Since launch, I have done 496 nm of sailing.
Been out 28 times.
Total sailing time: 105 hours (4.39 days)
Wind was from the NW 5-8 knots; no waves.
Course was 2 short, four boats, full main, 110 jib.
Pretty uneventful, compared to last night, but could have used the #1!
Sailed well enough to catch some on corrected time.
Should be enough to secure 2nd spot for the series behind Berserk.
Trip Odometer: 8.33 nm
Moving Avg: 4.4 knots
Moving Time: 01:53:39
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110630.kmz
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
2011.06.29 WYC Race
Nobody was available to crew; went out single handed.
Winds were 15 knots from the NW.
Went out with Full main and 110.
Quickly switched the #1 (155%), as wind was dying.
Course was 2 short.
On a starboard tack with one mintue before the gun, and French Vanilla and another boat who is in the next start is going down the line on a starboard tack too. Had to duck to avoid!
At the windward mark, I had to tack into a group of group 3 boats: Sumac, Paroose, and another. Very tight going to the mark,and I was in their dirty air.
Screwed up the course again, thinking there was one more leg, realizing when I was WAY past mark nine
Turned to finish, and set the pole for a download run to mark 6. Whisker pole in the water, decided I was already way behind, so I did a 180 to go back and get it. #1 Genoa caught on the spreader and ripped. It is done: too thin to repair.
What a disaster!
Finished dead last about 15 mins after everyone else, but it was good to be out.
Trip Odometer: 10.16 nm
Moving Avg: 4.0
Moving Time: 02:33:05
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110629.kmz
Winds were 15 knots from the NW.
Went out with Full main and 110.
Quickly switched the #1 (155%), as wind was dying.
Course was 2 short.
On a starboard tack with one mintue before the gun, and French Vanilla and another boat who is in the next start is going down the line on a starboard tack too. Had to duck to avoid!
At the windward mark, I had to tack into a group of group 3 boats: Sumac, Paroose, and another. Very tight going to the mark,and I was in their dirty air.
Screwed up the course again, thinking there was one more leg, realizing when I was WAY past mark nine
Turned to finish, and set the pole for a download run to mark 6. Whisker pole in the water, decided I was already way behind, so I did a 180 to go back and get it. #1 Genoa caught on the spreader and ripped. It is done: too thin to repair.
What a disaster!
Finished dead last about 15 mins after everyone else, but it was good to be out.
Trip Odometer: 10.16 nm
Moving Avg: 4.0
Moving Time: 02:33:05
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110629.kmz
2011.06.28 Newcastle on Santeria
Got down early to tighten up the rig on Santeria.
The shrouds were VERY loose.
Went out with full main and #3 (135%).
LOTS of wind from the west, 15 constant with puffs in the mid 20s.
Had to constantly feather the main in the puffs.
Regularly at around 6 knots upwind, and 7+ downwind.
We crossed the line 3rd of 7 boats.
Don't think we will catch Wind Dancer on corrected time.
Batttery died in my GPS, so I don't have track (data guestimated).
Trip Odometer: 5 knots (length of course)
Moving Avg: 5.5
Moving Time: 02:00:00
The shrouds were VERY loose.
Went out with full main and #3 (135%).
LOTS of wind from the west, 15 constant with puffs in the mid 20s.
Had to constantly feather the main in the puffs.
Regularly at around 6 knots upwind, and 7+ downwind.
We crossed the line 3rd of 7 boats.
Don't think we will catch Wind Dancer on corrected time.
Batttery died in my GPS, so I don't have track (data guestimated).
Trip Odometer: 5 knots (length of course)
Moving Avg: 5.5
Moving Time: 02:00:00
Sunday, June 26, 2011
2011.06.24 Whitby 50
Skippers meeting at 8pm, around dozen boats.
Crewed on Sumac with Peter, Mike, Doug, and Mark.
Got out about half an hour early, to find Wind Dancer from Newcastle and Galaxsea out also.
It was like we were in Newcastle again!
6-12 knot winds from the NW, PERFECT for beating the windward mark off the Leslie Street Spit.
We were 2nd around the mark behind Road Trip.
Wind had swung to the west for the spinnaker run back.
Had trouble getting the spinnaker set as the top of the sail was twisted around the turtle.
Took us about 15 minutes to get her flying.
We finished 2nd to Road Trip, who finished about 2 hours before us.
We finished 3rd in corrected time:
http://wyc.ca/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=84
Not bad, as the winds were not too favourable to us, as on the way back we sailed into a large wind hole for about anour where we were only doing 3 knots with spinnaker up. We could see the wind picking up behind us favouring the rest of the fleet.
Congratulations to Newcastle's Wind Dancer winning the white sail division.
Trip Odometer: 60.09 nm
Moving Avg: 5.2
Moving Time: 11:38.04
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110625.kmz
Crewed on Sumac with Peter, Mike, Doug, and Mark.
Got out about half an hour early, to find Wind Dancer from Newcastle and Galaxsea out also.
It was like we were in Newcastle again!
6-12 knot winds from the NW, PERFECT for beating the windward mark off the Leslie Street Spit.
We were 2nd around the mark behind Road Trip.
Wind had swung to the west for the spinnaker run back.
Had trouble getting the spinnaker set as the top of the sail was twisted around the turtle.
Took us about 15 minutes to get her flying.
We finished 2nd to Road Trip, who finished about 2 hours before us.
We finished 3rd in corrected time:
http://wyc.ca/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=84
Not bad, as the winds were not too favourable to us, as on the way back we sailed into a large wind hole for about anour where we were only doing 3 knots with spinnaker up. We could see the wind picking up behind us favouring the rest of the fleet.
Congratulations to Newcastle's Wind Dancer winning the white sail division.
Trip Odometer: 60.09 nm
Moving Avg: 5.2
Moving Time: 11:38.04
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110625.kmz
Thursday, June 23, 2011
2011.06.23 Whitby Single Handed
Wind was 7 knots from the E.
Full main and 155.
Course 7 Short.
Four boats, third to finish.
Wind hole by mark 1, broad reach with 3 ft waves, doing 0.8 knots with sales flapping.
Headed up to close reach for some speed thru waves, passing Aloha 34 Once Around; good move.
Trip Odometer: 8.82 nm
Moving Avg: 3.6 knots
Moving Time: 02:28:10
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110623.kmz
Full main and 155.
Course 7 Short.
Four boats, third to finish.
Wind hole by mark 1, broad reach with 3 ft waves, doing 0.8 knots with sales flapping.
Headed up to close reach for some speed thru waves, passing Aloha 34 Once Around; good move.
Trip Odometer: 8.82 nm
Moving Avg: 3.6 knots
Moving Time: 02:28:10
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110623.kmz
2011.06.22 Whitby Race Night Abandoned
Got out at 6pm, 12 knots of breeze from the SE.
Reefed main, 110 with Rita.
By the time we got past the light house, wind was dying slightly, so I shook the reef out.
Very foggy, could only see maybe 40 ft.
Wind was picking up.
Race called because of the fog; good thing.
Trip Odometer: 6.04 nm
Moving Avg: 4.5 knots
Moving Time: 01:20:48
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110622.kmz
Reefed main, 110 with Rita.
By the time we got past the light house, wind was dying slightly, so I shook the reef out.
Very foggy, could only see maybe 40 ft.
Wind was picking up.
Race called because of the fog; good thing.
Trip Odometer: 6.04 nm
Moving Avg: 4.5 knots
Moving Time: 01:20:48
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110622.kmz
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
2011.06.21 Newcastle Santeria
Neil, Peter, Me, and Brian on Santeria.
5 knots wind with gusts to 10+ from the NE.
We sailed good race, about 4 mins behind Wind Dancer.
Had to duck Cajun at the line.
Trip Odometer: 10.16 nm
Moving Average: 4.5 knots
Moving Time: 02:16:14
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110621.kmz
5 knots wind with gusts to 10+ from the NE.
We sailed good race, about 4 mins behind Wind Dancer.
Had to duck Cajun at the line.
Trip Odometer: 10.16 nm
Moving Average: 4.5 knots
Moving Time: 02:16:14
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110621.kmz
Friday, June 17, 2011
2011.06.16 Whitby Single Handed
Got to the club at 5pm and had diner onboard with Rita.
Could see that Kye Express and Berserk were already out.
Wind was blowing 15+ knots from the east; apparently done this all afternoon.
Got off the dock at 6pm with the 110 and reefed main.
Wind dying; shook out the reef.
Motoring to the start line; dropped the 110 in favour of the 155.
Got to the start line at 6:15; no wind, with 3 to 4 foot swells left over from the day's weather.
The four of us bobbed around for about 10 minutes, sails flapping.
My GPS showed 0.0 knots the entire time.
Had a refreshment with John from Once Around who decided to try single handed racing on his Aloha 34.
Nice boat BTW.
Motored back in and motored around in the Port Whitby marina docks to see where friends from Newcastle are.
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110616.kmz
Could see that Kye Express and Berserk were already out.
Wind was blowing 15+ knots from the east; apparently done this all afternoon.
Got off the dock at 6pm with the 110 and reefed main.
Wind dying; shook out the reef.
Motoring to the start line; dropped the 110 in favour of the 155.
Got to the start line at 6:15; no wind, with 3 to 4 foot swells left over from the day's weather.
The four of us bobbed around for about 10 minutes, sails flapping.
My GPS showed 0.0 knots the entire time.
Had a refreshment with John from Once Around who decided to try single handed racing on his Aloha 34.
Nice boat BTW.
Motored back in and motored around in the Port Whitby marina docks to see where friends from Newcastle are.
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110616.kmz
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
2011.06.14 Newcastle on Santaria
Neil, Peter, and me on Santaria.
3-6 knots of wind from the west, flat seas, short for all the fishing boat wakes.
Not much wind, tough conditions. We kept the boat moving.
We were the the first around the first, second, and third marks.
Kevin passed us by a couple of boat lengths at the end as the wind started filling in.
First in corrected time in class AND fleet:
http://www.newcastleyachtclub.com/2011/racing/results.php#14-Jun
Trip Odometer: 7.14 nm
Moving Average: 3.6
Moving Time: 02:00:14
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110614.kmz
3-6 knots of wind from the west, flat seas, short for all the fishing boat wakes.
Not much wind, tough conditions. We kept the boat moving.
We were the the first around the first, second, and third marks.
Kevin passed us by a couple of boat lengths at the end as the wind started filling in.
First in corrected time in class AND fleet:
http://www.newcastleyachtclub.com/2011/racing/results.php#14-Jun
Trip Odometer: 7.14 nm
Moving Average: 3.6
Moving Time: 02:00:14
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110614.kmz
Monday, June 13, 2011
2011.06.12 WYC Open Regatta
Had the previous owner of Still Time crew with me.
I bought Still Time three years ago August from Bernie.
70 year old Bernie had to sell her because the doctor told him he couldn't sail single handed anymore with a pacemaker.
Winds were 10-15 from the NW, we went out with 110, and a reef in the main.
Quickly shook the reef out, and the wind was less off shore.
By the first downwind leg, we dropped the 110 for the 155%; much better.
7 short was the course for the first, and 7 medium for the second.
Bernie was great on the tiller, we had a great time, and DNFed both races to not hold up the fleet/committee boat.
Google Earth Race 1: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110612-1.kmz
Google Earth Race 2: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110612-2.kmz
Trip Odometer: 14.23 nm
Moving Average: 4.3 knots
Moving Time: 03:18:30
I bought Still Time three years ago August from Bernie.
70 year old Bernie had to sell her because the doctor told him he couldn't sail single handed anymore with a pacemaker.
Winds were 10-15 from the NW, we went out with 110, and a reef in the main.
Quickly shook the reef out, and the wind was less off shore.
By the first downwind leg, we dropped the 110 for the 155%; much better.
7 short was the course for the first, and 7 medium for the second.
Bernie was great on the tiller, we had a great time, and DNFed both races to not hold up the fleet/committee boat.
Google Earth Race 1: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110612-1.kmz
Google Earth Race 2: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110612-2.kmz
Trip Odometer: 14.23 nm
Moving Average: 4.3 knots
Moving Time: 03:18:30
2011.05.11 WYC Open Regatta
Winds from the east 8-12 knots.
Only three white sail boats in the fleet:
When out with 110, but quickly switched to the #1 (155%)
At some points in the race, I was a little overwhelmed by the gusts, and pointed like crap.
Auto does not like gusts and the #1!
In all three races, the two Viking 33/34s were done the 7 Short course around the same time as I still had two more legs. I DNFed each race soasnotto hold up the fleet for the start of the next race.
Google Earth Race 1: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110611-1.kmz
Google Earth Race 2: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110611-2.kmz
Google Earth Race 3: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110611-3.kmz
Trip Odometer: 18.25 nm
Moving Average: 4.4 knots
Moving Time: 04:06:54
In the 3rd race, I was on a port tack well behind the start mark, tacked to Starboard to make the start line.
SuMAC was coming in on a starboard tack upwind. Could not duck him because there there other boats behind him, so I bore off, and touched rub rails with a bang!
Further down the race course, SuMAC was on a port tack about 1/4 mile a head of me.
I head "Starboard", and SMACK, SuMAC had run run over a Martin 243 sportboat.
Crew member in the water, but OK. Black Shadow's forestay broke.
Peter didn't even see the boat approaching.
SuMAC was out of the last race, and the wind was dying, so they shorted the course to not have the final windward/leeward legs, so I did finish (behind Paroose), and did take R3 on corrected time.
We helped John on Black Shaddow take his mast down, Peter ran to the Rigging Shoppe to get a new one swaged up.
Interesting day on the water. The start was too congested.
Only three white sail boats in the fleet:
- SuMAC
- Paroose
- Still Tim
When out with 110, but quickly switched to the #1 (155%)
At some points in the race, I was a little overwhelmed by the gusts, and pointed like crap.
Auto does not like gusts and the #1!
In all three races, the two Viking 33/34s were done the 7 Short course around the same time as I still had two more legs. I DNFed each race soasnotto hold up the fleet for the start of the next race.
Google Earth Race 1: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110611-1.kmz
Google Earth Race 2: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110611-2.kmz
Google Earth Race 3: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110611-3.kmz
Trip Odometer: 18.25 nm
Moving Average: 4.4 knots
Moving Time: 04:06:54
In the 3rd race, I was on a port tack well behind the start mark, tacked to Starboard to make the start line.
SuMAC was coming in on a starboard tack upwind. Could not duck him because there there other boats behind him, so I bore off, and touched rub rails with a bang!
Further down the race course, SuMAC was on a port tack about 1/4 mile a head of me.
I head "Starboard", and SMACK, SuMAC had run run over a Martin 243 sportboat.
Crew member in the water, but OK. Black Shadow's forestay broke.
Peter didn't even see the boat approaching.
SuMAC was out of the last race, and the wind was dying, so they shorted the course to not have the final windward/leeward legs, so I did finish (behind Paroose), and did take R3 on corrected time.
We helped John on Black Shaddow take his mast down, Peter ran to the Rigging Shoppe to get a new one swaged up.
Interesting day on the water. The start was too congested.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
2011.06.09 WYC Single Handed
Three boats out for Thursday night single handed.
Winds forcasted to be SW 8 knots with gusts to 16, diminishing after 7pm.
Got out there with a Full main and 155 genoa.
Too much to handle on a close reach, hoave to, and put in a reef.
Boat was balanced, but I could not point too high b/c of the crappy sail.
It is the headsail that drives Still Time.
Wind was actually from the NW.
Course was 2 short.
Every other time I have gone out, the wind was less than expected, except for tonight, and dropped as the night went on. Not tonight, should have gone with the 110 jib and the reef.
Bad start, about 3 mintues late.
Beat Kye Express to the windward mark.
Ducked between him and the mark.
Didn't see the mark under the sail and hit it.
Did an immediate 360 for my penalty.
I was having trouble with boat control with the #1 up, as the winds were building.
The autohelm just can't keep up.
Still have trouble with the short course, still thought there was one more leg, and overshot 9 before tacking!
Came last about 10 minutes behind Kye Express and 20 minutes behind Berserk.
On corrected time, Kye Express beat me by one minute!
If only I had:
Trip Odometer: 9.95 nm
Moving Average: 4.8 knots
Moving Time: 02:04:02
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110609.kmz
Winds forcasted to be SW 8 knots with gusts to 16, diminishing after 7pm.
Got out there with a Full main and 155 genoa.
Too much to handle on a close reach, hoave to, and put in a reef.
Boat was balanced, but I could not point too high b/c of the crappy sail.
It is the headsail that drives Still Time.
Wind was actually from the NW.
Course was 2 short.
Every other time I have gone out, the wind was less than expected, except for tonight, and dropped as the night went on. Not tonight, should have gone with the 110 jib and the reef.
Bad start, about 3 mintues late.
Beat Kye Express to the windward mark.
Ducked between him and the mark.
Didn't see the mark under the sail and hit it.
Did an immediate 360 for my penalty.
I was having trouble with boat control with the #1 up, as the winds were building.
The autohelm just can't keep up.
Still have trouble with the short course, still thought there was one more leg, and overshot 9 before tacking!
Came last about 10 minutes behind Kye Express and 20 minutes behind Berserk.
On corrected time, Kye Express beat me by one minute!
If only I had:
- a better start
- not hit the mark 4 barrel and had to do a 360
- not thought I had another leg and overshot mark 9 on the short course.
Trip Odometer: 9.95 nm
Moving Average: 4.8 knots
Moving Time: 02:04:02
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110609.kmz
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
2011.06.08 Still Time WYC
Rita and her brother's girlfriend Nikki went out on Still Time to get used to racing her. I went along to get them familiar with the start and course. My goal was to get them familiar with starting the motor, getting the sails up and down, and boat control, so they could race her themselves. I wanted to stay in the cabin to answer questions.
Winds were forcast to be 8 knots from the NW with gusts to 16 knots.
Full main and 110 jib.
Winds on the course were SW <8 knots, with lumpy seas.
Course was set for 6 short.
Before the start it rained REALLY HARD. The girls go below to stay dry and warm.
After a 5 min postponement, we missed the first start, and missed the second start.
The girls were a little intimidated with all the boats at the start.
On the third leg, the skies let got with MAJOR rain, not much wind, but thunder/lightning all around. We decided to abandon, and gunned the engine as fast a she would go to get back to the dock.
The sails were soaked, so I left them on the deck to clean up tomorrow.
Trip Odometer: 7.64 nm
Moving Average: 4.2 knots
Moving Time: 01:49:51
Google Earth Track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110608.kmz
Hope they didn't get too frightened and will race again.
Winds were forcast to be 8 knots from the NW with gusts to 16 knots.
Full main and 110 jib.
Winds on the course were SW <8 knots, with lumpy seas.
Course was set for 6 short.
Before the start it rained REALLY HARD. The girls go below to stay dry and warm.
After a 5 min postponement, we missed the first start, and missed the second start.
The girls were a little intimidated with all the boats at the start.
On the third leg, the skies let got with MAJOR rain, not much wind, but thunder/lightning all around. We decided to abandon, and gunned the engine as fast a she would go to get back to the dock.
The sails were soaked, so I left them on the deck to clean up tomorrow.
Trip Odometer: 7.64 nm
Moving Average: 4.2 knots
Moving Time: 01:49:51
Google Earth Track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110608.kmz
Hope they didn't get too frightened and will race again.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
2011.06.07 Newcastle on Santaria
Race night in Newcastle on Santaria with Neil, Peter, and Neil's friend Brian.
No wind, <2 knots from the SW.
We made it to the first mark within 45 minutes, but after two hours, the race was abandoned as no boat finished. We continued on as we were in the lead and finished the course at 9:24pm (only boat to finish).
Trip Odometer: 6.00 nautical miles
Moving Average: 2.00 knots
Moving Time: 03:00:00
Google Earth Track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110607.kmz
No wind, <2 knots from the SW.
We made it to the first mark within 45 minutes, but after two hours, the race was abandoned as no boat finished. We continued on as we were in the lead and finished the course at 9:24pm (only boat to finish).
Trip Odometer: 6.00 nautical miles
Moving Average: 2.00 knots
Moving Time: 03:00:00
Google Earth Track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110607.kmz
Monday, June 6, 2011
2011.05.05 Return from PCYC
After a wonderful night's sleep, we got off the dock at 6:45am.
No wind, motoring.
Trip Odometer: 33.78nm
Moving Average: 6.8 knots
Moving Time: 05:00:05
I was hoping to make it back for WYC medium distace race at noon on Still Time, but we had just missed the start. Oh well, I was tired and worn out.
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110605.kmz
No wind, motoring.
Trip Odometer: 33.78nm
Moving Average: 6.8 knots
Moving Time: 05:00:05
I was hoping to make it back for WYC medium distace race at noon on Still Time, but we had just missed the start. Oh well, I was tired and worn out.
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110605.kmz
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Susan Hood 2011
For the past two Lake Ontario 300 races, I have been crewing for Harvey Ostrander on French Vanilla, a Mirage 33. We were looking forward to the Susan Hood to get ready for the upcoming LO300 in July.
Weatherman Ron Bianchi predicted very light winds, with some wind holes in the middle of the lake. Most of the wind would be land effect shore breezes. There was a 30% chance there would be thunderstorms coming in from Lake Michigan on Saturday at noon. He was spot on!
White sail fully crewed 1 with 9 boats in our class.
We had competed against many of them in previous LO300s.
Almost 100 boats at the start; what a sight!
We crossed the start line at around 8:30pm, about 30 seconds late (not bad!).
Wind at between 6 and 10 knots from the W, swinging SW.
No waves, we hovered between 5 and 6+ knots of boat speed.
French Vanilla has a theoretical max hull speed of 6.9 knots.
About half way to the Burlington mark, Harvey and Dave went below to sleep. Denis on the helm and me trimming we kept our boat speed up to about half the speed of the wind as the wind was diminishing and swinging to the SW (right on the nose). It was a challenge to keep boat speed up beating towards the first mark. Whenever someone would cross our path, we would tack to follow and give chase. This would keep us concentrating on boat speed AND not falling asleep. We outpointed and/or passed everyone we followed.
Winds were less than 5 knots going to the Burlington mark. If we went on a port tack, we could only do 2-3 knots of speed, but our VMG was close to ZERO. On a starboard tack, would do slightly faster, and our VMG was in the mid twos, so we decided to stay on this tack, and miss the mark by about 5 miles to the west, hoping for a windshift, land effect, or more wind.
We tacked to the 1st mark about 5 miles off shore, and 5 miles west of the mark (7 miles from it). The wind was between 2 and 3 knots, but we kept our boat speed up heading to the mark on one tack. We could not see any boats that had rounded the mark, so we thought we were way behind.
About 3 miles NW of the mark, we lost the wind for about 5 minutes. All of the sudden, our sails filled, and we started moving, even though our wind instrument showed ZERO. I guess wind was at water level; you can see when this happened by the strait line to the mark on our track. We barrelled along on a beam reach to the mark at 5 knots. It was then we saw the fleet: probably 40 boats in a huge wind hole west of the mark.
We were bringing the wind to them!
Later we found out that most of them had been there for several hours!
We rounded the Burlington mark at 5:25am.
After getting the boat sailing on a close reach towards Niagara, Denis and I went below to snooze. At 10:50am Harvey started the motor (in neutal) to charge the batteries. At 11am, the motor stopped, and Harvey was calling GET UP AND GET OUT HERE NOW. The squawl had hit with 30 knots of winds from behind, and pushed our boat speed to 8.5 knots. Dave had let the main out to blanket the jib, and Denis and I scrambled to furl it in. It furled so tight, that we did not have enough line on the furler to get it all in, leaving about 18" of sail. It was a wild ride, surfing downwind at 9 knots, the four of us under the bimini to keep somewhat dry. When the wind calmed down to 15 knots, we put a reef in the main, and road it out until 11:30am, when another squawl hit it, about the same as first one. After being knocked out of the LO300 last year with a broken boom, a 33 knot squawl was nothing. We were prepared for it, and knew exactly how to react.
Many boats were bare poled around us, serveral withdrew.
Approaching the Niagara mark with 15 knot winds gusting to 25 knots, we sailed on a close reach with the reefed main and headsail. We purposely went way past the mark before tacking. We watch 2 or 3 boats tack too early and miss the mark by a longshot. We remembered from the LO300 two years ago that the Niagara River current makes it difficult to pass the mark closely.
We rounded the Niagara mark at 1:20pm.
Pointed the boat to the finish, had the wind dead downwind, with lumpy seas over the port quarter. Even though would could do over 7 knots of speed, it was a VERY uncomfortable with the waves coming from a different direction. So we headed up to a reach towards Toronto: much better point of sail, but slightly slower. Wished we had done this sooner. After a couple of miles, the wind shifted from the SE to NE, allowing us to tack and point directly at PCYC on a starboard broad reach with the waves come off our front quarter. NICE POINT OF SAIL.
After a while, the wind was dying, so we poled out the collapsing geneoa to leeward, and it brought our speed back up to 6 knots. We were quite comfortable, until we saw a Hunter 326 with a higher PHRF coming up to pass us. We took the pole down and trimmed in to bring our speed in the mid 7s, leaving the competitor behind (THANKS BTW). This Hunter 326 was in white sail 2 and finished 24th overall!
We passed the PCYC mark, and hardened up to close hauled to the finish line.
But alas, we couldn't make the finish line, and had to tack twice to get accross the line.
We finished at 06:33pm: a little over 22 hours on the water.
We had heard on the radio that two other boats in our class finished about 45 mintues before us, so we were confident that we had finished 3rd. We were elated!
When the results were posted with corrected times, we placed 2nd of 9 boats in our class, 31st of 97 boats overall. This is against a lot of well known bigger boats!
http://www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_detail.cfm?Race_Number=1&eID=435
Trip Odometer: 101.93 nm
Moving Average: 4.3 knots
Moving Time: 22:05:03
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110604.kmz
Weatherman Ron Bianchi predicted very light winds, with some wind holes in the middle of the lake. Most of the wind would be land effect shore breezes. There was a 30% chance there would be thunderstorms coming in from Lake Michigan on Saturday at noon. He was spot on!
White sail fully crewed 1 with 9 boats in our class.
We had competed against many of them in previous LO300s.
Almost 100 boats at the start; what a sight!
We crossed the start line at around 8:30pm, about 30 seconds late (not bad!).
Wind at between 6 and 10 knots from the W, swinging SW.
No waves, we hovered between 5 and 6+ knots of boat speed.
French Vanilla has a theoretical max hull speed of 6.9 knots.
About half way to the Burlington mark, Harvey and Dave went below to sleep. Denis on the helm and me trimming we kept our boat speed up to about half the speed of the wind as the wind was diminishing and swinging to the SW (right on the nose). It was a challenge to keep boat speed up beating towards the first mark. Whenever someone would cross our path, we would tack to follow and give chase. This would keep us concentrating on boat speed AND not falling asleep. We outpointed and/or passed everyone we followed.
Winds were less than 5 knots going to the Burlington mark. If we went on a port tack, we could only do 2-3 knots of speed, but our VMG was close to ZERO. On a starboard tack, would do slightly faster, and our VMG was in the mid twos, so we decided to stay on this tack, and miss the mark by about 5 miles to the west, hoping for a windshift, land effect, or more wind.
We tacked to the 1st mark about 5 miles off shore, and 5 miles west of the mark (7 miles from it). The wind was between 2 and 3 knots, but we kept our boat speed up heading to the mark on one tack. We could not see any boats that had rounded the mark, so we thought we were way behind.
About 3 miles NW of the mark, we lost the wind for about 5 minutes. All of the sudden, our sails filled, and we started moving, even though our wind instrument showed ZERO. I guess wind was at water level; you can see when this happened by the strait line to the mark on our track. We barrelled along on a beam reach to the mark at 5 knots. It was then we saw the fleet: probably 40 boats in a huge wind hole west of the mark.
We were bringing the wind to them!
Later we found out that most of them had been there for several hours!
We rounded the Burlington mark at 5:25am.
After getting the boat sailing on a close reach towards Niagara, Denis and I went below to snooze. At 10:50am Harvey started the motor (in neutal) to charge the batteries. At 11am, the motor stopped, and Harvey was calling GET UP AND GET OUT HERE NOW. The squawl had hit with 30 knots of winds from behind, and pushed our boat speed to 8.5 knots. Dave had let the main out to blanket the jib, and Denis and I scrambled to furl it in. It furled so tight, that we did not have enough line on the furler to get it all in, leaving about 18" of sail. It was a wild ride, surfing downwind at 9 knots, the four of us under the bimini to keep somewhat dry. When the wind calmed down to 15 knots, we put a reef in the main, and road it out until 11:30am, when another squawl hit it, about the same as first one. After being knocked out of the LO300 last year with a broken boom, a 33 knot squawl was nothing. We were prepared for it, and knew exactly how to react.
Many boats were bare poled around us, serveral withdrew.
Approaching the Niagara mark with 15 knot winds gusting to 25 knots, we sailed on a close reach with the reefed main and headsail. We purposely went way past the mark before tacking. We watch 2 or 3 boats tack too early and miss the mark by a longshot. We remembered from the LO300 two years ago that the Niagara River current makes it difficult to pass the mark closely.
We rounded the Niagara mark at 1:20pm.
Pointed the boat to the finish, had the wind dead downwind, with lumpy seas over the port quarter. Even though would could do over 7 knots of speed, it was a VERY uncomfortable with the waves coming from a different direction. So we headed up to a reach towards Toronto: much better point of sail, but slightly slower. Wished we had done this sooner. After a couple of miles, the wind shifted from the SE to NE, allowing us to tack and point directly at PCYC on a starboard broad reach with the waves come off our front quarter. NICE POINT OF SAIL.
After a while, the wind was dying, so we poled out the collapsing geneoa to leeward, and it brought our speed back up to 6 knots. We were quite comfortable, until we saw a Hunter 326 with a higher PHRF coming up to pass us. We took the pole down and trimmed in to bring our speed in the mid 7s, leaving the competitor behind (THANKS BTW). This Hunter 326 was in white sail 2 and finished 24th overall!
We passed the PCYC mark, and hardened up to close hauled to the finish line.
But alas, we couldn't make the finish line, and had to tack twice to get accross the line.
We finished at 06:33pm: a little over 22 hours on the water.
We had heard on the radio that two other boats in our class finished about 45 mintues before us, so we were confident that we had finished 3rd. We were elated!
When the results were posted with corrected times, we placed 2nd of 9 boats in our class, 31st of 97 boats overall. This is against a lot of well known bigger boats!
http://www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_detail.cfm?Race_Number=1&eID=435
Trip Odometer: 101.93 nm
Moving Average: 4.3 knots
Moving Time: 22:05:03
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110604.kmz
Friday, June 3, 2011
2011.06.03 PCYC on French Vanilla
Harvey, me, and Denis left Whitby at around 8:30am.
No wind flat seas, motored the entire way.
The wind picked up past Toronto, but right on the nose.
Arrived at 2:30pm.
Filled up with fuel and water.
Dock K-38
Trip Odometer: 34.20 nm
Moving Average: 5.7 knots
Moving Time: 05:56:59
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110603.kmz
No wind flat seas, motored the entire way.
The wind picked up past Toronto, but right on the nose.
Arrived at 2:30pm.
Filled up with fuel and water.
Dock K-38
Trip Odometer: 34.20 nm
Moving Average: 5.7 knots
Moving Time: 05:56:59
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110603.kmz
2011.06.02 WYC Single Handed
Winds were NW 15+ with gusts over 30 knots.
Double Reef, storm jib.
On the way out to the line, I switched to the 110 (glad I did).
Came last, but only a little ways behind the other two.
Came in 2nd of three in corrected time by 24 seconds.
Trip Odometer: 8.73 nm
Moving Average: 4.6 knots
Moving Time: 01:54:36
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110602.kmz
Double Reef, storm jib.
On the way out to the line, I switched to the 110 (glad I did).
Came last, but only a little ways behind the other two.
Came in 2nd of three in corrected time by 24 seconds.
Trip Odometer: 8.73 nm
Moving Average: 4.6 knots
Moving Time: 01:54:36
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110602.kmz
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
2011.06.01 WYC on French Vanilla
Race night, 15+ knots with gust in the 30s from the west.
Me, Harvey, Denis, and Terry from Newcastle.
Dropped the #1 for the #2 and put in a double reef.
Course was 2 medium.
Lots of weather helm until we moved the traveller up and let the mainsheet out to put a twist in the top of the main to dump wind.
Had to constantly release the sheets in the puffs, boat speed was over 6 knots most of the time.
Google Maps track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110601.kmz
Trip Odometer: 11.99 nm
Moving Average: 5.0
Moving Time: 02:25:06
Starting the motor to get back in, the motor died, and would not start.
Harvey took the fuel filter off at the engine, and it was dry (no fuel).
So either we were out of fuel, have a vapour lock in the fuel lines, or the fuel pump is dead.
Needs to get fixed befor the Susan Hood.
Had to get towed in by Tanker Jones.
Me, Harvey, Denis, and Terry from Newcastle.
Dropped the #1 for the #2 and put in a double reef.
Course was 2 medium.
Lots of weather helm until we moved the traveller up and let the mainsheet out to put a twist in the top of the main to dump wind.
Had to constantly release the sheets in the puffs, boat speed was over 6 knots most of the time.
Google Maps track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110601.kmz
Trip Odometer: 11.99 nm
Moving Average: 5.0
Moving Time: 02:25:06
Starting the motor to get back in, the motor died, and would not start.
Harvey took the fuel filter off at the engine, and it was dry (no fuel).
So either we were out of fuel, have a vapour lock in the fuel lines, or the fuel pump is dead.
Needs to get fixed befor the Susan Hood.
Had to get towed in by Tanker Jones.
2011.05.31 Newcastle on Santaria
Crewed with Neil on Santaria, an Evelin 25 (similar to a J/24), along with Peter from Sumac.
Looks like we will be a crew for the season.
We had 5 boats for the race, winds were around 5 knots from the east with some 10+ knot puffs.
Full main, #1.
The fog was soo thick at the start, we could barely find the starting marks, let alone other boats.
I used my GPS to find the marks.
Trip Odometer: 7.72 nm
Moving Average: 4.5 knots
Moving Time: 01:43:22
Neil bought some new jib sheets that are high tech low stretch 5/16" line. However, the jam cleats on the deck are for larger rope. On the first leg, the sheet popped out of the jam cleat twice. For the rest of the race, we had to hand hold the sheets off the winch.
We came third behind Wind Dancer and Cajun.
Neil was really pleased with how Santaria sailed.
At one point, we were cooking along close hauled at 5.7 knots without a hand on the tiller!
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110531.kmz
Looks like we will be a crew for the season.
We had 5 boats for the race, winds were around 5 knots from the east with some 10+ knot puffs.
Full main, #1.
The fog was soo thick at the start, we could barely find the starting marks, let alone other boats.
I used my GPS to find the marks.
Trip Odometer: 7.72 nm
Moving Average: 4.5 knots
Moving Time: 01:43:22
Neil bought some new jib sheets that are high tech low stretch 5/16" line. However, the jam cleats on the deck are for larger rope. On the first leg, the sheet popped out of the jam cleat twice. For the rest of the race, we had to hand hold the sheets off the winch.
We came third behind Wind Dancer and Cajun.
Neil was really pleased with how Santaria sailed.
At one point, we were cooking along close hauled at 5.7 knots without a hand on the tiller!
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110531.kmz
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