Sailing on Sydney Harbour 21/10/09
November 24th 2009 03:29


A short and sweet sailing race report today.
The committee boat started it by flying an "S" flag so a shortened course. The wind was pretty light so I guess they figured that we wouldn't finish in the time limit if they set a full course. Very reasonable of them.
It was a SSE course of 11 miles so take out a couple of legs out and it's over very quickly.
Even if it was blowing a gentle 6 knots with a bit of pressure up to 12 knots.
Off we ventured, in the end just the 5 of us instead of our preferred 6 as "Howie" one the new boys, was off doing his sailing course.
Hope they don't teach him too many bad habits. They usually do so you have to untrain them and work 'em up again so they really know what and why they doing.
All in all a good fun race. With the continual change in wind pressure there was a lot of trimming going on.
On off, up down, in out.
There was always something to do to the sail trim to get the boat going.
A v good lesson in main trim for moi.
It's pretty satisfying to steer the boat on the main with the helm neutral and not dragging at all.

For a couple of minutes we managed it anyway.
The kite set was entertaining. Particularly the rip in one of the lower panels. Nearly a metre long it was.
At least in the light breeze it didn't commit suicide and shred itself into a thousand pieces which it easily could have.
It did it on one of the jib hanks which are class required.
The last leg was a hard reach from SC around Shark Point and onto the finish line off Shark Island.
Excellent speed in the light air. She loves it she does. We were well ahead of the converted Etchell Wallop and rapidly caught the other Casa Major and closed on Norn.
Ah heck. Leeward boat but a half a boat in front in front of Casa Major we were right on to finish off the committee boat.
Both of us on port tacks. C'mon! C'mon.
They were watching us very closely and trying everything to wring the last 1/4 knot out of her.
Then out of distance came a Div 2 boat on starboard.
We had to dip him and shoot the line. The Div 2 tacked on top of us and shoot the line as well.
Killed us. Big bully. A couple of boat lengths lost.
So there went 2nd.
A great pity she didn't continue on her starboard tack and force Casa Major to dip as well.
Back on the course poor old Come by Chance didn't go straight for the line. She took the Island mark and charged off down the course as you would do for the full course. Didn't see the "S" flag did they. She looked around, suddenly realised her error and had to climb back up to eventually finish. Cost her quite a few places.
Another lesson. Read the flags!
Still we're happy with our 3rd across the line and a handicap 2nd.
Good racing.
Chris

A short and sweet sailing race report today.
The committee boat started it by flying an "S" flag so a shortened course. The wind was pretty light so I guess they figured that we wouldn't finish in the time limit if they set a full course. Very reasonable of them.
It was a SSE course of 11 miles so take out a couple of legs out and it's over very quickly.
Even if it was blowing a gentle 6 knots with a bit of pressure up to 12 knots.
Off we ventured, in the end just the 5 of us instead of our preferred 6 as "Howie" one the new boys, was off doing his sailing course.
Hope they don't teach him too many bad habits. They usually do so you have to untrain them and work 'em up again so they really know what and why they doing.
All in all a good fun race. With the continual change in wind pressure there was a lot of trimming going on.
On off, up down, in out.
There was always something to do to the sail trim to get the boat going.
A v good lesson in main trim for moi.
It's pretty satisfying to steer the boat on the main with the helm neutral and not dragging at all.

For a couple of minutes we managed it anyway.
The kite set was entertaining. Particularly the rip in one of the lower panels. Nearly a metre long it was.
At least in the light breeze it didn't commit suicide and shred itself into a thousand pieces which it easily could have.
It did it on one of the jib hanks which are class required.
The last leg was a hard reach from SC around Shark Point and onto the finish line off Shark Island.
Excellent speed in the light air. She loves it she does. We were well ahead of the converted Etchell Wallop and rapidly caught the other Casa Major and closed on Norn.
Ah heck. Leeward boat but a half a boat in front in front of Casa Major we were right on to finish off the committee boat.
Both of us on port tacks. C'mon! C'mon.
They were watching us very closely and trying everything to wring the last 1/4 knot out of her.
Then out of distance came a Div 2 boat on starboard.
We had to dip him and shoot the line. The Div 2 tacked on top of us and shoot the line as well.
Killed us. Big bully. A couple of boat lengths lost.
So there went 2nd.
A great pity she didn't continue on her starboard tack and force Casa Major to dip as well.
Back on the course poor old Come by Chance didn't go straight for the line. She took the Island mark and charged off down the course as you would do for the full course. Didn't see the "S" flag did they. She looked around, suddenly realised her error and had to climb back up to eventually finish. Cost her quite a few places.
Another lesson. Read the flags!
Still we're happy with our 3rd across the line and a handicap 2nd.
Good racing.
Chris
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