Labour Day Weekend is the traditional time for the KSC Open Regatta. Albacores and Lasers from across the globe (well, us and NSC) convene to battle for suppremecy.
Saturday Light to very light winds.
Race 1: We arrived at the club late, and had some issues rigging the boat. Primary that the boom was too long for the sail, and the outhaul couldn't be attached properly. We did a poor jib jury-rigging it but it definitely affected our sail shape. There was a bit of wind, but not tonnes.
We started in the middle of the pack, and took the starboard tack. One by one the other boats started tacking, and we aimed to keep in the pack. Due to crew limitations, the tacks were not executed efficiently, and between that and a slow boat we soon gave way. Finished last of the Albacores, but we beat the Lasers.
Unfortunately, my crew wasn't feeling very well. I took her up to the cottage, and didn't race in races 2-4 (which apparently had more wind...)
Sunday: Light to very light winds
Single handed today. I made some repairs ashore -- added a line to extend the outhaul, rigged the main properly, used tap to fix a few holes in the mainsail, etc. Also, carrying a whisker pole today.
Race 5 - A bad tack just as the race was starting meant that I was near the back of the pack, fighting with Ken for 2nd-last place. Ken had more boat speed than I did on the upwind, but started later and I rounded the windward mark first.
I made a mistake here -- I mistook a lull for a wind shift, and set the whisker pole for wing-on-wing. After a few minutes I realized my mistake, and moved the jib back to a reaching position. Ken made up several boat lengths, and had mark room at the gybe mark
On the second reach we played leapfrog. The wind was almost directly behind us, and it came down to whom could read the shift first to get the sails on the correct side of the boat. Ken happened to be in front when we rounded and the race was called FOC.
Race 6 - a storm blew through between race 5 and 6, and the course shifted 90+ degrees. This was FUN. I actually had to hike... Then the wind died before the next race :(
Again, a bad start. The "upwind" leg was actually a close-hauled leg on port, and the "reaching" leg was oscillating between a starboard reach and dead-upwind. The wind died, but I went to the port side "top" of the course as I saw air there. I made up some distance from my bad start, but didn't catch Ken and Corinne.
Lessons learned: Rig the boat up WELL beforehand, to make time for repairs. Stay very close to the line in very light airs.
Showing posts with label racing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label racing. Show all posts
Wednesday, 9 September 2015
Tuesday, 1 September 2015
Log - Aug 31, 2015 - Race night sucks
After last week's success, I was enthused for the final race night of the summer series. But it was not to be...
Forecast: Wind from NE 10 knots around 5:00pm, dropping to about 5 knots by 8:00
Observed: Wind from N around 7 knots, dropping to 5 by the time the race started at 6:30 and 3 by 7:00
First of all, I wasn't feeling too confident in my boat. The traveller was a bit stretchy, the daggerboard was as smooth as 40 grit sandpaper painted over with a clogged brush, and the cunningham was incorrectly adjusted and didn't actually pull on the luff at all. But that's okay, right? I'll just win the race through tactics! Don't take 259.
There was some air at the start, and everyone was having a good time messing around in the boats. Mike T and Steve H were having fun covering each other and forcing each other around the middle of the line. I thought I could take advantage of their distraction, and went to the boat end.
The start whistle goes, and I'm definitely the first to start... wait... what's that? A second whistle? And why is RC holding up the individual recall flag? SHIT!
I bear off to go back down beneath the line. Oh no! Ken S is there, with right of way. SHIT! I turn back up, tack, bear off around the committee boat, and finally start. Everyone else is ahead by 10 boat lengths.
On the first upwind leg, most people seemed to be going right. I took a chance, and went left. Given the wind, right might have been slightly faster, but I'd never "catch up" with them by following, and figured if I go left, catch a lucky break and get a localized puff then I'm back in the race. Remember my post on not taking risks? Well, I didn't follow my own advice. I'm now 20+ boat lengths behind rounding the first mark.
It didn't get any better. I kept taking risks, justifying to myself that "I had to do something to get back into the race" and they never paid off. Race night sucks.
Steve won, followed by Ken E. I'm not sure where Carla, Ken S and Mike T finished. Tony and Rob were behind me in the H16, but I still feel like it was my worst performance of the year.
Forecast: Wind from NE 10 knots around 5:00pm, dropping to about 5 knots by 8:00
Observed: Wind from N around 7 knots, dropping to 5 by the time the race started at 6:30 and 3 by 7:00
First of all, I wasn't feeling too confident in my boat. The traveller was a bit stretchy, the daggerboard was as smooth as 40 grit sandpaper painted over with a clogged brush, and the cunningham was incorrectly adjusted and didn't actually pull on the luff at all. But that's okay, right? I'll just win the race through tactics! Don't take 259.
There was some air at the start, and everyone was having a good time messing around in the boats. Mike T and Steve H were having fun covering each other and forcing each other around the middle of the line. I thought I could take advantage of their distraction, and went to the boat end.
The start whistle goes, and I'm definitely the first to start... wait... what's that? A second whistle? And why is RC holding up the individual recall flag? SHIT!
I bear off to go back down beneath the line. Oh no! Ken S is there, with right of way. SHIT! I turn back up, tack, bear off around the committee boat, and finally start. Everyone else is ahead by 10 boat lengths.
On the first upwind leg, most people seemed to be going right. I took a chance, and went left. Given the wind, right might have been slightly faster, but I'd never "catch up" with them by following, and figured if I go left, catch a lucky break and get a localized puff then I'm back in the race. Remember my post on not taking risks? Well, I didn't follow my own advice. I'm now 20+ boat lengths behind rounding the first mark.
It didn't get any better. I kept taking risks, justifying to myself that "I had to do something to get back into the race" and they never paid off. Race night sucks.
Steve won, followed by Ken E. I'm not sure where Carla, Ken S and Mike T finished. Tony and Rob were behind me in the H16, but I still feel like it was my worst performance of the year.
Tuesday, 25 August 2015
Log - Aug 24, 2015 - Race night and sailing with boom past 90
It's been a while since I took out a Laser, mostly because I've been catarmaraning (is that a word?) the past month or so. Then the commodore of the club sent me a picture he had taken earlier this year of me in the old trusty single-hander... and all I could see were mistakes I was making
So, I decided to work on those.
Forecast: Light to Moderate winds, anywhere between 6 and 12 knots from SW
Observed: Very Light to Light winds, from WSW
Focus: I wanted to focus on getting the controls set correctly. This would help me keep the boat flat, and reduce weather helm. Everything else flows from there.
Pre-Race:
It was single-hander night at KSC, apparently. Carla was in a Byte CII, Mike R and Ken E (and myself) in Lasers. Before the race, I was trying to get a hang on roll-tacks in the very light winds. I actually dry-dunked in about 4 knots trying to see how far I could heel the thing, but fortunately nobody saw it (or were too polite to say anything...)
Tony and Annie were in a H16, but the winds were light enough that they were not a factor. Mike T was running RC with a nice short course (about 20 minutes per race with 6 legs- I pity the cat). Also on the course, Hannah, Emily and Heidi in Optis! Another post on that later...
Before the race I had resolved to crank on the vang much more, and keep just enough curve in the outhaul to shape the sail. I figured too tight (especially for the vang) was better than too loose, even though I do prefer a bit looser controls in very light air to keep the power up. I also knew that tight controls would let me get the most out of any roll tacks I could pull off cleanly.
First Race:
I had a good start, with Mike and Carla to my port side (and behind!), and Ken to starboard. I didn't have a good view of the mark prior to starting, so I didn't realize how much boat end was favoured. Ken an I approached the mark on opposite tacks, and I had to bear off to duck him, as he had right of way. I tacked right behind him, and Carla tacked within a couple inches of me. I was able to put some distance between Carla and myself before rounding in second a few boat length behind Ken.
Ken was ridiculously good at defending and keeping his boat flat. There was no passing him on either of the reaching legs, and he caught a couple of good gusts. He was still a good two boat lengths ahead at the leeward mark. Upwind, I was able to use roll tacks to play the shifts a bit better, and made up some distance. We were both coming onto the windward mark on port, and I had to make a move. I thought a header might be coming so I tacked early just as the shift hit and I was on the layline. Ken waited a few more seconds before tacking, and was too far "up" the coarse. This let me get inside him at the mark, and I was able to round first. Downwind was nothing to write home about in the very light air (Ken was lighter, but I was able to heel more, reduce my wetted area and get more of the sail in the air, so we were about the same speed). I blew the gybe and rounding the leeward mark, but had enough of a lead that Ken wasn't able to capitalize on it. Me 1st, Ken 2nd, Carla 3rd, Mike 4th, Tony and Annie 5th.
Second Race: Everyone seemed to have a bad start. It seemed everyone was tacking back and forth looking for air, and that was okay with me (I was starting to get the hang of the roll tacks). Again, it came down to Ken and I in the lead. This time I was able to get inside him at the 1st windward mark, and rounded 1st. From there, it was a matter of defending. I put about about a half of a boat between Ken and I for each of the reaching legs and again upwind. Downwind, I got lucky, and caught a gust that no one else did. The wind was really dying at this point, and I had a trick up my sleeve.
This is something else I've read about but have not been able to do successfully. It's used when there is not enough wind to hold the boom out. I let (or push) the sail out past 90 degrees (not as much as the diagram, but that's just an exaggeration), and heel the boat. Because the boom is up in the air, it wants to fall down, but because the boom is in front of the mast the mainsheet holds it in place. This keeps the boom on the correct side of the boat, keeps the sail area high up in the air, and moves the centre-of-effort on the sail closer to the centreline of the boat (meaning less rudder has to be used.) You can steer pretty effectively just be heeling more or less (more heel = bear off, less = head up).
The bad thing about this technique is that any lateral forces on the sail either hit the front of the sail, slowing you down, or add to the heeling force, possibly putting you in the water. If the wind picks up, or the direction becomes shifty, you're better to sheet in lest you get into a death-roll situation.
The technique seemed to work, at least last night. I was able to put several boat lengths between Ken (who was sailing his boat flat) and I, and rounded the leeward mark with tons of time to spare. Another bullet! Actually, placement for everyone was the same.
Forecast: Light to Moderate winds, anywhere between 6 and 12 knots from SW
Observed: Very Light to Light winds, from WSW
Focus: I wanted to focus on getting the controls set correctly. This would help me keep the boat flat, and reduce weather helm. Everything else flows from there.
Pre-Race:
It was single-hander night at KSC, apparently. Carla was in a Byte CII, Mike R and Ken E (and myself) in Lasers. Before the race, I was trying to get a hang on roll-tacks in the very light winds. I actually dry-dunked in about 4 knots trying to see how far I could heel the thing, but fortunately nobody saw it (or were too polite to say anything...)
Tony and Annie were in a H16, but the winds were light enough that they were not a factor. Mike T was running RC with a nice short course (about 20 minutes per race with 6 legs- I pity the cat). Also on the course, Hannah, Emily and Heidi in Optis! Another post on that later...
Before the race I had resolved to crank on the vang much more, and keep just enough curve in the outhaul to shape the sail. I figured too tight (especially for the vang) was better than too loose, even though I do prefer a bit looser controls in very light air to keep the power up. I also knew that tight controls would let me get the most out of any roll tacks I could pull off cleanly.
First Race:
I had a good start, with Mike and Carla to my port side (and behind!), and Ken to starboard. I didn't have a good view of the mark prior to starting, so I didn't realize how much boat end was favoured. Ken an I approached the mark on opposite tacks, and I had to bear off to duck him, as he had right of way. I tacked right behind him, and Carla tacked within a couple inches of me. I was able to put some distance between Carla and myself before rounding in second a few boat length behind Ken.
Ken was ridiculously good at defending and keeping his boat flat. There was no passing him on either of the reaching legs, and he caught a couple of good gusts. He was still a good two boat lengths ahead at the leeward mark. Upwind, I was able to use roll tacks to play the shifts a bit better, and made up some distance. We were both coming onto the windward mark on port, and I had to make a move. I thought a header might be coming so I tacked early just as the shift hit and I was on the layline. Ken waited a few more seconds before tacking, and was too far "up" the coarse. This let me get inside him at the mark, and I was able to round first. Downwind was nothing to write home about in the very light air (Ken was lighter, but I was able to heel more, reduce my wetted area and get more of the sail in the air, so we were about the same speed). I blew the gybe and rounding the leeward mark, but had enough of a lead that Ken wasn't able to capitalize on it. Me 1st, Ken 2nd, Carla 3rd, Mike 4th, Tony and Annie 5th.
Second Race: Everyone seemed to have a bad start. It seemed everyone was tacking back and forth looking for air, and that was okay with me (I was starting to get the hang of the roll tacks). Again, it came down to Ken and I in the lead. This time I was able to get inside him at the 1st windward mark, and rounded 1st. From there, it was a matter of defending. I put about about a half of a boat between Ken and I for each of the reaching legs and again upwind. Downwind, I got lucky, and caught a gust that no one else did. The wind was really dying at this point, and I had a trick up my sleeve.
The bad thing about this technique is that any lateral forces on the sail either hit the front of the sail, slowing you down, or add to the heeling force, possibly putting you in the water. If the wind picks up, or the direction becomes shifty, you're better to sheet in lest you get into a death-roll situation.
The technique seemed to work, at least last night. I was able to put several boat lengths between Ken (who was sailing his boat flat) and I, and rounded the leeward mark with tons of time to spare. Another bullet! Actually, placement for everyone was the same.
Monday, 10 August 2015
Log - Crewing Viper 640 at NCR, Aug 8-9, 2015
KSC's commodore (Mike) owns a share in a Viper 640 based at nearby NSC. He asked me (and KSC's head instructor, Emily) to crew for him in the National Capital Regatta at BYC this year. Oh, hell yes!
About the boat
The Viper 640 is a sportboat, 21 feet long plus a retractable spinnaker pole. It's 750lbs, including the 250lb bulb at the bottom of the retractable keel. It is typically raced with three people. I've never sailed this thing before, and I think that Emily had limited experience on it too, so it was going to be interesting to race.
Pre race and learning to sail this thing
Forecast called for very light airs.
Launching took about 20 minutes, and we decided to carry a motor (2.3HP) to get to the race course on time. Once reaching the race course, it was apparent that the RC wasn't going to start races any time soon, so we spent the time beating and getting familiar with each other and the boat (especially downwind). The thing was nicely rounded from the deck to the gunwale, making it much more comfortable than an Albacore, and more like a Tasar.
Upwind, Mike helmed and took the main sheet. If conditions called for Emily and I to be on opposite sides of the boat (VERY light air), we'd take turns handling the jib. Otherwise, I'd handle the jib, and Emily would call tactics. To compensate for the 50lb motor on the back, crew was typically as forward as was practical, trying to ensure that the chine was in the water.
Downwind, Emily took the tiller. The boat is set up to both launch and retrieve the spinnaker when on port tack, but apparently can be done on starboard as well (we never tried it...). The port-side favouritism allowed us to start the hoist as we were rounding the mark, rather than wait until we're past it. Mike raised the kite while I was ready to launch the pole (pull the line hard when he says "pole") and handle the spinnaker once it was up. My eyes were fixed on the leading edge while Mike took on tactics and managed the jib during gybes. Light airs made it tricky to keep the sail full, but it wasn't too bad.
Gybing the kite took a few tries to nail cleanly. Skipper would call for gybe, and crew would have to grab the opposite sheet, run across the boat and sheet in hand over hand as fast as humanly possible. Mike would uncleat and handle the jib as I had my hands full. Dousing was where I was glad I wore gloves. I'd uncleat the halyard, and Mike doused, while I guided the halyard through the block so it didn't get cleated accidentally. Burning leather smell as the line runs through my gloves! Once he calls "pole" I uncleat the pole extension line, and get on the jib.
First Race
We had a bad start, and ended up in slow, dirty air, with (what we later discovered later) were non-optimal sail controls. Particularly frustrating was the downwind -- the other boats could point a lot farther down than we could while keeping the kite full. Hmm. Based on a shortened course, we weren't sure where the finish line was, and had to pull a 360 and sail though an incoming Y-Flyer fleet to finish 4/4.
This was the one race we had on the Saturday, so back to BYC for BBQ steak and beer. Steve (Viper 211) pointed out that the spreaders looked swept too far back, and suggested using more blocks to rake the mast more.
Second Race
A bit more wind today (not much, but some...). First race we had a much better start, although the other boats still seemed to have more speed upwind. Mainsail ticklers were flowing backwards at top of sail -- some tuning definitely required (not enough twist, perhaps? Maybe less gnav and a looser leech would allow flow to attach better?) We noticed that the other boats were dropping their jib on the downwind, probably to help the kite fill better. We still were going slow on the downwind, but dropping the jib did seem to help pointing a bit. Again, confusion as to finish line location was frustrating, but didn't affect our final placement - 4/4
Third Race
Apparently we didn't sail the 3rd race. I'm 99% sure we ran 1 race Saturday and 3 Sunday, but the RC logs show 5 races total ran. I guess we missed this one? http://www.byc.ca/racing/results/NCR%202015/alpha.htm
Forth Race
After the 2nd race, Steve pointed out that we had a mainsail baton backwards on the previous downwind leg, and that our controls (especially outhaul) was way too tight. Keeping this in mind, we left the jib up (just focusing on pointing and watching the wind, and better controls). Those controls made a difference. Again, finished 4/4, but kept up with the other boats better, and at least we knew where the finish line was.
Forth Race
We started well, and we keeping up with the fleet on the first upwind. Eventually, we noticed that the other boats were footing as the wind slowed, trying to maintain boat speed. We copied this technique and it proved quite effective. On the downwind, we were now able to set the spinnaker efficiently with little communication and the timing was getting much tighter. We were now officially "in the pack" as the boat in front of us gybed to avoid our wind shadow. We were keeping up with the fleet a lot better, pointing much better and even gaining a bit now and then (before falling back). We lost some time on a sloppy douse at the leeward mark, but seemed to be doing excellent on the upwind leg (for an upwind finish on the shortened course). Placed 4/4, but it was the race of the day.
Downwind sail back to NSC was the most fun -- air picked up more and there was actually real pressure in the kite. The thing got going a real good clip. Would definitely sail again, ideally in about 10-12 knots.
Lessons learned
About the boat
The Viper 640 is a sportboat, 21 feet long plus a retractable spinnaker pole. It's 750lbs, including the 250lb bulb at the bottom of the retractable keel. It is typically raced with three people. I've never sailed this thing before, and I think that Emily had limited experience on it too, so it was going to be interesting to race.
Pre race and learning to sail this thing
Forecast called for very light airs.
Launching took about 20 minutes, and we decided to carry a motor (2.3HP) to get to the race course on time. Once reaching the race course, it was apparent that the RC wasn't going to start races any time soon, so we spent the time beating and getting familiar with each other and the boat (especially downwind). The thing was nicely rounded from the deck to the gunwale, making it much more comfortable than an Albacore, and more like a Tasar.
Upwind, Mike helmed and took the main sheet. If conditions called for Emily and I to be on opposite sides of the boat (VERY light air), we'd take turns handling the jib. Otherwise, I'd handle the jib, and Emily would call tactics. To compensate for the 50lb motor on the back, crew was typically as forward as was practical, trying to ensure that the chine was in the water.
Downwind, Emily took the tiller. The boat is set up to both launch and retrieve the spinnaker when on port tack, but apparently can be done on starboard as well (we never tried it...). The port-side favouritism allowed us to start the hoist as we were rounding the mark, rather than wait until we're past it. Mike raised the kite while I was ready to launch the pole (pull the line hard when he says "pole") and handle the spinnaker once it was up. My eyes were fixed on the leading edge while Mike took on tactics and managed the jib during gybes. Light airs made it tricky to keep the sail full, but it wasn't too bad.
Gybing the kite took a few tries to nail cleanly. Skipper would call for gybe, and crew would have to grab the opposite sheet, run across the boat and sheet in hand over hand as fast as humanly possible. Mike would uncleat and handle the jib as I had my hands full. Dousing was where I was glad I wore gloves. I'd uncleat the halyard, and Mike doused, while I guided the halyard through the block so it didn't get cleated accidentally. Burning leather smell as the line runs through my gloves! Once he calls "pole" I uncleat the pole extension line, and get on the jib.
First Race
We had a bad start, and ended up in slow, dirty air, with (what we later discovered later) were non-optimal sail controls. Particularly frustrating was the downwind -- the other boats could point a lot farther down than we could while keeping the kite full. Hmm. Based on a shortened course, we weren't sure where the finish line was, and had to pull a 360 and sail though an incoming Y-Flyer fleet to finish 4/4.
This was the one race we had on the Saturday, so back to BYC for BBQ steak and beer. Steve (Viper 211) pointed out that the spreaders looked swept too far back, and suggested using more blocks to rake the mast more.
Second Race
A bit more wind today (not much, but some...). First race we had a much better start, although the other boats still seemed to have more speed upwind. Mainsail ticklers were flowing backwards at top of sail -- some tuning definitely required (not enough twist, perhaps? Maybe less gnav and a looser leech would allow flow to attach better?) We noticed that the other boats were dropping their jib on the downwind, probably to help the kite fill better. We still were going slow on the downwind, but dropping the jib did seem to help pointing a bit. Again, confusion as to finish line location was frustrating, but didn't affect our final placement - 4/4
Third Race
Apparently we didn't sail the 3rd race. I'm 99% sure we ran 1 race Saturday and 3 Sunday, but the RC logs show 5 races total ran. I guess we missed this one? http://www.byc.ca/racing/results/NCR%202015/alpha.htm
Forth Race
After the 2nd race, Steve pointed out that we had a mainsail baton backwards on the previous downwind leg, and that our controls (especially outhaul) was way too tight. Keeping this in mind, we left the jib up (just focusing on pointing and watching the wind, and better controls). Those controls made a difference. Again, finished 4/4, but kept up with the other boats better, and at least we knew where the finish line was.
Forth Race
We started well, and we keeping up with the fleet on the first upwind. Eventually, we noticed that the other boats were footing as the wind slowed, trying to maintain boat speed. We copied this technique and it proved quite effective. On the downwind, we were now able to set the spinnaker efficiently with little communication and the timing was getting much tighter. We were now officially "in the pack" as the boat in front of us gybed to avoid our wind shadow. We were keeping up with the fleet a lot better, pointing much better and even gaining a bit now and then (before falling back). We lost some time on a sloppy douse at the leeward mark, but seemed to be doing excellent on the upwind leg (for an upwind finish on the shortened course). Placed 4/4, but it was the race of the day.
Downwind sail back to NSC was the most fun -- air picked up more and there was actually real pressure in the kite. The thing got going a real good clip. Would definitely sail again, ideally in about 10-12 knots.
Lessons learned
- BRING GLOVES!
- Watch the main sail batons, make sure they pop in light air
- Dropping the jib may help downwind a bit in light air, but proper control settings and spinnaker setting more important. Maybe practice jib lowering once the rest can be done without thinking too much. Unknown if dropping jib would help in medium or higher air.
- Controls - outhaul is huge. Especially on the downwinds. Cunninham didn't have as much an effect, and we didn't play with the gnav much. Some experimenting is definitely required, especially if the mast rake is altered as per Steve's recommendations.
- Boat seemed to accelerate better with a bit of leeward heel, but held the speed better when flat. Not knowing sportboats/keelboats, I'm under the impression that this is normal, but I may be mis-interpretting the data.
Tuesday, 4 August 2015
Log - Race Night - Aug 3, 2015
Forecast: Winds from W, ~11 gusting to 17
Observed: Quite strong initially (steady 12-15) although not particularity gusty. As the night went on, base wind slowed, but gusts continued to the mid-high teens
One of the bigger turnouts so far this year. Mike T, Ken S and I in Lasers, Ken E and Corrine (and Leopold) in an Albacore, Tony and Annie in a H16. Emily and her boyfriend Kyle were gogint to take a Tasar to do a rabbit start, but ended up doing RC instead. Course was set a bit askew, and starboard tack was favoured.
First race: Won the start convincingly, with Mike behind me and to lee, and with Ken E behind to windward in the Albacore. The Albacore unfortunately had me trapped a bit, as he was a bit faster upwind, and could point higher, meaning I couldn't tack onto port, as I'd smack into him. Eventually, he tacked, and I tacked immediately, leaving Mike and Ken S to continue along on starboard.
Rounded 1st, with the Kens behind. Was able to defend quite well while they went high on the reach, I was able to point a bit lower. Was passed by the H16 absolutely flying on the second reaching leg but it got stuck in irons as it rounded leeward mark.
Upwind went fine, although Ken S caught some lifts and caught up. I was able to ride a good gust near the leeward mark which pushed me ahead of Ken, but then the badness happened.
The traveller got stuck on the gybe. I was able to round the mark but got caught with no way to turn the boat. I fouled Ken S as he came around and we both capsized. We got up, and I sailed away a bit to do my turns. Got stuck again after the 1st tack and fouled him a second time (although he didn't capsize at that point, I did). Apparently Ken E fell out of his boat, and Mike T fouled the mark watching and laughing at us. I finished 4th behind Ken S, Mike T and Ken E (I'm not sure what order) but beat the cat.
Second race: Good start, clear of the Albacore this time. Mike T was on my tail for a bit, but I tacked and he didn't. Later on he apparently had to retire to fix his boat (he kept getting caught in the sheet as the fairlead was broken). Ken S capsized on the 1st reaching leg, and I was able to keep distance between myself and Ken E on all legs, for the win.
Third race: Bad start. I thought Mike T had it, but apparently he was OCS. Ken S, Ken E and I all started poorly, with Ken S doing the best. I was behind Ken S all through the race, when (on the downwind leg) the race was called on account of lightning. Would likely have finished 2nd behind him.
Lessons learned: Gybes were the tough part today. Work on those, especially getting traveller unstuck. I taped up the traveller a bit after I got on shore, so hopefully that works better now. Also, I could have done a better job playing the shifts.
Observed: Quite strong initially (steady 12-15) although not particularity gusty. As the night went on, base wind slowed, but gusts continued to the mid-high teens
One of the bigger turnouts so far this year. Mike T, Ken S and I in Lasers, Ken E and Corrine (and Leopold) in an Albacore, Tony and Annie in a H16. Emily and her boyfriend Kyle were gogint to take a Tasar to do a rabbit start, but ended up doing RC instead. Course was set a bit askew, and starboard tack was favoured.
First race: Won the start convincingly, with Mike behind me and to lee, and with Ken E behind to windward in the Albacore. The Albacore unfortunately had me trapped a bit, as he was a bit faster upwind, and could point higher, meaning I couldn't tack onto port, as I'd smack into him. Eventually, he tacked, and I tacked immediately, leaving Mike and Ken S to continue along on starboard.
Rounded 1st, with the Kens behind. Was able to defend quite well while they went high on the reach, I was able to point a bit lower. Was passed by the H16 absolutely flying on the second reaching leg but it got stuck in irons as it rounded leeward mark.
Upwind went fine, although Ken S caught some lifts and caught up. I was able to ride a good gust near the leeward mark which pushed me ahead of Ken, but then the badness happened.
The traveller got stuck on the gybe. I was able to round the mark but got caught with no way to turn the boat. I fouled Ken S as he came around and we both capsized. We got up, and I sailed away a bit to do my turns. Got stuck again after the 1st tack and fouled him a second time (although he didn't capsize at that point, I did). Apparently Ken E fell out of his boat, and Mike T fouled the mark watching and laughing at us. I finished 4th behind Ken S, Mike T and Ken E (I'm not sure what order) but beat the cat.
Second race: Good start, clear of the Albacore this time. Mike T was on my tail for a bit, but I tacked and he didn't. Later on he apparently had to retire to fix his boat (he kept getting caught in the sheet as the fairlead was broken). Ken S capsized on the 1st reaching leg, and I was able to keep distance between myself and Ken E on all legs, for the win.
Third race: Bad start. I thought Mike T had it, but apparently he was OCS. Ken S, Ken E and I all started poorly, with Ken S doing the best. I was behind Ken S all through the race, when (on the downwind leg) the race was called on account of lightning. Would likely have finished 2nd behind him.
Lessons learned: Gybes were the tough part today. Work on those, especially getting traveller unstuck. I taped up the traveller a bit after I got on shore, so hopefully that works better now. Also, I could have done a better job playing the shifts.
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
Log - Race night, Jun 22, 2015
Forecast: winds of 7 from S (increasing through evening to 8 or so) with gusts of up to 11
Observed: fairly light winds (4-8 knts) from W (over the ridge), shifting to coming from S (upriver) as the night went on. A few patches of better wind (8-12 knt). Wind was very shifty early on, but eventually stabilized direction. Flat water.
Game plan: Initial plan was to play the gusts. On the water, playing the shifts proved very effective at first, but once the wind stabilized focused on boat speed.
Results: first race I started 1 minute early, and had to circle back and started 4/4 place. By paying attention to the shifts (and not losing speed on my tacks) I was able to tack to take advantage of about 6-8 shifts and made up positions to round the first mark 2nd behind Ken E and Corrine C in their Albacore (we were about the same boat speed upwind, but they could point a heck of a lot better in the light air). Held position for rest of race.
Second race I had a better start and rounded upwind, gybe mark, downwind mark and upwind (again) in 1st place. Rudder downhaul broke though, and the mainsheet got tangled around boom on second downwind leg (fairlead was broken). Ken was able to get inside me at 2nd downwind mark. I should have slowed down and got inside him, but...
Anyway, Ken able to get to finish line before me for the upwind finish.
So two 2nd places. Considering the conditions, not bad, but this was a small fleet.
Lessons learned: don't sail with a broken boat. Pay attention to the shifts. Start of race sequence starts 1 minute after AP goes down, not when AP goes down.
Observed: fairly light winds (4-8 knts) from W (over the ridge), shifting to coming from S (upriver) as the night went on. A few patches of better wind (8-12 knt). Wind was very shifty early on, but eventually stabilized direction. Flat water.
Game plan: Initial plan was to play the gusts. On the water, playing the shifts proved very effective at first, but once the wind stabilized focused on boat speed.
Results: first race I started 1 minute early, and had to circle back and started 4/4 place. By paying attention to the shifts (and not losing speed on my tacks) I was able to tack to take advantage of about 6-8 shifts and made up positions to round the first mark 2nd behind Ken E and Corrine C in their Albacore (we were about the same boat speed upwind, but they could point a heck of a lot better in the light air). Held position for rest of race.
Second race I had a better start and rounded upwind, gybe mark, downwind mark and upwind (again) in 1st place. Rudder downhaul broke though, and the mainsheet got tangled around boom on second downwind leg (fairlead was broken). Ken was able to get inside me at 2nd downwind mark. I should have slowed down and got inside him, but...
Anyway, Ken able to get to finish line before me for the upwind finish.
So two 2nd places. Considering the conditions, not bad, but this was a small fleet.
Lessons learned: don't sail with a broken boat. Pay attention to the shifts. Start of race sequence starts 1 minute after AP goes down, not when AP goes down.
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
KSC Racing Meeting Minutes
Racing is a week away! In prep, some of the racers held a meeting at the club with the sailing director (Jake) and the ever-awesome Mario.
The end results of the discussion:
The end results of the discussion:
- we want sailing instructions to be a bit more formal -- closer to what you'd see at a real regatta
- we'll divide the season into 3 sets of 5 race nights -- we'll try the new instructions out, and can adjust them for the second series
- we'll "draw" boats at the skipper meeting -- no more first come, first serve
- 1st race warning time of 5:45
- we'll sail with the cats and 29ers on the same course, albeit with different starts
- for the 2nd and 3rd series, the plan is to have the cats and skiffs sail a longer windward/leeward course, but...
- scoring: now no difference between skipper and crew scoring
Friday, 22 May 2015
Club Starts
A lot of information can be found about how to start a race. An issue I was struggling with when I started racing was that most of this information isn't applicable to club racing -- it's more focused on competitive level racing where the start lines are packed with boats, all of which know exactly what they're doing.
At the club level (especially the "beer league") the racing tends to be more laid back. You have folks who just learned (or are learning) to sail, folks who have been doing it for 30 years and have 30 years of bad habits, folks who are just there to have a bit of fun before sharing a pint, folks out with their kids on the water, and occasional competitive jerk screwing it up for everyone else. The expected behaviour and etiquette in these situations is different from a "real" regatta, and the start strategies usually employed are a bit different.
The goal is the same -- you want to be across the start line (usually between some marker, like a bouy, and a flag on the committee boat) with as much speed as possible, right at the start sound. But, in my experience, the way people achieve this is a little bit processional than most of the youtube videos you'll see. You won't see people luffing their opponents or defending their position as much as in a competitive regatta. Heck, lots of people don't even form a plan to pick a favoured end of the start line!
During the start sequence, most boats will broad reach (it's fun!) on port tack and see how far away from the commitee boat the get after 30 seconds. The theory is that if you start on a starboard tack from this point 30 seconds or so before the gun, you should be at the committee end of start line with full speed right at the start of the race. 45 seconds or so before the start, a line of boats will form around this point, with each boat judging the ideal place to be. The line of boats starts heading toward the line.
About 10-20 seconds before the start, the first of the boats pass the committee boat. Each boat must judge if it's going too-fast, too-soon and may potentially have to luff to avoid overshooting the port-side mark.
As the gun goes, the boats head up to a close-hauled course and the race is underway!
In the diagram above, the blue boat is "too-fast, too-soon" and is approaching the port mark 10 seconds before the start. It has to head up, and almost stop to avoid going past. As a result, it's boat speed is very slow as it crosses the start.
The green and yellow boats do a good job. They're probably taking the lead.
The red boat has left it too late. They'll pass the start line with good speed, but probably 5 or 10 seconds behind green and yellow.
At the club level (especially the "beer league") the racing tends to be more laid back. You have folks who just learned (or are learning) to sail, folks who have been doing it for 30 years and have 30 years of bad habits, folks who are just there to have a bit of fun before sharing a pint, folks out with their kids on the water, and occasional competitive jerk screwing it up for everyone else. The expected behaviour and etiquette in these situations is different from a "real" regatta, and the start strategies usually employed are a bit different.
The goal is the same -- you want to be across the start line (usually between some marker, like a bouy, and a flag on the committee boat) with as much speed as possible, right at the start sound. But, in my experience, the way people achieve this is a little bit processional than most of the youtube videos you'll see. You won't see people luffing their opponents or defending their position as much as in a competitive regatta. Heck, lots of people don't even form a plan to pick a favoured end of the start line!
About 10-20 seconds before the start, the first of the boats pass the committee boat. Each boat must judge if it's going too-fast, too-soon and may potentially have to luff to avoid overshooting the port-side mark.
As the gun goes, the boats head up to a close-hauled course and the race is underway!
In the diagram above, the blue boat is "too-fast, too-soon" and is approaching the port mark 10 seconds before the start. It has to head up, and almost stop to avoid going past. As a result, it's boat speed is very slow as it crosses the start.
The green and yellow boats do a good job. They're probably taking the lead.
The red boat has left it too late. They'll pass the start line with good speed, but probably 5 or 10 seconds behind green and yellow.
Friday, 8 May 2015
Gusts and The Fan
Time for a post about actually sailing and (even better) sailing fast. I'll write a few sentences on the topic of gusts (which many sailors already know) and then move on to talking about the fan which is something that I kinda observed on my own, and then (when I read about it Frank Bethwaite's High Performance Sailing) was confirmed and expanded upon. But it's not something I hear folks at the club talking about, and I don't recall reading posts about it on other blogs, so I don't know how widely known the fan is.
We all know how to spot gusts, right? Look for those dark, ripply patches on the water. These patches may be blotchy, they may be in lines or columns. They move along the water. The wind in the gusts is faster than the average wind. If you're on the race course, and see multiple "dots" of fast wind, you'll notice that the boats who win will be sailing from one gust to the next, trying to "connect the dots". Their boat speed is huge compared to those who just point for the mark. Avoid those flat, mirror-like spots on the water -- those are lulls with less-than-average wind.
For a long time, I thought that's all there was to it -- gust = faster version of ambient wind. Eventually, I noticed that the gusts often have a slightly different wind direction than the ambient wind, but that's it.
The Fan
The fan is a term I read in High Performance Sailing. It describes an area of high pressure, and high wind speeds, around the perimeter of a gust, spreading out in a "fan" shape, especially in front of the gust. The wind in this fan is faster than the wind in the gust itself. In hindsight, I have often noticed that the wind feels very fast as I sail into a gust, but I always assumed that this was a trick of my perception -- it "felt" fast because I was coming in from slower air, but quickly got use to the new speed. It turns out I was wrong -- the wind actually is fastest at the transition.
You'll notice two things about the fan -- fast wind, and changing wind directions. All the wind in the fan is faster than the ambient wind, and much of it is faster than the "core" of the gust. But it's the change in direction that we want to exploit.
Consider two boats approaching a gust on a port tack. The red boat, on the left, heads for the centre of the gust. They are hit with the strong wind of the fan as they enter the gust, experience a header, and actually slow down, until they get to the normalized wind direction (where they sail faster than someone who didn't hit the gust at all).
The green boat, on the other hand, aims to skirt the gust, and ride the fan. The boat experiences a lift and can blast by the fleet (including the red boat).
The next time you're on the water, and see an approaching gust, try to feel out how big the fan is, and how much the wind changes direction in it. Feel the difference in the speed. Compare it with the wind in the centre of the gust (which is still better than the ambient wind).
One final note about the fan. The diagram shows using the fan when going upwind. Now imagine what happens when you go downwind. A boat like the Laser goes about half wind speed on a run, and much closer to wind speed on a broad reach, right? So, someone who hits a 10 knot gust on a run will be going about 5 knots (faster than the 4 knots the rest of the fleet is going). But, the boat who is right beside the gust, and trims his sail for a reach can ride the 12 knot wind of the fan at a speed closer to 9 knots -- passing the guy in the centre of the gust and waving as he does so!
Gusts
 |
| My naive view of gusts |
For a long time, I thought that's all there was to it -- gust = faster version of ambient wind. Eventually, I noticed that the gusts often have a slightly different wind direction than the ambient wind, but that's it.
The Fan
The fan is a term I read in High Performance Sailing. It describes an area of high pressure, and high wind speeds, around the perimeter of a gust, spreading out in a "fan" shape, especially in front of the gust. The wind in this fan is faster than the wind in the gust itself. In hindsight, I have often noticed that the wind feels very fast as I sail into a gust, but I always assumed that this was a trick of my perception -- it "felt" fast because I was coming in from slower air, but quickly got use to the new speed. It turns out I was wrong -- the wind actually is fastest at the transition.You'll notice two things about the fan -- fast wind, and changing wind directions. All the wind in the fan is faster than the ambient wind, and much of it is faster than the "core" of the gust. But it's the change in direction that we want to exploit.
The green boat, on the other hand, aims to skirt the gust, and ride the fan. The boat experiences a lift and can blast by the fleet (including the red boat).
The next time you're on the water, and see an approaching gust, try to feel out how big the fan is, and how much the wind changes direction in it. Feel the difference in the speed. Compare it with the wind in the centre of the gust (which is still better than the ambient wind).
One final note about the fan. The diagram shows using the fan when going upwind. Now imagine what happens when you go downwind. A boat like the Laser goes about half wind speed on a run, and much closer to wind speed on a broad reach, right? So, someone who hits a 10 knot gust on a run will be going about 5 knots (faster than the 4 knots the rest of the fleet is going). But, the boat who is right beside the gust, and trims his sail for a reach can ride the 12 knot wind of the fan at a speed closer to 9 knots -- passing the guy in the centre of the gust and waving as he does so!
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
2015 Laser Masters' Worlds, Kingston
The reason I started this blog was because I want to be a better sailor (and I tend to retain information better when I write it down).
The goal of "becoming a better sailor" is also the reason I entered the Laser Masters' Worlds in Kingston (http://kingstonlaserworlds2015.com/)
Some background: As of this writing, I've only ever raced at the club level. I'm not bad, and am usually in the top few boats of any given race, often the first of the Lasers (we race in a mixed fleet with no handicap). All this to say though, I've never competed in the nationals, provincials or even an inter-club regatta.
And I think the experience with sailing with the best at something bigger than the club will make me a better sailor overall. And besides, I'd love to have a photo on the wall that I can point to when I'm old and decrepit, saying "yep, here's me sailing at the Worlds, right beside the Olympians". I'll leave out the "old-timers' regatta" when I point to the picture...
I've also been reading some sailing blogs by other sailors. Improper Course (http://www.impropercourse.com/) and Proper Course (http://propercourse.blogspot.ca/) are my go-to pages. Applying their tips and observations moved me from the middle of the fleet to the top, and these guys sail in the Worlds.
Now as a relatively new sailor (I've only been sailing 5 years) the concept of "The World Championship" is pretty intimidating. But when I heard a few months ago that they were being held 2 hours from my house, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to apply for a berth. From what I understand, they allocate berths on a priory list. First shot goes to past champions, then come past competitors, then come those who do well on the grand prix circuit, and so on. The last priority is "anyone else who applies", which is where I fall in.
I'm not sure how many applications they received, but somehow I made the list, and was offered an entry.
So I have a lot to prepare for. Lots to learn. I know how to sail (slowly, in comparison to these guys) but I don't know the whole regatta thing. Opening ceremonies? Measurement? Multiple fleets on one course? Multiple courses? UH-OH!
On a positive note, at opening day of the club, I bumped into Mario, and was telling him about the race -- it turns out, he's on the race committee! So there will be at least once face I recognize there, to go with all the names.
[update - Proper Course had an article about preparing for the Worlds' which is setting my mind at ease]
The goal of "becoming a better sailor" is also the reason I entered the Laser Masters' Worlds in Kingston (http://kingstonlaserworlds2015.com/)
Some background: As of this writing, I've only ever raced at the club level. I'm not bad, and am usually in the top few boats of any given race, often the first of the Lasers (we race in a mixed fleet with no handicap). All this to say though, I've never competed in the nationals, provincials or even an inter-club regatta.
And I think the experience with sailing with the best at something bigger than the club will make me a better sailor overall. And besides, I'd love to have a photo on the wall that I can point to when I'm old and decrepit, saying "yep, here's me sailing at the Worlds, right beside the Olympians". I'll leave out the "old-timers' regatta" when I point to the picture...
I've also been reading some sailing blogs by other sailors. Improper Course (http://www.impropercourse.com/) and Proper Course (http://propercourse.blogspot.ca/) are my go-to pages. Applying their tips and observations moved me from the middle of the fleet to the top, and these guys sail in the Worlds.
Now as a relatively new sailor (I've only been sailing 5 years) the concept of "The World Championship" is pretty intimidating. But when I heard a few months ago that they were being held 2 hours from my house, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to apply for a berth. From what I understand, they allocate berths on a priory list. First shot goes to past champions, then come past competitors, then come those who do well on the grand prix circuit, and so on. The last priority is "anyone else who applies", which is where I fall in.
I'm not sure how many applications they received, but somehow I made the list, and was offered an entry.
So I have a lot to prepare for. Lots to learn. I know how to sail (slowly, in comparison to these guys) but I don't know the whole regatta thing. Opening ceremonies? Measurement? Multiple fleets on one course? Multiple courses? UH-OH!
On a positive note, at opening day of the club, I bumped into Mario, and was telling him about the race -- it turns out, he's on the race committee! So there will be at least once face I recognize there, to go with all the names.
[update - Proper Course had an article about preparing for the Worlds' which is setting my mind at ease]
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
Don't take dumb risks
In 2014, I was racing at the club with the wind blowing from an odd direction. The right hand side of the course (going up wind) was exposed to stronger winds on average, but was very gusty, and had the lulls to match. The left-hand side was sheltered, and the wind was slower, but steady.
The first upwind beat, I went to the unstable wind and caught a couple of gusts. I rounded the windward mark in first place, in front of Ken Eaves who had gone to the left from the start line. I managed to hold my position around the gybe mark and back to the start line for the final beat.
Now I had a decision: do I go to the right again into the gusty stuff, and try to extend my lead? Or do I go left where the wind was constant and try to defend my position from there?
I went right, and got caught in a lull. By the time the fast air hit me again, I was well behind. I rounded the mark third, and finished fourth.
Doug at Improper Course wrote a post about a similar tactical decision (http://www.impropercourse.com/2015/04/when-to-slow-down.html) where he opined:
The first upwind beat, I went to the unstable wind and caught a couple of gusts. I rounded the windward mark in first place, in front of Ken Eaves who had gone to the left from the start line. I managed to hold my position around the gybe mark and back to the start line for the final beat.
Now I had a decision: do I go to the right again into the gusty stuff, and try to extend my lead? Or do I go left where the wind was constant and try to defend my position from there?
I went right, and got caught in a lull. By the time the fast air hit me again, I was well behind. I rounded the mark third, and finished fourth.
Lessons learned: don't take unnecessary risks
Ken had gone left at the start of the race -- this should have been a tip off that he would (likely) go left again on the second beat. I should have gone left and kept in front of him. I could have kept an eye on him as he rounded the downwind mark, and (just in case he changed tactics and went right) I could always tack and move towards the gusty stuff to ensure he didn't pass.Doug at Improper Course wrote a post about a similar tactical decision (http://www.impropercourse.com/2015/04/when-to-slow-down.html) where he opined:
Sailing more conservatively is much better than hoping that things would somehow work out. I got greedy, which rarely works with mark roundings, and it cost me the event.He knows what he's talking about.
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