation are noted in rule 18.2. 18.2(b): If boats are overlapped when the first of them reaches the zone, the outside boat at that moment shall thereafter give the inside boat mark-room. If a boat is clear ahead when she reaches the zone, the boat clear astern at that moment shall thereafter give her mark-room.  Without these criteria being met, the outside windward boat could hail “No overlap, No room”.  When leeward boat is turning head to wind to “shoot the mark”, he can turn no further than head to wind. Turning any more than head to wind would mean you are tacking within the zone invoking rule 18.3: “If a boat in the zone of a mark to be left to port passes head to wind from port to starboard tack and is then fetching the mark, she shall not cause a boat that had been on starboard tack since entering the zone to sail above close hauled to avoid contact and she shall give mark room if that boat becomes overlapped inside her.” The rules were honored by both boats on this rounding.

LAST TWO TUESDAYS OF THE MONTH:

The next two Tuesdays are entwined with the holiday season and, with the club closed for these two Tuesdays, we have options.  If you want to race, we will be racing both days starting at 3pm.  We will also be having a barbecue at the club after each sail.  Mike Gross will be providing tools for the barbecue and, though the upstairs will be closed, we will have access to the restrooms and downstairs.  Since the bar will not be open, we need to bring our own food and drinks for each of these events.   This could all be called off if weather does not cooperate.  If we cancel, an email will be sent by noon on each day.  Watch your email if weather looks questionable.   

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

 

 

DECEMBER 6, 2022 BOBBING TO RETIREMENT

DECEMBER 6, 2022

BOBBING TO RETIREMENT

When I got to the harbor at about 1 o’clock I was encouraged to see a healthy Easterly showing on the flags.  It was no surprise to see the flags go limp (as is the routine) as we approached the start time for the race.  As we left the harbor, we were impressed with the beauty of the spectacular display of clouds around the bay.  We approached the start area around GOV where the water was incredibly glassy looking more like a pond than an ocean.  For over 10 minutes we waited with not a ripple showing on the water.  As boats left the harbor and approached the start area, they seemed to bring a very light breeze with them.  We set a line square to this hint of a breeze and called for a short course from the start line to SC2 and finish at the line from wharf end to Gov.  We blew a horn at 2:55 for a one fleet start at 3pm and as usual, the horn was a signal to the wind gods to go back to sleep.

Despite the vagaries of the whisper-less wind, several boats accomplished good starts and started drifting slowly toward SC2.  Though we had close to a dozen boats sailing only 3 boats finished the very short course.  The first to the finish line was Yellow Belly 17:33 followed by Aquavit 24:44 and New Wave 27:36. Times are elapsed, and the course length was 0.35 NM.

Though it was a beautiful display of nature on the bay, the wind did not cooperate.  This resulted in multiple boats drifting in erratic courses as most of the boats ultimately retired.  Most of us were just bobbing around until we retired.  

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                   BOAT                                     ADJUSTED TIME

1              YELLOW BELLY                                   16:43

2              AQUAVIT                                             24:18

3              NEW WAVE                                        27:01

RACE QS:

To see the track of this exciting race you can view the track here:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&updatedAt=2022-12-07T00:07:37Z&dt=2022-12-06T14:40:04-08:00..2022-12-06T16:07:24-08:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1670369256413&focus=Nueva%20Ola&rival=Yellowbelly&tab=match&view=manual&lat=36.958128&lon=-122.011937&tilt=5&range=396&heading=354

RULES AND RESPECT:

Tuesday sailing is a developmental series for us all to improve our sailing, racing and learning the rules.  We have a wide gamut of sailors in our group, from beginning sailors/racers to world class sailors. I take issue when someone says “it’s just Tuesday sailing” indicating we don’t need to follow the rules. By signing up for this series, you have agreed to follow the racing rules of sailing.  While not all of us know the rules as well as others, there are some things that we all know.  Being blatantly OCS at the start or brushing up against a mark or not rounding a mark without exonerating or correcting are just several examples. With our relaxed situation on Tuesdays, relying on RACE QS for tracking boats, the door is open for people to not follow the rules.  After a major infraction and no exoneration, I believe it is only appropriate to retire from the race.  You may continue to sail, but just don’t cross the finish line.  Always remember, if you race and do well in a race, if you have not gained the respect of your competitors, you have not really won anything.

HOLIDAY HOURS:

The club will be closed from December 19 until New Years Eve.  The club will be open (serving food and drinks) for next Tuesday 12/13 after the race.  There will be no “club services” for 12/20 or 12/27, though we could use the barbecue for these days if there is interest and weather permitting.  Let me know after the race next Tuesday what you want to do. If there is interest, we could have a potluck barbecue on the two nights that the club is closed.

See you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice

NOVEMBER 29, 2022 ONE AWESOME SAIL

 

NOVEMBER 29, 2022

ONE AWESOME SAIL

With predictions of eight knot winds, I was surprised to see the flags flying briskly when I arrived at the harbor.  We prepped the boat and with a full crew, left the slip at 2pm.  As we left the harbor, we saw steady wind across the bay.  After the "bob-fests" we have had this month, prospects were looking good. 

The winds were coming from the normal 240 direction.  This presents a problem with the few marks we have in the winter with no windward mark. I decided to set the orange ball mark straight upwind from the start line.  The distance of about 300 yards seemed to be a little short for such a large fleet. We had about 13 boats out for the fun and blew a 5-minute horn for a single start at 3pm.  The course was announced: Start line to round the orange ball to port, Mile to port, SC 2 to port and finish line being the line from the end of the wharf to Gov.

The start line was crowded as all boats rocketed off the line in the 12-13 knot winds  and made their way to the first Red-ball mark, then off to Mile.  The first boat to round Mile was New Wave, followed by Perfect 36, Rosie, Pair A Dice and Pacific Spirit (together), Simpatico, Aeolian, Aquavit, Big Mac and Kicks. 

The wind was not subsiding as we have experienced too often this November and all boats made their way to SC2 and then finishing.  This is when the confusion started as some boats thought that they needed to round Gov and finish going to weather while others used the Wharf-Gov line as a finish line.  In the future, I will designate to take the finish mark to port or starboard to prevent this dangerous situation.  Still learning! At the finish, Perfect 36 was first 22:50, Aquavit 24:29, Rosie 24:48, Simpatico 25:06, New Wave 25:12, Aeolian 26:42, Sailing Pair A Dice 26:55, Big Mac 27:19, Pacific Spirit 27:42, Wind II 28:45 and Kicks 35:05. All times are elapsed and the course length was 2.5 NM.

Some of the confusion on the finish line is because we traditionally round the start mark outside of the line using the extension of the lighthouse and start mark.  The reason for this is so I can retrieve the start line mark before the last boat finishes.   The finish line, wharf-end to Gov, are both permanent marks so the line between them can be used.  I should have explained this over the VHF when calling the course.

After all of the "No-winder sails" we have had this month, it was great to have enough steady wind for one awesome sail!

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                   BOAT                                                     CORRECTED TIME

1                              PERFECT 36                                         16:54

2                              ROSIE                                                    18:20

3                              BIG MAC                                              18:28

4                              SIMPATICO                                         18:39

5                              AEOLIAN                                              19:42

5                              PAIR A DICE                                        19:42    (TIE)

7                              WIND II                                                19:52

8                              AQUAVIT                                             21:08

9                              PACIFIC SPIRIT                                   21:13

10                           NEW WAVE                                         21:14

11                           KICKS                                                    27:35

As a side note, New Wave sailed an extra leg out to the red ball before finishing.  Kicks had a late start and Avatar raced but had no track on Race QS. 

Race QS:

I encourage people to preset their start so their track begins before the start. Race QS uses 24hr timing so 3pm reads as 15:00 and you must preset your start for some time before 15:00 (like 14:45). 

The track for this race can be found at:

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=86470&updatedAt=2022-11-30T01:39:09Z&dt=2022-11-29T14:40:04-08:00..2022-11-29T16:19:40-08:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1669762498892&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=Nueva%20Ola&tab=fleet&view=follow&lat=36.957954&lon=-122.012053&tilt=0&range=1028&heading=145

WHAT A SEASON:

One of the things that keeps me going in our Tuesday sailing adventure,  is seeing all of us bringing our game up.  How amazing it is to see so many boats right on the start line right on time for the start.  Exciting (crowded) rounding of the first mark and everyone following rules resulting in no "incidents".  Almost all boats finishing withing 5 minutes of each other (elapsed time).  With the confusion at the finish having some boats going through the line in opposite directions BUT following rules resulting in no collisions.  I am proud to be associated with such an awesome group of sailors!

I am looking forward to next Tuesday!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice