Wednesday - 06/17/09

Mudheads WNR 2009

Crew: Bob, Seth & RW
Winds: SE at 3 to 6 kts (avg 130 at 4.4avg)
Baro: 30.21-GON, Temp: 61
Current: ebb - North Hill 1834
Start time: 1800, : 00:34 left of flood
Start/Finish: between GLP & Horseshoe
Course: s/f- W-I-s/f, Distance:  4.7 nm
Shrouds: fwd: +2,upper@ base, aft: +1

Wednesday was a pleasant day and a welcome break from a week of rain; especially considering a forecast of another rainy week ahead.  There were just three of us leaving the dock as Brian was stuck working on one of the local dry-docked ferries.  We left the slip a bit late (1735 - as Seth & Bob were delayed on Rt. 2 due a bad accident) and arrived at the starting line just in time to kill the motor a second before the 5-minute warning gun.  A course of s/f-W (West Harbor)-I (Intrepid Rock)-s/f was posted for a total of 4.7 nm.  We quickly stowed the OB and positioned ourselves for a mid-line start, with Watercolors comfortably to windward and Cosmic likewise to lee, with a strategy of covering our competition.

Wednesday - 06/10/09

Mudheads WNR 2009

Crew: Brian, Bob, Seth & RW
Winds: E at 4 to 6 kts (5 avg)
Baro: 29.95-GON, Temp: 60
Current: ebb - North Hill 1310
Start time: 1800, 1:45 left of ebb
Start/Finish: between GLP & Horseshoe
Course: s/f- V, Distance: 2.6 nm
Shrouds: @ base

Approaching the starting area off Groton Long Point we realized the RC was set up for a downwind start, which they subsequently posted for Vixen, two laps, which was shortened to one as boats approached the windward mark.. 

Our strategy was to favor the shore downwind for current relief, then offshore on the return, current in our favor. The wind was varying 4 to 6 in the few minutes leading up to the start, so I chose the pin end for a starboard start giving us the most of the line in case the wind went to six. We set the chute in four kts with a minute to go, Sans Souci to our lee near the pin with the remainder of the class down near the RC. 

No race last night

Mudheads WNR 2009

The rain was light, the wind calm and the sea flat as the four of us motored out towards our starting area last night.  We knew it was for naught, yet had to play the odds just in case.  Sure enough at the five-minute (1755) warning the RC fired off the shotgun three times for “Abandonment”.   So it was back to the dock for chips, dip, libation and good conversation.
Bottom line, I was home by nine and in time to watch the dvd “Defiance” with DJ.

Wednesday - 052709

Mudheads WNR 2009
Crew: Brian, Bob, Seth & RW
Winds: SE at 4 to 10 kts (145 at 7 avg)
Baro:  29.97 (29.95-GON), Temp: 54
Current: ebb - North Hill 1337
Start time: 1800, 2+ hours left of ebb
Start/Finish: between GLP & Horseshoe
Course: #4, s/f- I  (140 @1.0), Distance: 3.04 nm
Shrouds: @ base

We got a good start on starboard a good way down the line void of traffic, yet my plan to quickly tack to port was compromised by over taking traffic on our starboard hip.  We bit the bullet and tacked regardless, ducking 'Breaking Wind'.   Cosmic had crossed the just behind us on port and led out towards the channel followed us and Watercolors, who had tacked shortly after us on our port hip.  Sailing out to the deeper water we appreciated a 10 degree lift from the current as Watercolors overtook to windward.

First Wednesday Night of the 2009

Mudheads WNR 2009

Crew : Brian, Bob, Seth & RW
Winds: SW (250) at 3 to 6 kts
Baro: 30.37, Temp: 64, Water Temp: 47
Current: flood - North Hill 1433
Start time: 1800, 2 ½ hours left of the flood
Start/Finish: between GLP & Horseshoe
Course: #4, s/f- DM (225 @1.0), Shortened at leeward mark, Distance: 1.9 nm
Shrouds: @ base

We arrived at the starting area in time to stow the motor and sail a half dozen tacks to windward, and found starboard favored. Returning downwind was slow, putting us at the start line with less than three minutes to go. We sailed along the line towards the pin & got a good range on the Fishers Island shore prior to returning towards the committee boat.  Other than Cosmic down near the pin there, the rest of the class was still west of the RC. About mid line, running out of time, we returned to starboard and ran down the line for a good start right at the gun, with Cosmic squeaking across our bow on port boosted by the current.  Shortly after their cross, they tacked eventually passed us to windward and pulled away.