Wednesday 9/21/2011
Light SW breeze. Current was flooding. C course was from H to 22 to H, A&B added K after 22. Sky was overcast.
This last race was almost a repeat of the week before, except the current was opposite. There was a light SW breeze, but we had a little more punch this week at the start. After starting, the wind faded a bit, but it was enough for us to go around 22 and be able to go with the current back to the finish.
During the prestart, we tried to setup near the starboard (boat) end. With the flood pulling boats away from the line, we thought there may be a nice opening to get off to a good start. Coming at the fleet on port with 90 seconds to go, I realized I was going to have trouble finding a good spot. I had to tack a little late and was in a bad position to make the boat. We were 10-15 seconds late to the start and were in the bad air of Telepathy. They won the start.
After the gun, we stayed pinched and were able to slowly clear our air and begin rolling. Soon A-Train, Zoom and Jazz were racing to the left. A-Train and Jazz had to tack back right since Zoom pulled ahead and got on our air. This turned out to be a good move and we held a nice lead over Zoom at the next crossing. We then stayed on starboard tack for a long time to take advantage of less current and what seemed to be more wind.
We were heading 20 degrees high of the mark when we tacked onto port, but over the ground, we were barely high of it. We ended up missing the layline by a few boat-lengths after ducking for a starboard tack boat. We led around 22, but in short order A-Train made up close to two minutes and we exchanged places before getting enough of an advantage at the finish to correct over them. A four boat-length lead translated into 75 seconds due to the lack of breeze.
With the wind dying, we headed in to the marina right away. It was a nice end to the season. For two weeks in a row, the Race Marshalls did a great job to get a race in.
With the season over, I would like to thank John Nonenmacher, John Edwards and John Beck for their hard work putting this whole series together. Many boats and their crew also deserve praise for doing their turn as Race Marshall. It was a great season and I look forward to next year.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Summer Race #9
Wednesday 9/14/2011
Light SW breeze. Current was ebbing fast. Course was from H to 22 to H. Sky was overcast.
We left the marina around 17:15. It was an early start and we were very early to the line. We sailed to the start and took some upwind numbers. Unfortunately, the wind died completely before a race could get off.
Drifting against the ebb, there was little hope for racing, but the Race Marshall stayed on station, fulfilling their obligation to try and get a race in. Around 18:20, the wind once again filled in and the RM jumped into quick action and got the races started. This was an excellent performance form the RM and their patience is much appreciated.
While watching the first start, we noticed a pile of boats at the port end of the line. There were some yells, but no protests. Bully sailing would once again prevail as apparent fouls were not protested. Sailing is a self-policing sport and can quickly descend into anarchy when boats do not police themselves and others. I hope I am wrong and no rules were broken, but by the sounds of the voices and course corrections of starboard boats, I believe some infractions may have occurred.
With the strong ebb threatening to push boats over the line early, I knew the line would get crowded for our start. I was also worried about another drop in velocity during the start sequence since it may affect our ability to stay on the pre start side. I lined up to be at the starboard end a little early even though the port end was favored. I figured the crowd would gather down there similar to what happened in the first start. These events came to pass. Blue Horizon snuck out of the port end in great shape and won the start. We did OK since we kept our air clean and were able to tack onto port shortly after the start.
The spotty wind on the upwind leg kept us alert for changes. We got as far west as we dared since the wind seemed light against the western shore. We then tried to stay in the velocity rather than play directional shifts. With the help of the current, we made it around 22 without much hassle.
From 22 we stayed high on starboard tack and reached towards the shallow water near Croton. I am not sure if this strategy paid off since the boats to the west seemed to make out just fine. The RM was properly lit with an anchor light at the finish and that is where we crossed the line.
With the breeze very light and a foul current we rolled in the jib and motored back.
There was an interesting ferry captain that hailed the fleet on 72. He must have been having a bad day since he laid into the fleet with expletives and a nonsensical rant about using government marks for racing. I know the frustration of having pleasure craft in the way of a commercial vessels, but the captain needs to know the rules. Unless constricted by draft to the channel or other restriction on movement, power gives way to sail. A 78-foot catamaran that can go over 30 knots, drawing just a few feet, is probably not very restricted.
I may write a separate blog about ferries and sailboats. That will be a place for us to gather information about the rules as they apply to our races.
Light SW breeze. Current was ebbing fast. Course was from H to 22 to H. Sky was overcast.
We left the marina around 17:15. It was an early start and we were very early to the line. We sailed to the start and took some upwind numbers. Unfortunately, the wind died completely before a race could get off.
Drifting against the ebb, there was little hope for racing, but the Race Marshall stayed on station, fulfilling their obligation to try and get a race in. Around 18:20, the wind once again filled in and the RM jumped into quick action and got the races started. This was an excellent performance form the RM and their patience is much appreciated.
While watching the first start, we noticed a pile of boats at the port end of the line. There were some yells, but no protests. Bully sailing would once again prevail as apparent fouls were not protested. Sailing is a self-policing sport and can quickly descend into anarchy when boats do not police themselves and others. I hope I am wrong and no rules were broken, but by the sounds of the voices and course corrections of starboard boats, I believe some infractions may have occurred.
With the strong ebb threatening to push boats over the line early, I knew the line would get crowded for our start. I was also worried about another drop in velocity during the start sequence since it may affect our ability to stay on the pre start side. I lined up to be at the starboard end a little early even though the port end was favored. I figured the crowd would gather down there similar to what happened in the first start. These events came to pass. Blue Horizon snuck out of the port end in great shape and won the start. We did OK since we kept our air clean and were able to tack onto port shortly after the start.
The spotty wind on the upwind leg kept us alert for changes. We got as far west as we dared since the wind seemed light against the western shore. We then tried to stay in the velocity rather than play directional shifts. With the help of the current, we made it around 22 without much hassle.
From 22 we stayed high on starboard tack and reached towards the shallow water near Croton. I am not sure if this strategy paid off since the boats to the west seemed to make out just fine. The RM was properly lit with an anchor light at the finish and that is where we crossed the line.
With the breeze very light and a foul current we rolled in the jib and motored back.
There was an interesting ferry captain that hailed the fleet on 72. He must have been having a bad day since he laid into the fleet with expletives and a nonsensical rant about using government marks for racing. I know the frustration of having pleasure craft in the way of a commercial vessels, but the captain needs to know the rules. Unless constricted by draft to the channel or other restriction on movement, power gives way to sail. A 78-foot catamaran that can go over 30 knots, drawing just a few feet, is probably not very restricted.
I may write a separate blog about ferries and sailboats. That will be a place for us to gather information about the rules as they apply to our races.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Summer Race #8
Wednesday 9/7/2011
Light NE breeze with 40 degree shifts. Current was flooding slowly. Course was from H to D to 24 to H. A & B sailed H to D to 26 to 24 to H. Sky was overcast and some light showers moved in.
It was the first early start Wednesday of the season. When we left the marina, we immediately hoisted sail and enjoyed a tight reach down to H. Near the start of the first sequence, we were out of position and had to motor back to a good place since the wind was getting lighter.
The line was heavily port-end favored, but boats could still cross the line on starboard. During the prestart, an anonymous radio clown gave the committee boat a bunch of shit about the starting line. I was put off by these comments. Bert and the crew from A-Train had volunteered to be the Race Marshall on this crappy night and I thought it inappropriate to give him shit because his line was not square. I have seen worse starting lines.
Particularly annoying about the radio harassment was that the clown remained anonymous. If you are going to call someone out, don’t be a coward and hide behind anonymity. Identify yourself. I’ll explain why this was extra important on this night later in the post.
Clown business aside, we had a good start by starting on port tack at the pin end. A Line Up and Jazz were the only two boats to stay up towards the pin in the light, shifty conditions. We got off the line well and Telepathy was the only boat that followed us out to the right. The left was favored and we were with the pack almost up to D. Then we got a nice shift at the mark that saved the leg and took off towards 24. We stretched considerably on this leg and sailed in to a nice finish.
We ended up finishing right at the committee boat. Bert asked me something about the start line and I responded that I liked the line. I really did since skewed lines give the best opportunity to grab a good lead right from the start. Bert then accused me of being the clown that had harassed him during the prestart. I denied the accusation, but Bert was not convinced. I was pissed about being falsely accused.
During the whole ugly radio affair, I talked to my three crew and defended the skewed line and praised Bert for stepping up on a cold, soggy night. Now I was being accused by the same person I defended of being the clown who harassed him. There was no convincing Bert and his crew that I was not the one, so now I felt like he not only thought I was the clown, but a coward as well. All this transpired because some coward had to be Mr. Critic on the radio anonymously.
Frank and I had a fantasy football draft to sign into at 22:00 this night, so we could not stick around and host the full moon race. We ended up sailing in and called it a night.
I hope the radio shenanigans will stop. Making anonymous radio hails that harass racers or the race committee is annoying and cowardly. In the end, people get angry and they may end up attributing the anonymous call to the wrong party. If you must criticize or give input, please identify yourself. It is proper radio procedure.
Light NE breeze with 40 degree shifts. Current was flooding slowly. Course was from H to D to 24 to H. A & B sailed H to D to 26 to 24 to H. Sky was overcast and some light showers moved in.
It was the first early start Wednesday of the season. When we left the marina, we immediately hoisted sail and enjoyed a tight reach down to H. Near the start of the first sequence, we were out of position and had to motor back to a good place since the wind was getting lighter.
The line was heavily port-end favored, but boats could still cross the line on starboard. During the prestart, an anonymous radio clown gave the committee boat a bunch of shit about the starting line. I was put off by these comments. Bert and the crew from A-Train had volunteered to be the Race Marshall on this crappy night and I thought it inappropriate to give him shit because his line was not square. I have seen worse starting lines.
Particularly annoying about the radio harassment was that the clown remained anonymous. If you are going to call someone out, don’t be a coward and hide behind anonymity. Identify yourself. I’ll explain why this was extra important on this night later in the post.
Clown business aside, we had a good start by starting on port tack at the pin end. A Line Up and Jazz were the only two boats to stay up towards the pin in the light, shifty conditions. We got off the line well and Telepathy was the only boat that followed us out to the right. The left was favored and we were with the pack almost up to D. Then we got a nice shift at the mark that saved the leg and took off towards 24. We stretched considerably on this leg and sailed in to a nice finish.
We ended up finishing right at the committee boat. Bert asked me something about the start line and I responded that I liked the line. I really did since skewed lines give the best opportunity to grab a good lead right from the start. Bert then accused me of being the clown that had harassed him during the prestart. I denied the accusation, but Bert was not convinced. I was pissed about being falsely accused.
During the whole ugly radio affair, I talked to my three crew and defended the skewed line and praised Bert for stepping up on a cold, soggy night. Now I was being accused by the same person I defended of being the clown who harassed him. There was no convincing Bert and his crew that I was not the one, so now I felt like he not only thought I was the clown, but a coward as well. All this transpired because some coward had to be Mr. Critic on the radio anonymously.
Frank and I had a fantasy football draft to sign into at 22:00 this night, so we could not stick around and host the full moon race. We ended up sailing in and called it a night.
I hope the radio shenanigans will stop. Making anonymous radio hails that harass racers or the race committee is annoying and cowardly. In the end, people get angry and they may end up attributing the anonymous call to the wrong party. If you must criticize or give input, please identify yourself. It is proper radio procedure.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Summer Race #7
Calm winds. The current had a strong ebb. Race Cancelled.
This evening's race was in jeopardy right from the start. There were debris fields on the river and the north side of Haverstraw marina had a big boat burn early in the morning. Despite those conditions, it was the lack of wind that did us in.
We arrived at the boat early to put everything back together that had been taken apart ahead of Irene. The boat had a decent covering of burnt fiberglass from the On Your Mark burning. The marina was without water, so it was tough to get everything clean. We did most of the work on the river since it was nicer out there.
We drifted around the starting mark for a while with the fleet, but nothing was to come of it. Here and there we got a slight breeze, but up until 20:30, we never found a consistent wind to sail in.
I heard the floating islands we passed by were some sort of runaway pumpkin field. Here are two pictures.
This evening's race was in jeopardy right from the start. There were debris fields on the river and the north side of Haverstraw marina had a big boat burn early in the morning. Despite those conditions, it was the lack of wind that did us in.
We arrived at the boat early to put everything back together that had been taken apart ahead of Irene. The boat had a decent covering of burnt fiberglass from the On Your Mark burning. The marina was without water, so it was tough to get everything clean. We did most of the work on the river since it was nicer out there.
We drifted around the starting mark for a while with the fleet, but nothing was to come of it. Here and there we got a slight breeze, but up until 20:30, we never found a consistent wind to sail in.
I heard the floating islands we passed by were some sort of runaway pumpkin field. Here are two pictures.
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