After a sunny warm day, I left work at 4:30pm; it was raining outside. Got to the club a little after 5pm, the flags were drooping in the rain.
Went in the clubhouse, and the other single handers were in the bar having a drink. It was raining hard, and the wind forecasts were for 1-3 knots of wind. We decided to cancel tonights race. We may do a makeup race before haulout.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
2011.09.25 Newcastle on Santeria
Newcastle with Neil, Peter, and me on Santeria. Santeria is tied point wize for overall with Wind Dancer; we would have to beat them in corrected time in the final race of the season to win it.
Winds were SE 8-12 knots, course was N-E-W-E-N (about 6 mile course). We got out about half an hour early and were able to practice our start, and tacking. Peter and I worked out a way on a tack for one of us to roll under the boom accross the deck with the lazy sheet, and tail it from the high side, while the other winched in from the pit. Worked really well! BTW, Santeria's winches are all on the cabintop.
Great start, and we just beat Wind Dancer to the first mark. We pulled ahead on the 2 mile downwind broad reach to the west mark. We sailed the layline with the genoa poled out to windward. We stayed in front of Wind Dancer and Cajun for the rest of the race. Great sailing! Approching the East mark, we tacked early to avoid another sailboat that was out for a pleasure sail through the race course, even though we were on a starboard tack. I think this boat really messed up Kevin (think he had to delay his tack to avoid them).
What are great way to end the racing season. We took line honours.
Neil sent me the track from his GPS, and for the race we sailed 7.68 miles in 01:29:00.
After the race, we sailed out enough to set a spinnaker for a pleasure sail back to the East. Had to gybe a couple of times. We had Santeria at 6.5 knots most of the time. I worked the bow, Peter drove, and Neil worked the pit.
It is amazing how much I have learned this year. Last year, I had no idea how to setup, fly, or pack a spinnaker, let alone do end-for-end gybes. I think Neil enjoyed flying a chute having some else to set it up and fly it.
Cheers, thanks gentlemen! It has been a pleasure sailing with you.
Trip Odometer: 18.80 miles
Moving Avg: 4.9 knots
Moving Time: 04:38:24
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110925.kmz
Turns out Santeria won the Tue/Sun series (best 11 of 21), but the overall also counts the best 2 of 3 of the Cup races, of which Santeria only competed in one of them (and won it!). Congratulations Wind Dancer.
Winds were SE 8-12 knots, course was N-E-W-E-N (about 6 mile course). We got out about half an hour early and were able to practice our start, and tacking. Peter and I worked out a way on a tack for one of us to roll under the boom accross the deck with the lazy sheet, and tail it from the high side, while the other winched in from the pit. Worked really well! BTW, Santeria's winches are all on the cabintop.
Great start, and we just beat Wind Dancer to the first mark. We pulled ahead on the 2 mile downwind broad reach to the west mark. We sailed the layline with the genoa poled out to windward. We stayed in front of Wind Dancer and Cajun for the rest of the race. Great sailing! Approching the East mark, we tacked early to avoid another sailboat that was out for a pleasure sail through the race course, even though we were on a starboard tack. I think this boat really messed up Kevin (think he had to delay his tack to avoid them).
What are great way to end the racing season. We took line honours.
Boat Name
|
Adjusted hh:mm:ss
|
Santaria
|
1:22:52
|
Wind Dancer
|
1:28:43
|
Patricia
|
1:32:08
|
Cajun
|
1:34:35
|
Silhouette
|
1:41:02
|
Neil sent me the track from his GPS, and for the race we sailed 7.68 miles in 01:29:00.
After the race, we sailed out enough to set a spinnaker for a pleasure sail back to the East. Had to gybe a couple of times. We had Santeria at 6.5 knots most of the time. I worked the bow, Peter drove, and Neil worked the pit.
It is amazing how much I have learned this year. Last year, I had no idea how to setup, fly, or pack a spinnaker, let alone do end-for-end gybes. I think Neil enjoyed flying a chute having some else to set it up and fly it.
Cheers, thanks gentlemen! It has been a pleasure sailing with you.
Trip Odometer: 18.80 miles
Moving Avg: 4.9 knots
Moving Time: 04:38:24
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110925.kmz
Turns out Santeria won the Tue/Sun series (best 11 of 21), but the overall also counts the best 2 of 3 of the Cup races, of which Santeria only competed in one of them (and won it!). Congratulations Wind Dancer.
2011.09.24 Whitby Frostbite Series races 3&4
All week the forecast was saying rain with 3 knots winds. Well the forecast changed on Saturday morning: sunny, winds 5-8 knots from the SW, waves <1ft. Perfect sailing conditions; full main and light #1.
John came out with his 12 year old son Bennett. Bennett did a great job releasing the jib sheets on tacks, but most of all didn't feed the fish. John is getting better and better on the helm.
Only 8 boats out, three in our whitesail class.
We came in 2nd last in both races, but not too far behind the fleet.
We may have taken 2nd of the three boats in corrected time.
Trip Odometer: 14.61 miles
Moving Avg: 4.3 knots
Moving Time: 03:25:49
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110924.kmz
John came out with his 12 year old son Bennett. Bennett did a great job releasing the jib sheets on tacks, but most of all didn't feed the fish. John is getting better and better on the helm.
Only 8 boats out, three in our whitesail class.
We came in 2nd last in both races, but not too far behind the fleet.
We may have taken 2nd of the three boats in corrected time.
Trip Odometer: 14.61 miles
Moving Avg: 4.3 knots
Moving Time: 03:25:49
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110924.kmz
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
2011.09.21 Whitby Single Handed
Got down to the boat at 5:30pm, five boats for a 6:30pm start.
Winds were forecast to be 8 knots from the SSE with gusts to 24 knots, 20% chance of rain.
Put on the heavy #1, and the new main, but went to put a reef in it in the channel. Got the reefing hook on the gooseneck, and the clew reefing line run through its cringle. Started sailing with the reef and the main sail shape was TERRIBLE! Looked on the other side of the boom, and the clew reef cheek block is too far forward; will have to be moved back. Had trouble hoisting the bolt rope main fully, so, put a flattening reef in the tack of the main (not the clew).
Motor-sailed out to the start, as the other boats were waiting for me. Boat powered up nicely, but only 5-6 knots of breeze with no gusts. With 2-3 ft waves there was just enough wind to go around the buoys. Course was 7 short.
Good start, boat was great to the windward mark on a starboard tack, but on a port tack into the waves, not so much. There was only 5 knots of breeze in the waves, and it diminished as we went to mark #1 on a deep broad reach. I shook the flattening reef out, but had to drop the boom a couple on inches to get a full hoist. Thought about switching to the light #1, as the heavy #1 was collapsing. Wind picked up to maybe 8 knots for the final leg. Finished with over 5 knots of speed.
We watched a rain cloud line come in as the fleet was approaching the third mark. The rain hit HARD, I have not seen it rain so hard in a long time (since coming back from RCYC). Had to put foulies on. It was then the boats radioed to shorten the course to a shortened 7 short (triangle).
Finished last, but not too far behind the other boats.
On three occasions, the outhaul let go when going upwind. The internal 5:1 outhaul cleats on the boom going forward. Kept coming off the jam cleat. The jam cleat should be facing the aft. Have to make sure the outhaul is cleated firmly before heading up wind.
Fixed autohelm performed admirably.
I sailed into the channel on a close reach, just as thunder and lightning was starting all around. I was fully expecting a gust front (major winds) from the thunderstorm activity, but it never came. I got the motor down and started just in case. Got the sails down relatively easily.
Go the dock, and the boat tied off, when the skies let go even more. Bungied the genoa to the pulpit, and flaked the main on the dock, and bungied it inside the cockpit, as it pored harder and harder.
Went for a beer in the pub, with all my wet foulies on to hang them up in the locker room to dry. I was soaked! To give you an idea how hard it rained, I had left a 2 gallon bucket on the dock when I went out; there was about 6" of water in it after the rain stopped.
Trip Odometer: 7.21 miles
Moving Avg: 3.8 knots
Moving Time: 01:53:15
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110921.kmz
Got up the next morning and put the sails up to dry. A dockmate helped me put them away after they had dried.
Winds were forecast to be 8 knots from the SSE with gusts to 24 knots, 20% chance of rain.
Put on the heavy #1, and the new main, but went to put a reef in it in the channel. Got the reefing hook on the gooseneck, and the clew reefing line run through its cringle. Started sailing with the reef and the main sail shape was TERRIBLE! Looked on the other side of the boom, and the clew reef cheek block is too far forward; will have to be moved back. Had trouble hoisting the bolt rope main fully, so, put a flattening reef in the tack of the main (not the clew).
Motor-sailed out to the start, as the other boats were waiting for me. Boat powered up nicely, but only 5-6 knots of breeze with no gusts. With 2-3 ft waves there was just enough wind to go around the buoys. Course was 7 short.
Good start, boat was great to the windward mark on a starboard tack, but on a port tack into the waves, not so much. There was only 5 knots of breeze in the waves, and it diminished as we went to mark #1 on a deep broad reach. I shook the flattening reef out, but had to drop the boom a couple on inches to get a full hoist. Thought about switching to the light #1, as the heavy #1 was collapsing. Wind picked up to maybe 8 knots for the final leg. Finished with over 5 knots of speed.
We watched a rain cloud line come in as the fleet was approaching the third mark. The rain hit HARD, I have not seen it rain so hard in a long time (since coming back from RCYC). Had to put foulies on. It was then the boats radioed to shorten the course to a shortened 7 short (triangle).
Finished last, but not too far behind the other boats.
On three occasions, the outhaul let go when going upwind. The internal 5:1 outhaul cleats on the boom going forward. Kept coming off the jam cleat. The jam cleat should be facing the aft. Have to make sure the outhaul is cleated firmly before heading up wind.
Fixed autohelm performed admirably.
I sailed into the channel on a close reach, just as thunder and lightning was starting all around. I was fully expecting a gust front (major winds) from the thunderstorm activity, but it never came. I got the motor down and started just in case. Got the sails down relatively easily.
Go the dock, and the boat tied off, when the skies let go even more. Bungied the genoa to the pulpit, and flaked the main on the dock, and bungied it inside the cockpit, as it pored harder and harder.
Went for a beer in the pub, with all my wet foulies on to hang them up in the locker room to dry. I was soaked! To give you an idea how hard it rained, I had left a 2 gallon bucket on the dock when I went out; there was about 6" of water in it after the rain stopped.
Trip Odometer: 7.21 miles
Moving Avg: 3.8 knots
Moving Time: 01:53:15
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110921.kmz
Got up the next morning and put the sails up to dry. A dockmate helped me put them away after they had dried.
Monday, September 19, 2011
New Main Thoughts
I really like the new main. The full top two battens really make a difference.
The loose foot is nice, easy to hookup, easy to tighten the outhaul, as there is not as much friction. Tightening the 5:1 internal outhaul flattens the bottom third of the sail nicely. The foot hangs down below the boom: free sail area!
I had hooked up my old backstay adjuster blocks as a 2:1 cummingham. Worked well.
Putting the sail up is not bad, except for the last foot or two. Definately a problem singlehanding, as the bolt rope needs to be fed into the sail slot. If not it jams. Wonder if a pre-feeder would make a difference?
I could not get the sail hauled all the way to the top of the mast; too much friction. On this past weekend, I lowered the boom 4 to 6 inches to get some tension on the luff.
Today at lunch I went the Nat's Marine and bought a can of dry lubricant. Hopefully that will help in the hoists/douses. I also bought a small swivel snap shackle to replace the regular D shackle and bronze swivel shackle on the haylard now. It will be 2-3 inches less than the combination of the others.
Also thinking that hoisting it the extra couple of inches will create some problems tacking in light air. Tacking in light air on Friday night, I did notice that the 2nd batten hung on the backstay. It was easy to get off: loosen the backstay adjuster and shake the backstay, then re-tension it.
I have yet to play around with reefing. Want to practice this on the dock without much wind. Don't know if the existing reefing hook will work. The sail does have a shallow single reef point. Don't think this will be a problem as with the new backstay adjuster, and loose foot, I can flatten the sail effectively. Need to figure out how to put in a flattening reef; will the exiting reef cheek block work for that? It would be nice to rig up single line reefing.
Coming in after a day of sailing is a real effort; you drop the sail, and it falls out of the main track, and flops around uncontrollably. Would be impossible single handing in a blow. On Saturday, the three of us coraled it into the cabin (ouch, with that nice crinkly sail!). We tried for a bit to flake it on the boom at the dock. Didn't like how we were putting creases in it, so we rolled it and put in in the sausage bag that came with it. The sausage bag fits in the starboard lazerette, but the sail sticks out into the cabin. Rolling it is the way but can't be done by yourself. I have watched Ross on Gruntled (a C&C 29) with a bolt rope main. His crew disconnects the tack and clew, folds it at the 2nd batten, them rolls it starting at this 2nd batten. They also sail tie it to the main and put the sail cover over it. I talked to him, and he sail he will not use his bolt rope main single handing.
This morning I talked with Tal (he works for Performance Sails), and he agreed that a bolt rope main is a BAD IDEA for single handing. However, he did say that converting it to slugs would be fairly inexpensive using the plastic slugs. A sailmaker would have to install grommets up my luff to accomodate these.
So it looks like I made a mistake in buying a bolt rope main; that is one disadvantage to buying your sails in the states. I did send him an email asking for suggestions.
I read online that some single handers with bolt ropes, throw in a reef before dousing, and use the pouch created by the reefed sail material to flake the sail. Hmmm, worth a try. Also read about a J/24 guy (single hand a J/24?) who attaches shock chord to his whisker pole, then puts the bolt rope sail between the pole and shock chord, and rolls it up that, and stores the sail rolled on the whisker pole on the boom. This might work, as the one end of my whisker pole is a spike.
I will play around with it for the next couple of weeks before haulout, and decide if I should convert it to slugs in the off season.
The loose foot is nice, easy to hookup, easy to tighten the outhaul, as there is not as much friction. Tightening the 5:1 internal outhaul flattens the bottom third of the sail nicely. The foot hangs down below the boom: free sail area!
I had hooked up my old backstay adjuster blocks as a 2:1 cummingham. Worked well.
Putting the sail up is not bad, except for the last foot or two. Definately a problem singlehanding, as the bolt rope needs to be fed into the sail slot. If not it jams. Wonder if a pre-feeder would make a difference?
I could not get the sail hauled all the way to the top of the mast; too much friction. On this past weekend, I lowered the boom 4 to 6 inches to get some tension on the luff.
Today at lunch I went the Nat's Marine and bought a can of dry lubricant. Hopefully that will help in the hoists/douses. I also bought a small swivel snap shackle to replace the regular D shackle and bronze swivel shackle on the haylard now. It will be 2-3 inches less than the combination of the others.
Also thinking that hoisting it the extra couple of inches will create some problems tacking in light air. Tacking in light air on Friday night, I did notice that the 2nd batten hung on the backstay. It was easy to get off: loosen the backstay adjuster and shake the backstay, then re-tension it.
I have yet to play around with reefing. Want to practice this on the dock without much wind. Don't know if the existing reefing hook will work. The sail does have a shallow single reef point. Don't think this will be a problem as with the new backstay adjuster, and loose foot, I can flatten the sail effectively. Need to figure out how to put in a flattening reef; will the exiting reef cheek block work for that? It would be nice to rig up single line reefing.
Coming in after a day of sailing is a real effort; you drop the sail, and it falls out of the main track, and flops around uncontrollably. Would be impossible single handing in a blow. On Saturday, the three of us coraled it into the cabin (ouch, with that nice crinkly sail!). We tried for a bit to flake it on the boom at the dock. Didn't like how we were putting creases in it, so we rolled it and put in in the sausage bag that came with it. The sausage bag fits in the starboard lazerette, but the sail sticks out into the cabin. Rolling it is the way but can't be done by yourself. I have watched Ross on Gruntled (a C&C 29) with a bolt rope main. His crew disconnects the tack and clew, folds it at the 2nd batten, them rolls it starting at this 2nd batten. They also sail tie it to the main and put the sail cover over it. I talked to him, and he sail he will not use his bolt rope main single handing.
This morning I talked with Tal (he works for Performance Sails), and he agreed that a bolt rope main is a BAD IDEA for single handing. However, he did say that converting it to slugs would be fairly inexpensive using the plastic slugs. A sailmaker would have to install grommets up my luff to accomodate these.
So it looks like I made a mistake in buying a bolt rope main; that is one disadvantage to buying your sails in the states. I did send him an email asking for suggestions.
I read online that some single handers with bolt ropes, throw in a reef before dousing, and use the pouch created by the reefed sail material to flake the sail. Hmmm, worth a try. Also read about a J/24 guy (single hand a J/24?) who attaches shock chord to his whisker pole, then puts the bolt rope sail between the pole and shock chord, and rolls it up that, and stores the sail rolled on the whisker pole on the boom. This might work, as the one end of my whisker pole is a spike.
I will play around with it for the next couple of weeks before haulout, and decide if I should convert it to slugs in the off season.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
2011.08.17 Whitby Frostbite Series races 1&2
John and his business partner Mark from Salt Spring Island in B.C. crewed with me. The guys did great, we improved with each tack. John did the helming duties.
Wind was betwen 5 and 8 knots from the East, but waves were 2-3 ft, so it was very difficult to set a sail to go upwind. Because of the light displacement of Still Time, she does not typically do well in these conditions. She rides the waves, and looses all her speed as the sail does not set, and crashes into the waves. On a port tack, we could only muster 2.5 knots of boat speed. The new sail definately made a difference, as it did NOT flap in the wind/waves like the old main would have.
One start, as there were only 12 boats on the water (5 in our whitesail class).
Our starts were fairly good, John thought is was KEWL to be in the thick of all the boats at the start.
Mark did really well also, he has sailed dingies, and done a 5 day offshore intermediate cruising course. The funniest moment was after we rounded the windward mark, water started coming up through the cockpit scrubbers (about 2" of it). Mark has this panicked looked on his face, "Why is there water coming into the cockpit?" I calmly answered "Thank is a good question", and went off to tweak something forward. The look on his face was priceless! I came back to him in a little bit and explained that the bilge pump had kicked in, and it empties into the cockput scrubber lines.
We finished last in both races, about 15 mintues are the next closest boat.
Results are now posted, and we did not catch anyone on handicap:
http://www.wyc.ca/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=88
Trip Odometer: 13.57 miles
Moving Avg: 3.7 kntos
Moving Time: 03:41:21
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110917.kmz
Wind was betwen 5 and 8 knots from the East, but waves were 2-3 ft, so it was very difficult to set a sail to go upwind. Because of the light displacement of Still Time, she does not typically do well in these conditions. She rides the waves, and looses all her speed as the sail does not set, and crashes into the waves. On a port tack, we could only muster 2.5 knots of boat speed. The new sail definately made a difference, as it did NOT flap in the wind/waves like the old main would have.
One start, as there were only 12 boats on the water (5 in our whitesail class).
Our starts were fairly good, John thought is was KEWL to be in the thick of all the boats at the start.
Mark did really well also, he has sailed dingies, and done a 5 day offshore intermediate cruising course. The funniest moment was after we rounded the windward mark, water started coming up through the cockpit scrubbers (about 2" of it). Mark has this panicked looked on his face, "Why is there water coming into the cockpit?" I calmly answered "Thank is a good question", and went off to tweak something forward. The look on his face was priceless! I came back to him in a little bit and explained that the bilge pump had kicked in, and it empties into the cockput scrubber lines.
We finished last in both races, about 15 mintues are the next closest boat.
Results are now posted, and we did not catch anyone on handicap:
http://www.wyc.ca/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=88
Trip Odometer: 13.57 miles
Moving Avg: 3.7 kntos
Moving Time: 03:41:21
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110917.kmz
2011.09.16 First Sail with new Sails
Rita and I (and Bogart) went out for a short sail with the new sails. Not much wind, maybe 5 or 6 knots from the North. Got the boat going well between 4 and 5 knots.
New main has a much bigger roach, holds its shape well. It was hard to hoist all the way. Thing I might have to change the snap shackle on the halyard. Had to lowever the boom to get it to fit. The bolt rope luff is hard to hoist and douse. Will be very difficult to do single handed and/or in a blow. Maybe I should have got slugs instead of bolt rope.
Trip Odometer: 3.23 miles
Moving Avg: 3.2 knots
Moving Time: 01:01:31
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110916.kmz
New main has a much bigger roach, holds its shape well. It was hard to hoist all the way. Thing I might have to change the snap shackle on the halyard. Had to lowever the boom to get it to fit. The bolt rope luff is hard to hoist and douse. Will be very difficult to do single handed and/or in a blow. Maybe I should have got slugs instead of bolt rope.
Trip Odometer: 3.23 miles
Moving Avg: 3.2 knots
Moving Time: 01:01:31
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110916.kmz
Friday, September 16, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
2011.09.14 Whitby Single Handed
First night of Wednesday night single handed; only three boats turned out.
6pm start, winds from south, 10 knots with gusts to 16 knots. Wind was to swing to the west. Reef main and #1.
Had a not great start, but with the other two. Autohelm quit before the start; you can hear the motor work, but doesn't go in or out, so a belt must have slipped off.
Had the boat moving well upwind, close to 5 knots, Thought about shaking the reef out on the downwind legs, but was doing close to 6 knots most of the time.
Had the starboard winch jam again on the final leg; sorry I gave Rita a hard time on Sunday. On this tack, you have to pull up on the sheet to keep it from jamming!
As I was approaching the finish, there was a fishing boat that went between me and the finishing mark 9 (about three boat lengths). I had to delay my tack to the finsh to avoid him. Friggin Ignorant asshole! I made sure I let him know it!
Finished last, but 10 minutes behind the Express 30.
After the race, it was starting to rain, and wind had swung around from the North at 25+ knots (squall gusts). Since the autohelm had stopped working, it was VERY difficult to get the #1 down. Kept on rounding up. Hove to and go the genoa down and bungied to the deck. Race back as fast as I could under main and motor. Max speed registered on the GPS was 8.7 knots!
Got in back before the rain came, and got the main away, and tried to fold the #1 on the dock, but the wind kept pushing into the water. I quickly folded it as best I could, and took it to the pub in the clubhouse. Dale and I folded it properly later upstairs.
Trip Odometer: 8.7 miles
Moving Avg: 4.5 knots
Moving Time: 01:55:04
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110914.kmz
6pm start, winds from south, 10 knots with gusts to 16 knots. Wind was to swing to the west. Reef main and #1.
Had a not great start, but with the other two. Autohelm quit before the start; you can hear the motor work, but doesn't go in or out, so a belt must have slipped off.
Had the boat moving well upwind, close to 5 knots, Thought about shaking the reef out on the downwind legs, but was doing close to 6 knots most of the time.
Had the starboard winch jam again on the final leg; sorry I gave Rita a hard time on Sunday. On this tack, you have to pull up on the sheet to keep it from jamming!
As I was approaching the finish, there was a fishing boat that went between me and the finishing mark 9 (about three boat lengths). I had to delay my tack to the finsh to avoid him. Friggin Ignorant asshole! I made sure I let him know it!
Finished last, but 10 minutes behind the Express 30.
After the race, it was starting to rain, and wind had swung around from the North at 25+ knots (squall gusts). Since the autohelm had stopped working, it was VERY difficult to get the #1 down. Kept on rounding up. Hove to and go the genoa down and bungied to the deck. Race back as fast as I could under main and motor. Max speed registered on the GPS was 8.7 knots!
Got in back before the rain came, and got the main away, and tried to fold the #1 on the dock, but the wind kept pushing into the water. I quickly folded it as best I could, and took it to the pub in the clubhouse. Dale and I folded it properly later upstairs.
Trip Odometer: 8.7 miles
Moving Avg: 4.5 knots
Moving Time: 01:55:04
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110914.kmz
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
New Sails
New main and Heavy #1 being FEDEXed 2 day AM.
Pickup in Niagara Falls NY Friday mourning.
Backstay adjuster and masthead spinnaker crane from Catalina Direct cleared customs in MrSauga, should see them tomorrow.
Pickup in Niagara Falls NY Friday mourning.
Backstay adjuster and masthead spinnaker crane from Catalina Direct cleared customs in MrSauga, should see them tomorrow.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
2011.09.11 Whitby 911 Disaster
Medium distance race to Ajax weather buoy (4.3 miles off shore). Rita crewed with me. Winds were from E 7 knots, so it would be a reach there and back with full sail. This was teh final race that counts to the overall for the year.
Only one start, so all the boats piled up on the starboard side of the start line on a starboard tack. Rita did not like the traffic, so we tried to do a starboard middle line start, and duck the boats coming accross the mark. There was so much traffic, that we had to tack to port. Not much speed pounding into the waves. It was 5 or 6 minutes before we crossed the line that was setup at mark #3.
After the traffic cleared, I went to check the upper tell tales to check the car positions, a one of the hanks was not put in! I was pissed at myself, as we had done a bunch of sailing before the start, and should have checked that! We luffed up, dropped the #1 partially to get the hank hooked up and re-hoisted. Our tack after this was slow, could not get the headsail in fast enough. Last around the first mark (mark 9). Even Gruntled (the committe boat that started 10 minutes after us) got the first mark before us!
As we tacked around mark 9, we got the jib sheet crossed in the winch, and could not get the jib in at all. It took a little while to get that jam uncleared, as Gruntled went past us.
I was frustrated, Rita went below for a nap. I got the boat going on a beam/close reach at around 4.5 knots the entire time to the Ajax weather buoy. There was just enough wind to overcome the 1-2 ft waves.
We were last to the buoy, but were slowing gaining on Bananas, a C&C 29 MK1.
We finishied the race just behind Bananas, and continued sailing into the channel.
Rita and I had a "chapter 7" when I went to tack near the channel wall, and she let the jib sheet fly!
Trip Odometer: 14.73 miles
Moving Avg: 3.9 knots
Moving Time: 03:43:09
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110911.kmz
BTW, the entire moring and afternoon, there were search and rescue planes/helicopters/boats, even a couple of Hurcules buzzing around low. We heard on the radio that there is a missing person in the water somewhere between Toronto Island and Oshawa.
Only one start, so all the boats piled up on the starboard side of the start line on a starboard tack. Rita did not like the traffic, so we tried to do a starboard middle line start, and duck the boats coming accross the mark. There was so much traffic, that we had to tack to port. Not much speed pounding into the waves. It was 5 or 6 minutes before we crossed the line that was setup at mark #3.
After the traffic cleared, I went to check the upper tell tales to check the car positions, a one of the hanks was not put in! I was pissed at myself, as we had done a bunch of sailing before the start, and should have checked that! We luffed up, dropped the #1 partially to get the hank hooked up and re-hoisted. Our tack after this was slow, could not get the headsail in fast enough. Last around the first mark (mark 9). Even Gruntled (the committe boat that started 10 minutes after us) got the first mark before us!
As we tacked around mark 9, we got the jib sheet crossed in the winch, and could not get the jib in at all. It took a little while to get that jam uncleared, as Gruntled went past us.
I was frustrated, Rita went below for a nap. I got the boat going on a beam/close reach at around 4.5 knots the entire time to the Ajax weather buoy. There was just enough wind to overcome the 1-2 ft waves.
We were last to the buoy, but were slowing gaining on Bananas, a C&C 29 MK1.
We finishied the race just behind Bananas, and continued sailing into the channel.
Rita and I had a "chapter 7" when I went to tack near the channel wall, and she let the jib sheet fly!
Trip Odometer: 14.73 miles
Moving Avg: 3.9 knots
Moving Time: 03:43:09
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110911.kmz
BTW, the entire moring and afternoon, there were search and rescue planes/helicopters/boats, even a couple of Hurcules buzzing around low. We heard on the radio that there is a missing person in the water somewhere between Toronto Island and Oshawa.
2011.09.10 Whitby Fall Regatta
Whitby Fall regatta, three races to finish off the last series, and another makeup race. NE 8 knot breeze, full sail. By the time we got out there, the wind had swung to the east.
My brother Doug and Rita crewed with me. Doug had never been on a sailboat, but I was sure he would do fine.
We had a bad start; we were slighly behind the pack to stay out of traffic, and as we turned to a starboard tack to cross the line, we had to duck several boats from the next start. It was so bad, we had to tack to avoid them!
We had the boat moving well, finished last about 5 minutes behind everyone else.
Tanker Jones has some transmission problems, so the race committe took out the work boat. During the race, the boat was being hit by waves over the transom. By the end of the race, they were worried she would sink, so they called off any more races.
The three of us sailed to Frenchman's Bay, went in to check it out, and headed back for the BBQ.
What a great day for sailing.
Trip Odometer: 27.99 miles
Moving Avg: 4.4 knots
Moving Time: 06:23:59
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110910.kmz
My brother Doug and Rita crewed with me. Doug had never been on a sailboat, but I was sure he would do fine.
We had a bad start; we were slighly behind the pack to stay out of traffic, and as we turned to a starboard tack to cross the line, we had to duck several boats from the next start. It was so bad, we had to tack to avoid them!
We had the boat moving well, finished last about 5 minutes behind everyone else.
Tanker Jones has some transmission problems, so the race committe took out the work boat. During the race, the boat was being hit by waves over the transom. By the end of the race, they were worried she would sink, so they called off any more races.
The three of us sailed to Frenchman's Bay, went in to check it out, and headed back for the BBQ.
What a great day for sailing.
Trip Odometer: 27.99 miles
Moving Avg: 4.4 knots
Moving Time: 06:23:59
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110910.kmz
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
2011.09.07 Whitby Race Night
John crewed with me. Winds forcast to be 8 knots from the NE, with gust to 17. Course was 8 short, as per forecast. Full main, and #1.
Tried to have a good start, but coming back to the line on a port tack, we had to avoid MANY boats from the other fleet (Grrrrr!), and crossed the line about three minutes late. Lots of waves, but lots of wind. We kept the boat moving over 5 knots. John did really well on the helm. We rounded up twice on the puffs, and unfortunately did some 360s. It was a good learning experence for John on the helm. Each time it happened was when he was distracted in a gust letting off the mainsheet.
Winds were picking up, and for the last leg, I quickly threw a reef in the main to keep the boat from being completely overpowered.
I think we last in division accross the line, but we did have a good race.
After the race, the winds further built, and we were rounding up all over the place, so we hove to, and dropped the genoa, then the main a little after.
Trip Odometer: 10.13
Moving Avg: 5.1
Moving Time: 02:19:32
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110907.kmz
Tried to have a good start, but coming back to the line on a port tack, we had to avoid MANY boats from the other fleet (Grrrrr!), and crossed the line about three minutes late. Lots of waves, but lots of wind. We kept the boat moving over 5 knots. John did really well on the helm. We rounded up twice on the puffs, and unfortunately did some 360s. It was a good learning experence for John on the helm. Each time it happened was when he was distracted in a gust letting off the mainsheet.
Winds were picking up, and for the last leg, I quickly threw a reef in the main to keep the boat from being completely overpowered.
I think we last in division accross the line, but we did have a good race.
After the race, the winds further built, and we were rounding up all over the place, so we hove to, and dropped the genoa, then the main a little after.
Trip Odometer: 10.13
Moving Avg: 5.1
Moving Time: 02:19:32
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110907.kmz
Monday, September 5, 2011
2011.09.04 Jack Layton Memorial
Skippers meeting at 10am, 7 boats, wind from the North 12 knots with gusts to 20. Reach to Moore Point (just off Pickering Nuclear plant) and back, no spinnakers. Got to the boat, put a reef in the main, and put the 110 jib on deck.
Went to start the motor, and there was only a little gas in the tank. I had left the vent open on the tank, so I guess the 1/4 that was in there had evaporated off. Would not have enough gas to make it to the start line, so I went over to the marina and got some gas. This delayed the start by 10 for everyone (sorry!)
Not enough sail with the 110 jib, so I dropped it before the start in place of the #1. Much better.
Had a good start, right on the tails of the two Viking 28s. Had the boat clost to hull speed (6 knots) the entire time, until the wind dropped closed to the westward mark. I shook the reef out before rounding. The boat was overpowered sometimes, and wanted to round up, but a quick ease on the mainsheet kept the boat on its feet and FAST.
Getting back toward Whitby and the finish, with winds were puffy and shifting in direction 45 degrees. Had to keep on my toes. Really need to replace the genoa tell tails, as the lower ones are sticking.
I finished about 10 minutes behind the rest of the fleet.
Placed 3rd in corrected time:
http://wyc.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=250&Itemid=212
Trip Odometer: 14.95 miles
Moving Avg: 5.1 knots
Moving Time: 02:56:38
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110905.kmz
After I dropped my sails going in the channel, a seagull pooped on my new sail! BASTARD!
Went to start the motor, and there was only a little gas in the tank. I had left the vent open on the tank, so I guess the 1/4 that was in there had evaporated off. Would not have enough gas to make it to the start line, so I went over to the marina and got some gas. This delayed the start by 10 for everyone (sorry!)
Not enough sail with the 110 jib, so I dropped it before the start in place of the #1. Much better.
Had a good start, right on the tails of the two Viking 28s. Had the boat clost to hull speed (6 knots) the entire time, until the wind dropped closed to the westward mark. I shook the reef out before rounding. The boat was overpowered sometimes, and wanted to round up, but a quick ease on the mainsheet kept the boat on its feet and FAST.
Getting back toward Whitby and the finish, with winds were puffy and shifting in direction 45 degrees. Had to keep on my toes. Really need to replace the genoa tell tails, as the lower ones are sticking.
I finished about 10 minutes behind the rest of the fleet.
Placed 3rd in corrected time:
http://wyc.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=250&Itemid=212
Trip Odometer: 14.95 miles
Moving Avg: 5.1 knots
Moving Time: 02:56:38
Google Earth track: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/20110905.kmz
After I dropped my sails going in the channel, a seagull pooped on my new sail! BASTARD!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Moved to another slip
I have been rubbing bottom getting in and out of my slip. Last Wednesday was particularly bad: had to gun the motor and John heel the boat over!
Moved further down pier 8, on the other side
Moved further down pier 8, on the other side
 |
| Keel through the sand (click to enlarge) |
Friday, September 2, 2011
2011.08.31 Whitby Race Night
After a busy, stressful day at work, traffic was TERRIBLE coming from Pickering, didn't get to the boat until 6pm. John came with his son Eric. I think he is 10, and was soo excited to come out. I forgot my GPS in the car, but it was too late to head back to get it.
Winds were forcast at 8 knots with gust to 14 from the SE. It had been like this all day, so there would be some lumpy waves out there. Full main and genoa; boat powered up nicely.
I got John on the helm, something I want him to do more often. At the start line, Eric had to go pee, BUT, Still Time does not have a head, so he had to go overboard. He didn't want to pee near all the boats, so we went away from the fleet. By the we got back to the start line, we had missed our start, and were starting with the bigger boats.
We had a great race, however, after the first leg, Eric was not feeling to well in the lumpy seas, and fed the fish. Poor guy, hope we didn't scare him away from sailing. We came in last in our fleet, not too far behind the next boat. There were still three boats behind us from the bigger fleet.
http://www.wyc.ca/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=81
We got stuck getting into our slip, had to gun the motor while John heeled the boat over. Going to have move to another slip this weekend.
No GPS, so no track
Winds were forcast at 8 knots with gust to 14 from the SE. It had been like this all day, so there would be some lumpy waves out there. Full main and genoa; boat powered up nicely.
I got John on the helm, something I want him to do more often. At the start line, Eric had to go pee, BUT, Still Time does not have a head, so he had to go overboard. He didn't want to pee near all the boats, so we went away from the fleet. By the we got back to the start line, we had missed our start, and were starting with the bigger boats.
We had a great race, however, after the first leg, Eric was not feeling to well in the lumpy seas, and fed the fish. Poor guy, hope we didn't scare him away from sailing. We came in last in our fleet, not too far behind the next boat. There were still three boats behind us from the bigger fleet.
http://www.wyc.ca/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=81
We got stuck getting into our slip, had to gun the motor while John heeled the boat over. Going to have move to another slip this weekend.
No GPS, so no track
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