Fall Series 1 & 2

The forecast called for Sun, 90+ degrees, ESE winds at 3 at 11am building to 8 by 2pm and then decreasing with a chance for showers. Fall Series 1 & 2 looked like they were going to be drifters. Luckily there was a bit more wind and the races were not what you would call fast, but they were not drifters.

The race committee had polled the boats on what course they want to take based on wind and current. RC was concerned the current may be stronger than the wind, making the east (virtual) mark virtually impossible to get to. The races chose a triangle course and it provided good sailing and many challenges.

Race 1 saw a 10:55 prep for both sections with an 11 am start. We had 5 boats on the line with everyone taking a little different approach to the start. We had boats working the start line, another who waited until 10 seconds before the start to roll out their jib, another who built up some speed from a ways away. No one was over early with most of the boats crossing the start line within 30 seconds from the start. An added bonus challenge to the start were lobster pots placed about 50 ft south of the start line and 3 more placed 150 yards ESE of the start mark.

There was a southbound eddy along the beach with a few boats deciding to sail it. The eddy bound boats ran along the beach until they needed to tack and then they had to fight the gulfstream that was moving at 3-4 knots. One boat who was able to point higher avoided the eddy and they slowly were lifted towards the east mark but not to the east mark.

All the boats tacked and found themselves heading to Boca and back to what seemed to be the start line. Oh, how frustrating it is to find yourself being pushed back to where you just came from. The boats tacked and tweaked sails and the crew got a workout on each boat trying to eek out any and all speed from their sails.

The new boat to the club race series, No Compromise, was initiated into the “Learn how to sail around the virtual mark” club. The hazing involves sailing your boat on a low wind day, strong gulf stream and not being familiar with tracking a little spot on your chart plotter as a mark to go around. Well done No Compromise, welcome to the club!

The first racer completed the race in 1 hr, 17 mins and the last boat finished in 3 hr, 23 mins.

Based on the length of time it took 4 of the 5 boats to finish race1. The RC took a poll and asked if the racers wanted to race a different course and take out the challenge of the east mark. They happily agreed minus a few grumbles from Duet’s crew who was threatening to mutiny, but a bit of lunch seemed to bring them back in line. Race 2 was set for 13:05 start in a southerly start to HI, marks to starboard, back to the start/finish, 2x around.. The wind had filled in a bit so that would offer the boats a bit more speed. Race 2 went off without an issue, The boats had decent wind and the fleet stayed close to each other the whole race. The wind made some interesting shifts going from ESE to E to a bit ENE and back to E. Wind like this gives the crew and skippers some great sail trim practice. The participating boats all finished within 10 minutes of each other, and this led to a shake up in first place for our usual participants. The new boat took 1st place in race 2. Congratulations to No Compromise!

A lovely day was had by the Beach Committee with David and Gretch Burdett performing BC duties with aplomb. Also in attendance were Amy Shafranek and Denise Marchisotto adding color to the day.

Thank you Tom Jockers for opening your pool patio for the after-race party that was lightly attended but entertaining and pleasant non the less.