MRMSA Wed Night-Spring Series - Race 4

Date: 06/12/2002 Log Entry: Race
Distance: 5.0 Weather: NE 10-15,G18 kt. Current: flood 1835 at RI
Course: s/f-R-V- s/f,p Crew: BB, BF, JL & RW

MRMSA Wed Night-Spring Series - Race 4

 

Finally, we had our first sail & race of the season last night.  Donning weather gear, we left the dock in good drizzle, though it dissipated by the time we reached the starting area off Groton Long Point. With the winds in the mid-teens and race time approaching, we hurriedly rigged the flattening and first reef lines. As time began to crunch, I decided to leave the outboard on the stern.

 

The course was down east to Ram Island R2, west to Vixen Ledge then back to the finish off Groton Long Point.  Starting in the last of the ebb, I favored the pin due to an obvious port tack favor. In 14 kts & the flattening reef on, we got off the line in good shape, and continued on port with no starboard traffic to duck. We continued out into the deep water to ride the last of the ebb with nearly a ½ knot in our favor that slowly dwindled to zip at Ram Island. The downside of the deep-water choice was the waves. With the crews position on the rail it was very difficult to see the valleys and minimize their effect. Port tack was so favored; we were able to maintain it to the mark tacking for the layline about 100 yards out. 

 

For our first spinnaker set of the season, I purposely overstood to give use a bit more time for the setup.  A good decision, as a few corrections were necessary. With the spinnaker up and bearing away on a starboard broad reach, we could not reach up towards shore as closely as I would have liked for the new flood. The wind 12 to 16 knots continued to back requiring a more pole forward position, finally becoming unmanageable.  Short of Groton Long Point, we finally blew the halyard and brought in the spinnaker, wasting little time getting the genoa back up. 

 

Passing Groton Long Point the wind began to lull sporadically down to 8 & 10. Working hard to keep the speed up, we jibed around Vixen and began a close reach back to the finish.  Blue Light Special must have dropped out on the return from Vixen as they were listed DNF in the results posted this evening.  Therefore, we were the last boat, yet corrected over Good Goose for fifth and missed fourth by 2.55 minutes.   My thanks to Brian, Jeff and Bob; a great night for getting the rust off.

 

1 Sassy  Lassie Newport 28 Burnham 192    70.23      61.52

 

2 Sanibel  P Wander 30          Keeler     219    73.83     62.41

 

3 Tumult 2 Ericson30-1           Litke       215     74.00     62.88

 

4  Gael Force C&C 24             Harren   228     76.28     63.73

 

5 SeTherin   Catalina 22         Magner   273     83.20     65.71

 

6 Good Goose  P Triton          Richardson 249 80.88    65.80

 

7 BlueLite          Cal 25           Giulini      225      DNF      DNF

 

8 RaggedyAnn Ericson25      Bonola    234      DNS     DNS

 

Comments:

We need to address the seating positions when beating to windward.

 

As the pole goes forward it needs to come down. The crew ran into to great difficulty managing that. The skipper will work on the hardware to improve the situation.  In addition, we need to remember to set with an initially lower pole in high wind condition.  Therefore, my goal is to have a choice of two modes for the pole set- normal and a high wind setting.

 

Bringing in the spinnaker- when the halyard blows, grab the sheet and start pulling in like mad, as someone subsequently lets the guy run.