The winds were gusty and shifty from the WSW. We saw 6-20 knots. Current was ebbing about 1/2 to 3/4 of a knot. Skies were cloudy then cleared up. We sailed from H to 24 to G to D to H.
Tonight we were at the dock early and got out on the water by 17:15. We hoisted the main and a 20 knot puff blew Eric’s hat into the river. We retrieved it and sailed down to Croton point. Under main alone, we were doing close to 7 knots. We unfurled the jib and enjoyed a fast broad reach.
We got to the start area just before 18:00. The RM was fouled on his anchor line. As a result, the boat end of the line was heavily favored. With the high winds and skewed line, we decided to do a Vanderbilt start. This is a timed run. We tacked onto port near the line with 3 minutes to go. With 1:40 left, we tacked around and headed to the line. I was purposely a few seconds late since I wanted room to maneuver, but we were clear. We got off the line with speed and chugged upwind.
The shifts were crazy and, near the mark, the velocity was down. We rounded 24 and bore off to G. This leg required us to wing the jib near the end. We rounded G and had a great ride to D. It was a tight reach and the warm breeze made the leg delightful.
We rounded D and headed to the finish. We enjoyed some nice separation from the fleet and actually caught a few boats from the earlier start. It was a great course for the conditions. I like a race that finishes upwind.
Due to the skewed line, there was some confusion on which side to finish. We had this happen two years ago and I wrote about it. In this case, the committee boat was stuck on its rode and could not square the line. It is a matter of opinion whether or not it was clear that boats should leave H to port. This is covered by Case 82 in the RRS Case Book. (page 164)
CASE 82
Rule 62.1(a), Redress
Definitions, Finish
When a finishing line is laid so nearly in line with the last leg that it cannot be determined which is the correct way to cross it in order to finish according to the definition, a boat may cross the line in either direction and her finish is to be recorded accordingly.
It is a matter of opinion as to whether or not the finish line was laid so nearly in line with the last leg. Either way, both times should be recorded since this case may apply. If someone who had to refinish asked for redress, it may or may not be granted. That would be up to a judge. For our Wednesday Night racing, I think we should be lenient and score boats from either side whenever the line is close to being parallel to the last rhumb line, especially when a gear problem prevents a proper line from being set.
There was also another rule situation that I heard about. This was a simple windward leeward situation. Two boats were beating upwind. The windward boat (W) told the leeward boat (L) that they had to sail lower. On a beat, I cannot think of a situation where L would not have the right to sail close-hauled. As long as L is not above close hauled, they have right of way. There are two exceptions I’ll mention later.
Even if the L established the overlap from behind and rule 17 applied, they still have the right to sail their proper course (on a beat, proper course is close hauled). If W cannot sail as high as L, that is too bad for W. Even under rule 17, it is the leeward boat’s right to sail to their proper course. W’s proper course is not relevant.
One possible time L would have to go below their proper course would be if the overlap began while they were very close. This would involve giving W enough room to keep clear. On a beat, there should not be too much angle here, so I doubt this would ever happen. Another possible exception would be if W had to bear off for an obstruction. Here are the applicable rules:
11 ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED
When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.
17 ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE
If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain on the same tack and overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat. This rule does not apply if the overlap begins while the windward boat is required by rule 13 to keep clear.
After racing we cruised around in the warm Westerly. It was a great night of sailing and it would have to end early for pizza. Here are some pictures and a link to a video.
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