William_H
Well-Known Member
Don't read this if you get envious of warm weather. A lot of people on the is forum are negative about around the buoys racing. I really enjoy racing though it is not at all serious. A greeat club and good friends make it all good.
Last night (friday night) was a good example. The second of our "night race series" The day was warm low temp in low 30s. By 6.30 PM start time down to mid 20s. 2 good friends both excellent sailors and olewill. Gentle easterly wind off the land at around the 10 knots. I should explain that we don't have long twilights or summer time clock shift here in Perth so sun sets around 7.30PM. Sadly only a few competitors one 21 fter a 24 a Cole 32 Whiting 31 and a bigger racing 35fter. Plus Howzat also at 21ft.
It was a bit difficult to get the crew to wear lifejackets (a requirement of the race) it was a bit too hot.
So with all boats starting at once we took off. Steve the guest did the start and got away first in fact we stayed ahead of the fleet for the first 2 miles including a short spin leg, then the bigger boats showed their inate speed. We averaged around the 5 .6 knots on the long spin leg towards home. The windward mast a post has a light on top which makes things easier. We finished 3rd out of the whole fleet of 6 boats after an hour and a half and 4 minutes behind the Cole 32 and the 35fter. So pretty pleasing to find just the right wind for the little boat. 20 mins ahead of the 24 and the 21.
Now had the wind come up we would have bbeen very much disadvantaged on performance but with a 950kg boat we did alreight in light winds. Every dog has his day. I do enjoy pitting myslef and the little boat against others to see if we can get it just right. A thing I would never do without a club and racing calender.
Incidentally I just wathed a bit of a documentary "Coast" which included a bit on the Round the Island Race. I would love to try that in the little boat but the delivey trip would be a bit daunting. Do they allow little boats in RTI?
As a matter of interest the Yachting Association require compliance for Cat 5 modified for night races. Here is a link to our club website. The compliance document is a pdf at the bottom of the list shown. http://www.efyc.com.au/keelboats/Keelboatdocuments.aspx A lot of safety gear for an inshore (estuary) race but all worth having.
I hope some may find this interesting from the antipodes olewill
Last night (friday night) was a good example. The second of our "night race series" The day was warm low temp in low 30s. By 6.30 PM start time down to mid 20s. 2 good friends both excellent sailors and olewill. Gentle easterly wind off the land at around the 10 knots. I should explain that we don't have long twilights or summer time clock shift here in Perth so sun sets around 7.30PM. Sadly only a few competitors one 21 fter a 24 a Cole 32 Whiting 31 and a bigger racing 35fter. Plus Howzat also at 21ft.
It was a bit difficult to get the crew to wear lifejackets (a requirement of the race) it was a bit too hot.
So with all boats starting at once we took off. Steve the guest did the start and got away first in fact we stayed ahead of the fleet for the first 2 miles including a short spin leg, then the bigger boats showed their inate speed. We averaged around the 5 .6 knots on the long spin leg towards home. The windward mast a post has a light on top which makes things easier. We finished 3rd out of the whole fleet of 6 boats after an hour and a half and 4 minutes behind the Cole 32 and the 35fter. So pretty pleasing to find just the right wind for the little boat. 20 mins ahead of the 24 and the 21.
Now had the wind come up we would have bbeen very much disadvantaged on performance but with a 950kg boat we did alreight in light winds. Every dog has his day. I do enjoy pitting myslef and the little boat against others to see if we can get it just right. A thing I would never do without a club and racing calender.
Incidentally I just wathed a bit of a documentary "Coast" which included a bit on the Round the Island Race. I would love to try that in the little boat but the delivey trip would be a bit daunting. Do they allow little boats in RTI?
As a matter of interest the Yachting Association require compliance for Cat 5 modified for night races. Here is a link to our club website. The compliance document is a pdf at the bottom of the list shown. http://www.efyc.com.au/keelboats/Keelboatdocuments.aspx A lot of safety gear for an inshore (estuary) race but all worth having.
I hope some may find this interesting from the antipodes olewill
