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.