Date: 06/19/2002 Log Entry: Race
Distance: 5.0 Weather: SE 12-15, 7 @ finish Current: ebb 1900 at RI
Course: s/f-N-s/f -N, p Crew: BF, JL & RW

MRMSA Wed Night-Spring Series - Race 5

 

The course was intended for two laps to Fishers Island North Hill R2 and to finish at the s/f  area just SW of Groton Long Point.

 

Starting in the last of the flood, I chose a start on the starboard end of the line near the committee boat. Accelerating a bit late for the start, we were not able to close the door on Sanibel barging in from starboard. Crossing the line in bad air, we tacked to port and stuck to our strategy – port for the initial tack.  In three more tacks, we were able to lay the line on starboard from a good distance (I thought). Bob and Jeff got the spinnaker prepped for the set. I fell for the “think we are overstanding trap” to sail a bit lower. As we neared the mark the wind dropped significantly, and ebb began to set us down. With the crew scrambling, we threw in two more tacks, rounded and got the spinnaker up for a good set. 

 

In downwind mode, with Bob trimming and Jeff on the lookout for overtaking traffic from the foredeck, we held our own through the Dumplings out into FI Sound. With the leeward mark coming up 70 degrees off the port bow, we had a good jibe only to find a simultaneous wind shift & lull prior to a new breeze building in a continued back due a thunderstorm inland. Jibing back to starboard we soon were raising genoa and dropping the spinnaker and found ourselves nearly beating towards what had been the leeward mark.  With Bob and Jeff hurriedly getting the spinnaker ready, we jibed around the mark and set in the fresh breeze of the inland storm. The 10 to 12 knot breeze lasted half way  to North Hill dissipating to 7 knots in the last half-mile or so.

 

We finished in fifth boat for boat yet corrected over Tumult for 4th place.  In studying the results, it is interesting to note; had we finished 13 seconds sooner, we would have corrected over Gael Force and moved into the money for third.  Two minutes and twenty-three seconds would have put us in second ahead of Sanibel.  It would have taken 5minutes 54 seconds to beat Sassy lassie for first place.

 

The outboard failed to start for the trip home. I thought it might have fouled while stowed in the cabin. It did not appear wet, but had an erratic spark pattern.  A fresh plug solved the problem and it was Miller Time.

 

Later at the Seahorse, Dave from Crystal Slipper said they were able hold their spinnaker pole to starboard all the way to s/f.  Then circumstances and the wind shift turned s/f from a leeward mark to a jibe mark. They simply jibed around the pin onto port, and maintained port pole all the way to the finish.

 

Lessons-

 

1.         As in all races, there were numerous opportunities for small detail elimination of the 13-second deficit for third place. 

2.         Bearing off too early, thinking I have a mark made (fear of overstanding).

3.         Seeing the inland storm, and overlooking the possibility of a wind shift. Dark clouds – expect wind shift.

 

Avoiding number 2 or 3 would have put us in second, avoiding both would have had us smelling first.

 

 

Boat     Type    Skipper            PHRF  E Time C Time Class    Fleet

 

1 Sassy Lassie  Newport 28     Burnham           192      78.58   68.84   1          17

 

2 Sanibel          Pearson            Keeler  219      84.73   71.62   2          29

 

3 Gael Force    C&C 24           Harren  228      87.77   73.33   3          33

 

4 SeTherin        Catalina 22       Magner            273      93.05   73.49   4          34

 

5 Tumult 2        Ericson 30-1    Litke    215      88.7     75.37   5          38

 

6 Good Goose Pearson Triton  Richardson       249      110      89.49   6          43

 

7 Raggedy Ann Ericson 25        Bonola 234      500      DNF    9          63

 

8 Blue Lite Special        Cal 25  Giulini   225      500      DNF    9          63

Date: 06/12/2002 Log Entry: Race
Distance: 5.0 Weather: NE 10-15,G18 kt. Current: flood 1835 at RI
Course: s/f-R-V- s/f,p Crew: BB, BF, JL & RW

MRMSA Wed Night-Spring Series - Race 4

 

Finally, we had our first sail & race of the season last night.  Donning weather gear, we left the dock in good drizzle, though it dissipated by the time we reached the starting area off Groton Long Point. With the winds in the mid-teens and race time approaching, we hurriedly rigged the flattening and first reef lines. As time began to crunch, I decided to leave the outboard on the stern.

 

The course was down east to Ram Island R2, west to Vixen Ledge then back to the finish off Groton Long Point.  Starting in the last of the ebb, I favored the pin due to an obvious port tack favor. In 14 kts & the flattening reef on, we got off the line in good shape, and continued on port with no starboard traffic to duck. We continued out into the deep water to ride the last of the ebb with nearly a ½ knot in our favor that slowly dwindled to zip at Ram Island. The downside of the deep-water choice was the waves. With the crews position on the rail it was very difficult to see the valleys and minimize their effect. Port tack was so favored; we were able to maintain it to the mark tacking for the layline about 100 yards out. 

 

For our first spinnaker set of the season, I purposely overstood to give use a bit more time for the setup.  A good decision, as a few corrections were necessary. With the spinnaker up and bearing away on a starboard broad reach, we could not reach up towards shore as closely as I would have liked for the new flood. The wind 12 to 16 knots continued to back requiring a more pole forward position, finally becoming unmanageable.  Short of Groton Long Point, we finally blew the halyard and brought in the spinnaker, wasting little time getting the genoa back up. 

 

Passing Groton Long Point the wind began to lull sporadically down to 8 & 10. Working hard to keep the speed up, we jibed around Vixen and began a close reach back to the finish.  Blue Light Special must have dropped out on the return from Vixen as they were listed DNF in the results posted this evening.  Therefore, we were the last boat, yet corrected over Good Goose for fifth and missed fourth by 2.55 minutes.   My thanks to Brian, Jeff and Bob; a great night for getting the rust off.

 

1 Sassy  Lassie Newport 28 Burnham 192    70.23      61.52

 

2 Sanibel  P Wander 30          Keeler     219    73.83     62.41

 

3 Tumult 2 Ericson30-1           Litke       215     74.00     62.88

 

4  Gael Force C&C 24             Harren   228     76.28     63.73

 

5 SeTherin   Catalina 22         Magner   273     83.20     65.71

 

6 Good Goose  P Triton          Richardson 249 80.88    65.80

 

7 BlueLite          Cal 25           Giulini      225      DNF      DNF

 

8 RaggedyAnn Ericson25      Bonola    234      DNS     DNS

 

Comments:

We need to address the seating positions when beating to windward.

 

As the pole goes forward it needs to come down. The crew ran into to great difficulty managing that. The skipper will work on the hardware to improve the situation.  In addition, we need to remember to set with an initially lower pole in high wind condition.  Therefore, my goal is to have a choice of two modes for the pole set- normal and a high wind setting.

 

Bringing in the spinnaker- when the halyard blows, grab the sheet and start pulling in like mad, as someone subsequently lets the guy run.

 

When close reaching in variable wind conditions similar to the last leg; the genoa needs to be constantly trimmed.