Conference unifix::sailing

    What the heck, I'll start.  Seems the question everybody that knows
    the slightest bit about racing is asking this week is if we are
    doing the FIGAWI?  No.
    
    Having done it three years in a row it seems to be a great way to
    freeze your butt off while subsidizing the early season economy
    in Nantucket while getting extremely drunk.  Notice no mention of
    sailing.  That's because it simply is not that important.
    
    Even Monhegan is better than FIGAWI.
    
    Dave

    RE .1
    
    > freeze your butt off while subsidizing the early season economy
    > in Nantucket while getting extremely drunk.
    
    I know people who think that's the DEFINITION of sailing.
    
    Of course, the FIGAWI is so popular for just those reasons.  And
    it is popular.  I know, we sent in our application almost two months
    ago and were told they were BOOKED!  I liked the clause about the
    skipper being responsible for the actions of his (or her) crew.  Must
    be expecting some wild times, and who knows, maybe even a little SAILING!
    
    Well, as I mentioned in a previous entry, the JFK regatta is this
    week-end down in Boston.  I for one am really psyched for psome
    pserious psailing (well, psemi-pserious anyway) ...
    
    On another note, I noticed the cut-off rating for A fleet this year
    is 90.  Anybody out there have any thoughts about how this is going
    to affect tactics (i.e. fewer boats at the starting line, etc.).
    I guess what it means is that production boats are a lot faster
    than they used to be, or PHRF ratings have made it seem so.
    I can remember when our boat, with an 84 rating, used to be the
    scratch boat for most races.  Now we're up near the cutoff point.
    This means we'll be able to follow most of the A fleet around the
    course, let *you* guys find the holes, and still have a shot at
    doing well.
    
    Best of luck to all, see ya on the starting line ...
    
    ... Bob
      

    According to Jim Taylor, the class A is forecasted to be bigger
    than ever even with the cutoff at 90.  I applaud the change. At
    60 it is bad enough having to give 30 seconds to the bottom of the
    fleet.  There is a new Taylor 40 in the class as well.
    
    This is no place to start this discussion, but in general Marblehead
    PHRF is not known for its rationality.  You can bet that the Taylor
    will not be severely penalized (Jim being on the committee).  Nor
    will any new boat Sailboats Northeast wants to push (Bump Wilcox
    also being on the committee).  Take for example the Express 34 last
    year.  Ridiculous.  
    
    Sorry.
    
    Dave

    	The Hyannis Yacht Club limits the number of boats in the FIGAWI
    to keep the people of Nantucket happy.  There have been a few problems
    the past few years with rowdy people, which is why the regulations
    have stiffened up.  I've got a few friends on the FIGAWI committee
    and believe me it takes a lot of work to get this race off.  Remember
    that the FIGAWI Committee is non profit and all the profits go to
    a local charity.  The FIGAWI is named after the Indian god of
    navigation often prayed to while lost ( Where the F**K are we! :^)
    ).  If you're sailing in the FIGAWI, give a shout to the MAD MAX,
    a gray J37.
    	If you got closed out of the FIGAWI you might want to consider
    the reverse FIGAWI, jokingly referred to as the FIGAMI.  It is after
    Labor Day, runs the same course, but has fewer boats.  The highlight
    is the awarding of the Blasted Hope Award, to the sailor who has
    pulled the biggest bone head stunt of the year.
    	Is anyone else sailing Block Island Regatta June 20-24?  I'll
    be crewing on the MAD MAX.           
    
                                   =Ralph=

    Didn't know about the class A cutoff change.  Hope it does
    bring more boats to the line.  As for the vagaries of the
    the PHRF, &%!!#*!  I'm afraid to ask my skipper if our rating has
    changed.  See note 635 (I think) for some earlier discussions on
    PHRF.
    
    "Bodacious" will be at Block Island.  We're anticipating a
    HUGE J/35 fleet and some outstanding competition.  Unfortunately,
    we'll only have a few weekends worth of practice going into 
    the series, but fortunately, the crew is 100% repeat.  The boats 
    coming over from Egg-head Town Race Week should be looking pretty
    sharp.  Anyone doing both?  We'd love to, but there's only so
    much vacation to go around, and so many races we want to do!
    We're in the Monhegan again, but otherwise we're doing mostly
    local buoy stuff until the J/35 regionnals, and hopefully nationals.
    
    About the rep of the "FIGAWI," do a lot of IOR boats compete?
    I mean, sounds to me like a typical grand-prix venue.  Seriously.
    I never saw such a bunch of racing/drinking fools as the "rock-stars"
    in the SORC several years ago.  Did I have some fun then.  Of course,
    I can't remember all that much, but...
    
    ;)
    

    Re. Block Island.  It takes place almost a month before Edgartown
    Race Week (July 18-23) so everybody should be in about the level
    of practice unless they have been doing some warm weather sailing
    over the off season.  Block this year is the Yachting magazine version
    and heavily oriented towards one design offshore.  Perfect for J-35s
    and the like but no good for us.  It really is a good time if the
    weather holds.
    
    Re. Figawi.  The venue is definitely not "grand prix".  That's not
    to say some very hot boats aren't there (Matador, Pioneer, Buckaroo
    etc.), but the average entry is just your normal, mortal club racer.
    The weekend has the potential to be lots of fun but the weather
    is always lousy focusing the action on the drinking tent which is
    in the only industrial area of the island.
    
    Re. class A.  What do J-35s rate in PHRF.  I believe I heard that
    the new cutoff puts them into class B.  Is that right?
    
    Re. Edgartown Race Week.  The difference between E-town and Block
    is enormous.  There are many more official post race activities
    at Block and the E-town Yacht Club has the reputation (well deserved)
    for being as friendly as an IBM executive at Decworld.  However,
    the weather and the venue have a lot over Block.  Also if you're
    into distance there is a 'round the island that goes over night.
    Our crew got together one snowy January night and voted to do E-town
    and not Block, but if I had a one-design Block would definitely
    win out.
    
    Dave
    

    What do J/35's rate??  Even I can answer that one, last year they
    rated 72 in Marblehead.  Maybe Dean should get on that committee
    you were talking about.  Bodacious is definitely an A boat.  I know,
    we spend a lot of time looking at her stern last year as she was
    sailing off into the horizon.  Almost caught up with her in the
    Berringer though, till the wind died.  Ah well, thems the breaks.
    
    ... Bob
    

    I could have sworn I saw E-town scheduled for June, but
    July makes much more sense.  And you're right
    about the on-shore events, but then there is plenty of
    raw material to make your own fun.
    
    Yep, we rated 72.  With a cut off at 90, class A will be
    huge.  No?  We'll be seeing some much longer starting lines -- I
    hope.  Larger fleets will put a real premium on starting
    tactics.  Should also make for more intersting work on the course.
    
    If anyone's out practicing off Mblehead this weekend, we'll
    be out there too.  Give us a holler if you want to do some
    sparring.  
    
    ;)
    
    

    We'll be out practicing this weekend.  Serious practice on Saturday,
    drinking practice on Sunday 8^).  However, given the sorry state
    of our crew, our blown out sails, our orange peel bottom, and our
    ridiculous rating, I don't know why we bother.  Hell, any j-24 should
    be able to kick our butts.  
    
    Please pass this information on to the rating committee.
    
    Dave
    
    

    Well, howzabout sizing up some of the rest of the competition? 
    For instance, what do you guys think about KLADDAGH's showing last
    year?  If I remember correctly, those guys had a 77 rating last
    year, and they kicked *ss a few times against boats with much lower
    ratings.  Those guys seem to have more chutes on that boat, and
    they seemed to make good use of them as the season went on.  Don't
    know anything about this boat or it's crew, except that they impressed
    me toward the end of the season.  I can remember one race, I think
    it was in the Manchester fall series, when nobody else in fleet
    was carrying a chute, but they were.  Seemed to have the thing nailed
    to the rail, and they were pulling away from JAZZ, which if I'm
    not mistaken, has a rating somewhere in the low 60's.  So what's
    the secret?  Surely they don't have somebody on the committee giving
    them a little help with the PHRF rating, do they ???
    
    And what about the Soverel 33's.  Last year their rating dropped
    from 90 to 84.  They didn't clean up like the year before but they
    still did pretty well.  The high point of our season I thought was
    beating AMBUSH across the line in the Berringer.  The skipper seemed
    real P.O.'d as they crossed the finish line only to see us sitting
    there eating breakfast and wishing them a good morning.  Really,
    some people don't have ANY sense of humor ... maybe they'll be trying
    to get that rating raised again this year.
    
    ... Bob

    Kladdagh is a good boat, and sailed pretty well most of the
    time.  Were it not for some ripped sails in a couple of races
    last year, she might well have taken the overall championship.
    Her rating does seem slightly too high, as we rarely have better
    boat speed than her, and at 72 we ought to.  Give them a 75 and
    us a 74 and I'd feel comfortable.
    
    Ambush.  You like them too, huh?  They sure ambushed us last 
    year -- "T-boned" on a Wednesday night race.  We'd just as 
    soon ignore them, but I expect they'll mix things up fairly
    often.  Suffice it to say, I'm not impressed with their finesse.
    
    The boat we most love to hate is Celeste.  They were so pesky
    the first part of the season, and I give them credit for sailing
    some smart races.  Unfortunately for us, a new main arrived a few
    races too late to offset the aces they were flying.  By the end
    of the season, though, we had our good stuff.  I remember one
    episode that was particularly amusing -- without meaning to, we
    found ourselves in a position where we were driving them away from
    the starting line.  We wouldn't let them move an inch either way.
    They were fuming -- plenty of explitive deleted kind of stuff.
    We ended up spinning a few seconds late, but they were 10 seconds behind
    that and got buried where we got clean air and smoked away.
    The next race they came after us BEFORE the 10-minute gun and
    luffed us up!  We really had a good chuckle over that.
    They never recovered.  Too bad.  ;)  I look for them to be real 
    tough again this year; they're already sailing, and they'll come
    out the blocks fast.  And all kidding aside, we enjoy sailing 
    against them.  

    We never worry too much about Claddagh (Gladbag, Clad-dog).  True,
    they did better last year than in the past.  One fall series race
    they tried to carry a chute when nobody else did and ended up leaving
    skid marks all over the ocean.  They were totally out of control.
    
    The boat to worry about is Loose Goose.  They are good sailors and
    just got a rating change from 69 to 72!  A C&C 41 @ 72!
    
    These sort of discussions get me all worked up.  Maybe I'l take
    up a less stressful sport like chainsaw juggling.
    
    Dave (of the garbage scow Fat Tuesday)

    RE .11
    
    Celeste used to be one of our favorite competitors, before we lost
    most of our "experienced" crew and got a new main that refused to
    look anything like an airfoil.  Well, we've supposedly fixed both
    problems for this season and look forward to some good one-on-ones
    with those guys again.  Actually, there's almost enough J/36's out
    there for a one-design race nowadays.  It should be a lot of fun.
    
    Incidentally, your observation about fixing ratings to sell boats
    is a correct one.  WAGS was the first J/36 to come north of the
    Cape, and it's rating that first year was 102.  And Skip White came
    north with the boat to win some races, just so they could line
    up a few more sales.  Of course, it got a little tougher the next
    year, when the rating dropped to it's present 84.  But by then they'd
    made their point.
    
    RE .12
    
    Loose Goose at 72 ??? Holy schlamoly batman, who do THEY know? 
    Those guys should be unbeatable with a rating like that, ESPECIALLY
    because they DO know what they're doing.
    
    Yeah, some of the fall races last year were real hum-dingers.  And
    just about everybody had trouble carrying their chutes.  Saw a couple
    of real expensive sails get burst to smithereens, fortunately not
    on our boat.  But last year we didn't have the crew to carry our
    chute sometimes when we should have been able to.
    
    I like the nicknames.  We've got some for the racing boats in our club 
    too.  Like SLICKBREEZE (Suckbreath), WHIPLASH (Snideley), VAPOR TRAIL 
    (Vapor Lock), and Campbell's Sloop (yup, Campbell's Slop).  And  I
    won't mention what we call Eighty-Six, but it's a number.  The crew 
    will get a kick out of Glad-bag.
    
    Won't even talk about some of the nicknames I've heard for WAGS.
    But it's been mentioned that it has something to do with the way
    we steer the course.  Hey, a little humor goes a long way sometimes
    amid all that seriousness out there.  It's supposed to be FUN, after
    all, right?
    
    ... Bob 

    A few nicknames of boats I've sailed on.
    
    Voyager       Voyeur
    
    Touche        Tushy
    
    Syzygy        Ah, er...ssss...zzz...ahem...  sail number 4746389

    GOOSE AT 72??!!!  They win.  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    I think I'll call Jon and let him know he can cancel the sails.   
    That's unbelievable.  Absolutely.  Goose is ALWAYS faster
    than us.  If she does enough races she's got our butt
    kicked (well, maybe we'll still put up a fight, but..;).
    
    I haven't seen the rating sheet yet, does anyone know if 
    Bodacious was bumped?  I half expect them to give us a 70.

    Sounds like death by bunda to me.
    
    Dean

    Yup. The Goose got 72. Funny thing, I was talking to her owner the
    other day and his comment was that most poeple were saying that
    was what they should have been all the time!  He's a good guy but
    has a little imagination.  We owe them 12 seconds/mi.  Over twenty
    miles that is 4 minutes!  All we can do is try.
    
    Speaking of nicknames, when we brought our boat up from New Orleans
    it was named Detente.  There is a story behind that that applied
    to the previous owner, but not to us.  So we decided to rename it.
    There is a sister ship named Creole Lady so we thought of calling
    her Cajun Queen.  That idea was quickly killed when reminded of
    the old Saturday Night Live skit about a ship of homosexuals called
    the Raging Queen.  Too close for comfort!  So Fat Tuesday it is.
    One name I've heard for us is Fat Chance.  I' sure there are others.
    
    One scheduling question.  Are the PHRF New Englands and the Chandler
    Hovey the same race this year?
    
    Dave

    RE .16
    
    Dave,
    
    I do believe the Chandler Hovey and the PHRF N.E. Championships
    are indeed the same race this year.  In fact, weren't they also
    the same race last year ?? (with the season we had we didn't do it).
    
    From what my skipper told us earlier this year they decided to combine
    them last year (I believe this was hosted by Cottage Park).
    
    Looking at the YRUMB schedule it sure looks that way.  And who's
    hosting anyway, the schedule simply says MBHD, which I assume stands
    for Marblehead.  Fine, better than Scituate two years ago, that
    was one of the most pathetically run regattas I've ever been to.
    
    Hopefully we'll be there, but we're doing the N.O.O.D. race in Newport
    the previous week, and may decide to spend a few days and take the
    long way home.
    
    ... Bob

    
    RE: Loose Goose
    
    	Is this the Loose Goose that is sailed out of Hyannis Yacht
    Club, owned by Scott & Rick McKensey?  It blue-green in color
    with name painted down the side in red.
    	The Loose Goose I'm thinking of have done quite well over the
    years, especially at Edgertown.  The reason the rating was changed
    is that it is an OLD boat.  I believe the rating system has a provision
    for 'old age discounts'.
    	You bet they know what their doing, Scott is one hell of a sailor
    (and a nice guy).  I took three years of racing lessons from him
    when he was an instructor at the Lewis Bay Yacht Club.  The 'Goose
    still manages to do great even though it is sporting some fairly
    old 'rags.
    	I like to see the 'Goose bring the tin to the HYC, my home club.
    Especially now that he is not in our division :^)
    					=Ralph=

    No, that is the wrong goose.  That boat used to belong to the same
    guy (Mike Fregard).  The goose I'm talking is Mike's newer boat,
    a C&C 41 out of Marblehead.  The goose you mention does the Figawi
    each year too.  It's an old Bob Evelyn design.  He does do well.
    
    The point is that now that IOR is all but dead locally, and IMS
    has yet to fill any void, the only game in town is PHRF and the
    boys who run the ratings locally seem determined to kill this too.
    
    Dave

    Well, true to prediction, guess who won A fleet honors at the JFK
    regatta.  I met Mike Fregard over at the JFK library just before
    the skippers meeting.  Seems he knows one of our new crew members.
    All I can say is he seems like an uncommonly nice guy as skippers
    out of the Marblehead fleet go.  So I congratulate him on a well
    sailed regatta.
    
    ... Bob
    

    .8 correction:  90 cutoff is lower, but evidently there
    are a few new boats that will make the class A cut, so "they"
    decided to give B some new blood.
    
    Saw "Fat Tuesday" on Saturday.  We were rig tuning as you
    guys zoomed by about 400 yards to weather of of us.  A bit too
    far to holler over.  
    
    Sunday was some day!  I could race in conditions like that 
    all year.  We hit the line for the first time next Sunday.
    

    I'm a Narragansett Bay/Long Island/Block Island sailor who guest
    crewed this weekend on my favorite part-time boat Jasmine.  It's
    a Wiggers 38 with a lot of class.  Anyway, I just did the JFK 
    regatta and I hope that this is not what racing in Massachusetts
    is all about !!! The courses for the two days were horendous !!!!
    Day 1 consisted of 2 miles upwind and then a huge parade THROUGH
    the islands of Boston Harbor.  I guess the race committee's brother
    owns the salvage operation in the Harbor!  That leg was followed
    by a jibe-takedown-reaching leg to the "leeward mark" where we turned
    and fetched the finish in a dying breeze !!!  Day 2 saw more promise
    as they sent us on what would have been a 7 mile windward leg. (Guess
    they heard us bitchin' the night before)  Unfortunately, they obviously
    didn't watch/listen to the weather predictions which accurately
    predicted a low system to swing in and send the breeze clocking
    180 degrees.  So instead of a tactical long weather leg, it was
    one tack and fetch the mark (7 miles away !!)  Our helsman's head
    is now permanently titled to port looking upward at telltales !!
    
    On PHRF :  Being on the Narragansett ratings committee, I thought
    Narragansett had the worst reputation for puttin' in the fix !!
    However, after watching us get slapped 3 seconds at the last minute
    and then seeing a C&C 41 take the gold with a 72(!) I think the
    PHRF team up here has claimed the booby prize.  
    
    Oh well, maybe next time ...
                                

    So, now you see the impact of our great rating committee!  Spoke
    to Mike (Loose Goose) yesterday and they were pretty happy about
    JFK.  There is definitely something wrong.  No hard feelings toward
    Mike at all.  Heck, I'd take that gift too!
    
    Re: The reaching courses.  Always a complaint up here.  Boston harbor
    is also not the best place to race boats.  We've bumped too many
    times there.
    
    Re: Mr. Fachon.  Sorry, never saw you.  We had a fairly serious
    injury on board and may have been busy tending to that.  Our trimmer
    got lazy and hung his left leg out across the genny car track and
    propped his foot on a stanchion.  The coarse adjustment line on
    the genny car blew out of its cleat.  We had a no. 2 up hard on
    the wind.  The car shot back along the track right into his lower
    leg.  We were quite sure it was broken but subsequent x-rays showed
    only a deep bruise and possible chip.  The guy was really in pain
    and mild shock.  Forces like that are not to be messed with!
    
    Next Sunday, be there, aloha!
    
    Dave

    re .22
    
    Yep, we get a lot of courses with minimal windward work.
    This is a chronic problem.  All we can do is keep
    telling the RCs to get there act together.
    
    What do C&C 41s rate on the Bay?  At 72 around here, there
    sure won't be many passing lanes.

    RE .22
    
    Whatsamatter, don't you like a parade?  It was Memorial Day after
    all.
    
    I agree Saturday's course wasn't much of a race for the tacticians,
    but I don't blame the committee for setting a bad course on Sunday.
    First of all, when was the last time NOAA predicted wind conditions
    accurately?  Certainly their batting average is well below .500, so
    I don't blame the committee for not believing them.  Secondly, the
    wind started clocking around after the 5 minute gun went off, and
    we all know you can't change the course after that.  So we were
    stuck with what we got.
    
    Also, my experience in reach-around races is that boats with higher
    PHRF ratings usually make out, since you really need a beat to live
    up to your rating.  And the lower your rating the more of a problem
    you have making enough time to win corrected.  So this sort of a
    course should have favored the boats at the high end of the fleet,
    of which JASMINE was one. (Incidentally, it was fun finally meeting
    you guys on the course ... real nice boat).
    
    I also think that a C & C 41 deserves a lower rating than 72, but
    who wouldn't take a favorable rating if offered one.  And this was
    a race course which I believe minimized the impact of that favorable
    rating.  So give the crew of LOOSE GOOSE VI a little credit for
    sailing a good race.  The course didn't favor them any more than any 
    of the rest of us.
    
    Incidentally, I don't know about JFK turning in his grave, but I
    bet EMK was a little P.O.ed that nobody stopped talking while he
    was trying to give his little speech at the reception Friday night.
    Man, the acoustics in that place are AWESOME!
    
    ... Bob

    Bob, you bring up a very interesting point.  Mike, the owner of
    Goose is indeed a VERY good sailor.  He's been sailing local waters
    for many, many years.  The question I have is, should PHRF ratings
    take into account the skill of the skipper?  My first reaction is
    that the answer is no, and that would be consistent with Mike's
    rating change.  However, appeals are made to the committee based
    upon performance and that would seem to be dependent on skipper
    and crew.  Just a thought.
    
    Dave

    Dave,  see note 635 (or so) for discussion on
    PHRF.  From the comments there, it's seems
    that skipper/crew performance are indeed factored into
    the rating.  
    
    Dean

    What considerations are used in the Marblehead Wednesday night series?
    Our boat hasn't done this series since I've been sailing on it,
    but I hear you get penalized for winning too often.  How does that
    work out?  I know in the Jubilee Thursday night series the only
    penalty for winning is that you get to sit out there and take everybody
    else's times while the rest of the fleet heads to the club house
    for drinks and a good time.
    
    Seriously, though, I don't think you should be penalized for having
    greater sailing skills/knowledge than the competition.  Personally
    I think if you did that there wouldn't be any incentive to increase
    your skill set or knowledge of local waters.  That would seem like
    you're taking the sport out of it.  On the other hand, PHRF ratings
    do seem entirely too political from another perspective, namely
    that if you want to make out, join the rating committee.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Got ahold of a YRUMB 1988 Yearbook this week-end and looked up the
    Chandler Hovey race.  It is definitely the same race as the PHRF
    New England Championships.  It's hosted by Eastern Yacht Club.
    
    Also looked up some N.E. base handicaps for some boats discussed here. 
    The base N.E. rating for a C&C 41 is 72, unless it's a 1983 Limited
    Edition, in which case it's 69.  Doesn't seem like Loose Goose's
    rating has anything to do with catching a break from the Marblehead
    committee.  Also, the base rating for Jasmine (Peterson/Wiggers
    37) is 87, so you guys are catching a break down in Narragansett
    Bay with a 93 rating (90 in the Boston area).
    
    So, who raced yesterday?  Wasn't it a great day for a sailboat race,
    what with all that wind and all?  Saw a couple of boats flying their
    chutes like giant burgees off the top of their mast rounding one
    of the marks, but we were too far behind the pack to make them out.
    I know at least one of them dropped out of the race, but we were
    a little busy at the mark, so I didn't have time to look over and
    see who it was.  What a ride though ... I just LOVE it when the
    wind blows like that and you don't get rained on.
    
    ... Bob

    Good thing you couldn't see it was us flying the worlds largest
    burgee at the leeward mark the second time around.  Yup, we lost
    our chute just at the take down when a good size gust came up. 
    We recovered it though, and were not the boat to drop out.  Didn't
    help too much though.
    
    Speaking of dropping out, the Goose had a tough day.  First they
    snagged a (I swear) Christmas tree (ornaments and all) in their
    rudder.  The they parted a halyard and then split their #3.  Decided
    karma was not in their corner and dropped out.
    
    Two questions.  First, we read the second mark as a "3" not an "8".
    As we saw it the three had another three behind it facing the other
    side and showing through to kind of make it look like an eight.
    Three is off Manchester and eight is M'head bell.  Big difference.
    So off we go to Newcombs and all is well.  We get to the mark first,
    ahead of Cara, Arabella, Goose, Claddagh.  We reach to Manchester
    only to see everybody else harden up to M'head.  Oh S---!  Anyway,
    some of the B and C class went to three also.  Which was right?
    
    Secondly, explain why we had to round Tinkers (the starting bouy)
    to starboard the second time around.  Cara took right off towards
    Newcombs after rounding Pig Rocks leaving Tinkers to port by miles.
    We were right behind her (having clawed back from our first
    navigational fiasco) and started doing the same thing.  Our crew
    of MIT and Harvard collegiate sailors say we are doing the right
    thing since we left it to port at the start.  I see everybody going
    to Tinkers and say I am tired of being the maverick and jibe over
    to round it to starboard.  I am now convinced they, my crew, and
    Cara were right and I ( as well as most of the A fleet ) was wrong.
    
    Anyway, a great day to work out the kinks.
    
    Where the hell did Claddagh get that speed?
    
    Dave
    

    RE .30 
    
    Hi Dave,
    
    I thought that might have been you guys, but as I said we were well
    in back of the pack.  Who was the second boat to lose it?  From
    where I was it looked like it might have been a J/35 (Dean, you
    out there??).  Incidentally, WAGS didn't race, I was on SLICKBREEZE
    for this one.  Lotsa rust to work out of that crew, but Tom Root
    is a helluva good skipper to sail for, and after the race that J/36
    turns into a floating delicatessen.
    
    To answer your first question, it was an "8", but it was a funny
    signal.  It looked like they had taken either a "B" or a "3" signal
    and used duct tape to make it look like an "8".  The only reason
    I'm sure of what it was is that were were about 20 feet from the
    committee boat when the gun went off, having gone in close to ascertain
    what the correct signal was.  We were to "A" mark before my ears
    stopped ringing.
    
    In answer to your second question, I interpreted things such that
    we were supposed to leave Tinkers to starboard, which we did.  Most
    of the fleet didn't bother though, and I only saw one protest flag
    go up (AMBUSH, who else?).  Didn't go back to M'head after the race
    (why bother when you finish near the back of the fleet) so I don't
    know how it turned out.  But it wouldn't make sense to make it a
    mark if you were going to leave it to port since you wouldn't have
    to go anywhere near it.  So I suspect you were right, though in
    this case being right didn't help your standings it seems.
    
    Incidentally, did you notice the finish BUMPA had in B fleet?  They
    finished ahead of about 4-5 A boats, and at least a mile and a half
    ahead of the next B boat.  They were the only boat I saw carrying
    a chute on the last leg.  But their skipper seems like a first-class
    *sshole.  Hollered over a congrats after the race and he responded by 
    rounding up and forcing us to tack (the race was OVER for christ 
    sakes!!).  Almost spilled my beer getting to the jib sheets.
    Whattaguy.  Next time, I come prepared with WATER BALLOONS.
    
    Now about CLADDAGH, see, I told ya.  Those guys seemed to have figured
    out how to make it go fast toward the end of last year.  Don't seem
    to have forgotten anything in the off season either.
    
    Anybody doing the Scituate overnighter next week-end?  I'll be down
    there on SLICKBREEZE, and then back on WAGS for the Lambert race
    on Sunday.  See y'all on the starting line.  I'm the big guy with
    the beard and the Hawaiian print hat, usually in the cockpit.  Holler
    over and say HI if you're not too busy.  Always happy to meet fellow
    DECies.
    
    ... Bob

    The skipper on Bumpa is either John Collins (our local PHRF rater)
    or if he had blond hair it was Bob (Bump) Wilcox, of Sailboats
    Northeast which sells those Express 34's with the bogus rating.
    If it is Collins (dark hair, portly) he is exactly as you say,
    somewhere towards the bottom of the food chain.
    
    Don't know how BYC is going to know who honored Tinkers rightly
    or wrongly as they had no stake boat there.  Typical.
    
    No, we're not doing the Scituite race, staying local.  Good luck
    on Suckbr.., er, Slickbreeze!
    
    You definitely were right on about Claddagh.  Might be time for
    some clandestine underbody work on her.  Epoxy a lobster pot to
    her keel or something.
    
    Didn't see Bodacious out there and I looked, too.
    
    Dave

    Some final stuff on JFK race course etc. now that I have found the
    write-enabled conference !!
    
    re Loose Goose.  I have heard from numerous sources that Loose Goose
    IS well sailed and her performance in the JFK attested to that.
     By the way, C&C's rate 66 in Narragansett with other boats having
    the same rating as they do up here !?!?!
    
    re: higher rating boats do better in reaching races !
    
    I would love for this MYTH to finally end and I hope this will be
    the summer it does.  Lets start with a few assumptions.  ASSUME that the
    ratings committee have done a PERFECT job and assigned boat A a
    60 PHRF rating and boat B a 90 rating.  On a race course that is
    nothing more than a reach-around, boat A and boat B should tie each
    other on corrected time.  The only variables introduced in such
    a race are the ability of the helmsman and the lone genoa trimmer
    to concentrate for 4 hours and any local wind patterns due to the
    separation of the two boats.  CREW WORK and TACTICS are eliminated
    from the equation !!!!  On a well organized boat such as Jasmine,
    (I'm only a guest hand, the kudos are meant for the regulars)
    this is her main weapon when racing at the bottom of the ratings
    scale.  So it is a myth to state that in a reach around race, the
    boats at the bottom of the class have an advantage.  Also, one
    advantage the hot boats (60-75 PHRF) have in a good windward race
    is that they point higher and therefore travel less distance.  But
    if both boat A and boat B tack in the same angles and boat B followed
    boat A around the course, even in a 10 mile windward leg, they would
    be "tied" at the weather mark.  (This assumes of course, that robots
    are sailing both boats and tack equally well.)  
    
    I guess my point is that when racing at 90 against boats at 60,
    you need a race course that tests ALL of your weapons, including
    boat handling as well as tactics.  With a 30 sec/mile spread, you
    KNOW you're going to be in different conditions over the race course.
    (case in point : Loose Goose had Jasmine by 7 minutes at the "leeward"
    mark but crossed the line 9 minutes ahead thanks to a dying breeze).
    
    Oh well, I'll climb off the soapbox (for the last time).  I've beat
    this subject to death enough.  But I'll honestly say that I'm tired
    of being on the dock after a race when I crew on one of the higher
    rating boats and have someone say "Well ya' did good cuz' it was
    a reacher" or " what happened, this was your kinda race ""
    
    AAAARRRRGH !!!!!
    
    

    RE .32
    
    Yup, Collins was the guy.  Like I said, hope he's not averse to
    a few well placed water balloons next time I see him.  Who knows, 
    just might wash some of the slime off.
    
    Now ya got me thinking.  I'm pretty sure I saw BODACIOUS on the
    scratch sheet for the race, but I'm not sure I actually saw the
    boat at the starting line.  I saw you guys, but I was fairly busy
    trying to learn a different deck layout and sails that I'm not used
    to.  So I didn't have a lot of time to look around.
    
    RE .33
    
    You're entitled to your opinion of course, but my experiences during
    the last few years of racing what seem to be a lot of reach-around 
    courses support the "MYTH".  Also, I've seen just as many races where 
    the wind fills in from behind the fleet or builds toward the end of
    the race (like Sunday), which would seem to favor the boats toward
    the back of the pack, as I have races where the wind dies at the
    end of the race (like last Saturday during JFK).  That's just the 
    capriciousness of ol' Ma Nature and nobody can really count on that 
    to support or disprove a theory one way or the other.  
    
    But I don't want to seem like I'm knocking the boat you sailed on, 
    especially since Tony's probably going to read this note, and I just 
    might want to bum a ride on JASMINE one of these days.  You guys seem 
    like a fairly together crew, and it is a nice boat, and I appreciated
    the congeniality of your skipper last week-end.
      
    I just don't like people trying to flame the race committee
    for where they end up in the standings when the race is over.  
    I feel for anybody trying to predict the wind even a few hours in
    advance out in Mass. Bay.  Sometimes we get lucky and things work
    out for a fine race, and other times, well ...  And besides as
    you seem to indicate, a well trained crew can make up for a lot
    of local politics as far as ratings go.
    
    ... Bob

    re: .34
    
    Obviously you missed my point.  I realize the fickleness of Mother
    Nature can either hurt you or help you.  My point was that at the
    "leeward" mark, we were exactly where we should have been, no better,
    no worse.  This time the dying breeze caught us.  However, I was
    saying that IF there was enough windward work, then tactics and
    crew work may have put the boat close enough to the leaders to be
    in the same air, which effectively neutralizes the Mother Nature
    effect.
    
    re: slamming the ratings committee
    
    I reserve the right (rather pigheadedly) to slam any race committee
    that sets up a course with only two miles of windward work and a reaching
    leg THROUGH unknown islands.  It only takes a little more effort
    to take the time and make it challenging for everyone.  Especially
    for the guys who spent 12 hours delivering a boat from other areas
    who want a little more than a test of their barber-hauling skills. 
    why couldn't they re-hoist their "LIMA" flag and move out another
    2 miles ??
     re: .25  < ..the wind shifted after the 5 minute gun and we all
    know you can't change ...>  
    
    I have been in dozens of races where the race committee has signalled
    postponement AT the starting gun !!  As a matter of fact we were
    expecting a postponement while they at least re-squared the line!!
     
    Here my real point was not that the race committee should be god-like
    and know exactly what the wind will do.  BUT, if they had heard
    that it MAY move considerably during the day, I felt that a seven
    mile windward leg is just begging for trouble.  Make it a shorter
    triangle like course (using the gov't marks they had) and at the
    first leeward mark, reset the next windward mark)
    
    We should all demand excellance from every race committee and not
    just take what they give us.  The squeaky wheel may piss some people
    off but I am interested in making it challenging for EVERYONE,
    including the competition.

    
    By the way....
    
    I too have noticed that boats with higher ratings 'seem' to do well
    in reach arounds.  That is because the course has favored their
    best point of sail.  Which is exactly my point.  A proper combination
    of course legs neutralizes this advantage.  I also resent the
    implication that my bitchin' is due to where Jasmine happened to
    finish in the JFK regatta.  I am interested in the sport of sailboat
    racing NOT Jasmine racing.  My comments were intended to benefit
    all.  I hope you weren't suggesting that if Jasmine had done well
    I shouldn't say anything about the course or the race committee?

    Hi guys.  I'm transitioning to a new organization,
    so things have been a bit hectic.
                      
    No, Bodacious was not on the course.  We had 
    an injury which prevented racing -- skipper.  Nothing
    too serious, and we hope to be out next weekend.
    
    We did sail on Sunday -- fell in with the fleet for a mile
    or so on the second windward leg.  It was honking.  Actually
    glad we didn't race -- too much wind for a skake-down, and we
    still haven't gotten out for a full-crew practice.  We've got
    some catching up to do -- but we'll do it.  ;)
    
    About reaching legs, they do favor longer waterlines, as
    hull speed is directly related to length.  Nothing worse
    for a J/35 than to play follow-the-leader around a reaching course.
    We'd never have a chance against boats like Goose or Fat Tuesday.
                                    
    See you,
    Dean

    RE .30
    
    I looked up the racing rule in the YRUMB Racing Yearbook (section
    8) about mark roundings.  It states "All marks shall be left on
    the side farther from the next mark."  As regards to Tinkers the
    second time around, this seems to indicate that leaving the mark
    to starboard was the correct thing to do.  All those boats who rounded
    to port should have been protested.
    
    RE .35
    
    Bob, please calm down.  I'm not trying to piss you off or imply
    anything unsavory.  It just seemed to me from the tone of your first 
    reply that you were blaming the race committee for giving the boats in 
    front of you an advantage.  Granted the RC could have done a better job
    setting up the race, but we all had to sail the same course.  And
    before you say it, yes, this probably did favor some boats over
    others.  But if you really want to do something about it, get on
    the race committee.
    
    You may have some valid points, but for christ sakes, it's JUST a 
    sailboat race.  Not worth getting all worked up about.  Sorry I got 
    ya riled, just trying to offer a different viewpoint.  Let's try to
    discuss things without all this emotionalism and resentment, OK ???
    Nothing personal, sorry if ya took it that way.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Finally saw that Taylor 40 (named COALITION) down in Scituate
    for the Chapman Bowl overnight race.  It rates 63, which probably
    isn't all that bad a rating, unless the crew was sandbagging or
    something.  I mean, in a 90 mile race, this boat was duking it out
    with an Express 37 (66 rating) over most of the course.
    
    I'm not sure, but CLADDAGH may have just won this race.  If that
    boat has an Achilles heel this year it's light winds.  Most of the
    night was a drifter, and by the time we turned the second mark we
    were almost 12 minutes ahead of her.  Then the wind freshened up
    and CLADDAGH turned on the turbos and passed us, and then started
    gaining on the Express and the Taylor, which were 21 and 23 minutes
    in front of us respectively at the second mark.  I swear, if the
    race course had been 10 miles longer I think CLADDAGH would've taken
    the gun.  At 77, I really think she's begging for a rating change.
    
    Dave, I found out who the other boat was that lost their chute last
    week-end.  It was one of our own (Jubilee boat), EIGHTY-SIX.  They
    not only lost their chute, but Judy Fox, the skipper's wife, was
    dumped in the water in the process, which is why they dropped their
    sails and discontinued the race.  She said we passed by within 100
    feet of her and we didn't even see her.  Goes to show what can get
    overlooked when you're busy in a stiff breeze.  But she's OK and
    off to do the Bermuda race next week.
    
    What'ya think of that course in the Lambert Cup race?  Two beats
    and two runs.  No reaches.  Now THAT doesn't happen very often around
    here.  I thought it was great.  Especially 'cause we finished in
    front of the other two J/36s out there.  But something bad must've
    happened to CELESTE.  I'm not used to seeing that boat finish with
    B fleet.
    
    ... Bob
    
    ... Bob

    I regret to say I didn't race this weekend.  I was up in Vermont
    feeding the blackflies with hunks of flesh from my legs.  First
    thing I did when I got back was call my crew to see what happened.
    The course sounded pretty good, but the wind report was that a 45
    degree shift hit up the second weather leg.  Staying left supposedly
    paid off while the crew of Tuesday went right.  Some moron (probably
    me) left the battery switch on all week, and we had no engine,
    instruments, etc.  Oops.
    
    Claddagh is flying this year.  The tin can does need wind though
    to really go.  I thought that it was Eighty-Six that lost her chute.
    It's funny, but we almost lost a guy over during the process too.
    Makes you think about takedowns at night.
    
    I will be out there Wednesday and Sunday and will never make the
    mistake of hiking in the woods during sailing season again!
    
    Dave
    

    re: .38
    
    Bob,
    
    Dont take this personally, but why are you suggesting that because
    CLADDAGH started flying, a ratings change is called for.  Is it
    not possible that the skipper and crew are getting 110% out of their
    boat by using their superior sailing ability.  I think the whole
    problem with PHRF is the attitude that if the boat does well, change
    the rating!!    We had a class A problem 2 years ago on Narragansett
    Bat with the Frers 33.  On paper, the boat rated somewhere between
    95 and 105.  On water, with Moose McClintok on board, the boat was
    beating C&C 41's BOAT-FOR-BOAT !!!!!  What to do ??? Change the
    rating of a 33 footer to 66 (C&C ratings at the time ??)  Especially
    compound the problem when Joe Average goes out and sails the boat
    to a 150 rating !!!!   I'm pretty sure you were kidding when you
    mentioned changing CLADDAGHS rating.
    
    Also, about JASMINE catching a break in Narragansett.  Let me tell
    you the INSIDE story.  For three years prior to 1987, EVERY racing
    boat skipper on Narragansett Bay bitched about how their rating
    was 3 seconds/mile BELOW New England PHRF.  However, what they failed
    to realize was that EVERY boat registered in Narragansett was 3
    seconds/mile below !!  Also, local race organizers were finding
    it hard to attract outside competition because when the skippers
    found out they would be sailing with a 3 second knock, assumed it
    was just their boat.  So Carl Bradshaw (coincidentally, JASMINE
    skipper), PHRF chairman had a stroke of genius.  After receiving
    his third death threat, he said " Hmmm... lets raise EVERYONES rating
    by 6 seconds/mile.  Now we will be 3 seconds ABOVE New England PHRF
    and I can lose this fake nose and eye-glasses !!"  Now, he gets
    no more phone calls at 2am suggesting impossible physical acts with
    his stuffing box !!  Therefore, ALL boats on the Bay are getting
    a 3 second "gift" not just JASMINE.  You see, the strategy worked
    even on YOU !  You only looked at JASMINES rating for New England
    and Narragansett.  You failed to look at all the other boats that
    JASMINE races against and notice that they ALL are 3 seconds "slower"!
    
    Gotcha !
    
    Off Soundings went off last weekend without a hitch.  B-E-A-U-tiful
    sailing weather around Long Island Sound/Block Island.  JASMINE
    finished 5th out of 23 on Friday. Saturday's results are unknown
    yet as we left the island before the results were in.  The breezes
    were a little fickle but it was SUPER sailing (conditions &
    competition).

    RE .40
    
    Nah, personally I don't care if CLADDAGH takes every race this season.
    I've watched this boat come up the ranks in the last two years from
    not very competitive to clobbering boats that owe then 10-12 seconds
    a mile.  And I think the crew has worked hard to get that boat smoking,
    so they deserve to win.  I was just thinking that the PHRF is based
    on boat performance, and since CLADDAGH is a converted IOR boat
    they are the only one of their kind in the greater Marblehead area.
    Therefore they are the sole boat on which to base a performance
    handicap.  So if they go out and win every race this year they
    will probably get hit with a rate reduction next season.  That's
    usually the way it works (theoretically speaking) with PHRF, right?
    
    About the ratings I mentioned earlier, I based my comments on the
    PHRF New England Base Handicaps, which, as the title suggests, are
    used as a basis for handicapping boats all over the N.E. area. 
    The Peterson/Wiggers 37 rated 87 on this sheet (3 seconds/mile lower
    than JASMINEs rating), while the C&C 41 was listed at 72 (6
    seconds/mile higher than you said they are rated down there).  So
    I don't really see the consistency.  Of course, there may be other
    factors involved.  Like maybe C&C 41's were clobbering everybody
    else down there at the base rating. Since I don't race in the
    Narraganset Bay area I can't really say.  But that's usually
    what causes your performance handicap rating to be lowered, right?
    
    Personally, I'd like to see the IMS system implemented.  Seems to
    be a lot less politically oriented.  But I'll bet the folks who
    sell hot boats would prefer to keep things the way they are, at
    least till they find a way to beat the IMS rules.
    
    ... Bob 

    Who won the Lambert?  Must have been Spirit.  Maybe Goose.
        
    A Taylor 40 rates 63?  How does Spirit, a Taylor 37, get a 90?
    That much difference between them?  
    
    Personally, I can remain civilized about Goose at 72, but 
    Spirit at 90?
            
    Lambert Cup was a nice course.  We smoked upwind, but off
    the breeze we seemed to be dragging a bucket.  More practice.

    Who is going to Block Island?  Sorry if I asked this before, 
    but I just wanted to get a final head-count.  Want to get
    together at the "Kitten" or some such one evening?

    re: 41
    
    No, boats should not get their ratings adjusted based on standings.
    The "performance" part of PHRF stands for 'analytical prediction
    of the boat's potential performance' NOT performance in races. 
    So no, the boat should NOT be adjusted simply because it has done
    progressively better.  Unfortunately, it probably will.  And yes,
    that is the [P]roblem with the [P]olitically Handicapped Rating
    Formula.
    
    And no, C&C's now rate 72 seconds a mile.  I guess I have to explain
    things again.  Thats OK, some of us do seem a bit slower than others.
    The C&C 41 now rates a 72 in an area that I already said was 3 SECONDS
    A MILE ABOVE New England.  So if C&C's rate 72 in New England and
    C&C's rate 72 in Narragansett, why does a Wiggars 37 rate 90 in
    New England and 93 in Narragansett.  Catchin' on yet ?????

    To judge the PHRF, all you can do is make an "objective" 
    rationalization based on some known "constant."  For instance, 
    I know Bodacious does pretty well realtive to other J/35s
    that we've raced in one-design events.  Consequently, I infer
    that we are a fairly well sailed boat.  When a boat like Spirit
    wins the majority of races she enters -- as happened last year -- 
    I have to believe there's more to it than just their superior skill.  
    Maybe it's their Dacron sails?!

    No, I do not believe that a well-sailed boat should be penalized,
    but neither do I think it's possible for a fairly rated
    boat to win just by crossing the line.  I think PHRF tries to 
    adopt that viewpoint as well -- with greater or lesser success from 
    fleet to fleet.

    RE .43
    
    As to PHRF ratings, I'm not referring to what should be, I'm referring
    to what seems to be.  As previously noted this is discussed elsewhere.
    My comments are based on what I've seen happen to successful boats
    in the past, and have NOTHING to do with my personal view on the
    subject.  Let's not beat a dead horse, OK??
    
    >  And no, C&C's now rate 72 seconds a mile.  I guess I have to
    >  explain things again.
    
    You're the one who said they rated 66 seconds a mile.  Don't hold
    me responsible if you provide erroneous information through this
    entry.
    
    >  That's OK, some of us do seem a bit slower than others.
    
    So now who's being offensive ??
    
    >  The C&C 41 now rates a 72 in an area that I already said was
    >  3 SECONDS A MILE ABOVE New England.
    
    If it rates 72 down there, then it's RIGHT ON with the New England
    rating, based on the New England Base Handicap listing, which is
    published and available to any interested sailor.
    
    >  So if C&C's rate 72 in New England and C&C's rate 72 in
    >  Narragansett, why does a Wiggars 37 rate 90 in New England and
    >  93 in Narragansett.
    
    I don't know, I'm not on the ratings committee.  However, I've already
    said twice that the New England base rating for that boat is 87, NOT 90.
    
    >  Catchin' on yet ?????
    
    No, not really.  It seems to me that you've contradicted yourself.
    But then again, some of us are just slower than others, right?
    
    Bob, if you're going to get all steamed, why don't you and I just
    drop this conversation.  It's getting tedious.  And I'm sure there
    are more interesting things to talk about relative to the sport
    of sailboat racing.  Besides, I don't really follow you.  And I
    really don't think it's because I'm slow.  If you think I offended
    you why don't you just walk on over to my office (about 100 feet
    from yours) and explain to me how, and if an apology is in order
    it'll be quickly forthcoming.  Now, let's not bog this entry down
    with any more of this nit-picking nonsense.
    
    ... Bob

    Absolutely.  I have been trying to present an objective, rational
    viewpoint all along.  It seems that there has been some pokes in
    my direction ever since I took issue with the JFK race committee.
     I apologize to the rest of the notes conference for being a bit
    pointed.  I shouldn't let myself get 'goated' like that.  
    
    
    PHRF does a very good job of identifying a range of ratings where
    the boat should be based simply on the numbers.  I know of several
    committees, (New England included), that go out of their way to
    stay within those bounds.  That is the best we can ask for.  Once
    a boat looks like it should get moved out of that range, it should
    take a major act to make it happen.
    
    See you at Block Island.

    Wow, I love it when you guys get violent (pant, pant)!

    To get the attention of people who might not be following
    this note, I'm going to start a new note to set up a
    "rendezvous" on Block Island next week.
    
    Let's see if we can come up with a plan to get together
    at one of the sponsor parties or whatever...

    Sorry, I wasn't going to do this, but I gotta get it said ...
    
    RE .46
    
    >  I have been trying to present an objective, rational viewpoint
    >  all along.  It seems that there has been some pokes in my
    >  direction ever since I took issue with the JFK race committee.
    
    Bob, I'm not trying to poke, I'm trying to make a point that it's
    one thing to present an objective, rational viewpoint.  It's another
    entirely to flame people for disagreeing with you.  Now, let's take
    a look at some of your objective, rational viewpoints.
    
    Relative to PHRF ...
    
    RE .22
    >  On PHRF : Being on the Narragansett ratings committee, I thought
    >  Narragansett had the worst reputation for puttin' in the fix!!
    >  However, after watching us get slapped 3 seconds at the last
    >  minute and then seeing a C&C 41 take the gold with a 72 (!) I
    >  think the PHRF team up here has claimed the booby prize.
    
    RE .40
    >  I think the whole problem with PHRF is the attitude that if the
    >  boat does well, change the rating!!
    
    RE .43
    >  that is the [P]roblem with the [P]olitically Handicapped Rating
    >  Formula.
    
    RE .46
    >  PHRF does a very good job of identifying a range of ratings where
    >  the boat should be based simply on numbers.  I know of several
    >  committees, (New England included), that go out of their way
    >  to stay within those bounds.
    
    -  Doesn't sound too consistent to me. 
    
    Relative to ratings ...
    
    RE .33
    >  By the way, C&C's rate 66 down in Narragansett with other boats
    >  having the same rating as they do up here !?!?!
    
    RE .40
    >  Therefore, ALL boats on the Bay are getting a 3 second "gift"
    >  not just JASMINE.
    
    RE .43
    >  And no, C&C's now rate 72 seconds a mile.
    
    -  Bob, you're contradicting yourself.
    
    Relative to reach-arounds ...
    
    RE .33
    >  re: higher rating boats do better in reaching races !
    >  I would love to see this MYTH finally end ...
    
    RE .35
    >  I too have noticed that boats with higher ratings 'seem' to do
    >  well in reach arounds.  That is because the course has favored
    >  their best point of sail.
    
    -  No, it's because a 37 foot boat with a 90 rating will go faster
       boat-for-boat than, say, a 35 foot boat with a 72 rating.  As
       previously noted, reaches favor hull speed, which is a factor
       of waterline length.  The best point of sail of any given boat
       will depend on many factors, such as type of rig, overall weight
       of the boat, hull shape, etc.  It has little to do with the boat's
       PHRF rating.
    
    Relative to Narragansett ratings ...
    
    RE .40
    >  So Carl Bradshaw (coincidentally, JASMINE skipper), PHRF chairman...
    
    RE .43
    >  why does a Wiggars 37 rate 90 in New England and 93 in Narragansett.
    
    -  Why not ask your skipper, since he sets the ratings ...
    
    
    So my point in all this is not to take personal pot-shots, but to
    point out that you have no reason to get all upset if someone takes
    issue with inconsistant statements on your part.
    
    Now, can we save all the emotionalism for the race course please?
    
    ... Bob

    Wow! What a day for racing yesterday.  The CYC did a good job setting
    the windward mark instead of relying on gov't bouys.  Only regret
    is that the course wasn't a gold cup with an additional
    windward/leeward.
    
    On a different subject, it seems the PHRF rating committee in M'head
    has gotten wind of some of the comments made in this note and are
    somewhat less than pleased.  For the record, while I personally
    have a problem with the attitude of one of the members, and while
    I certainly have difficulty making sense out of some of the ratings
    that come out of that committee, I don't think anyone in this note
    file thinks that they are intentionally stacking the odds in anybody's
    favor.
    
    Dave

    RE .50
    
    Sounds like you guys didn't lose your wind like we did.  We did the
    Jubilee Chowder Cup race yesterday.  This is a "fun", cruising type
    race (no spinnakers) where everybody in the club comes out and races
    around a 12 mile course.  Lost our wind twice, once by Bakers Island
    and once at the end of the race.  Aggravating as hell to get within 1/2
    mile of the finish and then stop dead and watch the whole rest of the
    fleet catch up to ya.  Imagine a J/36 nearly getting beat boat for boat
    by a J/24 and a Winger 28.  EMBARRASSING !!  Ah well, sh*t definitely
    happens.  Besides, it WAS a fun day.  And the best part is the free
    chowder and beer afterwards.  Next week it's back to the serious stuff
    (Patton Bowl).  Hope to see ya out there ...
    
    By the way, I'll put in my $.02 about the M'head ratings committee.  I
    have fewer problems with the ratings of our competitors than I have
    with some of the skipper's attitudes (particularly before and after the
    race is over).  And I'd hesitate to criticize anybody who volunteers to
    do a job that I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot spinnaker pole (setting
    ratings for all those boats).  Hope it wasn't anything I said that they
    took exception to.  (And how'd they get access to this Notes conference
    anyway???)
    
    ... Bob

    Anybody out there doing the Wednesday night series?  Fat Tuesday
    is doing it and I'm going to be out there as often as possible.
    It's good fun and a way to get your crew's spouses/girl(boy)friends
    out for some casual racing.
    
    I don't know how the PHRF committee heard what was being noted about
    them.  We have a rule on Fat Tuesday called "Canadian Rules" (long
    story) which basically states that all that happens or is opined
    onboard stays onboard.  That rule has served us well.
    
    Dave

    Wasn't Saturday a real scream?  Did the Patton Bowl race this week-end,
    although on our boat I think it should have been called the "Murphy
    Bowl".  Only cost us two halyards, a headfoil, and two crew casualties
    (one minor, one requiring stitches).  Ah well, I guess we all have bad 
    days.
    
    Dave, I know you were out there.  Maybe you can explain Saturday's
    course.  I know they displayed a twice around flag, but what was the
    extra upwind/downwind leg between Newcomb's and Gale's all about?  Did
    I miss a flag or something?  Damned good thing we had boats in front of
    us to watch or we probably would've headed right back up to Eastern
    Point.  Also, can anybody explain why they'd have such a long course on
    Saturday and such a short one on Sunday?  Christ, we were so beat after
    Saturday's race I thought the crew was going to mutiny and not show up
    for Sunday.  Then yesterday's race just whetted our appetite for a good
    sail, since the wind and weather were more reasonable.  We went for a 
    three hour cruise after the race just because it was a nice day and the 
    race ended so early.  Just can't figure that one out.
    
    Also, any idea why CELESTE dropped out?  They don't seem to be off to a
    very good start this year.
    
    ... Bob

    That's right, we were out there, but didn't finish a race all damn
    weekend!  On Saturday we recovered from a mediocre start to round
    second at the windward mark behind the new Coalition.  At the jibe
    mark we had almost caught them.  On the third leg back to Gales
    we passed them to leeward.  They were pissed!  I would be too if
    I just spent $250+k and a boat with an identical rating walked by.
    He had the builder and sailmaker on board too.  We felt pretty good.
    Just after rounding the Gales and starting the second weather mark
    we were burying them when , BANG, the main halyard let go.  I almost
    started crying.  Just parted at the crane.  We were going so well.
    Obviously, it was the end of our day.  The boys on Coalition were
    visibly relieved.
    
    The course was shortened on Saturday.  It was a Gold Cup course,
    twice around.  The Gold Cup flag was flying right next to the Tango
    flag.  The final windward/leeward was eliminated in a course shortening
    action.
    
    Celeste dropped out because they ripped thier #2 and they were (I
    swear) "cold and wet".  Couldn't get much else out of them.  They
    were in no mood to talk.
    
    Sunday we had the wrong chart with us so the course looked about
    the size of a quarter when plotted out.  As a consequence,  we went
    the wrong way to the second mark after rounding the first mark well
    in front of the fleet.  Sailed too low.  By the time we noticed
    we were out of it so we dropped out.  Pretty demoralizing after
    working to fix the boat after Saturday's survival race.
    
    WE WILL BE BACK.  
    
    Dave

    Sorry to hear about your mishaps Dave.  I just figured you guys were
    somewhere way out in front of us.  Doesn't look like Coalition's
    going to be the hot boat to be feared this year after all, but I'm sure
    you guys would really like to have crossed the line in front of her.
    Hell, there's always next week though.
    
    I can't believe CELESTE would drop out simply because they were "cold
    and wet", and because of a torn headsail.  I'm starting to feel a little 
    better about our "Murphy Bowl" effort.  I mean, we were "cold and wet" 
    too, and some of us were bleeding, and some of us were seasick, and some 
    of us were cramping up from the cold and wet and effort.   And if we kept 
    track of our screw-ups we'd have needed a damn computer to sort 'em all 
    out for us.  But we crossed the finish line, almost in one piece.  
    
    Dave, did you say SHORTENED COURSE ?!?!?  Can ya give me that in
    English please?  We did Gales (starting line) to Newcombs to Eastern
    Point to Gales to Newcombs to Gales to Newcombs to Eastern Point to
    Gales.  Ain't nothing short about that course.  I was ready to ram the
    committee boat by the time we crossed.  Hope that was the real course,
    but CILISTE and WHIPLASH were behind us (as well as B fleet, BUMPA took
    the gun about 2 minutes behind us) so I don't think we screwed up.
    
    Guess it was a "Murphy Bowl" for a few of the boats out there.  I noticed 
    BAD COMPANY didn't come back out on Sunday either.  And we weren't the 
    only ones spending time at the top of the mast Saturday evening.  One of 
    the other boats in our club "TOOT SWEET" lost a shroud, and dropped out 
    of the race before they lost their mast.
    
    Sunday's race was a real disappointment for us too.  Maybe you didn't
    notice, but we were in pretty good shape right after the second leg. 
    But our naviguesser was the one who got hurt worst on Saturday (she had
    to scramble up the mast to release a stuck halyard and ripped her
    finger up pretty good on flogging hardware) and wasn't there for Sunday's 
    race.  We spent most of the race guessing where we were supposed to be. 
    Didn't miss any marks, but ended up on the wrong side of the course a
    couple of times, which hurt us big time.  We were counting on using our
    computer for navigating the course, but it doesn't handle portables too
    well.  Took us longer to figure things out than we had time for on
    those short legs.  And the damned headfoil was damaged from Saturday, so
    every time the wind puffed up the jib luff started coming out of
    the track.
    
    Captain Wagner just kept a cool head though, and let his crew work
    things out as best they could.  Can't help admiring a guy that can
    watch his hard earned $$ flying away like that without getting upset
    about it.  Guess that's why we let him steer the boat.
    
    ... Bob

    Yeah, the Saturday course was shortened.  It was supposed to be
    gold cup (triangle, windward/leeward) TWICE!  That would have been
    what you sailed plus a Gales to Newcombs and a Newcombs to Gales
    leg.  Original course length was just over 35 miles.  I must say
    we had advanced word that they were going to try that.  The reason
    they shortened was not that it was too long but they started worrying
    about the smaller boats rounding Gales as bigger boats were finishing.
    A reasonable concern indeed!
    
    Coalition sure looks hot, but like you say, did not live up to its
    rap.  Once again Clad-dog saved their time.  Unbelievable!
    
    Sorry you had such a damaged boat on Sunday.  We haven't had any
    wind instruments (direction, speed, etc.) all season because of
    a short in the Ockam box.  Like sailing a dinghy!  Actually it has
    sharpened the crew not to rely on the numbers.  Now if I could only
    learn to read a chart correctly...
    
    Dave
    
    
    
    
    

    Report from BI.
    
    A difficult week.  Lots of fog forced a 1st race
    cancellation.  Auspicious beginning!  Other races delayed 3 and 4 hours.
    Some good water-balloon fights on Friday.  Although a surely lot, 
    the race committee did a good job given the conditions.  They did set 
    one crazy line though -- Friday's B start saw the committee boat
    favored by some 50 or more yards!!  
    
    Bodacious did not fare well at all.  Suffered one injury -- a shoulder 
    separation.  Yours truely.  Didn't make any difference to racing,
    though, as it happened Friday afternoon while horsing around.  At any 
    rate, the competition was outstanding.  One design is very intense.  
    Wish there were half-a-dozen 35s in M'blhead.    
    
    "Thunderdome calling MAD MAX, come in."  Ralph, sorry we never 
    hooked up.  Didn't you hang out for any of the parties?  I certainly 
    drank my share or Myers.  Did you take any of the Audis for a ride?
    How about that simulator!?  Pretty silly contraption, no?
    
    Cheers,
    Dean

    Anybody doing the EYC regatta the 4th ?  It's a good time, and the
    committee has plenty experience in one design courses so it's usually
    a pretty good race.  This is the last race before the Corinthian
    200 so it's a good tuneup.  Fat Tuesday will be there to avenge
    our shameful performance of the prior weekend.
    
    Remember, no matter where you go, there you are.
    
    Dave

    Bo will be there.  How about rafting up after to
    vidi the fireworks?  
    
    Just a thought.  ;)

    Not sure we will be on board continuously after the race until the
    works, but will be back in time to watch the show.  Ofcourse you're
    welcome to raft up to us if you don't have a mooring in the harbor.
    We are at the opening of the harbor and easy to find.  Also a good
    spot to exit from when over.  Give a shout on Monday at the line.
    See you there!
    
    Dave
    
    P.S. Bob Bailey came out racing with us last Wednesday.  He has
    a hot hand on genny trim.

    What a weekend for racing!  Is it my imagination, or are the committees
    infinitely better at setting courses this year?  Had several gold
    cup courses already.  Class A is getting pretty competitive again.
    All of the class finished within a six minute span on corrected
    time yesterday.  
    
    Looking forward to the Corinthian 200 this next weekend.  Anyone
    else doing it?  Dean, thanks for saying hi.  Never saw you after
    the race, though.  How'd you guys do?
    
    Dave

    Nice job Dave.  Fat Tuesday looked lean and mean.
    You did win, yes?  Would like to think you saved your
    time on Spirit.
    
    We ended up rafting with Combat Zone -- way up next to
    the beach.  What a beautiful night!  
    
    Corinthian this coming weekend.  Anyone going?
    
    Dean

    Guess we crossed notes, Dean.  Yeah, we won and saved our time on
    Spirit.  So did Coalition.  Nice looking boat!  See you Friday.
    I hate the thought of anything to do with Monhegan Island, but we'll
    be there!
    
    Dave
    

    Sounds like we missed a good race yesterday.  WAGS is still recovering
    from last week-end, with a couple of our sails still in the "repair
    shop".  So we decided to bag yesterday's race and just go for a nice
    leisurely cruise.
    
    I'll be there Friday, on FAT TUESDAY (thanx for the invite Dave).  See
    ya then ...
    		... Bob

    We went left -- hit the Monhegan parking lot around 1 am.
    Wind clocked all the way around in 30 seconds.  Fun to be sailing
    backwards with the chute draped in the shrouds and lightening
    flashing all over the place.  Having been through that before -- 
    and doing about 6 hoists in half an hour, we "white sailed" it 
    until things settled down.

    Nice weather leg, huh!?  Played the middle -- lots of dramatic
    shifts.  Seas very mixed up -- a challenge to drive.  Going left
    seemed to pay.  More wind, or better angle?  We had it on the
    nose all the way.  
    
    Saw Pioneer running home when we were still 30 miles
    out!  What happened in A fleet!?  Sure would have been nice 
    to finish that quickly.
    
    In all, a pretty tough race.  Small victories made it
    worthwhile, though:  For instance, Claddagh passed us on her 
    return from the bottom mark when we were still 3 miles out.  
    Didn't do much for our psyche.  But somehow we beat her.  Gear
    failure?  We saw them drop their main and hoist someone to the
    top for about 15 minutes.  Very heroic!  They must have parted 
    a halyard.  At any rate, we never ran completely out of gas on 
    the weather leg.  Would not have been pretty out there if we had.  

    Dean        

    Hi Dean,
    
    Sounds like we were a little luckier than you.  We got our chute down
    before the wind shift.  Then we did a few sail changes during the next
    half-hour too.  When did you round Monhegan?  We rounded around 3 AM
    (not sure of the exact time, I was in the rack at the rounding).  Our
    strategy was to stay outside the rhumb line going downwind, just in
    case the wind died inside during the night.  Must've paid off, we beat
    the boats we saw inside us during the downwind leg.
    
    Coming back we stayed left of the rhumb line most of the way, till we
    could tack and aim for Cape Ann.  Gotta admit, the waves were a little
    easier in close, and the wind stayed right up there.  Didn't see too
    many boats all day Saturday.  None from our fleet.  We crossed a couple
    of B-fleet boats early afternoon, and passed a C-fleet boat (apparently
    the first one across the line) out around Thatchers Island.
    
    I didn't come back on Sunday to get the final results, but I suspect
    COALITION won.  She finished a couple of hours in front of us (bummer).
    We crossed the finish line just after 11.  The entire race took us just
    shy of 35 hours.  When did you guys cross?  When did the first Az boat
    cross?  Who won in the Az fleet??
    
    All things considered I thought it was a really good race.  Conditions
    couldn't have been much better, as the wind never really died and the
    weather never really got bad.  Had loads of fun sailing on FAT TUESDAY. 
    
    ... Bob

    Okay, how did Bailey know what happened?  All he saw was the bottom
    of the bunk on top of him!  Just kidding, Bob.
    
    Coalition did win A fleet.  After the finish list was exactly in
    order of size (Pioneer, Seahawk, Cara, Rumours, Eighty-Six, Fat
    Tuesday).  Coalition rounded Monhegan a half hour ahead of us. 
    We should have followed her down the windward leg.  We might have
    had a chance.  Oh well.
    
    The boat developed a leak that made life below a little uncomfortable.
    As it turned out we could have fixed it in about five minutes. 
    Just a leaky drainage hose getting backwash when the stern was down
    in the water (all the time).
    
    All in all it beat a drifter, and the lightning show was spectactular.
    I still prefer sailing while the sun's up.  
    
    On to Edgartown and revenge over Coalition!
    
    Dave

    Tough to know for sure, but things seemed
    to reverse for our fleet.  Inside boats on the
    downwind leg did real well.  Outside on the
    return, however, did better.  Argonaut won Az.
    We rounded the bottom mark about 5 miles
    in front of her, but she was one of the pack that
    came reaching in from outside at the finish. 
    We passed her again about 100 yards from the
    line.  

    Dave, have fun in Egg-head town!  See you at the
    Mid-summers?
    
    

    Nice going Dean.
    
    You guys looked like you knew what you were doing out there.  I especially
    liked that spinnaker set out by Gale's yesterday.  :^)  :^)
    
    Congrats ...
    
    		... Bob

    	Is anyone heading out to the Hyannis Regatta on July 29, 30
    and 31?  It is not in the same league with Edgertown or Block Island
    but there should be a fleet of 50-60 PHRF boats in 3 divisions.
    If you're there check out the MAD MAX and the end of the HYC pier
    and give me a holler.
    					Ralph Palmer

      Thanks Bob.  
    
      Yeah, that set was a beauty!  Actually
      filled and was drawing!  We screwed up by dousing it 
      early though -- should have gone with a peel.  ;)
    
      Did you swing by the Corinthian?  We were late.

    
    Ralph, good luck in Hyannis!    
    

      Dave, trip report.  You had some very good press
      from what I hear -- almost took the whole thing?
    
    
    Berringer in two weeks....
    

    What a week!  Great sailing, great committee work, and the weather
    wasn't as lousy as up in Boston.
    
    The racing was Sunday thru Friday with a layday on Wednesday after
    the 'Round the Island race on Tuesday.  Sunday and Monday were the
    Osborne series and Thursday and Friday were the Regatta series and
    the Island Race was seperate.  We opted to do the whole thing.
    
    The trip down began Friday before race week.  My partner was doing
    that with some of the crew as I had to work.  Around 3 in the afternoon
    I get a call from the boat that they couldn't get the engine to
    work and were turning back to Marblehead.  Can't go through the
    canal without an engine.  From this end I get a mechanic to be at
    the boat by 8 the next morning.  The problem was more extensive
    than we thought and by the time we had it going it was mid afternoon.
    
    So, with the first race starting at 11 the next morning, we leave
    Marblehead at 4:30 in the afternoon for the roughly 100 mile trip
    to Edgartown.  Fortunately we had plenty (22-25 knots) of air for
    the long haul to the canal.  At the canal it was right on the nose
    so we motored thru.  I went down to snooze.  All of a sudden I hear
    something that isn't quite right.  Swing my legs out of the bunk
    and into 6 inches of water above the floorboards.  Panic is a mild
    term for what I felt.  We very shortly found that the hose had come
    off the water pump (again) to the diesel cooling system.  East fix
    but a bitch to pump out that much water.
    
    After a wild ride thru Woods Hole, we pull into the town dock in
    E-town at 8 Sunday morning.  A quick unloading and gathering of
    the rest of the crew and we're off to the races!
    
    Sunday.  Perfect day.  Triangle course twice around with brisk wind.
    We win our class which astounds us since we're exhausted.  We
    established a rule banning sunglasses for the day since no one can
    tell if you're sleeping behind shades!
    
    Monday.  Refreshed, we go off to a very light air race.  Our tactician
    smells wind to the left and we jibe over.  We pass the entire IMS
    fleet which started 10 minutes ahead as well as most of the IOR
    fleet including Infinity and Gem (two hot Fifty footers).  We win
    big and lock up the Osborne cup both in class and fleet.
    
    Tuesday.  The Around the Island race.  Plenty of wind but no
    visibility.  Short tacking the beach (up to the breakers and tack)
    is nerve racking but to do otherwise puts us smack into foul current.
    Visibility lifts around sunset just in time to blast downwind up
    Vineyard Sound inside the middle ground shoals in pitch black. 
    I was scared.  We were going 9.5+ through the water with 2.5 of
    current with us through increasingly narrow channel with the added
    bonus of a rock at the end of it off West Chop marked with an unlighted
    can.  Great.  Somehow our navigator brought us through (maybe my
    swearing to maim him if we tagged any rocks helped).  We finished
    about midnight and won our class.
    
    Wednesday.  Layday. Rain. Yuck.
    
    Thursday.  Fat Tuesday met her match.  With a steady 20-25 knots
    of air a Swan 51 walked away from us and nothing we could do seemed
    to help.
    
    Friday.  Began as a repeat of Thursday with 30 knots blowing at
    the start.  Wind moderated to low 20's for five of the six legs.
    Again, the Swan was walking on us.  At that point we were ten points
    ahead of the next boat for overall fleet honors for the week.  A
    nice conservative race would wrap it up.  But no, not us.  The wind
    died and we saw a chance to catch the Swan.  We went right to find
    wind and the wind came from the left.  Whoops!  Overall goes right
    down the drain.  We were not happy campers and our tactician felt
    like Whale doo-doo.  Had to settle for second.
    
    This report is a bit (!) long winded, but the point is that the
    regatta is a fantastic event and I would encourage more participation
    from the racing DEC types.
    
    Dave 
    

    If you had to design an overnight race that was interesting,
    comfortable, with plenty of wind and variation to keep things
    interesting, you would be hard pressed to beat last Friday's Beringer
    race.  Basically a figure eight course twice around (about 90 miles).
    Actual distance sailed 117 miles.  
    
    We tanked and let Claddagh slip by, but still had a great time.
    We were bemoaning the fact that a 41 footer like Claddagh has that
    incredible rating, but really feel for the J 35's that owe her time.
    At least we have a chance to beat her on time.  Can imagine very
    few situations in any distance where a J 35 has a prayer.  Must
    be frustrating Dean.
    
    Special thanks to Dean and the crew of Bodacious for giving us a
    copy of the mark list as we left ours ashore.  Very sporting!
    
    One disadvantage of the course with its many relatively short legs
    was that it made it difficult to sleep at all.  Most of our crew
    went the whole night without so much as a cat nap.  And these guys
    are real sack hounds!  Made for a wierd Saturday.
    
    From now on we race while the sun's up!
    
    Dave

    Well Dave, you're welcome.  We race to win,
    but that doesn't preclude civility, or for that
    matter enjoying a friendly relationship with
    the competition.  Speaking of which, we enjoyed Bob
    Bailey's company VERY much.  Of course, he was awfully
    busy with his spy camera, but he did lend a hand now
    and then... ;)
    
    As for the Berringer, no pity, please.  You win some 
    and you loose some.  At the weather mark we'd clawed 
    our way back into a pretty nice position -- only Claddagh had 
    us, and we knew she could go "lower and faster" on the
    run, so we went outside for the angle.  Looked good for awhile, 
    but the wind died on us while the inside boats got away.  We failed to
    cut our loses and that was the race.  But give credit where
    credit is due; we were smoking to weather.  
    
    It is somewhat frustrating to owe Claddagh time, but we
    have beaten her a few times this year, so it's not hopeless.  What we 
    can't do is give other boats up for the sake of beating her.
    Know what I mean...  ;)
    
    Monhegan next week -- ugh!  Only consolation is there's
    usually a large J-35 contingent.  N.E. PHRFs in three
    weekends.  Should be competitive!
    
    Dean

    No pity intended.  Just glad it's you instead of us!  Bob is fun
    to sail with.  Just have to keep him awake :>).
    
    Have fun in Maine.  Won't see us there!  If you stay up there, the
    next weekend is a truly great regatta.  The MS people in Portland
    put it on.  It is run out of Handy Boat.  The course is in Portland
    harbor three times around.  The charity side of it is super but
    the parties are lots of fun.  We did it last year and, truthfully,
    are sorry to miss it this year.  
    
    If you are interested (or anybody else for that matter) call Martin
    Oliver at Handy Boat (207) 781-5110 for information.  They usually
    have more sponsers than boats. Racing is casual but exciting.
    
    Dave

    Thanks for the tip on the following weekend.
    I'll pass it on -- although now that I think
    about it, Jon (skipper) did mention he was feeling
    tired and was wondering if he really wanted to
    do another over-nighter so quickly.  We may end
    up racing local.  
    
    What do you mean, "glad it's you instead of us?"  How 
    often has Tuesday beaten Claddagh this year?  Hmmmm?
    
    FYI:  Loosing to Claddagh is more than frustrating,
    it's annoying.  Those guys can be real d__ks.  Seems
    they haven't gotten over our having protested them out
    of a race last year (cost them dearly, but they screwed
    up, not us) so they tend to be very obnoxious whenever
    we cross paths on the course.  For example, while still 
    running down the first leward leg of the Berringer, they 
    passed us on the return -- a mile ahead -- and were extremely 
    snide.  I'd like to have seen their expression when they
    saw us right behind them at sunrise.  Of course, they had 
    the last laugh, but our windward speed should give them
    as much cause for concern as their downwind speed confounds us.
    The smarter boat will come out ahead for the season.
    
    ;)
    Dean

    RE .75
    
    Aw c'mon Dave,  you're gonna give people the (yawn) mistaken impression
    that I zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ..... uh (ahem) race the same way
    Ronald McReagen governs (snooorrre) ... 
    
    ... Bob
    

    Re.76 You're right about Claddagh.  Not nice guys.  Since we call
    them Clad-dog, when we're moving on them we say we're "walking the
    dog".  You're also right, we haven't beaten them a lot.  Just the
    Summerset and 4th of July regattas and we won those.  My point is
    that if they were really good a J should rarely beat them boat for
    boat much less on corrected time.  The fact that you do impresses
    the heck out of me.
    
    Also, stay local, there's a pretty good race this Sunday (CYC summer).
    
    Dave

    We're sticking around here -- on the heels of the
    Berringer, the delivery is just too much to deal with,
    not to mention the mere prospect of the Monhegan parking
    lot gives me a headache.
    
    As for "Clad-dog," hopefully we'll improve faster than them.
    And then there's this "Fat Tuesday" boat that we've yet to
    set straight. 
    
    ;)
    Dean

    Good to hear you'll be around.  Maybe you can punish us this time
    :^)  .  You guys are pesky upwind.
    
    On a different note, Bob Bailey and I were talking this morning
    and he said he learned a lot about peeling chutes with you last
    weekend.  One technique we have been fooling around with is
    substituting the changing strap with a snatch block.  Put the foreguy
    into the block and hook the clew of the chute to the snap shackle.
    When the sail is raised the block rises up the foreguy to the pole.
    The advantage is that you can raise the new sail while keeping the
    pole square to the wind.  To blow the old sail you can either quickly
    send the afterguy forward to the headstay and have the bowman blow
    it there, or, as we do, honk down on the foreguy to make sure it
    is very tight and send the bowman out on the foreguy to the end
    of the pole (over the water) and release the old chute there.  The
    new clew is right there to hook up to the afterguy.  If you want
    to keep the pole square on a dead down run you send the bowman out
    on the foreguy (as mentioned) disconnect the lazy sheet from the
    guy, hook it up directly to the pole, and tension the lazy sheet
    to keep the pole in place while hooking up the guy to the new sail.
    
    This all sounds more complicated than it is, but we have found it
    to be a much faster method as well as keeping the forestay clean.
    Just an alternative...
    
    Dave

    Yep, that's how the BIG boys do it.  We use a
    bridaled foreguy, however, so the technique wouldn't
    work for us unless we changed that.  We have tried other 
    methods of accomplishing the same thing, but when properly 
    done you loose very little by bringing the pole forward, 
    and there's less risk of dropping a body.  Of course, with 
    an ample supply of gorillas like yours, there's no 
    shortage of talent.  ;)
    
    Admittedly, we've had our share of muffed legs downwind 
    -- no reading between the lines, Bob -- but that's got
    more to do with struggling for optimum speed than it
    does with peels.  We just can't afford to run square
    in anything short of surfing conditions.  Consequently,
    we end up working the targets -- we're finding that to
    be much more difficult down the pike than up.
    
    Ironically, this is not a problem when we sail one-design.
    There, we rely much more on boat-against-boat tactics.
    
    At any rate, see you Sunday -- we'll do our best to 
    give you your money's worth.
    
    Dean

    re:80  I forgot to mention that the bowman has a Lirakis harness
    on so if he loses his grip he just slides back down the foreguy
    and slams into the boat (hopefully headfirst so he won't hurt himself).
    Incidentally we did it that way on our Express 37 but it didn't
    have a bridle style foreguy.
    
    We, too, should pay more attention to our polars.  That's how Claddagh
    got us last weekend.  
    
    Dave

    Well, since we didn't do Monhegan I guess a little bit
    of Monhegan decided to "do" us.  Great wind-shifts, and
    a lovely little tunda-bumpa.  One hit was awfully close to 
    the A-fleet -- like being in a giant flash bulb with an 
    F-16 swooping the masthead at mach 2!  Close as I need to 
    come for inspection.  ;)
    
    Seems Claddagh took the cake again, although there was
    evidently a protest between her and Lightning.  Dave, do
    you know what happened?  How did you do?  Looked like
    the leaders all crossed fairly close.  Sorry we didn't
    press you too much, although you looked vulnerable on
    the approach to the weather mark -- that was when we had
    6.5 knots on.  But then the wind went light.  You showed a lot
    of discipline in waiting out the shift that brought you
    up to the mark.  We ended up over-standing big time.
    Would have rounded with Claddagh had we been more aggressive.
    
    NE PHRFs in two weeks.  We may get four races.  Also,
    expect some "out-of-town heavy-weights."
    
    
        
    

    

    What a waste of a day!  We came in third behind Claddagh and Smoke.
    Smoke made out by going to the far side of halfway rock and getting
    the wind before us or the "Dog".  By the way, the protest was on
    us.  We tacked in front of the on the first leg.  Plenty of room
    and no way too close, but they insisted it was.  Funny as hell to
    watch them drop back and to leeward like they had a sea anchor out.
    They added to their reputation by yelling that we "don't know how
    to sail our boat".  I almost had to physically restrain our crew
    from responding.  If I had a 41 foot boat with their rating, I think
    I would go out of my way to NOT piss people off.  The nice guy routine
    is the way to keep a bogus rating.
    
    We never saw lightning during the storm.  Heard a few cracks and
    got wet, but that's all.  Made four sail changes in ten minutes
    as the wind decided to spin around.  Our bowman was not a happy
    guy.  Speaking of lightning, the boat Lightning hasn't been any
    threat yet.  Can't believe it.  You guys had great speed coming
    into the first mark.  All of a sudden there you were!  We spend
    too much time worrying about Clad dog.  Sometime soon the rest of
    the fleet is going to get away from us if we're not careful. 
    
    We, too are looking forward to the NE champs.  With no race this
    weekend we're worried about becoming rusty.  Wish they hadn't shortened
    the race yesterday.
    
    Dave

We sailed offshore from Rockland, Maine, to Marblehead this past weekend. 
Sometime after dark on Saturday we sailed across the path of a fleet of 
sailboats running downwind under spinnaker toward Monhegan. As far as we 
could tell, perhaps two of the thirty to forty boats were displaying the 
correct running lights. All of the boats had the to be expected red and
green bow lights and white stern light. However, virtually all of 
the boats appeared to have their masthead anchor lights on also (why, by 
the way?). Thus, from ahead, we saw either a red or green light and a 
white range light -- the lights to be displayed by a vessel under power. 
From astern, we saw two white lights, one above the other (I'm not sure 
what these lights are legal for -- perhaps a very large anchored vessel 
-- I haven't checked my copy of the navigation rules). At best, the
boats were displaying illegal and/or improper navigation lights. At
worst, an oncoming power vessel would correctly assume, seeing a green
bow light and a white range light, that it had right of way. If there
were a collision, I wouldn't bet on the captain of the power vessel
being found completely at fault. 

Hey guys, it is difficult and dangerous enough sailing the New England
coast at night with all the fishing boats and other vessels around. Why
make it more difficult and endanger yourselves, your crews, and others? 

Many if not most sailors judge the distance of lights at night by their
brightness. Dim lights look far away. Some of the boats that we passed
quite close to had lights so dim that they looked perhaps a mile away. I
don't recall seeing any of the racing boats using a bright masthead
tricolor light. 

Alan

    Alan, what you had the misfortune to pass thru was the fleet doing
    the annual Monhegan Island race.  The reason for the masthead light
    is to allow the helmsman to see his windex for apparent wind angle.
    This would be especially important going down wind.  Had they been
    going upwind you would have seen flashlights attached to the lifeline
    stanchions focused upon the telltales on the headsails.  A pretty
    eerie sight too.  The practice of lighting a masthead light is
    universal in racing and I confess I did not know it to be less than
    legal.  As for the tricolor on the masthead, it is required in the
    UK for racing (or so our Scot tells us).  Trouble is that it makes
    it hard to judge where the bow of the fellows boat is in close crossing
    situations.  I know that those aren't supposed to happen at night,
    but the fact is that with large fleets close to marks they do.
    
    The dim nav lights are a result of the poor battery systems most
    racing boats have.  Ours are like spotlights, lioghting up the ocean
    around us.
    
    Just as a side note.  When we bought the boat (Fat Tuesday) we noticed
    to "speaker controls" reostats next to the nav station.  Since they
    they didn't hook up to the speakers I called the previous owner
    to ask what the heck they were for.  He had them hooked to the running
    lights.  Said that nothing was more disconcerting to the competition
    than slowly dimming your lights after passing them.  Makes it look
    like you've simply sailed away!  As that is clearly illegal, we
    reconnected the speakers to the controls.
    
    At the same time, no one ever claimed racers were bright.  If they
    were smart why would they stay up all night only to end up in the
    same place they started from ;^) ?
    
    Dave
    

Ah so. I thought maybe the anchor lights were on to make judging 
relative positions easier. 

Well, a masthead tricolor light illuminates a Windex just fine (at least
mine does). Two ideas: Don't use your anchor light to illuminate your
Windex, but instead use a small, separate light that is shielded so that
the light only shines upward. Or, use a masthead tricolor light when not
near other boats and switch to the deck level lights near turning marks.

Three more reasons for using a masthead tricolor: If there is more than a
small sea running (say more than 3') deck level lights can be obscured
by the waves, especially when seen from another small boat. Second, the
separation between the colors (red, green, and white) is excellent with
a tricolor light. With separate deck level lights there is often overlap
(ie, you can see both red and green simultaneously) or gaps (no light).
Third, our masthead tricolor uses a single 25W bulb. Our deck lights use
two 25W bulbs and one 10W bulb. Our anchor light is 10W. So you could
reduce your electrical current consumption by 35W (3 amperes) by using a
masthead tricolor (or by 45W or almost 4 amperes if you also use your
anchor light to illuminate your Windex). I can recommend the Aqua Signal
tricolor/anchor/strobe light. Of course, it does add a couple of pounds
to the masthead, which might not be acceptable to fanatic racers. Still, 
any lights are better than no lights. 

Alan

BTW, we actually saw two fleets, one before dark and one after. A J24 
was in the middle of the first fleet, well ahead of some much larger 
boats. 

    From one of Alan's watchkeepers -
    
    We saw 3-4 boats with a masthead tricolor only. They were always
    the easiest to distinguish and identify (there were at least two
    power boats mixed in out there; confusing).
    
    We also spent two hours on my watch 'enjoying' lightning strikes
    from major thunderstorms back toward Monhegan, right where the fleet
    went. Did you guys have a lovely time? And did you have any wind
    next morning (we didn't).
    
    Ross Faneuf
    

    Ross,
    
    Hooo Boy!  Sounds like the Monhegan was another
    classic!  Really happy to have passed on it this year!
    Every time I've done that race there has been thunder-storms
    near the island and no wind in the wee hours.  Not unusual
    for some smaller boat to slip out ahead.  We did the same thing
    on a J35 three years ago.
    
    Dave,
    
    I was going to mention that bit about unscrupulous racers
    using dimmers on their lights.  Happy to hear you rewired
    yours.
    
    Alan, 
    
    What are the approximate dimensions of the masthead 
    tri-color you mentioned.  Shape?  The ones I've seen are
    somewhat ungainly, and would require quite a stalk to
    keep them clear of other masthead gear.  The power savings
    sounds worthwhile, however, and it might be possible to
    rig up a detachable unit so you wouldn't carry the weight
    and windage around the buoys.  Sound feasable?

My Aqua Signal tricolor/anchor/strobe light is 3.5 inches in diameter
and 10.75 inches tall. The tricolor only version is several inches
shorter. All of the Aqua Signal masthead lights have a quick release
mounting socket -- they can be removed from the socket and the socket
cover installed in about 30 seconds. It would be quite easy to make a
mounting post that would get the tricolor above the other masthead gear.
I think that the increased visibility of a masthead light is sufficient 
reason alone to use one.

Alan

As another of Alan's watchkeepers Saturday night, I too found the plethora 
of "extra" lights confusing (as well as technically illegal.)  

Re: masthead tricolors, in June I was part of the Annapolis-Newport 
multihull race, in which every boat had and used their masthead tricolor.  
(All had deck-level running lights in addition, but didn't use them -- 
using both is also illegal.)  They are specifically designed to illuminate 
a masthead wind indicator, and with a 25w bulb up there instead of only a 
10w anchor light bulb, the helmsman's eyestrain was minimal.  We were 
actually happier to have the loom of the running lights way up there, 
rather than occasionally glinting off a wave at deck level or lighting up 
any slight mist in the air.  And in areas of traffic, a masthead light 
commands much more attention sooner from non-racing traffic than the 
typcial deck-level lights.

Though crossing situations occurred only in Chesapeake Bay, when needed we
illuminated our jib with a handheld flashlight from the cockpit to
establish the boat's physical presence. 

J.

    For a lot of the reasons mentioned in this note, we are going to
    go to masthead lights next year.  No more night races this year!
    The deciding factor is the relative ease of removing it for day
    racing when you really don't need the weight aloft. Another factor
    was the fact that it removes all distracting deck level lighting.
    Our current runners reflect off everything.  Less current draw too.
    And we will be legal!  Yeah!  I feel better now.
    
    Dave

I'm glad you've seen the light ..... :-)

Seriously, does an extra couple of pounds at the masthead really make a 
noticeable difference in your boat's performance? I find it a bit hard 
to believe. Loose Goose has been mentioned in these notes as a 
competitive boat, and she now has a radar radome at the spreaders. Such 
radomes weigh, what, twenty or thirty pounds? (True, a pound at the 
masthead has twice the effect of a pound half way up the mast.) 

Alan

    Can racers use radar? I thought it was illegal. 
    
    Ed

    re: .94
    
    There was discussion at the skipper's meeting before the Monhegan
    Race regarding radar.  The sailing instructions stated that electronic
    navigation devices including radar were allowed.  At the skipper's
    meeting, the chairman of the race committee verbally asked that
    radars be used only to insure safe passage.........*Right, how do
    you verify this?*
    The race itself was very good.  Plenty of air until 2:00 AM (as
    usual), but it filled in around 8:00.  Excellent finish line this
    year-outside the Hussey!
    
    I have results if anyone wants them.
    
    Joe

    Re .95 Yes, I'd be interested in results.  If you could publish
    the top three finishers in each class in this note it would be good.
    Thanks.
    
    Took my boss out on a Marblehead Wednesday night race last night.
    Very light winds.  Too light for Claddagh.  They decided not to
    race and instead motored around with the leaders (us and a Soveral33)
    in general taunting and being a pain in the a--.  Being as they
    are an aluminum boat, I wonder how long it would take to self destruct
    if their Zinc mysteriously disappearred?  Not that we would do that.
    No, but maybe...nah.
    
    Dave

    re:96  Ok Dave, here we go.  Monhegan Results.
    
    Class A
    
    Pioneer         17:38:15
    Cara            18:03:15
    Matriarch       18:08:28
    Reindeer        18:11:03
    Rampage         18:23:03
    Scaraamouche    18:51:02
    Bandito         19:40:47
    Hetairos        22:54:19
    Dancing Bare    DSQ (Collision rounding 2CP)
    
    Class B
    
    Loose Goose     18:22:51
    Revolution III  19:04:31
    Legends         19:23:53
    Arbella         19:44:24
    Airwaves        20:36:10
    Heitorik        21:19:45
    Widgeon         21:40:54
    Capella         21:50:22
    Evelution       21:51:15
    Serenity        22:05:48
    Aurora          22:06:57
    Elusive         22:15:58
    CS Payson       22:30:10
    
    Class C
    
    Sae Winds       19:08:41
    Abracadabra     19:44:48
    Rosie           21:07:37
    Hawk            21:34:00
    Electra         21:37:59
    Windancer       21:54:95
    Cutaway         22:19:43
    
    Class D        
    
    Cilista         20:18:45
    Dutch Connection21:33:16
    Expression      21:48:50
    Blitzen         21:49:37
    Avatar          21:50:26
    Victoria        22:21:47
    Emotional Resc. DNF
    Irish Mist      DNF
    Illusion        DSQ (The other boat in the collision with Dancing
                         Bare)
    
    Class E
    
    Great Owl       21:01:04
    Cailin A Mara   21:14:57
    Altered States  21:22:50
    Moondance       21:23:22
    Loki            21:23:53
    Probe           21:26:47
    Revolution      21:30:11
    Shamrock        21:39:41
    Fiesta          21:42:05
    Arbicia         22:29:24
    
      I didn't add the Manana or Seguin races, but will if requested.
    
    Joe
    

    Thanks for the race results!  
    
    FYI:  I plan to lobby for a detachable tricolor
    aboard Bodacious.
    
    Claddagh was being a deliberate nuisance
    on the race course?!!  

    I don't know if they were trying to be in the way, but that was
    the effect.  Just an unneeded irritant when trying to maintain
    concentration in very light winds.
    
    Dave

    Evidently, tricolor lights have actually caused some problems.
    When used exclusively, they often go unnoticed because they
    are so high up, and it's next to impossible to judge range when
    nothing illuminates the hull of the boat.  It's illegal to use normal
    running lights simultaneously, and there is no proscribed 
    "legal" method for lighting the hull.  You could switch back
    and forth, but I can imagine many instances in which it would
    be difficult to know which lights were most effective, not
    to mention that under dire circumstances one might also forget.
    
    From what my skipper tells me, the Coast Guard has actually 
    considered banning tricolors -- I beleive Jon, as he
    is up on this stuff, but I do not know the context.

    Alan, can you address this?  

    I wonder if the Coast Guard is thinking of acting against the use of
    masthead strobes. As I understand it, strobes are illegal under all
    conditions yet I think some of the masthead combination lights have a
    strobe option. 
    
    Ed 

    Definitely referring to tricolor lights, exclusive
    of any strobe option.  
    
    Masthead strobes have been illegal for a dozen or more years.
        
    Dean

I have heard nothing about banning masthead tricolor lights. Properly 
shielded running lights (deck level or otherwise) do not illuminate the 
hull. I agree that, when close to another boat, you may not notice 
another boat with a masthead tricolor. I don't use my masthead tricolor 
in harbors for that reason. However, at a distance and especially with 
any sea running, a masthead light is much, much more visible. The idea 
is to be seen as soon as possible. Once seen, there should be no 
difficulty with the height of the light. A good masthead tricolor light
is visible at over two miles even in a big sea (in fact, a masthead
light at two miles actually appears very close to the horizon). Lights
appearing and disappearing behind waves are not as likely to be noticed,
and, if they are, may be interpreted as being lights dipping below the
distant horizon. Large vessels need a lot of room to change course -- I
prefer to give them every possible chance to see me and avoid me. 

I have no objection to racing (I've raced on occasion). I object 
strongly to racers doing things like displaying illegal navigation 
lights that needlessly and unnecessarily endanger me and my crew. The 
Rules of the Road are international law. If you fail to follow them, and 
someone is hurt or killed or a boat is damaged or sunk, you will 
quite likely find yourself financially liable. Please remember that the 
crews on cruising boats are often small (in my case usually only one on 
watch). Anything you can do to make it safer for everyone is appreciated. 

Masthead strobe lights are legal, but only as distress signals (last I 
heard anyway). They are not legal for collision avoidance or for finding
your anchored boat in the fog or anything other than as a distress
signal. 

Alan

    The cavalry is on the other side of the hill!! I talked with several
    people in the Coast Guard about prospects for tricolor lights and
    finally was pointed to a Mr Palmer in Washington. He's on vacation
    this week but his secretary said he'd call me next Tuesday with
    an answer to my question. See if we can't get some "OFFICIAL" word
    on this!! :-)
    
    Ed
    

    RE: last several
    
    So what about those boats that turn off ALL their lights during night
    races.  I asked one skipper about this practice, and he claims that ANY
    lights destroys his night vision.  I claim he's an idiot.
    
    
    Getting back to racing, I just returned from the NOOD (National
    Offshore One-Design) Regatta which was held in Newport this past week. 
    It was QUITE an experience.  For those of you who have never done
    one-design racing in big boats, it's a lot different than your average
    week-end PHRF regatta.
    
    There were well over a hundered boats there.  Classes were J/24, J/30,
    J/35 (VERY large fleet), J/36, Soverel 27, Soverel 33, Frers 33,
    One-ton, and 3/4 ton.  And I'm sure I left out a couple, because I also
    saw a J/27 and a Frers 41 milling around the starting line.
    
    There were five races in three days.  Two were olympic courses, and the
    other three were upwind, downwind, upwind short courses.  The racing
    was very competitive, with close finishes and lots of tacking duels,
    and lots of protests, and a few collisions.
    
    There were also lots of "rock stars" around, the most notable was Tom
    Blackaller.  He was there representing Mellon Bank, who was one of the
    sponsors.  Each day Tom was "raffled" off to a boat for a race.  On
    Friday we had the experience of racing against him as another J/36 won
    the raffle for that race.  My most memorable experience of the event
    was coming up the last windward leg of an olympic course and crossing
    about twenty feet from his stern (after trailing by about 1/2 mile at
    one point), and hearing Tom exclaim "Where did that striped boat come
    from?"  I'm surprised he didn't tack to cover us, as I had told him if
    we beat him I was having crew shirts made up that said "We beat Tom
    Blackaller".  But unfortunately he crossed the line about 100 feet in
    front of us, so no shirts.
    
    We didn't finish all that well overall, but we had some good races. 
    And we did pretty good against CELESTE and HIGH ZOOT.  In Friday's race
    we were in this terrific tacking duel with HIGH ZOOT which lasted most
    of the final windward leg.  I swear it helped both boats make time on
    the rest of the fleet.
    
    After racing, sponsors like Guiness, Bass, Mount Gay, and Kahlua helped
    create a hell of a party under the big tent.  I've never seen so many
    drunken sailors in one place before.  There were lots of exhibits and
    new product announcements by several marine product manufacturers, and
    most of the major sailmakers had booths there.  Dean, there was a
    fantastic shot of BODACIOUS in the Doyle booth from Block Island a
    couple of years ago.
    
    Gene Ho came down and sailed with us.  For those of you who haven't met
    Gene, he's a hell of a good sailor, and he helped our effort
    tremendously.
    
    Also interesting that we had to travel all the way to Newport to
    finally party with the HIGH ZOOT and CELESTE crews.  The crew from
    "ZOOT" are especially fun, and we had a wild water balloon battle
    before the first race on Saturday, while waiting for some wind so we
    could race.
    
    I'm not sure they'll let us in the Newport Yacht Club again next year
    though.  After the races were all over we decided that since we were in
    the NOOD regatta, we should get NOOD and have some crew pictures taken. 
    Well, we tempered our inhibitions a bit, but still got some funny looks
    from the folks sitting up on the porch as we all stripped to various
    stages of NOODity and posed behind the boom while the NYC launch
    operator took some pictures for us.  I think I saw them out there
    repainting the NO WAKE signs to read NO WAGS.  Ah well, next year we
    probably will end up on a mooring.
    
    All in all it was definitely the high point of the racing season for
    us.  I'd highly recommend the experience for anyone, and seriously
    hope they do it again next year.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Has anyone heard specifics about this weekend's PHRFs
    in Mrblhd?  Aside from hearing that there should be a lot
    of out-of-town competition, I've heard nothing more.
    Is a preliminary scratch sheet available?  Anyone other than
    the usual correspondants in this note planning to participate?
    Anyone want to meet somewhere Saturday evening for a pop?  
    Jacob Marley's?  Could be a mad-house, but fun.
    
    I know, let's have a party on Fat Tuesday!  ;)

    Dean,
    
    Whilst in Newport I heard a lot of out-of-towners mention that they
    were going to be there.  I expect you guys will have an extra J/35 or
    two to race against (I think SILLY RABBIT's coming, but things were
    getting kinda fuzzy by the time I talked to those guys).
    
    Not much info to be had, not even starting times.  Skippers meeting is
    tomorrow night, and from what I heard it's MANDATORY (i.e. if you want
    to race somebody from your boat better be there).  That's all the dirt
    I have.
    
    ... Bob

    re tricolor futures
    
    I talked with a Peter Palmer of the Coast Guard's Navigation Safety
    Office in DC about the possible elimination of tricolor navigation
    lights. He said, "No way, absolutely not." He's not aware of any
    changes under consideration for boats under 20 meters. He said the only
    things in the works were some rule clarifications.
    
    Ed
     
    
    

    Yes, the PHRF NE's are here.  Big regatta.  We are taking this VERY
    seriously.  No ringers, (except Tim Woodhouse, president of Hood,
    and he's just along for the ride) but we will have our A team out
    there.  Should be great competition.
    
    Sorry, the bar on Tuesday will be stripped down to racing weight
    :^), but Marley's or even (dare I say it) Matty's (sp?) sounds good.
    We're counting on hitting the bars early for an early face plant
    into the mattress.
    
    Just for info, Dean, if you guys are looking to leave Bo' in the
    harbor Saturday night, the mooring next to ours is usually empty.
    Belongs to J. Bildner and he's been too busy staying in business
    to launch the boat this summer.
    
    Yes, the skipper's meeting is absolutely mandatory.  That is the
    only place any info will be given out.  
    
    Looking forward to a great weekend!!!  See all you out there!
    
    Dave

re .109:

Ah, good news, you've brightened an otherwise dull day. Since tricolors 
are specifically allowed under the international rules, I'd think that 
the Coast Guard couldn't unilaterally ban them anyway. Now if only 
everyone would use one .....

Horrible thought: Imagine using a kerosene tricolor masthead light. 

    Re .109 -- Thanks for taking the trouble.  It will
    be interesting to see what "clarifications" are made.
    
    Re Alan and your earlier lecture -- I did want to mention 
    that the implication that I or anyone else in this note 
    takes the safety or others less seriously than yourself 
    was uncalled for.  FYI, we don't have a tricolor, but we
    display the correct lights.
    
    Re You "Wag"ish "Fat Tuesday" types, thanks for the scoop.
    I may see you at the meeting.  I guess we won't be racing
    against your boat, Dave, so I can wish you an unreserved helping
    of good luck.  But if we are in the same class, why then,
    I hope you have just slightly less luck than we do.  Same to you Bob.
    
    ;)
    
    But seriously, let's hope the local boats put in a good showing!!
        

re .112:

>>>    Re Alan and your earlier lecture -- I did want to mention 
>>>    that the implication that I or anyone else in this note 
>>>    takes the safety or others less seriously than yourself 
>>>    was uncalled for.  FYI, we don't have a tricolor, but we
>>>    display the correct lights.
    
I did not intend to imply that any particular person, crew, or boat 
owner does not take safety seriously or that any particular boat does or 
does not display the correct lights. However, the majority of the boats
I observed in the Monhegan races were displaying illegal navigation
lights. This does show a disregard for the safety of others, and I 
strongly object to such disregard by anyone.

Alan

    Re .112 Why won't you be racing against us? Aren't you class A?
     Are they dividing up the classes?  Fill me in.
    
    Re .113 I had a thought about all that tricolor stuff.  Your major
    point was that other boats might be lightly crewed and not keeping
    a good watch and therefore it made sense to give the other boat
    enough time to spot you with the masthead tricolor.  Well, when
    racing we have to keep diligent watch just to not hit our competition.
    Any commercial gets a wide berth, and any cruising vessel will be
    accorded the same treatment as other racers, but they will be seen.
    So, I guess that while some have a point that windex lights should
    shine up only and not 360 degrees, I don't see a risk in deck level
    lights for racing purposes.  Ofcourse this argument would only hold
    up for relatively short, coastal racing.  Offshore I would demand
    a tricolor at the masthead.
    
    Alan, if you ever feel like it, we'd be glad to get you out racing
    with us some time.  We'll try to keep the mast up for the whole
    race ;^) .
    
    Dave

re -.1:

Sure, I'd love to join your crew sometime. Thanks for the offer.

Alan

    Re Dave -- I'm assuming that if enough big boats show
    up, they'll split classes like they did for the Corinthian.
    Maybe not.  Kind of hope they do though -- no fun getting
    run over by 50 footers.  We'll know tonight.  
    
    Alan, do take Dave up on his offer -- I've been looking
    for that extra insentive to break out the funnelator.  
    
    ;)

    RE .116
    
    Did you say funnelator?   NOW you're talking.  Gotta remember to
    re-stock our water baloon supply, the NOOD depleted our resources
    severely.  
    
    Allen, I'd also recommend taking Dave up on his offer.  Maybe if you
    got out there a couple of times you'd get a different perspective on
    things.  And Dave and his crew of racing "heavies" know their business.
    
    I also hope they split the class.  Not fun looking at the leaders cross
    the line so far ahead that you can just make out their sails through
    binoculars.
    
    See y'all at the skippers meeting tonight.
    
    ... Bob

    Won't see me at skipper's meeting.  My partner, Denis and our navigator
    are going.  Most of our crew, including me, are going to play with
    the MIT Tech Dinghies on the Charles river tonight.  Those things
    are a blast and it's amazing how hard they are to sail fast.  Anyone
    who is any good leaves me in the dust.  Last week our foredeck guy
    and I were fighting for last place in one of these races when he
    looks across to my boat and says "think it would impress 'em if
    we told 'em we're ocean racers?"  Nope, not a bit.
    
    Dave

    re [-.1]
    
    Is there now a Friday night series too?  Used to be Tuesdays and
    Thursdays.  I used to race in these to recruit crew but when they
    saw what a poke I was, no one wanted to come.

    Mondays, Wednesday, Friday are novice nights.  Tuesday and Thursday
    are for those who know what is going on.  Not me!
    
    Dave

    Well now, wasn't that FUN ???  Thirty nine boats in A fleet !  After
    all the postponements and general recalls we finally got a little
    racing in.  I REALLY wish they'd split up a fleet that size, it
    was a little dangerous out there on the starting line, and at the
    first windward mark.
    
    It's really amazing to me how many people were in flagrant violation
    of the basic rules this week-end, and how many of them got away
    with it.  I think they should adopt a rule that collisions caused
    by such flagrant violations should result in the offending boat
    being barred from racing for a season, or something along those
    lines.  Somehow a DSQ for the race just doesn't seem sufficient.
    Wonder how that poor guy from HOT SPUR who got his collarbone broken
    in the collision with ARCADIA feels about it.
    
    Dave, you guys really looked hot out there.  Maybe it was the safety
    thing too, eh?  Figured you'd get out ahead of everybody where you
    weren't in danger of being T-boned.  How'd you guys make out yesterday?
    
    We dropped out of the last race at the first windward mark.  Nearly
    got ourselves T-boned by SHEHERAZADE when they came roaring into
    the pack on port tack.  We had rights, but if we had maintained
    our position we would've ended up like HOT SPUR.  So we bore off
    big-time and missed the both SHEHERAZADE and the mark.  Then, when 
    we gybed around to go back to the mark we got blanketed by a solid 
    wall of sails to windward and went into irons.  Talk about getting 
    gassed!  There wasn't enough air in there to breath comfortably,
    forget about filling a sail.  And the tide was carrying us right
    into the mark!  So as the rest of the fleet roared up on starboard
    we counted about six boats telling us we were protested for not
    getting out of their way (as if we could with no air and no steerage).
    After the entire fleet passed we finally got some air, and went
    over and informed the committee boat we were dropping out of the
    race.  Too bad too, we had finally gotten a good start and had a
    reasonably good windward leg.  Oh well, as Dave says, "That's yacht
    racing".  
    
    I guess if you're going to go out and play with the big boys you have 
    to decide that you're going to risk life and limb in order to maintain 
    your rights.  For us it's not worth it.  We like our boat and want to 
    keep the crew healthy.  Saw too many big boats go bump this week-end.
    Fortunately this doesn't happen too often.  I think if they'd split
    the fleet it wouldn't have happened so much this year.
    
    I suspect Wagner won't want to risk his boat in this event next
    year.  We'll probably do something a little less risky, like cliff
    diving maybe.
    
    ... Bob

    Contact sailing is alive and well off of Marblehead.  Forty competitive
    boats trying to get to one end of a starting line makes for a lot
    of fun.  We had two minor collisions the first day.  The first was
    when Brigadoon was sitting head to wind at the line when her jib
    backed and put her onto port tack and a domino effect that caught
    up to us seven boats away.  Nowhere to go and Full Tilt Boogie bounced
    off us.  No problem.
    
    The incredible number of general recalls made for some great starting
    line clinics.  One problem was the mixing of very serious and not
    so serious racers and the disparate knowledge of the rules.  Can't
    be teaching rights in those circumstances.
    
    We had a third on Saturday, and a second and a third in the two
    races Sunday.  Would have given us a second for the series if Taylor
    Anne, a Frers 41 hadn't protested us for tacking too close.  Hey,
    guys,you still got first that race, no gelcoat involved, and this
    is racing.  They were an Eastern YC boat with an EYC jury and an
    EYC committee member as a witness.  We was screwed.  But that's
    yacht racing.  All we could do was beat the pants off them on Sunday
    and we did.  Felt good.
    
    I, too, believe that all would have been served better with a split
    A fleet.  The smaller boats never had a chance.  The courses were
    short and they had to race the whole time in the larger boats' bad
    air.  The starts would have been much safer too.  There was also
    a lot of wind sheer giving the taller rigs a huge advantage.
    
    The last start had Bodacious called over early.  We couldn't believe
    the committee called two boats over when the whole bloody fleet
    was over!  We pictured them going "the hell with it. Start these
    maniacs."
    
    Overall the best and most competitive racing we saw this summer.
    I could do that every weekend!
    
    Dave

    re. 121
    
      Boy, was it wild.  I agree, the fleet should have been divided-the
    rating spread could have even allowed 3 fleets.  The amount of contact
    was unbelievable.  Does anybody know how many boats got DSQ'ed?
    The amount of recalls were excessive.  I can't help to wonder if
    the race committee was trying to minimize the chance of one of
    the "big boats" being tossed out.  In all, I'd rate the management
    of this regatta a C+/B-.  I heard that Portsmouth is working to
    host this event next year.
    
      JS

    Hi guys,
    
    Sorry to see your DSQ Dave.  Bob, also sorry to see WAGS get 
    wasted in the third race.  We saw you floundering in there 
    as we rounded.  You looked REAL good up to that point, and overall, 
    it certainly did seem that the NOODs benefited WAGS.  I would 
    like to know, though, how you figured you had rights coming into 
    a weather mark on port -- I can imagine VERY few instances when
    that would be true.  Might make a good discussion in the "Protest 
    Room" (869).
    
    We had a tough weekend too.  Went from bad to worse when
    we let 6 boats off the hook in the last 1/2 mile of the last
    leg of the first race -- one of which was Claddagh.  The second
    race was a matter of going left for the lift.  We waffled around
    in the middle.  For that last start, we new we were close, but as Dave
    mentioned, it looked like everyone would get called if anyone got
    called.  

    In all, I was impressed with the turn out, but with courses 
    so short the big boats had quite an advantage in the hunt for
    clean air.  I too hope they'd split the fleets even further
    next time.

    RE .124
    
    Hi Dean,
    
    No we knew we didn't have any rights by the time you saw us.  What
    happened was that we were on starboard tack coming up to the weather
    mark, as were most of the fleet.  SHEHERAZADE was on port tack, coming
    right at us broadsides.  When we realized they were not going to duck
    us we had to bear off about 90 degrees to avoid a collision, thereby
    missing the mark as well as their boat.  We then tried to gybe around
    to make the mark, seeing a small hole between the first batch of boats
    to round and the second, which were coming up on starboard in a hurry.
    Unfortunately, we didn't count on being so completely blanketed by the
    boats to windward, and we couldn't get ANY boat speed.  Once we were in
    irons we knew it was all over.  But we figured we'd just sit there and
    watch the fleet go by then round.  Unfortunately, we ALSO didn't count
    on the tide pulling us into the mark (we were only about two
    boatlengths away when we gybed).  So there we were, helpless to move
    without any wind in our sails, and helpless to steer out of the way
    when the rest of the fleet roared up.
    
    The thing is, we could have protested SHEHERAZADE.  But what was the
    point after letting about 25 boats go by, at least 6 of which were
    going to protest us.  The only thing that hurts is that they got away
    with it.  Those guys could've killed somebody if we'd decided to hold
    our course when we were on starboard.  It was EXACTLY the same
    situation as what happened the previous day with ARCADIA and HOT SPUR.
    In that case HOT SPUR was in the right, but they were the ones that
    suffered the serious damage to their boat, and ended up with a
    seriously injured foredeck person.  And both boats suffered the same
    penalty of not finishing the race.  I couldn't see the point of holding
    our course if it meant damage and injury.
    
    Hey, we did hold our own in the first two races though.  We also felt
    the NOOD helped us get our act together.  Overall we feel pretty good
    about the progress we've made this year.  We did very respectably
    against the other boats that rate the same as us, and those with
    ratings in the +/- 5 mi/sec range.  So there were some positive things
    to think about while we were heading home, although most of the crew
    was pretty down after getting (what we felt was) shafted like that. 
    
    But we also had a lot of fun during the delays with the water balloon
    fights against DEFIANCE.  I just wish those guys would have been
    considerate enough not to start heaving them when we were going into
    our 10 minute starting sequence.  They found out though how fast we can
    change modes when the delay flag went up.  Who needs a funnelator? 
    Just batten down the hatches and rev up the engine !!
    
    ... Bob

    Dean asked me why I recommend Spectra (as mentioned in an earlier
    reply).  The answer is that it has a lot of the qualities of kevlar
    (low stretch, good shape holding ability) with none of the problems.
    Folding it does not break it down any faster than dacron and flogging
    it isn't fatal.  The material is also easier on the hands and knuckles
    than kevlar.
    
    The distinctive blue shading is not the spectra threads, but the
    polyester cross weave.  Hood decided to do it blue simply as a
    marketing ploy.  They now give a choice of blue or white.  Most
    people pick the blue because the white (which I would choose) looks
    too much like dacron!  Tim Woodhouse told me some people have requested
    it in tan like kevlar.  Isn't that incredible?
    
    Other sailmakers are playing with newly available supplies of the
    stuff and I bet you'll see a lot of it soon.
    
    Dave

    re.126
    The only problem with Spectra is creep.  The Spectra fibers are
    "slippery" (or more smooth than kevlar) and tend to move under the
    laminate over a period of time-especially under high loads.  As
    such, the sails do loose their shape though not due to the fibers
    stretching.  Although Allied Signal (the manufacturer of Spectra)
    is making it more available, I think that you will see more of it
    in lines and halyards than in sails.  The blue is distinctive though.
    
    FYI:  The 12 meter worlds are on ESPN tonight at 9:00, I think.
    
    JS

    Oh Bob!  You should have protested!!  A flagrant rule-violation
    like that!?  You owed it to yourselves and to anyone else who
    might one day get creamed by that moron.  Did any boats
    witness the incident?  Someone must have.  And you
    hailed "STARBOARD" loud enough to be heard?  Can't imagine you didn't.
    In an instance like that, not only would the race committee throw the 
    other boat out, but they might very well have adjusted your time to 
    compensate for being buried.  I don't believe the boats hollering at 
    you had grounds for protest if you demonstrated you were making every effort
    to stay clear -- which you were.  As for hitting the mark, all you
    needed to do was re-round.  But all that aside, you should have
    taken the guy out of the race because he didn't deserve to be there.
    
    I know, I know, easy enough to say when I wasn't right there.
    Fair enough.  And a good thing I wasn't there, too.  I would
    probably have hurled a winch handle at them.  When we rounded,
    we all just looked at each other and said "What 
    the "F" is WAGS doing there?!!!?!??"

    Re.-.1  I talked to Wags's foredeck woman about the incident last
    night and had the same response.  I was amazed.  We all know what
    Bob is like when he's mad ;^).  Scheherazade has some yahoos onboard
    and I can just see them doing that.  Wags also protested Scaramouche
    for a windward/leeward situation and got no satisfaction in a pretty
    obvious violation.  Sounds like Wags was the Rodney Dangerfield
    of the fleet.  They had a GREAT start the last race, too.
    
    Still, sailing in that kind of fleet is the most fun you can have
    with your clothes on.
    
    Dave

    Not to worry, we're going to get some satisfaction in our own way.  We
    see those yahoos a few times a year, and the next time (even if it's
    not till the JFK next year) we're going to prepare some special
    "protest" balloons for them.  Red, and filled with recycled beer! 
    They're going to know we were p*ssed off!
    
    Seriously though, after spending all those hours waiting around to
    protest another flagrant violator the day before, only to have the damn
    thing thrown out because of a technicality, we just weren't up for it. 
    We were hoping one of the other boats in the vicinity (BODICEA also had
    to alter course, though not with the same disastrous results) would
    protest them, but I guess not.
    
    Most of the boats we race against regularly (those who see us during a
    race anyway) know that we don't like protests, and usually go out of
    our way to avoid them.  We're out there to SAIL after all.  So we
    sometimes get rolled.  But that's changing.  There are a couple of us
    aboard now who know the rules well enough to go into a protest room
    with our homework done.  But we'd really rather do it on the race
    course.  And besides, as those yoyos are going to find out,  "ve haf
    our vays" of getting revenge ...
    
    ... Bob
    

    Would anyone care to post the results, at least for the first couple
    of finishers in each class.  What happened to the Wags protest on
    Saturday?  

    Only have class A:
    
                 Saturday     Sunday I      Sunday II
            1st  Taylor Anne  Wired         Rampage
            2nd  Scaramouche  Fat Tuesday   Scaramouche
            3rd  Scwalag      Scaramouche   Fat Tuesday
                      
                  ^
                  |
                  |
               Should have been
               Fat Tuesday--Protested
    
                                                       
    The protest that Wags had on Scaramouche was disallowed on the
    technicallity that Scaramouche claimed that they were not informed
    promptly.  As Wags tells it they chose not to listen.
    
    Dave

Re: Wags v. Scaramouche

    You don't have to inform them, you only have to make a good effort
    to inform them at the first reasonable opportunity.

    I wouldn't recommend the recycled beer water balloons. A couple of
    years  ago a skipper got barred from racing for a year because his
    crew poured beer down the hatches of one of their competitors when
    the boats were sitting at the dock.

--David Wittenberg

    Well, the Boston Yacht Club really out did themselves this weekend.
    Not one race complete race in two days.  With 6-7 knots of breeze,
    they sent the fleets off on a 21 mile goose chase with a 6.5 hour
    time limit.  Shifts were rampant as the varying positions at the
    marks attest to.  We went from 3rd, to 1st to 4th to DFL before
    the race was abandoned.  Bodacious looked good most of the time.
    I guess the brunch at the BYC was too good to miss for the race
    committee.  They had ample opportunity to shorten course, but dropped
    the ball.  Absolutely no excuse.
    
    The next day was so foggy they couldn't find Tinkers gong in time
    to shoot the postponement guns on station!  They did have the good
    sense to cancel before even trying to get off a start.  What a waste
    of a weekend.  I hope the Jubilee committee hears about this and
    stays on station next weekend.
    
    Dave

    Not to worry, one of the JYC race committee was out there this week-end 
    (Jerry Fennessey, skipper of BRIDGET).  He was mighty P.O.ed, I tell
    ya.  I suspect they'll do everything possible to make sure they don't
    repeat the performance.
    
    Question, is there ANY possible (good) reason why the BYCRC couldn't
    have been out at the monster bouy to end the race there?  I can forgive
    them for setting the course they did, given the fact that the weather
    reports were for 8-16 SE.  But it was pretty obvious by 2 or 3 PM that
    is wasn't going to happen.
    
    It was a shame the race didn't count.  Particularly if you were on
    APPARITION.  Those guys really made up a lot of distance between
    Newcombs and the monster bouy, and deserved to (finally) win a race.
    
    See y'all this week-end.
    
    ... Bob

    Now Bob, if they ended the race about a mile after rounding
    the buoy, we'd have won.  You should think of these things!
    
    ;)
    
    As for Fat Tuesday, Dave, you guys were terrific!  I can't
    tell you how bored we'd have been had it not been for your
    wind-seeking antics.  I don't know how many times we said,
    "Look at Fat Tuesday!!"  I do know that by the last leg, we
    really hoped your flyer would pay off so we could finish the race.
    
    Sure did seem the RC droped the ball.  I don't think we
    should even have started.  With half an hour delay
    they might have realized the wind would stay fickle and
    acted accordingly.  Sunday was amazing.  That they couldn't 
    postpone the "harbor start" was irresponsible.  The conditions 
    were hazardous, let alone unfit for racing.  Waste of time all 
    the way around.    
    
    See you this weekend.

    
    Could  either Bob or Dean pick up an extra scratch sheet and course
    instructions at the skippers meeting tonight?  No one from our crew
    can make it to the meeting and apparently you need the course
    instructions to understand what's going on.  Thanks!
    
    Dave

    Full marks to Jubilee!  A nicely run series.  The weather 
    certainly cooperated, but I was especially impressed with the 
    course on Sunday.
    
    Bob, I expect to see you guys a lot closer on our heels in 
    the future -- you're looking good.  Dave, you guys are tough -- 
    I'm even thinking a little too tough.  When you think about it, 
    the rating splits between Bodacious, WAGS, and Fat Tuesday are pretty 
    nuts.  As things stand, we're closer to you than WAGS is to us, 
    and yet I'd think all parties would agree there's a bigger difference 
    between your boat and Bodacious than there is between us and WAGS.  
    Yes, we do have strong points that help us keep it close on some legs, 
    but those strengths are far outweighed by your overall speed advantage.  
    
    I also think it's pretty apparent that Claddagh's rating is due for 
    a change.  Those guys are sailing well most of the time, but not THAT 
    much better than us.  
    
    I don't know how these discrepancies should be resolved, or if they'll 
    even be addressed, but I'd like to see a combination of changes that 
    puts at least a few more seconds between Bodacious and Tuesday, puts 
    at least some time between us and Claddagh, and also puts some time 
    between us and the C&C 41s.
    
    Something like:
    
      Fat Tuesday  63
      Claddagh     73
      Goose        72
      Bodacious    74
      WAGS         84 
    
    I've tried to be objective, but of course, I'm using my boat as
    a bench-mark.  What do you guys think?  If we are reasonable
    and remain as objective as possible, our discussion might formulate
    the basis for an appeal to the PHRF committee.

    Dean

    Okay, here's my report.  Great weekend!  The problems with the course
    on Saturday were unnecessary, but easily understood by any navigator
    worth his salt.  I think it's interesting that of twelve boats in
    class A the only three that went around the right way were F.T.,
    Wags, and Bodacious (and Claddaugh did eventually turn around and
    re round correctly).  We were also involved in a protest with Arbella
    at the start on the same subject that was in the notes file last
    week, namely luffing after the gun but before crossing the line.
    Having fresh knowledge of the rules played a major role in our success
    as I stated clearly in front of the committee boat that we had to
    sail below proper course to allow Arbella room.  With Jon, the skipper
    of Bodacious as a witness we prevailed.  All the boats that rounded
    the first mark to port were tossed.
    
    Sunday was wild.  Lightning, a Frers 40 lost their rig before the
    start.  Made quite a good show, nobody hurt.  We broached in a gust
    while jibing and were pinned with our spreaders in the ocean for
    about a minute.  Filled our cockpit.  Our leeward grinder was totally
    under water and holding on to the winch handle for dear life!
    Everything on the port side of the boat ended up on the starboard
    side stacked to the coachroof.  Not fun.  I was pretty sure we were
    going to lose the spar but it held.
    
    As for ratings, I do agree that the spread between J35's and us
    is too small for heavy air or large fleets.  I won't be surprised
    to see our rating go back to 60.  However this goes back to the
    argument as to whether we should be punished for working hard on
    a good crew.  We didn't win anything to speak of last year.  Same
    boat, different crew.  Claddaugh is living on borrowed time with
    their rating.  They should rate even or lower than a J35.  Hell,
    they're 40 feet long.  We couldn't shake them all day yesterday.
    I think the C&C 41 should be 69, not 72.
    
    All in all, Jubilee ran a heck of a regatta and serves very good
    drinks for very little money!  Dave, the race committee chairman
    is one of the most reasonable, unstuffy I've come across. He deserves
    a lot of credit.
    
    Dave
    
    

    RE: Rating Changes ...
    
    I agree that Claddagh needs a rating change.  I've seen them walk on
    too many boats this season that owe them megaminutes for a given race
    (ala ... COALITION, SCALAWAG, BODACIOUS, LOOSE GOOSE, and occasionally
    FAT TUESDAY).  Check out my replies to this entry at the beginning of
    the season and note ... I TOLD YOU SO!
    
    Now granted, those guys are good sailors, and know how to get the most
    speed out of their boat.  But so do the crew of the above mentioned
    boats, all of whom are pretty competitive if you look at their racing
    history over the last two or three seasons.  I think CLADDAGH is
    getting an advantage out of the fact that they are a converted IOR boat
    and there isn't another one like them around (also it's a pretty old
    boat as racing boats go, even if they don't suffer the same type of
    degradation as fiberglass boats do with age).
    
    As to the rating changes you mentioned Dean, I'd agree with most of it. 
    Except that I think CLADDAGH should be knocked more than that.  I think
    they should be down around 70 somewhere.  Even with that rating they'd
    stand a pretty good shot at taking the Salem Bay series again next
    year.  The "Goose" is a tough call.  Lately we've been sailing a lot
    closer to them than to you guys.  But this might have to do with
    something other than boat speed because in the early part of the year
    they were pretty tough.
    
    If I hadn't sailed on your boat I'd say you're right where you belong
    based on your finishes.  But now that I've had a chance to race with
    you guys I have to consider that you do so well because the crew
    work is so good (thanks for the many little "tips" that I brought back
    to WAGS, you notice it's helped us).  I keep hearing that J/35s rate 75
    elsewhere.  So perhaps your rating should be bumped up a little.  But
    this is Marblehead, where they want Taylors and Expresses to do well. 
    If you want a favorable rating for a J, I'd think you have to be racing
    in Newport to get one.
    
    As for the J/36, our rating hasn't changed since 1983, and probably is
    right where it should be (even if Dave Campbell thought it was 90.  At
    least now you know we're an honest sort, and won't take a break even
    when handed one unless we earned it.)
    
    The debate will go on I'm sure.  Very few skippers who race PHRF are
    happy with their rating unless they're winning every race.
    
    RE: The Jubilee Regatta
    
    I'm biased of course, but I think for the second year in a row JYC put
    on the best regatta in the Salem Bay series.  Dave Campbell and company
    deserve credit for a well thought-out, well executed series.
    
    ... Bob

    I had thought that I was the first one to mention
    that Claddagh would be tough, but no, Bob deserves the
    credit.
    
    As for ratings, the only way to make them more equitable is to
    fine-tune several boats, not bomb one or two.  Giving 
    Fat Tuesday at 60 would only make you guys as paranoid
    as we are on Bo.  Not good -- we're nearly burned out.
    
    One more race -- maybe two -- next weekend, and we hang
    up our sails.  Phew!  
    
    I might be available for a fall race if anyone needs
    some rail-beef -- that's about all I'll be good for.
    
    ;)

    Dean,
    
    If you guys aren't doing the JYC Last Race (Oct. 2) you're welcome to
    sail with us.
    
    ... Bob

    Dean, or us ;^).  Seriously, we are doing the Hodder, probably going
    to skip the Manchester Sunday race, do the Manchester fall series
    the 24th & 25th (with guest appearance by Bob Bailey) and the last
    race Oct 2.  THINKING about the Manhasset fall series in L.I. Sound
    by NYC.  Such a pain to deliver the boat back at the end of October,
    though.  Did it two years ago and it was COLD.  Great regatta, though.
    
    The amount of times we have sailed by Coalition and Arbella with
    Jim Taylor aboard, we will probably get hit unless he raises the
    Taylor 40 ratings.  I'd rather see the T40's raised, but we'll see.
    Wouldn't mind seeing the J35's go to 75. I just know something has
    to give.
    
    Dave

    What a way to end the season -- watching Claddagh HJ the
    fleet.  Still, a fun race, and a wonderful day to be 
    on the water.
    
    Looks like the following for the overall Mrblhd standings:
    
      1st  Claddagh
      2nd  Fat Tuesday
      3rd  Bodacious or Loose Goose
    
    Bob, how did WAGS make out in the match race?
    
    What's the Fall party schedule?
    
    ;)
    

    What's this "end the season" stuff, Dean?  Still several more races
    to go.  Anyway, the day was beautiful, but no fun on Fat Tuesday.
    We could not make the boat go at all.  Very frustrating to watch
    Loose Goose and Claddagh sail right past us.  We tried everything.
    Checked the prop and for snagged debris.  Nada.  Oh well, hope the
    boys on Claddagh had a good laugh.  
    
    And then again, maybe we were sandbagging for the PHRF rating boys.
    
    Dave

    If the "real" racing season is just about over... I was wondering
    what my chances might be to crew in a race ? Having only a few seasons
    experience, I don't know how much help I can be ( I do weigh 140
    lbs though). 
    
    I gotta believe that there is lots to learn from you racing folks
    on sail trim, navigation, water balloon tactics, etc., etc., etc.
    
    Thanks in advance.
    
    JC
    
    

    John, I believe we're booked up as far as crew, but if that should
    change I'll let you know.  We like to have interested if less
    experienced folks every now and then.  Actually, we do that more
    on the Wednesday night series during the summer.  I owe Alan a ride
    too.  If we could only put off winter a few months...

    So you think you had a bad day Saturday Dave?  You shouldda seen us
    (well, maybe I'm glad you didn't).  We couldn't even get past a Tartan
    41 that we owe 23 seconds a mile to!  Needless to say, we didn't beat
    the other J/36 out there with that big old Tartan sitting on our air
    for most of the race.
    
    But it was a beautiful day to be on the water, and with the season
    drawing to a close I'm up for appreciating being out there, win or
    lose.
    
    These inter-club rivalries are interesting though.  We crossed the line
    second (behind SLICKBREEZE), with the next boat more than 6 minutes
    behind, and the boat that took first place honors more than 30 minutes 
    back.  ON A 14 MILE COURSE !!!
    
    Sometimes it PAYS to be racing on a cruising boat...
    
    ... Bob

    Re. "sandbagging..."
    
    It certainly looked like it, but then, you guys were
    on the wrong side of the "fence."  There was a distinct
    wind line that divided the course just about down the
    rhumb line.  If you stayed left, you got an extra 
    knot of breeze -- on average.  Claddagh stayed just
    inside on the left the entire way down.  Fat Tuesday was 
    at least 6 boat-lengths too far to the right.
    
    Talk to you later

    Congratulations to WAGS for winning
    the Jubilee YC's Thursday night series!

    Well it ain't the Salem Bay series but we'll take it ...
    
    It's been a good year.  And there's a few fellow NOTErs who have really
    contributed to our cause.  This NOTES file has been very useful as
    far as meeting fellow DIGITs who sail.  Ironically some of us have been
    sailing in the same fleet for several years and never even knew it. 
    Personally I think NOTES should be given mention in the employee
    benefits booklet.  I'd like to say thanks to those who I've sailed 
    with this year as a result of meeting through this NOTES file. 
      
    Thanks Dean and Dave for inviting me out on BODACIOUS and FAT
    TUESDAY.  During the past few seasons we've asked ourselves many
    times "What do those Marblehead guys know that we don't?".  Well,
    now we know.  Look out next year ...  :^)
    
    Thanks Gene for coming down and sailing the NOOD with us.  Finally,
    somebody aboard who understands our main.  We still trim it the way
    you showed us.  Looks like hell but it's fast.  Did you ever show 
    your wife those crew pictures ?? 
    
    Thanks Lawrence, John Kalinowski, Gene, and Dean for helping us win
    on Thursday nights.  Now you know why we call these "fun" races (and
    why we named the boat WAGS).
    
    And thanks Sue and Chet (and Paul and Julie who won't read this),
    who I found through this NOTES file to crew with us all season.
    
    I'll see most of you on Sunday, for the LAST RACE.  It really has been
    a NOTEable season ...
    
    			... Bob

    The Last Race was lots of fun, but also very sad.  Now it truly
    is over until next year.  What a spectacular day for sailing!
    Unfortunately, the course was such that of a 22 mile course, only
    5 were upwind.  Ohter than that, great!
    
    I'd also like to say that this year was enhanced by the noters met
    throuhg this file.  Hope to get more involved next year! 
    
    Also would like to put in a good word for the Jubilee YC.  Well
    run, level headed races and cheap drinks.  Now you can't beat that
    can you!
    
    Dave
    
    P.S. Three weeks of cruising and then the fat lady sings.

    Wake up!!!!  The ten-minute gun is about to go off.
    Who's who in this year's fleet?  Dave, your new Farr
    will create the most excitement.  I've also heard that
    there will be several other new boats in Mrblhd class A,
    and that the cut-off this year is 72.  Any truth to
    that?
    
    Dean

    Dean, the cut-off is 81.  WAGS is a B boat!  And to think, five
    years ago we were the scratch A boat for most races.  How times
    change.
    
    I was just talking to one of Bump Wilcox's crew.  Apparently BUMPA
    has been sold, and Wilcox has purchased a C&C 37 something-or-other
    that rates 76.  Another new boat for you guys to watch out for.
    
    Ah well, what with new sails and a different fleet, maybe we'll
    be in a position to get the gun again.  It's been a few years since
    that's happened on a week-end race.
    
    We go in May 7.  How 'bout you guys?  Anybody else doing the JFK
    this year?  It'll probably be our first regatta of the season.
    
    Looking forward to getting back on the water ...
    
    ... Bob
    

    Three, two, one, BOOM!  Get psyched!  Almost time!  I'm in Hong
    Kong where it's 75 degrees and going sailing tomorrow.  The bad
    news is that our boat "Wildside" has received its new paint and
    I haven't seen it yet.  Just turned in our PHRF application and
    we'll have to see how they rate us.  Should be 69, but you never
    know.  
    
    We're sailing it up to M'head from Newport hopefully the weekend
    of the 29th of April.  Then it's practice, practice, practice. 
    The first race is the 14th of May.  We won't do the JFK.  Too much
    tide, rocks etc.  We're thinking of doing Block Island, and are
    definitely doing Edgartown in July.  This "class 40" is sending
    us a lot of literature.  They must think we're made of money.  The
    schedule would cost a fortune to do.  Plus it would be hard to hold
    a job and do it.  Too aggressive in my opinion.
    
    As far as crew, we lost our maintrimmer to a full time Olympic Finn
    program.  Those guys are nuts.  Our foredeck guy's wife is having
    a baby of all things in July so he's had to grow up and drop out.
    Fortunately, we picked up a couple of guys last fall who are at
    least as good and probably better.  Again, we made a huge effort
    to keep the crew cohesive over the winter by doing lots of social
    things together as well as sending them constant updates on how
    the new boat was coming along.  Can't emphasize enough how important
    that is.
    
    There is a PHRF spring meeting the night of the 25th.  We'll get
    an idea of fleet competition then.
    
    Dave

    Ran into the skipper of CLADDAGH at Jubilee this past week-end.
    According to him, there's a lot of controversy going on in M-head
    about the new A fleet cut-off.  Also, some of the ratings changes
    (including theirs) are being challenged.  To quote him, "nothing's
    definite yet."  Well, it better get definite soon.  The first race
    is in less than 3 weeks.
    
    Maybe they should hire a good lawyer and take it to court.  It worked
    for Fay.   :^)
    
    Let the "games" begin ...
    
    				... Bob
    

    Re:-.2
    Correction.  The PHRF meeting is the 27th of April at the Boston
    YC in Marblehead.  7:30 planned starting time.
    
    Re:-.1
    Ofcourse Claddagh want to challenge their rating change.  Wouldn't
    you?  If all you had to do was sail around the course the right
    direction and stay out of trouble to win, you'd not want to have
    to work for it either.                    
    
    Dave 
    

    What ever happened to IOR racing locally?
    
    All the boats that now race in A fleet would have been in the IOR
    fleet a few years ago.  Can't be due to lack of $$$$ given the decline
    in A fleet cutoff.  
    
    - gene

    A lot of the boats in A fleet would not rate very well in IOR. 
    An Express 37 couldn't sail anywhere near its rating.  The Taylor
    40 is another boat not designed to the IOR.  I think the same has
    happened as elsewhere including the SORC.  The kind of boat that
    works well in IOR is not appealing to a lot of people.  I find that
    to be a shame.  The idea of a numerical formula with no room for
    objective monkeying around is great.  In my opinion the problem
    is with the formula.  Should require minimum interior accomodations
    like the IMS rule is attempting to do.  Our new boat is an IOR dropout
    with a decent interior.  If I had a family that wanted to cruise
    also I would not have chosen this vessel.  Simply requires too many
    skilled people just to keep the mast in the boat.
    
    You are right.  Money can't be the only issue given the amount people
    are spending on the new IMS racers.  It is value that is the problem.
    The Frers 41 is a case in point.  Not cheap and not well laid out
    for racing, but a great compromise boat for someone who has a wife
    to answer to.  Spending all that money on a boat only suited for
    racing is extravagant indeed.
    
    Dave  

    The 89 SORC only had 8 -- only eight -- entries that
    raced the entire circuit.  PHRF and IMS drew the most
    participation.
    
    Ironically, the IOR has given rise to the "popular"
    50 foot and maxi classes in which the competition is
    fierce.  Other than these hybrid "one-designs," however, 
    the IOR has run its course.  I agree with Dave, though;
    the theory is good.
    
    1st race in 3 weeks?  I know BO won't be there -- save for
    a miracle.  
    
    I sure will miss duking it out with you guys this summer.  
    I hope to make the occaisional party, though, and with
    any luck I'll be out for a race or two.
        
    Dave, where is your boat?
    
    Later...

    First race is the CYC spring tune up on May 14 (Sunday).  The next
    is the 21st (EYC).  We'll be there.  Brought the boat up from Newport
    this weekend.  Made the trip from Portsmouth RI to Marblehead in
    17 hours fighting the tide through the canal the whole way.  It
    is now in Marblehead harbor not too far from M'head Trading.
    
    Went to the PHRF meeting last Thursday.  (Talked to Jon there, Dean)
    and it was wierd.  They are scoring all overnight racing 1.5 times
    the points scored towards the season total.  They said it was to
    encourage more participation in the overnights.  These were mainly
    the older guys with less than competitive boats that have a chance
    in the crap shoot that night racing is.  I pointed out that this
    bucks the national trend towards less night racing and fealt that
    they should be scored at 1.0 times not penalizing those who choose
    not to do them.  They didn't buy it at all.
    
    On the subject of night racing, they will also be enforcing that
    ridiculous rule about having no legs over the side after sunset.
    This is not safe and a major error that will be corrected by the
    ORC in the future.  In the mean while, when do you determine sundown
    when it is cloudy?  If you are in the middle of a fierce tacking
    duel and the sun sets how many skippers would be the first to direct
    their crews to pull the legs in?
    
    It was also decided that approximately 60% of the races would use
    portable marks to ensure at least on true beat per race.  Amazingly,
    there was lots of sentiment against this!
    
    The B fleet will begin at 81 instead of 91 (last years cutoff).
    This puts the Soverals in B fleet, something the exixting B fleeters
    weren't thrilled about.  A fleet looks very healthy.
    
    The new rules were talked about too.  They will not give out copies
    of the rules and encouraged all participants to join USYRU.  Bully!
    
    Anyway, the meeting was interesting and just reconfirmed just how
    diverse the racing fleet is in the Marblehead area.  After the
    miserable delivery from Newport, we're looking forward to some warm
    summer days and good racing!
    
    Dave
    

    Oh sh!t, forgot about that PHRF meeting.  Meant to get Wagner there
    somehow, but we were up north skiing.
    
    So the 'B' fleeters weren't thrilled about the Soverel 33's joining
    'B' fleet, eh.  Well, what about the J/36's.  Toward the end of
    the season we were beating both Soverel 33s pretty consistently.
    With a little luck, most 'B' fleeters will remember us from seasons
    prior to last year, and take us lightly.
    
    SLICKBREEZE has a new owner this season who tells me he plans
    to race, so you may be seeing them out there more frequently (the
    new owner is from M'head).  I hear CELESTE has been sold, so I guess
    we won't be seeing them around.  Don't know if HIGH ZOOT will be
    racing or not, they were pretty inconsistent about it last season
    (except for the NOOD regatta).
    
    And, unfortunately, SHEHERAZADE (sp?) also joins 'B' fleet, with
    an 87 rating.  Hopefully they won't endanger anybody this year 
    trying to win a race.  We still owe those guys for the dirty tricks
    they pulled in last year's PHRF New Englands.  Hopefully we can
    repay them by kicking their butts around the marks this year.
    
    Dave, did you mention earlier that one of the Soverel's was sold?
    Which one?  Too bad.  I enjoyed sailing against both of those boats
    last season.  Since the J/36s and the Soverel 33s had the same rating,
    we could almost race one-design.
    
    Don't know if we'll make the CYC spring tune-up.  Would like to,
    with new sails and instruments to try out (fully battened Doyle
    main + new light #1, and OCKAM instruments). Probably will race the
    EYC tune-up though to prepare for the JFK Regatta, which will be
    our first serious race of the season.
    
    Gettin' psyched!  Guess it's time to hang up the skis ...
    
    								... Bob
    

    Finally got to sail yesterday.  It was a nice day for a race, and the
    EYC race committee did a good job of setting a course in very variable
    winds.  I'm going to like racing a lot more if we get to keep doing
    Gold Cup and Olympic type courses.  With those winds the race could've
    been a disaster if they had used regular marks.  There was almost 90
    degrees difference between the first windward leg and the second. 
    Using portables is going to be one of the big improvements this season
    if they can do it as intelligently as they did yesterday.
    
    I'm also going to like being in 'B' fleet this year.  Now we get to
    watch the 'A' fleet and figure out the wind shifts and holes during
    these light wind legs.  At least it works till ya pass them ... :^)
    
    And there's going to be some FIERCE competition in the fleet. 
    Yesterday there were three boats with identical ratings leading the
    pack ... us (J/36), a Soverel 33 (formerly AMBUSH), and a brand new
    J/33.  We got one good wind shift that put us out in front of the other
    two, but they stayed right with us for the entire race and finished
    within 1-1/2 minutes of us and within a boatlength of each other.  
    It's going to be real competitive at the front of that fleet this year.
    
    Dave, nice boat.  I'd like a closer look though (like say from the
    deck, hint hint).  Frac's a little different than you're used to,
    isn't it?  I'm sure it won't take you guys long to get it cookin'.
    
    Took our first Marblehead win since mid-1984.  I guess somebody forgot
    to tell WAGS it wasn't an 'A' boat anymore.
    
    It's going to be a good season ...  JFK next week-end in Boston.
    
    ... Bob
        

    Congrats to WAGS.  They sailed a great race.  Beat us across the
    line and they started 5 minutes behind us!  The 70 degree shift
    on the first leg caught us owning the right side of the course when
    left was the place to be. Oh well.  We didn't break anything and
    the rig is still vertical.  We had moments of great speed but have
    a LOT to learn about this beast.  We raced with the cruising main
    instead of the new main just in case we screwed up.  
    
    We aren't doing the JFK next week end.  Out list of things to do
    and fix is as long as a DEC meeting.  Bob, you are welcome any time.
    By the way, have you slimmed down?  Looks like it!  A couple of
    other noters swung by on Saturday afternoon too.  Always good to
    meet the faces behind the names!
    
    Dave

    Way to go Bob!  Wish I could've seen you guys.
    Could be the year of the WAGS...  ;)  
    
    Still haven't seen your boat, Dave, but am
    looking forward to it.  Keep after the main
    and you'll find the groove.  
    
    "Bo-bo" should be out there soon.  She's in the
    drink.  Jon just needs to tune-up.
    
    Have fun!
    Dean 

This may seem like a silly question, however ....

Tomorrow (Wed.) is the 1st night of the Wed night race series off
Marblehead (sounds logical, huh?) and the weather forecast is
for rain.  Under what conditions (how much rain) does it make sense
for us to stay haome and not drive the roughly 100 miles to find
out the race is cancelled?

This will be our first racing experience and I know the rules talk
about race postponements, and cancellations etc with flags but
if its pouring cats and WAGS, is the race comm. really gonna go
out and hang up the cancellation signal?  I also understand the
potential danger of thunderstorms, went through 12 in one day
aboard TRANQUILITY on the way to Bermuda a couple years ago.
We've put a lot of effort into getting the boat ready, just got
back home after another shakedown and doing some more 'stuff'.


Ok, Ok, its ELYSIUM, a C&C 29 Mark 2, owned by Dave Carter
(of wine drinking fame) crewed tomorrow (maybe) by
John Carver (BEGINNINGS), and myself (along with the wino).
We'll be in C class and hope not to see too many 'C' flags
in front of us.  At least we'll be able to see where the
'B' boats go (and maybe some of the 'A's!).

Anyway, we're up for this and don't mind getting wet to get
experience.

What's the answer?

    Usually one of three conditions that cause cancellations ...
    
    	... no wind
    	... excessive wind (30+ and building)
    	... dense fog
    
    A little rain never hurt anybody.  But it's a drag steering when the
    water's running off the mainsail and down your neck  :^) ...
    
    Best of luck ...
    
    			... Bob
    

    They don't cancel very often.  One or more of the following have
    to occur:
    
    Committee boat drags anchor.
    
    Race committe members get too seasick to continue.
    
    Far end of starting line not visible due to fog.
    
    In the event of no wind, the time limit occasionally expires but
    they'll try to shorten the course to make the race count.
    
    I'd recommend showing up.  Some other crazies will be out there.
    Remember this is a money making venture for the sponsoring club.
    No race, no beer sales.
    
    Good luck and go fast.
    
    - gene

    If I had to describe the JFK Regatta in one word, it would be
    "exciting".  There was big wind both days, which made for some fast
    racing and some major mishaps.  There were a LOT more boats than last
    year (something like 170 entries).  There were 14 'A' boats, and 25 'B'
    boats registered for the race, along with 'C' through 'G' fleets (two
    fleets for cruising class).  There were also a couple of 12 meter
    boats out there match racing.  Senator Ted was on one (WEATHERLY).  The
    other was NORTHERN LIGHTS.
    
    Saturday started out sunny and calm.  In fact, it was so calm they
    postponed the race for about an hour waiting for some wind.  The first
    leg was a short beat to a portable mark in the outer harbor.  This leg
    was essentially in light wind, although the breeze was building to the
    point where we were reaching the top end of our light #1.  Then we
    turned downwind for a long run to Tinker's.  This entire leg turned out
    to be a very satisfying duel between us and a couple of J/33's for the
    lead.  During this leg we could see the squall moving in, but we were
    engaged in a game of nautical "chicken" with our competitors to see who
    would be the first to shorten sail before we got hammered.  As it
    turned out we managed to round the mark before it happened, one
    boatlength behind IO (the J/33 from M'Head) and about two boatlengths
    in front of MADRIGAL (the J/33 from Hingham).  Just a few boatlengths
    behind us was ANNAPURNA, a MIRAGE 338 who won A fleet honors at this
    regatta last season.
    
    Just about 5 minutes after rounding the mark, the you-know-what hit the
    fan.  The breeze suddenly went from a steady 20 knots (true) to the
    mid-30's with gusts up to 50.  Things got very exciting then.  We were
    in the hunt for the lead with IO when a gust tore our jib out of the
    headfoil.  Unfortunately for us the luff rope was stuck in the metal
    feeder at the base of the headfoil, and we had to cut it to get the
    sail down.  So for the next several minutes we had to sail bareheaded
    while someone went below to tape the luff so we could get the sail back
    up.  That cost us, but not too badly, as we had plenty of boat speed
    but couldn't point with the fleet.  However, I noticed several other
    boats in both A and B fleet having similar problems.
    
    Then one of the panels on our new main developed a couple of tears in
    the kevlar.  At this point we considered dropping out of the race to
    save the sail, but decided we were doing too well not to go for it. 
    Happily the main held up and we crossed the finish line just behind IO
    and ANNAPURNA, to take a 4th on corrected time.  Not a bad day, even
    though we then had to get our main, #3 jib, and .75 chute to the sail
    loft for overnight repairs.
    
    Several boats were apparently caught unaware when the squall came in. 
    One S2.5 didn't get their chute down, or their preventer off the main
    and were hit with a gust that literally stood the boat up on it's
    stern.  The boat sank in seconds.  The skipper is a good friend of
    Wagner's, and he told us later he and the crew just had time to jump
    overboard before the boat went down.  They were rescued almost
    immediately.  To add insult to injury, they wouldn't even serve the man
    a drink at the tent later because he had no ID.  We took him down to
    the boat and made him some of my Irish Coffee's till he was comfortably
    numb.
    
    Sunday there was no question about what kind of day we were in for.  It
    was WINDY out there, with a steady 26-30 knots (true), and gusts up to
    40.  They decided to cancel all the races except A, B, and C fleets. 
    Apparently the 12's raced, but they didn't start in the normal sequence
    because I didn't see any sign of them out there, and they're kind of
    hard to miss.
    
    We got an early preview of how our day was going to go right at the
    start.  Approximately 5 seconds before the start, the reef line in the
    main broke.  So we had to do the start with our main flopping around
    while one of the crew rigged another reef.  Not good.  However, we
    managed to claw our way through the fleet on the first leg, which was a
    3.5 mile beat to a portable mark.  We were still the third boat around
    the mark, just seconds behind IO and ANNAPURNA.
    
    However, about a mile into the second leg we took a knock like you read
    about.  We saw the gust coming and I tried to choke down the chute to
    minimize the impact.  However, when we rounded up I neglected to let go
    of the sheet in time and we broached.  Then when I finally did let go
    the sheet was wrapped around some deck hardware and we got pulled over
    on our side so far the winches on the cabin top were under water. 
    While we were struggling to release the tension one of the crew decided
    the water was too close to the companionway and cut the halyard to
    relieve the tension on the rig and let the boat come back up.  Probably
    the right decision, I was getting a little worried about the rig too. 
    
    So we winched in the chute and put up the #1 jenny for the rest of the
    leg.  This really put us out of contention, as most of the fleet had
    passed us during our recovery and those behind us that were carrying a
    chute passed us on the way to the mark.
    
    The third leg was a close reach, and we managed to pass about half the
    fleet.  But it was really too little too late, and we took 19th for the
    race, and a 10th for the regatta in 'B' fleet.
    
    Overall it was a pretty well run regatta except for the starts, which
    got screwed up because the RC didn't do the sequence they said they
    were going to do in the skipper's meeting.  There were several protests
    of the RC among 'A' fleet, particularly by those boats who missed the
    start because it happened 10 minutes sooner than advertised.  But I
    thought they set good courses, making good use of portables to ensure
    that we didn't have to sail a reach-around course like last season.
    
    Got to say, I think the week-end served to work ALL the rustiness out
    of the crew.  It was exciting.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Anybody out there do the Figawi?  We were onboard rewiring the nav
    station listening to the pounding rain and howling wind as well
    as the NOAA weather reports from various locations on Saturday.
    Nantucket was reporting 200 yds visibility and strong squalls. 
    Another perfect day for that race, I quess.
    
    Our crew member who races Finns now was doing the JFK on Saturday
    and pitchpoled his boat.  Said it was the closest thing he's ever
    had to an "out of body experience" flying over his boat like that.
    Nothing hurt but his position in the fleet ;^).  
    
    We don't race on Memorial weekend in order to give our crew one
    last chance to do non sailing things with families etc.  But watch
    out next weekend!
    
    Dave

    Couple more thoughts from the JFK ...
    
    ... I noticed CLADDAGH managed to get their rating bumped back up to
    75.  They did very well this week-end, taking Saturday's race after a
    protest by WIRED II was disallowed (against the RC for screwing up the
    starting sequence).  They look like they'll still be "the boat to beat"
    in A fleet this year.
    
    ... I think IO is going to be "the boat to beat" in B fleet this year. 
    That boat is very fast.  And after racing against those guys three times
    in the past couple of weeks, it's obvious to me the crew has raced 
    together before.  They looked real sharp in the JFK.
    
    ... I was talking to one of the guys who crewed on NORTHERN LIGHTS on
    Sunday afternoon.  He was complaining that the crew of WEATHERLY sent a
    diver overboard prior to the race to remove the propeller.  Is this
    fair?  Is it legal?
    
    It's definitely "yacht racing" ...
    					... Bob

re -.1:

Since when has fair been part of yacht racing? (Sorry, I couldn't 
restrain myself!)

:-)

    There was a photo from the JFK in Monday's Globe of the class B
    third place finisher "Pagasus".  Looked an awful lot like a J-30.
    
    Have they reduced the J-30's rating to put it in class B?.  They raced
    in class C at 144 when crewed on one.  It was hard not to win at
    that rating.
    
    After reading the first hand accounts of last weekend, I don't feel 
    at all bad about not getting my boat in yet.  
    
    - gene

    Hi Gene,
    
    PEGASUS is a modified J/29.  It rates 114, and sails to that rating
    very well.  A "standard" J/29 rates 128 and sails in C fleet.  I'm not
    sure exactly what makes the rating difference.  I just noticed when I
    saw it on the dock that it has a heck of a long spinnaker pole.
      
    PEGASUS finished about 8 minutes behind us on Saturday, to beat us by 
    about 30 seconds corrected time.  Incidentally, to give you an idea how
    competitive B fleet was this week-end, there was less than 5 minutes
    corrected time between 1st and 10th place in Saturday's race.
    
    Despite the mishaps, I wouldn't have missed this week-end for anything. 
    Big wind just makes things that much more challenging and exciting. 
    And you forget about the discomfort after a hot shower and a drink
    anyway.
    
    ... Bob

    RE .173
    
    >> Since when has fair been part of yacht racing?
    
    I think it's always been a part of yacht racing.  Unfortunately, only a
    small part.  There are plenty of people at the level that I race who
    would rather lose a race then win it by unfair means.  You just don't
    hear that much about them because they don't win that often.
    
    I guess asking if "removing a propellor is fair" is kind of an
    unecessary question.  Not in my mind it isn't.  But I thought there
    were rules specifically preventing you from removing stuff like that
    before a race.  Does anybody out there know, one way or the other?
    
    ... Bob
    

    re removing the prop..
    
    I don't know the applicable rule(s), but a factor would be whether the
    rating for the boat were calculated on the basis of the prop there, or
    removed.  I have the impression that ratings are different if a boat
    has a folding vs a non-folding prop.  
    
    Don

    12's weren't designed with props factored into their
    formula.  Removing the prop brings it closer to its
    true rating.

    About the  prop: The USYRU rules don't mention it, so the question
    is  what  the class rules or the applicable rating rule specifies.
    If  they were racing under the 12 Meter rule, removing the prop is
    almost  certainly  legal.  If they were racing under IMS, PHRF, or
    IOR  it  depends  on how they were rated. The ratings do take into
    account  the  size  and  type  (solid, folding, feathering) of the
    prop. If she was rated with a prop, she must sail with it. Another
    applicable  rule  is that most of the "offshore" rules require the
    boat  to  be able to go at hull speed under power, so removing the
    prop would violate that rule.

    As to  "fair"  in  yacht  racing: It used to be part of the sport,
    even  at  the  highest  levels. Look at Buddy Melges, Elvstrom, or
    Dave  Perry  (who  writes  about  racing  and  rules for "American
    Sailor".)  College racing has much less respect for the rules, and
    as  the  college  sailors  got  into  bigger  boats,  the level of
    fairness went way down. Sailing is set up as a "Gentlemen's sport"
    Enforcement  of  rules  is  on  the honor system. We don't inspect
    boats  between  races, and measurements are done on the assumption
    that  one  only  has to worry about inadvertant errors. When these
    assumptions  fail  to  hold we no longer have a sport. This is why
    Olympic  caliber  sailors  were  suspended for cheating (trying to
    hide  water  bottles that were above the legal maximum in one case
    and  using 2 jibs in a regatta that limited everyone to one jib in
    another).  

    Reading the  rules carefully and finding loopholes (publically) is
    fun  and  part of racing. Outright violations of the rules have no
    place  in  racing,  and  intentional violators should be suspended
    from racing for years.

--David

OK, so 3 weeks ago I asked about canceled races off Marblehead and
the basic answer was a)no wind, b)too much wind, c) a variety of
reasons that the committee boat couldn't make it.

So, it was a little wet tonight but the winds were available
and nobody showed!!

What happened?? And how did you guys know not to show up??

We went for a sail anyway, winds were light, the rain subsided, in fact,
quit, and we got to try out the newly acquired drifter.  It works great!!


So?......

Ray.

    Ray,
    
    I was there.  I couldn't believe they cancelled because of a little
    rain.  I just stood around the Corinthian and shot the breeze with the
    crews from "the Goose" and "the Dog".  They were anxious to race.
    
    Must be that the RC doesn't own foul weather gear or something.
    
    See ya tomorrow in Scituate ...
    
    					... Bob
    

    We didn't show simply because of work schedules and the lousy weather.
    Can't believe the committee cancelled!  Wednesday nights are only
    really good if it's nice out in my view.  
    
    Have fun on the overnighter.  Won't see us.  We'll be home in dry
    bunks.  We'll be out on Sunday, though.
    
    Dave

    Whatta week-end!  Ours started Thursday night, when we easily won the
    JYC Thursday night race in light winds.  Unfortunately, weather-wise
    that was no indication of what was to come.
    
    Friday we sailed the boat to Scituate for the Chapman Bowl overnight
    race.  As usual when going somewhere, that arrow at the top of the mast
    served as both wind indicator and destination pointer.  24 miles dead
    upwind in building southerly winds and heavy seas.  By the time we got
    to Scituate, everything on the boat seemed to be wet and the crew was
    feeling a little beat up.
    
    About a third of our regular crew couldn't make this race, so we were
    joined in Scituate by fellow Digits Dave Carter, Walt Clark, Ray
    Drueke, and Lawrence Weiser.  As fate would have it, the RC decided to
    postpone the race till morning due to impending thunderstorms.  It
    turned out to be an uncommonly good decision.  Given the storm that
    passed through during the night it would have been strictly a survival
    test.  I mean, we had 3-4 foot seas inside the mooring area, and the 
    rain was coming down in sheets.
    
    Since everybody showed up Friday night expecting to race, we decided 
    to go out to "test the waters" so to speak.  Wonder what our
    competition thought seeing us go out into that mess for a "practice"
    sail.  It turned out to be a short ride though, as we sailed out with a
    reefed main, #3 jenny, 9 bodies on the rail, and still were grossly
    overpowered.  So after about 1/2 hour we decided to turn around and
    just wait till morning to do any more sailing.
    
    They decided to shorten the race to about a 32 mile course on Saturday
    (about a third of the usual course length).  The RC decided on a chute
    start, sending us off to a whistle off of Humarock (about 7.5 miles
    downwind).  We were in 'A' fleet for this race, so our competition was
    COALITION (Taylor 40), WIRED II and SCIROCCO (Frers 41's), ARRIGATO
    (C&C 41), and MADRIGAL (J/33).  LOOSE GOOSE and CLADDAGH both decided
    not to race.
    
    SCIROCCO had trouble getting their chute up at the start, and were
    quickly behind the rest of the fleet.  We never saw them again after
    about the first two miles or so.  WIRED II looked like they parted a
    halyard about halfway up the leg, and fell behind while they recovered. 
    So by the time we got to the first mark it was a four boat race, with
    COALITION about 3 minutes in the lead on MADRIGAL.  We were just a
    couple of boatlengths behind MADRIGAL, and ARRIGATO was just a few
    boatlengths behind us.
    
    The second leg was a 16+ mile beat to an approach bouy out in the
    shipping lanes.  Early in the leg we passed MADRIGAL, and were actually
    making time on COALITION.  At one point ARRIGATO passed us, but the
    next time we crossed tacks we were in front of them again.  About
    halfway through the leg the other three boats all decided to go in
    closer to shore, presumeably to get out of the big waves.  We thought
    it was the wrong thing to do, as we were on a lifted tack.  So we
    stayed out.  After a while though we were questioning our own wisdom
    and decided to go back and join the party.  When we crossed tacks with
    COALITION again we were still only about 3-4 minutes behind them.  But
    we had left MADRIGAL well behind us, and ARRIGATO had lost about 1/4
    mile to us by tacking inside.  By the time we reached the next mark it
    was a 2 boat race, with us just about 4 1/2 minutes behind COALITION. 
    We made our most major boo-boo at this mark, as the tide and waves were
    sweeping us into the mark and we had to make an emergency hitch at the
    mark to avoid hitting it.  That cost us almost a minute, and by the
    time we rounded COALITION was steaming away into the horizon.
    
    The last leg was a 8 1/2 mile run dead downwind to the Scituate Harbor
    entrance.  It looked like COALITION was going to make their time on us
    for a while (they had to beat us by about 11 minutes).  But we were on
    the opposite side of the course, and when we came back together at the
    entrance, it was obvious they had no more than a 5 minute lead.  We
    timed them around the entrance bouy and were ecstatic to realize they
    weren't going to make their time on us.
    
    The finish line was just a few hundred yards from the entrance bouy,
    and shortly after we crossed it COALITION sailed by and congratulated
    us.  ARRIGATO crossed third, about 12 minutes behind us.  MADRIGAL was
    about 20 minutes back, and we were moored and the boat cleaned up by
    the time the two Frers 41's crossed the line.
    
    Ironically, we couldn't wait around for the official results or awards
    presentation because we had to get the boat back to Beverly for the
    Lambert Cup race on Sunday.  So I still haven't seen the official
    results.  But I would guess that COALITION took 2nd, MADRIGAL 3rd,
    ARRIGATO 4th, WIRED II 5th, and SCIROCCO 6th.
    
    Sunday we were back in 'B' fleet.  Again there were only six boats
    racing in our fleet.  This race was about the same as last year, with
    the RC setting one leg between two portables.  The race was three beats
    and two runs between these two marks.
    
    As it turned out, one of our part-time crew was sailing on KATABOTIC
    (or KATATONIC, as we have dubbed her).  We ended up in a dogfight with
    those guys, and virtually ignored the rest of the race (to our mutual
    disadvantage) but had a hell of a time in the closest thing to a match
    race we've been in this season.
    
    The comedy boat dragged anchor during the starting sequence, and in 'B'
    fleet it seemed only us and HIGH ZOOT failed to notice.  What was a
    square line when we did our checking turned out to be favored at the
    pin end by about 25-30 boatlengths by the time the starting gun went
    off.  So we came roaring in at the boat end, hardened up, and then
    realized we were almost shooting the line on starboard tack.
    
    At the first windward mark, we had made up most of our distance, and
    were in a dogfight with KATABOTIC, who were about a boatlength behind
    us.  We popped our chutes almost simultaneously, and sailed
    side-by-side virtually the entire length of the leg, with them rounding
    the mark just a few seconds in front of us.  We passed them again on
    the second beat, and were about two boatlengths in front of them at the
    second windward mark, but they passed us again downwind.  This second
    downwind leg was really hairy, as it seemed we were on the verge of
    broaching most of the time.  We went into the "death roll" several
    times, but managed to recover each time.  Seems we learned some lessons
    from our experience in the JFK.  KATABOTIC was about 150 yards from the
    mark when their halyard parted, dropping the chute in the water.  We
    thought that would be our opening, but they recovered very nicely,
    getting the chute out of the water and the jenny up in less than a
    minute and maintaining a slight lead.  We rounded the mark on their
    stern and headed back upwind for the finish.  They had us nicely pinned
    and tacked to cover us each time we tacked.  The last 1/4 mile or so
    was really exciting, as were were literally side-by-side heading for
    the finish line.  At the line they beat us by less than 1/2 boatlength.
    
    But it turned out that DARK HORSE took the gun, with ELAN about a
    minute behind them, and KATABOTIC and us about a minute or so behind
    ELAN.  We didn't go to the awards presentation, as most of the crew
    just wanted to go home to a hot shower and dry clothes.  But I would
    hazard a guess that DARK HORSE won.  They seemed to have made their
    time on ELAN, and both us and KATABOTIC owed them time.
    
    Another fine week-end of yacht racing in heavy weather.  Oh what a
    feeling.
    
    ... Bob
    

     We were exhausted after Sunday's race; I can't imagine having tacked
     that on top of a schedule like the one you guys had, Bob!

     Here's the report from Sunday's 'C' fleet.  We started with 13 in class.
     With the conditions the way they were, we were too busy to notice the
     change in the line, it was still square as of out last sighting, but
     by the time we got near enough to notice, we had to take a couple of
     tacks to get across.  3 boats were more alert, however and were got a
     running start on Port at the pin end.  Among these was CELEST, which
     shrunk over the winter from a J/35 to a hot new J/27.  She's already
     a handful.

     We clocked the wind as high as 30 knots (steady).  It was pretty much
     a constant 22+ but there were oscillations caused by the land effect
     near shore (and the weather mark).  We were third around, and wanted to
     gain on the chute-less leaders, so we did an immediate set, and all
     h*ll broke loose.  We started with a multi-wrap hourglass, which
     filled at the top.  In that type of breeze, such a thing does not come
     out easily!  We took a few "death rolls", got it cleared, and appeared 
     to be stabilizing when a couple of quick gyrations came, followed by 
     a full, cockpit-filling broach occurred.  The topping lift parted, so 
     that was the end of our kite flying for the day.

     The toll in our class was one snapped mast on QUICKSILVER and a blown
     out main on DESCENTE, which was stupid, cuz we passed them to weather
     on the first leg as they blew to leward of us trying to carry a full
     main.

     I didn't stay for the results, but we appeared to only lose a boat or
     2 during the fiasco.  Our course was shortened to 3 legs, to our
     relief.  It was certainly more exciting than the August doldrums!

- Derek

VIGILANTE Crew												

    
    We had adventures of a slightly different flavor on Touche during
    Saturday's one-design races.  The boat had gone in the water the
    previous weekend without any time for tune-up or any of the usual
    pre-race prep.  So the game plan was to get out there Friday night
    to set the shrouds and stays and calibrate all the running rigging.
    When I got there all the boats in harbor were bobbing like corks
    and I became slightly nauseous standing on the dock equivocating
    on what to do.  Decided to bag it.  Bob - you and wags must have
    downed quite a few at the bar to go for a test sail under those
    conditions.
    
    Next morning we got out to the boat only to see the main halyard
    twirling around the masthead.  The wave action had vibrated the
    shackle loose and up it went.  After a fruitless search for my seat
    harness I remembered that I hadn't put it on the boat yet.  Wasted
    the better part of an hour with boat hooks and spinnaker poles trying
    to retrieve the halyard.  Finally got fed up and shimmied up with
    the spinnaker halyard tied around my waist to keep me from turning
    into deck pizza.  Got it down but didn't much enjoy doing it.  Still
    a bruise on my chest from the jury rigged harness.
    
    Anyone sailing on Saturday should remember the residual 5' swell
    and light air.  A perfect recipe for you-know-what.  We arrived
    at the starting line just as the gun went off.  At that point the
    helmsperson announced that she could no longer steer.  After handing
    me the tiller she headed for the rail and passed out.  I was having
    a hard retaining my breakfast which I really wished I hadn't eaten.
    Then the foredeck hand announced that he didn't think he'd be much
    use up there and proceeded to join the helmsperson on the rail.
    Time to head home.  But we were a good 4 miles out at that point.
    Luckily there were two more crew who were still healthy.  They got
    us back alive but minus some gastrointestinal fluids.  They joked
    about calling for a tow but some of us were tempted to take that
    seriously.  Ironically, the two healthy crew had just called at
    the last minute to come out.
    
    We'll try again next week but I heading for the drug store tonight
    to lay in a big supply of scopalomine.
    
    - gene

    RE .185
    
    Gene, as a matter of fact I had just made a round of Irish coffee for
    the crew when the subject of a practice sail came up.  Everybody
    quickly agreed it was worth a shot.  Everybody also quickly agreed when
    the subject of turning around came up.  I've got a lot of faith in the
    boat's ability to sail in those conditions, but it was pretty cold and 
    uncomfortable out there.  One of our crew called the RC's decision to 
    postpone an "admirable" decision. I think that was an understatement.
    
    As a matter of practice I always keep the boat stocked with Dramamine
    and Bonine.  We went through a lot of them this week-end, and there was
    still at least one seasick person on the boat for each race.
    
    ... Bob

    re .183/.186
    
    Jeez, will somebody shut this windbag up!  Gets a couple
    of bullets under his belt and he thinks he's Gary Jobson.
                                                      
    
    ;)
    
    Nice work Bob!  I hope to be on the water by mid-July.

    Gary who ??  Sorry, I'm just too excited.  Only thing better than
    beating COALITION is doing it with a bunch of fellow Sailing Noters on
    board.  Only wish you coulda been one of them.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Maybe I should've said Jim Kelly...
    
    Come August, save me a spot on the rail 
    for Thursday nights.
    
    ;)

    The Summerset race was yesterday.  What a great day weatherwise
    and racewise.  Class A was like a one design fleet with all boats
    rating the same (69) except two (one was 66 and the other 72). 
    Made for much more fun than normal.  Claddagh was mercifully in
    Block Island.  Anyway, we're finally getting some speed out of our
    new boat Wildside.  The course was Olympic triangle with three
    windward legs.  Came down to a tacking duel between ourselves and
    an Express 37 tall rig, Jazz on the final leg.  Our driver crash
    tacked once without the crew being ready and the heavy #1 ripped
    at the spreaders about three feet worth.  Well Jazz saw this and
    started throwing in more tacks to try to get us to rip it all the
    way.  No way to change sails without sacrificing the race so we
    gutted it out.  The sail held together enough for us to pull ahead
    of Jazz at the last moment and beat them over the line.  The bad
    news was that while all this was going on Bodacious had taken
    possession of the left side of the course and came out of nowhere
    to get the gun about fifty yards ahead of us.  Great work on their
    part.  They don't seem to miss Dean at all :^).
    
    Didn't see Wags out there.  Where were you Bob?  All agreed in A
    fleet that it's days like yesterday that keep us all coming back
    for more.
    
    Dave

    Hi Dave,
    
    You're right about yesterday.  It was the best sailing weather of the
    season so far.  We were racing in the "Chowder Cup" regatta yesterday. 
    This is an annual Jubilee event which we always look forward to.  It's
    sort of like a long Wednesday or Thursday night race, no chutes.  The
    JYC advertises it as a "fun" race to encourage non-racing members to
    come out.  Actually, it's a "sort-of" race.  I mean, they sort of have
    a committee boat to start the race (one of the entrants).  They sort of
    have a course (carefully chosen to be mostly a reach, nobody wants to
    work too hard).  The first boat across the line gets the honor of being
    the official time keeper at the finish line.  But it is fun, and the
    chowder and drinks back at the club afterwards are always first rate.
    
    Dave, we saw you guys rounding Tinkers.  We were about a mile away,
    coming from Newcombs, as you were rounding the mark.  From where we 
    were it looked like you were leading.  Nice work.  It's easy to pick
    out that rig, it's the only fractional in 'A' fleet.
    
    Anyway, after the last three week-ends most of our crew were up for a
    nice relaxing day on the water.  We got what we wanted.  Altogether a 
    great day to be sailing, whether racing or just out for cruise.  
    
    Back to real racing next week-end in the Patton Bowl.
    
    ... Bob

    Dave, you're right, it was a great race.  I was sailing on Bodacious
    and we couldn't believe our recovery after being called over early.
    We were forced to go right, while everyone else went left.  A couple
    of good lifts later and we were first to the windward mark.  Downwind,
    I don't think that there are too many boats that are going to sail
    with your boat Dave.  You guys look light, and with all the sail
    area on that tall rig of your's, it's like you're riding on a rocket
    sled.  Wildside had us by the reach mark, and then at the leeward
    mark we could see you shaking your head as we rounded so close behind
    you guys, and pointed up inside of you.  On the next beat, neither
    left nor right was favored very much, so we stayed left, and when
    we finally got a visual on the mark, we were on the rumb line, while
    Wildside and Jazz, who caught us on the beat, were high.  They both
    rounded ahead of us, but we stayed close on the downwind leg.  On
    the final beat we stayed left once again and caught a couple lifts,
    while Wildside and Jazz started their tacking duel, but even before
    that happened, we figured that we would have finished inside of
    the 48 seconds of our handicap, but it would have been close.
    
    Jon kept toying with the idea of going to our #3 as the winds reached
    18+mph, and we even started with the #3, but on the first tack after
    starting, we put up the #1.  We had to dump the chute twice on the
    second reach, after we lost tiller control, but we got her under
    control again.  Actually, we had what we consider a heavy crew with 
    9 on board, nothing compared to what you guys carry Dave.  However, 
    it just isn't the same without Dean.
    
    We were also glad that Claddagh was at Block Island, but Dave, you
    look like you are finding your groove with Wildside.
    
    You're right though, these are the races that bring you back for
    more.

    Charlie

    I think we're going to be seeing a lot more "dogfights" like the one
    between WILDSIDE & JAZZ and the one we had a week ago with KATABOTIC.  
    I think that moving the cut-off rating for A fleet down to 80 made 
    both fleets more competitive.
    
    In A fleet most of the boats are concentrated in the 63-72 range, and
    as Dave pointed out there are a lot of boats with a 69 rating.  In B
    fleet most boats are in the 84-90 range, with five of us rating 84. 
    
    It's gonna make for some interesting races and close finishes this
    season.  But as we both found out, it's often not advantageous to
    get involved in a match race, since your goal is to beat ALL of the
    boats in your fleet.  But it is exciting, and it sure helps you tune
    for speed.
    
    ... Bob 

    But, Bob..... 
    
    Do you avoid a duel and settle for second, or if you are leading, ask
    the guy in second to stay where he is, so that you can beat the guy who
    is riding the flyer?  Or do you duel, pray to come out unscathed, and
    then try to get back in the race with the guy that's on the flyer?
    
    It's a tough decision.  I don't think that if I were skippering
    Wildside, I would have done anything different.  How can you take the
    chance?
    
    Charlie

    You're right.  Once involved in a tacking duel, you really have to
    stick with it.  My observation was that it frequently works out to the
    disadvantage of both boats, because while both boats may be cranking
    for max boat speed, they're seldom sailing the most efficient race
    course.  And smart skippers like Jon can usually figure out a way to
    take advantage of the situation.  Same thing happened last week.  Both
    DARK HORSE and ELAN slipped by on upwind legs while we were duking it
    out with KATABOTIC.  Simply put, while we were concentrating on gaining
    advantage over each other they were concentrating on sailing the
    smartest course to the next mark.
    
    I saw it happen a lot down at the NOOD last year, where tacking duels
    were very commonplace.  It seems like the best strategy is to avoid
    tacking duels if possible except in situations where it's a two boat
    race and you've got the advantage.
    
    On the other hand, that side of me that craves excitement however
    illogical says "go for it".  Tacking duels can be fun, win or lose.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Charlie brings up a good point.  In my original note I made it sound
    as if we had written off Bodacious on the last beat.  Not so.  But
    when they went left and Jazz went right we had to make a choice.
    As the tactician I figured if we split the difference and played
    the middle the best we could do was second.  One of the corners
    was going to beat us.  Jazz was showing good speed and the right
    had payed off the first two beats so that's where we went.  As it
    turned out we had a lot of second guessing after the race including
    the driver who had mumbled something about not losing Bo along the
    way.  We gambled and lost.  This time.  It was fun though.
    
    Wildside is fast off the breeze as long as it isn't a run.  Fracs
    just don't have the spinnaker area that a masthead does.  Our polars
    are pretty extreme on a run.  Lots of jibing necessary.  As I said,
    we have lots to learn.
    
    Bob's right about the fleet splits.  It is so much more fun to not
    have to worry about handicaps to a great degree.  
    
    Dave

    This is great, I can find out how my boat does in the "news."
    Good on you for making it Charlie.  And thanks for the kind
    words, but if Bo makes a habit of winning without me, I guess
    I'd better keep off.  ;)
    
    Dave, from what Jon tells me, when it pipes up, WILDSIDE
    can pace Bo on a run -- without a chute.
    
    About Claddagh being there or not, I think you guys should
    ignore her regardless.  Treat her as an obstacle on the course, 
    but don't base your tactics on her.  We've lost more than one
    top-3 finish by chasing her rating -- then 77.  I don't
    think 75 is sufficient to get real excited.  If they have
    another season of bullets and get knocked to 73, then it will 
    be time to get serious about racing her.  On the other hand,
    I hope she does prove vulnerable at 75.  But don't bet the
    race on it!

    Sorry if I offend the "you can't change the rating just because
    they win" crowd.  I don't mean to re-open the on-going debate;
    I just happen to think their rating is wrong.  
    
    Cheers,
    Dean

    Does anyone know the dates for the NOOD regatta this year?
    
    -Paul

    
    According to the latest edition of Sailing World, the NOOD will
    be held 8/16-8/20 in Newport.
    
    - gene

    I am not a racer,as a matter of fact not even a cruiser yet,but I like
    to see sailboat racing and I follow this particular note.Unfortunatly
    for me I don't even have the weight to ask for a balast position.You
    know,the position that you hang your legs on the side and look that the
    boat cannot move without you.
    Anyway, all of you the knowlwdgeble racers  can learn more about
    the fine points of racing,and what can happen during it by reading
    note 20.2 of UK_SAILING.
    I am still crying from laughing.

    Dave, our friendly neighborhood Doyle sailsman suggested something
    called a 20/30 spinnaker.  Ever heard of it?  From what I gather it's a
    .6 oz deep cut with broad shoulders.  Supposed to be a good sail for a
    fractional when running.
    
    I don't think we'll be laying any money down for any more sails for a
    while though.  We're extremely happy with the new main.  Wish they
    hadn't lost the new light #1 we ordered.  But we seem to be doing OK
    without it.  Of course, most of our races so far required the #3.
    
    ... Bob
    

    
    re. the .6 ounce chute:
    
    SYZYGY (J30 with penalty pole) bought one a few years back from
    Doyle.  We were very disappointed with the results.  Depth and breadth
    made for a temperamental sail which collapsed at the slightest whim.
    We could fly it on dead run with the pole out at 90 deg but once
    we headed up it slowed us down vs the 3/4 reacher.  There was no
    offsetting increase in speed on the run.
    
    Doyle's best chute for frac's is their .5 ounce reacher/runner.  Cut
    like a reacher but lighter.  Use it when reaching in light air or
    gybing downwind on the run leg of a G or O course.  Depends on attached
    flow for its effectiveness.  J's and other light frac's just can't
    run and go fast at the same time unless it's survival conditions
    out.  Even then gybing downwind is faster if you have the nerves
    to do it.  
               
    I've used both a full cut runner and light reacher on my own boat.
    Unfortunately I own the runner an borrowed the light reacher.  Wish
    it were the other way around.
    
    - gene
    
    

    A couple of questions.
    
    1) Does anybody know the date of this years Red Lobster Cup held in
       central Florida.  I know it is usually in early december but I need
       a date.  Bettter still an address or phone number of the organizers.
       I have to go down to Florida in the next six months and if I could 
       hit it when the race is going on so much the better.
    
    2) I would like to get some experience in running races.  I have read
       the USYRU race handbook and helped some last year at a copule of
       races.  The thing is the poeple running the show knew even less than
       I did.  Now that I have seen how not to do it I would like to see
       how the bigger boys do it.  Some of you must know some race
       directors who need extra people to help out.  Rather than clutter
       this note up just send me mail at STAR::Kenney.
    
    
    Forrest

    Once again the Patton Bowl proves to be a memorable occasion for the
    WAGS crew.  But for all the wrong reasons.
    
    The RC did a pretty good job setting up a course, and the weather was
    beautiful for sailboat racing.  But we just couldn't get things in sync
    on Saturday.
    
    We started out by fouling another boat (KATABATIC) coming off the
    start.  To exonerate ourselves we did a 720, which pretty much left us
    at the back of the fleet heading to the first mark.  That didn't seem
    to hurt us too much though, as we were still the 4th boat around the
    first mark, still in pretty good shape to be competitive.
    
    It was a strange day for reading and predicting wind shifts.  One of
    those days when you'd pass half the boats in the fleet on one tack,
    only to lose it all on the next.  At one point we were in the middle of
    the course, watching boats on both sides of us getting lifted ... on
    opposite tacks.  Like I said, it was strange.  We finished the race in
    a very forgettable 10th place (out of 13).
    
    Sunday was both better and worse.  Better because we got off to a good
    start and sailed the boat smarter.  We were the second boat around the
    first mark.  Then the first disaster of the day hit.  As we popped the
    chute the sheet somehow got wrapped around the foredeck cleat.  Julie,
    our foredeck person, managed to clear the sheet, but got her fingers
    caught in the cleat in the process, breaking one finger and bruising
    another.  So we lose one of our important players for a few weeks now.
    
    Despite the mishap, we managed to pass REGGAE, the only boat in front
    of us, and pretty much pulled away from the fleet on the downwind leg. 
    Then the second disaster of the day happened.  When we went to drop the
    chute the halyard jammed and we couldn't get it down.  Now, we've had
    problems with that halyard in the past and usually can clear a jam like
    this without too much problem.  Not this time though, obviously because
    there was an island in the way and we HAD to turn upwind real soon.  So
    we gathered in as much of the chute as possible and sent someone up the
    mast to pop the halyard up at the fractional point.  Imagine the thrill
    of being suspended 50 feet in the air while going upwind with the chute up. 
    Not good.  During that fiasco we were passed by four boats.  We ended
    up staying in the race though, and were the 4th boat to cross the line. 
    However, we took 7th on corrected time.
    
    It was a week-end for the Frers in B fleet.  VAPOR TRAIL and REGGAE,
    both Frers 33s, did very well finishing in the top 3 both days.  DARK
    HORSE, a Frers 36, took the gun on Sunday after getting off to a
    terrible start and proceeding to sail an extremely fast race to pass
    everybody on the 3rd leg.
    
    Both WILDSIDE and BODACIOUS looked real good at points during the A
    fleet race.  Couldn't really keep track of things, but both skippers
    collected hardware at the awards presentation.
    
    This is the third year in a row we've lost crew to injuries during the
    Patton Bowl.  Maybe we should skip this one next season.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Like Bob said, Saturday's race was forgettable.  We got a fourth
    but Lightning won.  Lightning normally couldn't win a lottery, so
    that says something about the impact of the flukey wind shifts.
    
    Sunday was great!  Solid wind, plenty of sun, good racing, but a
    short course.  We got the gun at the finish.  Aurora, a C&C custom
    43' was right behind.  We thought they rated the same as us so we
    had been only loosely covering them concerned only with crossing
    ahead of them.  Not until we got to Manchester YC at the cocktail
    party did we find out we owed them time.  They corrected out ahead
    of us by 2 seconds.  S--- happens.  Still, we had the pleasure of
    knowing they spent about $8000 yesterday for that win.  They were
    behind us on the downwind leg when I looked behind and said our
    main trimmer "Look, Aurora has a half-ounce chute up.  Are they
    nuts?" (true wind about 18 knots).  The trimmer responded saying
    "Maybe it will..." BOOM!  The thing blew up before our eyes! I howled!
    Later they dropped their 3/4 oz. chute into the water on the take
    down and it filled under water and blew up too.  Like driving a
    Toyota off the foredeck.  Gone.  Hood sails will be happy, though.
    
    We're getting some speed out of the boat finally and it really is
    fun.
    
    Dave

    OUCH!!!  I hope Julie's not too badly hurt.  Sounds like more than
    just a few weeks before she's back on that foredeck.  Wish there
    were more foredeck persons like her.
    
    The only injury sustained on Touche this weekend was a severe case
    of brain damage incurred by the skipper at some point in the morning
    prior to the race.  In a significantly impaired mental state, he
    readjusted the forestay length thereby invalidating all the calibration
    marks on the running rigging.  These had been laboriously put on
    only the week before.  Now, instead of saying "put the main on #7"
    we had to resort to terms like "fullness", "body", "draft", "fineness",
    etc.  Great for wine tasters but not for the racecourse.
    
    When we finally got out of the harbor, our four eyed skipper proceded
    to sail to the ocean racing committee boat instead of the one design
    start.  We didn't realize the error until we saw all those kevlar
    sails.  Etchells don't have kevlar sails.  Of course we missed the
    start.  Since we crossed the line on starboard we figured we just
    keep going.  There was at least a 50% chance of being right.  We
    tacked at the corner and, wonder of wonders, we were back in the
    middle of the fleet.  But trimming uncetainties kept our speed down
    and one by one the boats behind walked on us.  On the run, the wind
    appeared to lighten so I changed to the light jib for the beat back
    up.  However, I did this about 3 minutes from the takedown mark.
    At the mark rounding I still didn't have the new sail up.  We had
    to sail for another five minutes barheaded.  Then the wind picked
    up to the high teens.  And there we are with a light jib up rated
    to only 12 knots.  We crossed the finish line on our ear in guess
    what place.
    
    The skipper goes in for a lobotomy this week.  One more race like
    that and a downpayment get made on a stinkpot.
    
    - gene (aka Mr. DFL)            

    RE .205
    
    Dave, did I tell you about the 5 foot tear we put in out .75 chute
    yesterday?  And we did THAT at the mooring!!!  Talk about a bad day ...
    we've been keeping the folks at Doyle very busy so far this season.
    
    RE .206
    
    Gene, sounds like you've been reading my reply to another note ...
    
    "Take heart amid the deepening gloom that although you finished dead
    last, at least you didn't sink".
    
    As a friend of mine is fond of saying, "shifts happen".
    
    Julie will be OK.  She's tough.  Even with a broken finger she was
    volunteering to go up the mast when the halyard got stuck.  Needless to
    say we sent someone else.
    
    Can't wait till next week-end so we can go out and do it all over
    again.  Am I nuts or what?
    
    ... Bob
    

    Yesterday was the Eastern YC Annual (July 4th) Regatta.  Once again the
    weather was perfect for sailing and the EYC race committee did an
    excellent job of running the race.
    
    The course they set was a gold cup course, with the windward leg being
    to a portable mark, then a reaching leg to Newcombs, another reaching
    leg back to Tinker's (the starting line), then upwind to the portable
    and downwind to Tinker's for the finish.
    
    Mother Nature's capriciousness played a part in the outcome again
    due to unpredictable wind shifts.  Prior to the start we watched the
    wind oscillate back and forth in roughly 10 minute cycles.  So we
    decided to play the oscillations.  At the B fleet start, we crossed
    the line and immediately tacked to get to the right side of the course,
    which was headed, but we figured the wind was due to shift back any
    time now.  As fate would have it, the oscillation never came.  And by
    the time we decided to bite the bullet and get back with the fleet we
    were about 3 minutes behind the leaders (less then five minutes into
    the race!!!).
    
    There were 11 boats in 'B' fleet, and 5 of us rated 84 (two Soverel
    33s, KATABATIC & BODICEA; two J/33s, IO and MADRIGAL; and us).  By the
    time we rounded the windward mark, the other four were lined up like a
    parade, with only about a boatlength or two between each.  Trailing
    that pack was DARK HORSE (Frers 36), ALIBI (C&C 40), then us.  Shortly
    after rounding the mark we passed ALIBI, along with the trailing A
    fleet boat, SMOKE (Soverel 36?).  The fleet leaders pretty much held
    their positions for the next three legs.  DARK HORSE made a good move on
    the second beat, going wide left and catching some fresh breeze to edge
    out both Soverels at the windward mark.  At that point IO was ahead, as
    she had been since the start of the race, with MADRIGAL and DARK HORSE
    close behind.  Upon rounding the mark, the three leaders decided to
    follow A fleet to the left side.  We went right, along with both
    Soverels, looking for better wind and a favorable shift.  We got it.
    On the last leg we passed both J/33s, DARK HORSE, a J/35 (sorry 'Bo),
    and a J/40.  The two Soverels beat us across the line, with KATABATIC
    taking the gun, and DARK HORSE made their time on us by less than 30
    seconds.  So we ended up with a 4th.
    
    Earlier in the season I predicted that IO would be the boat to beat
    this season in B fleet.  Now I have to revise that.  KATABATIC is
    making a strong showing, and DARK HORSE is always tough.  In fact, it
    appears that DARK HORSE is becoming to B fleet what CLADDAGH is to A
    fleet.  She's consistently sailing with boats that owe her time.  But I
    give them credit for sailing smart and finding the wind when nobody
    else can.  At one point, when the wind nearly died on the second
    windward leg, I wrote them out of the race because of their move left. 
    But then the breeze filled in for them first and they came out smelling
    like a rose.
    
    We congratulated our competitors right after the race, and blew off the
    awards presentation.  Dave, I assume STARLIGHT EXPRESS made their time
    and took A fleet honors.  Boy that boat (Santa Cruz 70) is a thing of
    beauty to watch going by under chute.  Imagine living with a -66 rating
    though.
    
    Another memorable day to add to what's shaping up to be a good racing
    season.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Can't believe the same thing happened to us as to Bailey.  We went
    right at the start and waited for the shift to come as it had been
    doing for the last hour we had been taking wind readings.  And waited.
    And waited.  Oh s--t, no shift.  I have never fallen so far behind
    so fast in my life.  The leaders were six minutes ahead at the first
    mark (not including Starlight Express, the Santa Cruz 70 who was
    GONE).  We were a pretty dejected crew.  Then we decided to just
    see how many of the sixteen in our class we could win back.  At
    the jibe mark we were in 14th out of 15th place with only the hapless
    Smoke behind us.  On the reaching and second upwind leg we got back
    three boats and on the final run we got back five more and finished
    right up there in the pack again, getting a seventh out of sixteen.
    
    Another mistake was that we ended up carrying 13 crew, about four
    more than necessary, adding about 800 lbs to the boat.  Found out
    we are very weight sensitive and just can't do that without a huge
    degradation in speed. 
    
    The Taylor 40's were conversing on the radio during the starting
    sequence on what headsail they were using (light vs heavy #1).
    Is this legal?  I couldn't find anything that specifically rules
    it out.  The Taylor 40 Sheherezade is pretty damn fast, I must say.
    All in all, I didn't think it the perfect racing day Bob did, but
    not bad all around.  No more racing until Edgartown.
    
    Dave

    Hi guys,
    
    Hate to admit that I was out there yesterday -- unofficially.
    Out once before too, but keeping a     profile -- except for
                                       low
    tactical input!  Yesterday, Bo had the worst race of her 
    career.  Not only did we consistantly sail the wrong side of 
    the course, but we had some fouled up sail-handling.  Not that 
    it mattered.  There were some unhappy campers aboard.  The phrase
    "Fachon shift" became the curse of the day.
    
    I'll say hi next time I'm out -- 1992 or thereabouts...
    
    ;)

    RE .209
    
    Dave, you're complaining about too many crew?  Did you see what we had? 
    16 people showed up to race.  We farmed out 2 to another boat and raced
    with 14.  I think the same way you do, too many people in light wind
    slow you down.  But the skipper disagrees, claiming it won't hurt if
    you distribute the weight properly.  Maybe a good subject for a Notes
    discussion ??
    
    RE .210
    
    Dean, glad to hear you're sailing again finally.  Too bad it had to
    begin on such a low note but there's a lot of season left and you guys
    are sure to have some good days coming up.
    
    ... Bob
    

    
    It finally happened.  TOUCHE finished out of the cellar for the
    first time this year.  With our veteran crew, Chris Nolan's inspired
    analysis we finally figured out how to get speed out of our new
    Wave jib.  Tacked lower, with the lead block back an inch to open
    up the leech and a bit less backstay we developed the drive we had
    been lacking to power through the chop.  All of our weekend races
    have been in chop while the thursday nights had been on smooth water.
    Plenty of speed in the smooth stuff but until now, light air and
    chop had us baffled.
    
    Those ten degree oscillations that everyone mentioned perplexed
    the race committee as much the sailors.  They kept changing the
    windward leg right up until the last minute before the start.  First
    one side of the line was favored then the other.  The fleet kept
    moving like a swarm of bees from one end to the other.  But we got
    a start of with just one general recall.  On saturday it took three
    recalls before we had a clean start.  
    
    After an acceptable start we lost as much as we gained on the shifts
    arriving at the windward mark with big contentious cluster of boats.
    Much interboat advice was exchanged as we jockeyed for position
    on the first reach.  After the gybe, the second reach was a tight
    one with #711, named ROLL'EM about to do just that to us.  The wind
    and waves had built by this time and we were moving at a good ten
    knots.  Just as ROLL'EM surfed to within 10 feet of our stern we
    caught a large wave ourselves and went ballistic.  ROLL'EM disappeared
    in our rooster tail.  Conditions conducive to this don't happen
    that often but when they do, there's nothing like planing an Etchells.
    We gained a few and lost a few on the remaining legs to finish in
    an OK position.
    
    On the run home after the race, only 2 out of the 24 boats set chutes
    - a sure sign of crew exhaustion.  The last leg was windy and wet
    with a lot of short tacking.  We were all soaked to the skin.  At
    that point we were envious of you guys in the big boats with dry
    cabins and gentlemanly three speed winches.  We ended the day with
    considerably less skin on our hands than we had when we started,
    
    Dave: if any of your 800 lbs. spare crew know what a spinnaker if
    for, I'd like to talk to them.  We're a bit shy on that kind of
    expertise (and beef) on Touche.
    
    - gene

    Re: -.1  Sure, some of guys are intimate with spinaakers.  As for
    sailing an Etchells, I'd like to join you some time.  We could work
    a swap.
    
    Bob, I can tell you that too many guys hurt a ton.  Just imagine
    adding 1000 lbs of lead.  Sure, your stability increases but your
    wetted surface goes way up too.  We normally don't let guys take
    their seabags on board if it looks to be nice all day.  We keep
    our tanks empty and any (and I mean all) non essential gear on the
    beach.  All this to save weight.  And then I get soft hearted and
    let half the town of Marblehead sail with us on the fourth, because
    all of a sudden our entire circle of crew are available at the same
    time.  Between yesterday and the prior Sunday when we had eight
    guys, we added that 1000 lbs.  The boat felt constipated.  Sluggish
    and impossible to get really moving.  NEVER again.  Those crew with
    the best attendance record get first crack in those situations from
    here on.
    
    Dean, we were going nuts trying to pass you guys for a lot of the
    race.  Only on your excursion to the right on the last upwind leg
    did we lose you, and that was due to shifts.  Didn't look for you
    to be on board so I didn't say hi.  Next time I'll look.
                            
    Dave

    re -.1
    
    Like I said, I was trying to keep a     profile.
                                        low

    In keeping with that, I'm sure the crew was ready to strap
    me to the bottom of the keel by the end of the race.
    
    Wildside is a very pretty boat, and it's evident there's
    some real speed potential there.  Good luck in Egg'head Town.
    
    Dean
    

    Went out to watch the start of the Halifax race yesterday.  Couldn't
    believe all the hundreds of spectator boats out there.  You'da thought
    it was the America's Cup.   Never saw a race start by beating up a
    "corridor" between hundreds of boats like that before.  Those guys
    musta been gasping for air in there.  Dave, WILDSIDE looked like a
    floating Bud Light commercial with all those people on board.
    
    Lots of large expensive toys in that race.  Anybody know what that big 
    (70'+) boat with the dark blue hull and the quad spreader rig was??
    Other than impressive, I mean.
    
    Yesterday's wind shifts, combined with the spectator crowds, must have
    made for some very interesting starting tactics for those guys.
    
    Wish I'da been on one of those boats ...
    
    						... Bob
    

    Bob, we had 19 on board, not the eightenn I told you.  Had some
    fun watching the start.  The big blue you saw was a custom Swan
    80 footer.  The starts were incredibly sloppy with some guys not
    starting until minutes after the gun.  Don't know what Starlight
    Express' strategy was.  At the start they ran down the line to the
    leeward, not crossing even though the gun had gone off, and then
    crossed at the leeward end.  I think the purpose was only to ensure
    that they sailed through the spectator fleet.
    
    I saw Gene out there among the hordes.  I don't know about you,
    Bob, but the part I liked best was just knowing I'd be coming in
    and going home to a dry, stable bed.  If you've ever been to Halifax
    you know it's not a place to spend a lot of effort getting to. 
    Then somebody has to beat all the way back.  No thank you.  
    
    We are being hauled today to fix a cracked strut that holds the
    cutlass bearing.  Down to E'town Friday night.
    
    Dave

    
    Definitely a change of pace to be out there on a non racing day.
    First time we've done that on touche this year.  Forgotten how pleasant
    it can be.  Bob, we saw WAGS heading back in as we were beating
    out in that light slop by the Cat Island bell.  We waved but I think
    you were too far away to see.  Dave, tell the truth.  Did you have
    19 life jackets aboard?  I had 8 on the Etchells one year and the
    coast guard made us hold up all our life jackets.  We were shy one
    but I guess they couldn't tell from looking.  There were actually six
    Etchells out there NOT racing.  Those owners are usually so hard
    core they never sail their boats unless racing for fear they'll
    wear out their sails.  Some of them even had their families on board.
    Unprecedented.  Must be getting mellow.
    
    The one-design fleets raced on Saturday.  They brisk wind of the
    early morning stirred up a bit of chop but the velocity didn't hold
    through the afternoon.  That made for a difficult call on the sail
    of the day.  Conditions were borderline light-heavy.  I called 
    for the heavy but the wind never really made it into the optimum
    range for the sail.  Not normally a problem but we couldn't quite
    re-set our thinking from trim required for the light chute which
    has radically different characteristics.  Dave Wittenberg was on
    board triming main and calling tactics.  After my pathetic wimp
    out of start Dave found the headers and got us back into the race.
    We rounded the windward mark with some boats behind only to hourglass
    the chute.  Some quick foredeck work by Dave and it was out and
    flying.  Did the same thing on the next set.  Still trying to figure
    out the topology on that since we roll the chutes carefully before
    the race in such a way to preclude that from happening.  Picked
    up a few more boats on the last leg only to lose them again on a
    slow tack.  It was close though.  Thought we could get them back
    by trying one of David's college racing tricks.  Touche's on port
    with a boat to weather and there's a starboard tacker that can't
    quite cross.  We elect to tack and hail the weather boat.  The theory
    is we lee-bow the starboard tacker and roll over the weather boat.
    It almost worked but we couldn't quite carry enough momentum through
    the tack.  Got sandwiched and gassed.  Fun trying though.  Still
    managed to put some boats between us and the cellar.  After seven
    years I'm still learning something new every week.
    
    - gene

    We had 22 lifejackets and two horseshoe rings onboard.  We were
    sure the Coasties would stop us, but they never did.
    
    Dave
    
    Only thing we didn't have enough of was toilet paper.  I guess we
    never had that many women on board before :^).

    
    Dave the coasties probably thought you were in the race.  When we were
    sitting out by Tinkers they circled our boat and told everybody but us
    to clear the area.  Claimed they were in the starting area, which was
    B.S. 'cause the leeward comedy boat was a good 50 yards to windward of
    our position.  In any event, they cleared out boats on both sides of us 
    and never bothered us at all.  We just figured they probably thought we
    were participants or something.
    
    Funny how they cleared out the area below the starting line like that
    and never bothered the boats to windward of the line and the course. 
    Guess you can't expect a bunch of government stink potters to
    understand it's the boats *upwind* of you that disturb your air flow
    and mess up your start.  Who cares what the boats downwind are doing.
    
    
    ... Bob
    

    Is anyone racing in the Volvo Regatta in Newport this weekend?
    I'm really looking forward to getting my butt kicked by sailmakers
    from all over the US.
    
    -Paul

    
    Are there any results from the Halifax race?
    
    - gene

     Gene,

	The unofficial results were posted at the Boston Yacht Club
	when I was there on Wednesday.  There was also a segment in
	The Globe on Monday or Tuesday with information about the
	first boats to finish; it was mentioned that more info would
	follow, but I haven't seen it yet.

	Starlight Express (Santa Cruz 70) was the first to finish for
        the monohulls, in record time.  The skipper noted that they
	had sustained 45 knot winds toward the end of the race.

	The Fomula 40 was first to finish in the multihull class.

     - Derek

    re. 19
    
    Yah But.... wasn't it nice that the race got off to such a nice start!
    When you consider the number of spectator craft (estimated 500), the
    number of racing craft (estimated 150) and the Intruders (estimated
    50), I thought the Committee, the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxillary
    did a great job keeping it safe for everyone!
    
    I was there, on an Auxilary boat, cann't see how taking "jabs" at the
    folks who give the time and energy to make event like the Marblehead to
    Halifax Race possible, really adds anything to the sport or
    sportmanship!
    
    Jerry
    
    

    Correction!  My reply (-1) 
    was in reference to reply .219.
    

    I just got my June Sail mag.  Don't know what happened to it, but
    I did notice an excellent article on crew weight written by John
    Collins.  For me to compliment him on anything is sign that I was
    really impressed.  Wish my mag had come on time.  Would have saved
    me endless grief two weeks ago.
    
    Leave for Etown tonight!  Going to try to break last years transit
    time.  Shooting for 12 hrs.
    
    Dave

    RE .223
    
    The race got off to a start, not a particularly nice one.  As Dave has
    already observed, some boats started many minutes behind their fleets. 
    Part of that was due (from my observation) to the mass of spectator
    boats behind the line where the fleet was trying to maneuver.  There
    was nothing even resembling clear air at the starting line.  Many boats
    just port tacked after the start and weaved through the windward mass of
    spectator boats to clear air, so they didn't have to sail through a
    half-mile or so of turbulance from all those masts to windward.
    
    You're right though, confusion was everywhere and it wasn't really the
    fault of anybody who was trying to help out.  I'm sure the RC and the 
    participants appreciated the help.  It would've been total pandemonium
    without it.
    
    ... Bob

    In past Halifax races they had a fireboat that would cruise in front of
    spectator fleet and spray any one that strayed into the starting
    area.  Discipline was very easy to maintain after a few hosings.
    
    -  gene

This past weekend was another one of those interesting regattas, complete 
with, "bash those big boats," conflicts.  While racing with Paul Keenan on 
his J24 in Newport in the Volvo Regatta, we managed to make contact with 
four other boats and had to alter course on the "first place overall" boat 
in a clear-cut Port Starboard protest with a witness.  There was also a near 
record crowd of entrants in the J24 class alone with 85 on the same 
starting line.

Friday was a great day for racing.  There was a slowly building 
South-westerly and the threat of storms.  The first race was an Olympic 
Triangle.  We had two great starts only to have them recalled in general 
recalls.  After the second recall, by the time we could look down the line 
to see if there was a recall the race committee had already initiated 
another 5 minute starting sequence.  It took us a good 3 minutes to get 
back to the line and another 1 plus minutes to crack a hole in the 
starboard tack freight train, to get to a clear start.  This time we must 
have been last off of the line, because there just wasn't any air behind 
the wall of sails.  By the end we managed to claw our way ahead of about 10 
boats and with all of the premature starters, we finished in the low 60's.

As we got back to the starting area the skies let loose their wrath, with 
thunder, vivid lightning, and buckets of rain.  The race committee in their 
infinite wisdom, decided to cancel races for the day.

Saturday was one of those days when you sit out there and wait for the wind 
to arrive before you race.  The North-westerlies on the back side of the 
front that went by on Friday didn't have a chance against the warm air 
rising in the bright sun.  Finally around 12:30 the sea breeze built in, 
too late for one of the crew, who fed the fish for the rest of the day.
We decided to get aggressive and started on the comedy boat end of the 
line, so that we could get to the favored right side of the course first.
We were the most windward boat as we approached the line on a close-hauled 
course with no room for any other boats in there.  With less than 5 seconds 
'til the gun, a boat of 5 bow beauties called Private Idaho (I Don't Know), 
decided that the fiberglass on our boat would stop a beam reach better than 
the wood of the comedy boat.  To make matters worse, they stayed attached 
as best they could until Paul managed to bear off clear the end of the next 
boat to leeward, gybe and recross the line, by which time it was catch-up 
again.  They did doughnuts and finished about 15 minutes after the rest of 
the fleet.  The right side was favored and we managed to catch the 10 boats 
that went left for that race.  Again low 60's with the PMS's.

The second race we started down the line about one-third rounded the 
windward mark about in the middle of the fleet tried to round inside of a 
boat that we didn't have rights over on the leeward mark, made contact, did 
a 720 and finished in front of about 12 to 15 boats.  With PMS's and DSQ's, 
maybe the mid-50's.

Sunday was the around Jamestown with strong Southerlies.  We had a good 
clean start pretty close to the favored right side.  This time the boat 
which was #1, Salsa tacks over on top of us to get to the right side first. 
We were forced to duck him, yelled protest, he returned with obscenities, 
we called to the boat next to us, which happened to have a woman skipper, 
for a witness, at which point she replied, "Oh ya, I saw and heard it, I 
will be your witness."  We continued the race in pretty good condition, 
considering Paul was a local to the area and knew how close we could 
approach the shores.  We rounded the dumplings in about the same place that 
we rounded the windward mark in Saturday's second race, but proceeded to 
loose boats due to the conditions of our sails, which definitely were not 
up to snuff with the rest of the fleet's.  Four hours and twenty-five 
minutes later, we crossed the finish line with about 10 to 12 boats behind 
us.  Paul dropped another crew member and myself off in Newport and headed 
back to Portsmouth.  He logged the protest yesterday.  The race committee 
charged $30 for the protest in the interest of limitting the number of 
hearings that they conduct.  The entry fee was $50 and they are trying to 
attract the family racers?  This caused us to hesitate at lodging the 
protest earlier, however, we felt that it wasn't fair for Salsa to finish 
first when we had a witness.

For those who have never sailed on one, a J24 is just a big dinghy.

			Charlie

    85 boats on the same starting line ?!?!?  That RC should get their
    collective heads examined to see if there's anything like sanity in
    there.  And I always heard they knew how to run races down in Newport.
    
    It's a wonder it was just fiberglass got crunched in a pack like that.
    
    ... Bob
    

    It was amazing!!   We heard lots of that sound of crunching stuff, you
    know, kind of like termites eating wood, but there weren't any
    protests.  I guess those fiberglass devourers are viscous this year.
    
    Paul got the call this morning.  Another protest disallowed.  Filing
    deadline was 2 hours after the finish of each race.
    
    Charlie

    It's very important in starts like that to tell the crew:
    
    "No matter what - don't fend off. Dings and holes can be fixed, hands
     and feet can't."
    
    Good recap Charlie. I'm glad you can remember, it's all a blur to me.
    When my brother and I bought the boat last year, we tried to convince
    ourselves that the sails were competitive. Probably so because we were out
    of money! But the way we were walked over this weekend leaves no doubt.
    If we want to compete in big regattas we need new sails.
    
    Can I put my son to work if he's only 8 months old? ;)
    
    -Paul

    RE .230 & .231
    
    Too bad about the protest.  As we have found out over the course of the
    last few seasons,  there's a science to protests.  And he who hesitates 
    almost always loses.
    
    Some basic rules we follow now are ...
    
    1.  Always holler over and inform the offending boat that you are
        protesting them.  If another boat's nearby make sure they heard 
        you do the informing.  Sometimes the protest will be disallowed
        if you do not do this, as you did not allow a chance for exoneration.
    
    2.  Always inform the committee boat at the finish line of your intent
        to protest, providing BOTH the name and sail number of the boat you 
        are protesting.
    
    3.  Always dig through the rules and make sure you apply ALL the
        relevent ones.  Sometimes you can make a better case with a rule 
        other than the one you had in mind when you decided to protest.  
        Besides, protest committees are impressed with preparedness.
    
    3a. Always carry a copy of the USYRU rulebook (complete with protest
        forms) on your boat. Fill out a full report of the incident as soon
        as the race is over.
    
    4.  Always drop off a crew member at the host YC to lodge the protest
        right after the race.  There are usually 2 hour limits for protests, 
        so the committee can get on with calculating results and awarding 
        trophies.  And sometimes it takes most of that 2 hours just to get 
        back to the YC from the race course.
    
    Each of these little rules came about as a result of our losing a protest
    due to a technicality.  And I'm sure the list will grow with experience.
    
    Paul - If you're gonna look into new sails check out Doyle.  They've
    put some very competitive sails on a lot of J's, including WAGS &
    BODACIOUS.  I'd recommend staying clear of Shore.  We wasted thousands
    on a couple of flat lumpy Shore sails that were never competitive.
    
    ... Bob  

    Re -1 
    
    You've listed some very good rules to follow. I've had my last two
    protests thrown out by breaking every one of them!
    
    On sails, Shore, North, and UK are the leaders in the J/24 class. Shore 
    sails are probably the fastest. Both Doyle and Hood are trying to break
    in. A rep from Doyle met me at Ft. Adams in Newport when I dropped in
    the boat this year and gave me some good racing trim tips. 
    
    With Shore, you have to fight off the temptation to make them look "pretty"
     In most conditions they are fast when they look "ugly".
    
    For example, on a J/24 in moderate
    wind the champions sail with:   *A little sag in the headstay  
                                    *Wrinkles in the Jib luff
                                    *The foot of the Main pulled nearly to
                                     the limit
                                    *One to two feet of backwind in the
                                     main
                                    *Diagonal wrinkles in the luff of the
                                     Main pointed towards the clew.
    
    Also on a J/24, the upper and lower shroud tension is critical. Since
    the J/24 is fractional, the lower shrouds control the ratio of draft
    reduction (or flatness) between the Main and Jib as you add backstay
    tension.
                                  
    Do any of these things apply to the J/36? 
    
    -Paul

    Paul,
    
    Your list applies to J/36s too, for the most part.  Remember, we're a
    fractional rig also.  
    
    Sometimes we have so much headstay sag people feel the need to mention 
    it to us (after the race of course) and we have to explain that it's
    intentional.  
    
    Wrinkles in the jib luff only in light winds.  The heavier the wind 
    blows, the tighter you want that sucker.  
    
    The main's almost always backwinding a little on a beat.  If we trim to
    eliminate the backwinding we either have to bear off or slow down.  
    
    Foot tension varies depending on wind conditions particularly with the 
    new main.  The old Shore main was so flat at the foot that tightening
    the outhaul sometimes didn't have any visible effect.    
    
    Shroud tension is critical, just like the J/24, for the same reasons.
    
    Another "trick" we use is on downwind legs.  After popping the chute and
    getting the deck all squared away, take a spare halyard and attach it
    to the headstay base.  Then crank enough tension on it to literally
    straighten the mast out.  Can't tell you exactly why it works, but we
    get an extra .2 to .4 kts of speed out of the maneuver.  I'd be
    interested in knowing how this works on a J/24 (and for that matter, on
    a Farr 40).
    
    Relative to the "leaders" in the J/24 class, don't you think that's at
    least partly a function of location?  I mean, they're all located right
    there in Newport, along with J-boats.  Shore is a leader because of Ken
    Read, more than because of their sail plan.  I don't know how their
    J/24 mains are cut, but our J/36 main was 7 degrees flatter in the
    draft for the same trim conditions than our Doyle main is.  It was OK
    in winds in excess of 10 kts., on a beat.  But in light winds or off
    the wind we just couldn't get any power out of it.  What upset me most
    about Shore was that they refused to do anything about the lump running
    down the back third of the sail, just behind the draft.  There's no way
    they can convince me that it was fast.  Even their "rock star" rep, who
    came up to show us how to trim the thing, couldn't make it keep up with
    other boats with similar ratings.  All excuses aside, when we got our
    Doyle main, we were suddenly very competitive again.  Draw your own
    conclusions.
    
    I will give them this, they seem to have created a fast #1 genny.  We
    do like the Shore genny when there's 15-20 kts of wind and we have
    enough crew to carry it.  It's heavy, relatively flat, and will point
    with the best of them.  We decided that a big part of the reason we won
    the Chapman Bowl was because we were able to carry this heavy #1 while
    most of the other boats had to carry a #3.  I don't think you'd get the
    same advantage on a J/24 though because you can't pile the bodies on
    the rail in a good blow like we can.
    
    ... Bob
    

    I really like that idea about straightening the mast with the jib 
    halyard. I'm going to give it a try tomorrow night.
    
    Yes, it's true that Ken Read is just about unbeatable with any kind
    of sails. But Shore is really a small boat outfit that performs well
    when they can support a big local fleet. They put alot of effort into
    J/24's. The Main they sell is really quite full.
    
    It's not surprising that you're main was a dog. Back in the early 70's
    when Bill Shore was first starting up in Newport, a popular class was 
    the Ensign. Every time it blew hard the clews and heads of Shore sails 
    would rip out! A friend of mine bought Bluejay sails that literally fell 
    apart. They've come along way, but I wouldn't trust them for anything
    but high volume - proven sails.   
    

    
    re. "the trick"
    
    I can confirm that the halyard trick works extremely well.  So well,
    in fact, that the Etchells class has outlawed it.  Check the J-24
    regs to make sure it's legal in your class.  As far as whose sails
    to buy - go with whatever the current world champion uses.  More
    often than not, that person is a sailmaker who has invested more
    time in perfecting his sails than anyone else.  Quality and workmanship
    don't count for all that much in one-design sails.  Speed is the
    first priority, longevity is a distant second.  They're only supposed
    to last long enough to win a regatta.  I'm told that a season out of
    a J-24 genny is about a month longer than it's actually good for.
    Competitive sailors try to plan their purchases just before major
    regattas to have the most pristine sailshape available.  If it's
    a heavy air venue, the sails will deteriorate visibly each day.
    
    In the Etchells class, Dave Curtis used to make middle-of-the-road
    sails that were a compromise between speed and longevity.  But the
    competition discovered that lighter, fuller sails went faster. 
    Now the consensus sails use cloth an ounce lighter than before and
    condiderably fuller.  They work as advertised but every time it
    blows out I get this awful ache in my wallet.
    
    - gene

    
    >Another "trick" we use is on downwind legs.  After popping the chute
    >and getting the deck all squared away, take a spare halyard and attach
    >it to the headstay base.  Then crank enough tension on it to literally
    >straighten the mast out.  Can't tell you exactly why it works, but we
    >get an extra .2 to .4 kts of speed out of the maneuver.  I'd be 
    >interested in knowing how this works on a J/24 (and for that matter, on  
    >a Farr 40).
    
    Funny How things work out I was just rereading "Dinghy Helming" by
    Lawrie Smith.  In it he talks about making sure that you straighten the
    mast up on the run.  To  quote from the book.  "This increases the
    effective sail area by adding height to the rig.  The balance of the
    boat will not change whatever with mast rake, so it is obviously an
    advantage to keep the mast upright."  Seems to me that is should work
    for a larger boat as well.
    
    
    Forrest

    Bob,
    
    I checked my class rules and the trick might be illegal.
    
      No "use of a foresail halyard or mechanically adjustable device to
         vary the measured length of the headstay".
    
    I'm not quite sure how to interprete this. They might just be talking about
    hooking the top end of the headstay to a spare halyard - not the same
    as sagging the headstay with the halyard.
    
    Gene,
    
    What are the minimum sail cloth weights for the Etchells class? For the J/24
    it's:
                    Main    240 grams per square meter  (dacron)
                    Genoa   200 grams per square meter  (dacron)
                            138 grams per square meter  (mylar) 
    
    If there is a very limited life to the sails at this weight, wouldn't
    it be in everyone's interest (except the sailmaker) to raise them up? 
    
    Shore does sell a heavier weight "Duro" main, it would be nice to 
     know the speed penalty you have pay.
    
    -Paul

    This past week-end was the Corinthian YC Midsummer Regatta.  This
    season they made it a part of the Marblehead Race Week event.
    
    Saturday was a great day for a sailboat race, with steady breezes and
    flat seas.  The RC set an olympic course, length 16.24 mi.  As has been
    the case most races this season, we had a dogfight on our hands for
    virtually the entire race.  There were six entries in B fleet, and
    three of us rated the same.
    
    We came off the starting line in pretty good shape, but IO was just to
    windward of us.  And right after the start she rolled us for the first
    time of the race.  So as soon as we started eating her gas we tacked
    away.  About 30 seconds later, KATABATIC tacks to cover us, and we're
    eating bad air again.  Somehow we managed to pass her to leeward, and
    that was the last we saw of them all day.
    
    We spent the rest of the leg crossing tacks with both IO and DARK
    HORSE, and almost every tack somebody was passing somebody among
    the three boats.  Around the first mark it was DARK HORSE, IO and
    WAGS, respectively, with each boat about 4 feet off the stern of the
    boat in front.  We stayed pretty much in that order down the first 
    reaching leg, and we managed to pass IO right at the gybe mark.
    
    At the leeward mark we passed DARK HORSE as they had a little trouble
    getting their chute down.  IO rounded right behind us and tacked in
    while we and DARK HORSE went out.  When we crossed tacks again IO had
    about a 4 boatlength lead.  This upwind leg was like a one-design race
    between the three of us, with every advantage being earned the old
    fashioned way and each boat getting the chance to take a temporary lead
    at least once.  At one point we tacked to cover IO only to have DARK
    HORSE tack to cover us.  We rounded the windward mark and popped our
    chutes side-by-side-by-side.
    
    Coming up the last windward leg, IO found some extra speed somewhere
    and put about two minutes on us and DARK HORSE.  IO took the gun, but
    was edged out by DARK HORSE by 8 seconds corrected time.  Furthermore,
    VAPOR TRAIL, who crossed some six minutes back, edged IO out by 5
    seconds to take second.  We took a distant 4th, almost two minutes
    behind.  KATABATIC took 5th, and MYSTERY took the DFL.
    
    Sunday's race was a completely different affair.  They sent us on a
    16.3 mile, two-legged race up to Eastern Point and back to Marblehead
    bell.  The starting line heavily favored the pin end.  But when we saw
    the rest of our fleet going down there we decided to stay close to the
    boat for clear air.  After all, what does 100 feet mean in an 8.5 mile
    leg.  Turns out a favorable wind shift made our decision look like a
    stroke of genious five minutes into the race we were 2 minutes ahead of
    the next two boats (yup, IO and DARK HORSE).
    
    Halfway to Eastern Point the wind lightened up and downright died. 
    KATABATIC made a run here, as she's a very good light wind boat.  She
    managed to pass everybody but us by finding the zephyrs and being on
    the correct side of the course when the wind filled in.  Sometime
    during the lull we managed to put our light #1 genny through a
    spreader.  I suspect it had something to do with the sails flogging in
    the powerboat wake.  But we looked up and saw this big hole and our
    hearts sank.  Now we had to hoist the heavy #1 in light air.  But Ol'
    Ma Nature smiled on us and by the time we got the sail on deck the wind
    started building.  By the time we got it hoisted and the light #1 down
    it was the correct sail to have anyway.  Wow, two breaks in one day. 
    This was our race!  And it was.  We rounded the windward mark, popped
    the chute, and steamed home (passing some A boats on the way).  We took
    the gun, the race, and the regatta.
    
    Oh, what a feeling ...
    
    				... Bob
    

    Nice sailing Bob!  If you have any surplus speed, put it in a bottle
    and send it to me.  I could definitely use some of it.
    
    re .238
    
    Paul:  the minimum weights for Etchells sails are:
    
    Main - 220 gm/sq. mtr  (5.0 oz)
    Jib - 238 gm/sq. mtr  (5.5 oz)
    
    No one uses a 5.0 oz. main.  It's either 6.5 oz in the heavy air
    fleets or 5.5 oz. in light air regions.  The 5.5 oz is faster locally.
    Jibs are mostly 6.5 oz. for both the light air and heavy air models.
    The difference between the two is the amount of draft built into
    them.  The light air model, called the wave jib is much fuller.
    Some people use a Doyle 5.5 oz. jib.  This is very fast but notorious
    for its short life.
    
    Locally the rule of thumb is 1 1/2 to 2 seasons for a set of sails
    to be fully competitive.  The 6.5 oz. mains can go longer.  In
    Australia they go through two heavy jibs and one main every year.
    
    For J24s, I'm told the key sail is the genoa.  The light weight
    combined with the abrasion when being tacked makes for an inherently
    short life.  But before writing a big check, make sure your tuning
    and trim are consistent with the latest thinking.  That makes a
    big difference in one designs.  It's worth speed checking with another
    boat in a non racing situation to isolate the source of the speed
    problem.  You'll be surprized what a difference small adjustments
    make.
    
    - gene

    Just got back from Edgartown Regatta.  What a letdown!  The yacht
    club is determined to kill that regatta and then bitch about it.
    The set up is that there are two two-day series seperated by the
    round the island race.  We had some great competition in PHRF A.
    Had the old Sprint, now Idler, that won the SORC 2 years ago, and
    the Admirals cupper Sidewinder as the top of the fleet.  Our main
    problem was another one tonner from Long Island sound with a New
    York rating certificate that we owed 9 seconds a mile to.  Nine
    seconds!  Bogus!
    
    Anyway, we, Idler and Scamp did well the first race (we got second,
    changed to third based on the rating issue).  The second race on
    Monday was cancelled due to a freak nor'easter that had 60 knot
    winds.  We elected not to do the round island race, but two of our
    crew did it on other boats.  Fast race for most, but foggy and soggy.
    
    Thursday's race counted double due to the cancellation of Monday's.
    We (the racers) couldn't convince the committee to hold two short
    races on Thursday instead.  To make a long story short, it turned
    into a drifter and a shortened course.  Then to add insult to injury,
    the committee set the finish boat on the wrong side of the mark.
    To finish properly required sailing around the line and cross from
    the back.  In the extremely light light wind and the heavy current,
    this took a while.  Well, those who did finish properly protested
    those who followed the committees cue and finished wrong.  The race
    committee couldn't very well have this kind of protest on the day
    a race counted double, so they scored everybody no matter which
    way they crossed the finish.  Again, bogus.
    
    During the protest Klee Dobra, the commodore and race committee
    chairman, said in justifying the setting of the line, "we are basically
    there as a courtesy to the finishers as there is provision in the
    instructions to take their own time".  A courtesy!  Then he went
    on on how they would really like not to have PHRF racing at all
    in their regatta and how they can not have any responsibility to
    ensure all certificates are valid and comparable.
    
    I have been going to this regatta for a long time and have been
    a real booster of it.  Well, forget it.  Until they spend some of
    the 20 grand they take in from entry fees on a professional race
    committee and get the socialite ladies off the launch, it just isn't
    worth the aggravation.
    
    Friday's race had a large number of us start with our protest flags
    flying as a general message to the committee about our impression
    of their skill and professionalism.  Really rattled them, but don't
    think they give a hoot.  People have already started voting with
    their wallet, however, and entries were only 65 this year, down
    from more than 125 two years ago.  They won't get 50 next year.
    Too bad.  Great venue and fun place to be.  
    
    Oh, we ended up fifth out of twenty in our class, even with the
    screwy race on Thursday.
    
    We delivered the boat back on Saturday so we could race in the
    Marblehead Race Week PHRF race on Sunday.  Sunday's race was trouble
    and we knew it would be when the flag indicated the beat was to
    Eastern Point off of Gloucester in a fickle breeze.  The A fleet
    got into a huge hole two thirds the way to the mark.  How you finished
    depended upon where you were when the wind filled.  One boat went
    way out on huge flyer and got the breeze first.  They finished twenty
    minutes ahead of the next boat.  Not much of a contest of sailing
    skill.  Dean was was spotted out there again.  Bo didn't have a
    great time of it either.
    
    Thinking of taking up bowling.
    
    Dave
    
    P.S. Who told all these people that neon clothing looks good?  Dpn't
         they have mirrors? 
    

     Vigilante had a great weekend too.  Saturday's seabreeze filled in
     just beautifully.  'C' fleet was extremely tight, with about 8 boats
     in contention for much of the race.  We were in second or third position
     until the final 2 legs where we were able to climb up on the leader,
     SEAHAWK, and outpoint her in the building SW breeze on the final leg
     to take the gun by 2 minutes.  Unfortunately DIFFERENT DRUMMER was
     able to catch us on corrected time (we owed her 5 min., beat her by 4),
     So we were second on Saturday.

     Sunday had a discouraging start as the light NE didn't show much promise,
     and there was no sign of the seabreeze returning.  We watched as the
     shift came through on the 'B's, and decided to start at the boat end.
     Unfortunately, about 1 mi. up the course, the wind died.  Just when we
     were thinking this would not be our day, the NE freshened, and we had
     a whole new race.  We got a great view the 'A's and 'B's returning
     under spinaker including close views of both WILDSIDE, to leward ;-) and
     WAGS, to windward ;-(.  Would have been a great day to have a camera
     aboard.  We couldn't catch CELEST, as she got a head start out of the
     holes, but finished second, and corrected to third.

     Overall, we came out on top. This was a great 2 day series, and a
     good tune-up for the New England's.

    Congrats to Bob And WAGS.  Keep it up and you're sure
    to capture overall B-fleet honors and most improved boat
    in Marblehead PHRF to boot!!
    
    Bo's Saturday race started just fine until we had a 
    port/starboard confrontation with Lightning.  Admittedly a close
    crossing, but even though they cheated up to try and nail us we
    cleared by several feet, then they dropped 5 degrees down
    to course -- you could see the hard angle carved in the water --
    and hollered protest.  With no witness to save us, Jon
    elected to "720" and be done with it.  It was all downhill
    from there.  Although that protest would have been tough to beat, 
    in the future I'd elect to stick by my guns -- try to talk them out
    of it but never knuckle under.  I told Lightning the next day it
    was a bogus call and got a limp wave of aknowledgement.
    
    Sunday we started off just fine too, but with the wind going
    light I must confess I took us inside.  The cruisers close to shore
    had breeze, and I couldn't see any evidence of the on-shore filling
    in, so in we went.  Never thought the forecast would be right?
    And I mean RIGHT.  We had one chance to consolidate and
    stick close to the leader-pack, but you know how tough it can be to
    change strategy when you're committed.
    
    There were audible calls for my scalp.  Definitely feeling
    a bit jinxed.
    
    Beringer next -- I'll go because I'm the only other guy who can
    drive.  Wish me luck, or I'll be thumbing the next time you see
    me...
    
    ;)
    

    
    There was an interesting article in the 7/25 Boston Globe about
    a local boat en route to the Edgartown Regatta.  Coalition (Taylor
    40?) was going through Woods Hole when the helmsman tried to shave
    one of the bouys a bit too close.  The keel struck the ledge below
    and partially separated from the hull.  Responding quickly to thier
    Mayday call, the Coast Guard tried to pump her out but Coalition
    sank on the spot in about 30 ft. of water with only her mast showing.
    The next day a commercial salvage outfit raised her and towed her
    to drydock.
    
    The surprising thing was that the Coast Guard spokesperson said
    30+ boats had been lost in Woods Hole last year.  Very Sobering.
    Every time I've gone through there has been a nervous experience.
    There appears to be a good reason for that.
    
    - gene

    I was scanning an article in Soundings, and it mentioned some of
    the problems in Woods Hole ranging from the shoals "clogging" passage
    to boaters confusing themselves over red-right-return - the article
    says that they seem to forget that returning is defined by passing 
    from a large body of water to a smaller one.
    
    	Gregg

    It's true, Coalition did sink, but in near perfect conditions to
    transit Woods Hole.  It seems that they (the delivery crew) had
    nearly completely completed the trip from Buzzard's Bay to Vineyard
    Sound when the more experienced crew member went down below to plot
    the course to Edgartown and plug into the Loran. At the end of Woods
    Hole one can go to the right or to the left.  In between is a rock
    pile.  The guy on deck aimed for a bouy marking the left exit while
    the intent was to go right.  Oops.  On the bricks at eight knots.
    
    They Coalition guys had less than glowing reports about the Coast
    Guard.  Seems that once Coaltion went down she was deemed to be a
    hazard to navigation.  The "guys from Iowa" (as they referred to
    the Coasties) dragged her across the bottom to get it out of the
    way which is when the most severe and irreparable damage was done.
                                              
    I went to see her in Falmouth on the way back from the Vineyard.
    Looks like somebody took a giant can opener and just peeled back
    the port side from the bow to the chainplates.
    
    Two points here.  First is that we never allow deliveries without
    at least one owner on board.  I don't care how much the delivery
    crew is being paid, they just don't care as much as the owners.
    Second is that Woods Hole is a very clearly marked passage that
    I've transited more than I can recall, but it is totally unforgiving
    if you screw up.  Have a plan to bail out if the tide is too much
    to handle and take time to fully study the chart before going into
    the Hole.
    
    We're very sad to see a great boat like Coalition in such a stupid
    manner.  I'm sure Brian (the owner) will be back with another tough
    program.
    
    Dave

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Note 1290.0                Frustrating race experience                No replies
SHIPIT::MCBRIDE                                      77 lines  24-JUL-1989 14:26
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How's this for frustrating?  I participated in the Lake Champlain 
race this weekend on a C&C 33.  Despite having broken my wrist 
the week before the skipper still wanted me along for steering 
and other small duties as the rest of his crew would be 
relatively less experienced.  The frustration of a broken wrist was 
in not being able to participate in everything.  This was not a 
problem and certainly not as frustrating as the finish would prove 
to be. The race is over a 120 +/- mile course and typically takes 1.5 
to 2 full days to complete, if we finish at all.  Champlain has light 
and variable winds this time of year at least from my experience.  
The past two years we quit for lack of any wind for several hours 
and over half the race to go.  At any rate, the weather this year 
was perfect, almost.  We were doing great until 3:00 AM Saturday 
when the entire fleet hit a hole and died right on schedule.  
This is an annual event.  It's pretty funny to wake up at dawn and 
see 20-30 boats from all three fleets pointing in every direction 
with slack sails.  We caught the first hints of breeze and were 
"steaming" along at 1.5 - 2 kts with only a J24 (AKA Lake Lice :-) ) 
keeping pace.  Having them close to us at all put them way in front 
since we owed them 30 seconds per mile.  We left the rest of the 
fleet in the hole behind and duked it out eventually gaining some 
ground.  We rounded the mark at the southern end of the lake and 
waved to the rest of the boats on their way down.  At the same point 
in the lake, the wind again died (possible cue here?) and our J24 
friend caught back up.  They promptly sailed into hole and we never 
looked back!  We eventually got so far ahead that we could no longer 
discern spinnaker colors.  I believe this is called a horizon job?  
Even though we had about 6 more hours to go (or so we thought)  we 
felt confident of our position because we had about 2 hours on the 
nearest competitor who we did not owe any time to.  At about 11:00 
PM on Saturday I asked the question of the skipper, "Is there much 
fog on Lake Champlain?"  I got a very confident no, never, absolutely 
not, light haze, morning mist etc. etc. trust me.  Certainly never 
any fog like on the ocean and never so that visibility is greatly 
impaired.  This turned into a small discussion about fog and what 
nasty stuff it can be blah, blah,blah.  Yawn, yawn I go below for 
a snooze confident that it is only a matter of finishing since 
clearly all the other boats would certainly quit if they were 
becalmed or that far behind.  They apparently never heard the fat 
lady singing as we did!  We were actually part of the chorus and 
sang right along with her!  Our mood was ecstatic and confidence 
was high to the point of already enjoying such an obvious victory.  
The weather was clear, the moon rose bright, visibilty was great, 
no sweat.  We rounded the last point of land on Providence Island 
and were heading to the finish about 1/3 to 1/2 mile away in Mallet's 
Bay and whammo!  We sailed into a wall of fog so thick that visibility 
was effectively cut down to less than 50 yards.  Hey no problem, we 
just sail the recoprical course until we are clear again, take a 
bearing, plot the heading to the line and sail onto our well deserved 
victory, glory and major club side gloating.  Imagine our surprise to 
find the fog had covered the whole lake.  I was rudely awaken to the 
swearing and shouting and flurry of sheets and winches.  I stuck my 
head up and mentioned something about no fog on the lake, ever, and 
got a nonverbal hand cue from the skipper.  We eventually heard the 


next boat come in after hunting for the line for an hour or so.  
By this time our position was so screwed up that guessing which 
direction the line was in was pointless if not hazardous.  There 
are several rocks in the area all of which are visible in clear 
weather.  The other boat anchored and we rafted up with them.  It 
was our closest threat to whom we owed no time.  So far our lead was 
intact but dwindling.  More boats came in after awhile and they were 
more vigilant.  They kept searching in the dark and fog and eventually 
found the committee boat.  As it got lighter around 6:00 AM Sunday, 
we fended off and started searching for the line again.  We found it 
in about five minutes or so as it was only about 200 yards away!  We 
came in third for our fleet but it was a truly a bitter defeat after 
having dusted the entire fleet and part of the B fleet as well.  After 
30 hours of racing, the last 12 or so in an ever increasing lead, to 
lose a race so close to the line was a big let down.  We all took 
solace in knowing how far ahead we were and the skipper knows that we 
were winners even though the books say differently.  I guess the moral 
is not to ask about what the weather isn't doing at the moment.  
Oh well, there's always next year.

Brian

    A few of us Digits have been on the water in the vicinity of where
    racing activities have been in progress on Wednesday evenings.  This
    is our first year attempting this type of thing.  The first couple
    of weeks we were totally bewildered, didn't know what we didn't
    know.  One of the things we didn't know was the course.  Nobody
    told us we needed a YRUMB book.  Talk about the gang that couldn't
    shoot straight.  My boat, elysium, is a C + C 29 II.  Rates 183
    cruising.  That rating puts us near the slow end of C fleet. 
    The first couple of weeks we didn't see many C flags, even at
    the start.  Saw lots of D flags, 'til they got too far in front
    of us.  But we had FUN!  Near the end of the first half season,
    fate smiled on elysium.  A frequent contributor to this note, with
    alliterative initials asked us if we had room for another crew member.
    
    During the first half season, we finished somewhere around 7 out
    of 10 or 11 starters.  Near the end, we actually finished with and
    ahead of some of the other boats in our class.  
    
    We've been in three of the races in the second half of the B.Y.C.
    series so far.  A 5th out of 8, a 5th out of 9 and last night a
    7th out of 11.  And we're still having fun.  We don't see the D
    boats very often, but the fast C don't know we're there.  
    
    Without this notes file I wouldn't have been involved in racing.
    More importantly I wouldn't have met some of the great people that
    spend long hours working at the top of their fleet, but are still
    willing to take the time to ride with and encourage a bunch of novices.
                    
    And I found out why the Wednesday night series is called the beer
    can series. (even if the skipper still drinks wine.)
                                                        

Last night we had a chance to take second out of about 8 boats. Close
to the end of the last windward leg we made a critical tactical error 
half of which involved not being able to sight the lay line properly. 
We tacked to cover two other boats, however, as soon as we finished 
tacking we hit a dead spot. We could have still made out fine since we 
had a comfortable lead on the third and fourth boats. However, we also 
overstood the mark considerably. This allowed one of the two boats 
behind us to duck under us at the windward mark. Since I am fairly new
to racing, I was wondering what techniqes some of you use to pick
the lay line? I looked around and couldn't find anything else on this
subject. We did manage to take third, but I wanted second badly.

Mano
racing on Paul Keenan's J24 "Shockwave"

    Re. -1 
    
    Forget trying to learn this from the skipper of that boat you race
    on. He's blind! :)
    
    -Paul
    
    

    There is a note somewhere on the use of tacking lines which covers
    this.
    
    One additional thing to look for if the mark is one of the non
    inflatable type is the direction in which it's leaning.  If its
    leaning to leeward, allow some extra distance before heading for
    the mark to compensate for the current which will set you down.
    Do the opposite if it's leaning the other way.  If you're not close
    enough to tell which way it's leaning, it's too early to go for
    the layline.
    
    You are most vulnerable to overstanding when there's a boat to leeward
    but close behind.  Overstanding a little gives him enough room to
    sneak in at the mark.  To guard against this, tack shy of the layline
    and hold that position until close to the mark.  Then tack two more
    times to the layline.  If you don't blow a tack, your opponent will
    always be pinned low of the layline and have to duck your stern
    to round.  Ignore this if there's a real parade at the layline.
    In that case just take your lumps and tack to weather of the last
    boat in the parade.  It's just not profitable to play around with
    short tacks in all the exhaust to leeward of the parade.
    
    Incidentally, with the revision in the rules, if you're just shy
    of the mark as you try to round, HIT IT.  Then DO NOT re-round.
    Just sail off to weather of all the other boats and do your 720.
    Much less is lost under this scenario than if you had to re-round with
    a zillion boats in the layline parade.
    
    - gene

    This brings up a good point.  With the exception of very large fleets,
    it does not pay to go to the lay line early on in the upwind leg.
    Stay to the middle of the course and you can use whatever shifts
    come to your advantage.  Once on the layline, any shift will hurt
    you.  For example, if you get lifted, you are then overstanding.
    If you get headed (unless by about 30 degrees) you can't afford
    to tack very far before you get back to the "new" layline.
       
    As far a judging the layline, experience with how closely your boat
    can point in various wind strengths and knowledge of your tacking
    angles will help.  A "hockey puck" handheld compass will help. 
    Also, looking at competitors on the opposite tack in front of you.
    Are they making it?  Be careful, though, because we will fall off
    just as a competitor comes off our stern making it look to them
    like we will not make the mark.  Hopefully this will encourage them
    to overstand.
    
    Gene's note on tacking lines is good too.  Just remember you DO
    NOT want to overstand.
    
    Dave
    

re .251:

Hit the mark???? If it is one of those nice, solid metal government 
issue marks, your local boat painter will love you and your insurance 
agent won't. 

:-)

Oh, it one of those inflatable things? Do hit it, especially if it's
right outside Marblehead Harbor. Maybe you'll get lucky and sink it!

:-)

Why oh why do race committees insist on having race courses across 
harbor entrances in the early morning and late afternoon? Or does it 
just seem this way as I play dodge 'em boats?

:-)

Once_this_year_racer

    Friday night was the Berringer Overnight race, sponsored by the Boston
    Yacht Club.  And although we didn't win, it was a memorable event for
    the WAGS crew, and a remarkable race altogether.
    
    The weather was one of the reasons.  The wind held steady at 10-20 kts
    S-SW for the entire race, and the seas were relatively flat (although
    the waves did finally start to build during the final hours).  This was
    without a doubt the best weather and steadiest wind for an overnight 
    that I've ever experienced.
    
    The course was another.  The RC set a course that looked somewhat like
    a skewed bow tie.  The start was at Tinker's gong.  First windward mark
    was the monster bouy outside Boston Harbor.  Then downwind to Eastern
    Point, back upwind to Graves Light, downwind to Newcomb's Ledge, and
    upwind to Marblehead Bell ... twice around.  The total course length
    was just a few yards shy of 95 miles.
    
    We ended up in A fleet for this race, which had us really excited.  We 
    had won the only other race in which we competed in A class (Chapman
    Bowl), and our confidence level was high.  And this time we had a chance 
    to test ourselves against BODACIOUS and CLADDAGH, neither of whom we have 
    ever beaten.
    
    The first leg saw us getting off to a pretty bad start, but we managed
    to catch up and take an early lead.  It was a really good feeling to
    look back and see those flags on CLADDAGH's bow.  But it was real early
    and we didn't stay in front of them for very long.  We managed to carry
    on a pleasant conversation with the BODACIOUS crew for a good part of
    the leg, but eventually they asserted themselves and got ahead of us.
    
    We also had to contend with our "friends" on KATABATIC.  Although we've
    had some great races and close finishes this year (due to our identical
    ratings) they really disappointed me with their lack of sportsmanship 
    in this race.  
    
    At the first mark we were rounding just in front of them when we had a
    little trouble getting the chute up.  Those guys were laughing at us as
    they popped their chute and roared on by.  Well, it isn't smart to
    laugh at your competition so early in a race (as we eventually proved
    to them).  We finally got our chute up and managed to catch up with them
    by the time we got to Eastern Point.  We were literally side-by-side
    coming to the mark, with us being on the inside.  Then some jerk on
    their boat called out "no overlap" to which we replied with a variety
    of remarks common to sailors and Boston drivers, and proceeded to
    ignore them while we set our jib and took down the chute, rounding the
    mark with them about 10 feet off our stern.
    
    The beat to Graves light turned out to be somewhat dangerous due to a
    very stupid practice among sailboat racers.  On around the area of 
    Newcombs those bozos decided to shut off their lights and play games 
    with us.  MORONS!!  Here we are tacking across each other at close
    quarters and and we can hear their wake before we can see them !
    
    At one point they crossed so close to our stern we could talk to them
    in a nice conversational tone.  I won't go into what the conversation
    consisted of.  Then they decided to go inside of Newcombs, close to the
    foul water zone.  Enough was enough, we weren't going to let them cut
    through the cans surrounding Baker's withough giving them some
    indication we knew they were there, so we broke out the Q-beam and
    flashed it over in their directions, with come instructions on how to
    use running lights.  A minute later they tacked out and honored the can, 
    forcing them to lose a lot of ground to us.  That was the last we saw of 
    them for the race.
    
    Upon rounding Marblehead Bell we made a decision that apparently cost
    us the race.  We decided that even though Tinker's gong wasn't listed in 
    the rack as a turning mark, we were supposed to honor it because it was 
    the starting line. I mean, how can you do a twice around course without 
    rounding the starting mark?  Makes sense.  But apparently we didn't have 
    to do that, and the eventual winner told us they didn't.  Ah well, them's 
    the breaks.  Fortunately it was only a little out of the way.  :^(
    
    By dawn we were approaching Eastern Point for the second time.  As the
    haze cleared we could make out chutes not too far in front of us.  To
    our amazement, they belonged to CLADDAGH, ARBELLA and BODACIOUS; the
    fleet leaders.  Then we looked behind us and realized that SPLIT GENES, 
    a Beneteau 40 and the only boat in the fleet we owed time to, was just 
    a couple of minutes behind us.  Also,  there were DARK HORSE and VAPOR
    TRAIL, the leaders in B fleet (who had sailed a different course than
    we had), mixing it up with the rest of us.  Imagine that, 12 hours of 
    sailing and here we were, one big happy family.  Well, some of us were 
    happier than others I suppose.  Some quick calculations revealed that
    on corrected time this was a very close race between CLADDAGH, SPLIT
    GENES, and WAGS.
    
    From that point on the sleepiness disappeared and we tried to be sharp. 
    We knew we had a real shot at a win if we just kept sailing well and
    didn't do anything stupid.  We passed BODACIOUS just prior to rounding
    the mark at Graves, and started making some time on ARBELLA.  But we
    just couldn't seem to make any time on SPLIT GENES, especially
    downwind.  CLADDAGH made some time on us on run to Newcombs, but we
    managed to make some of it up on the final upwind leg.  Dean, please
    thank Jon for not messing with us on this leg.  I know you guys coulda
    put us out of this thing if you wanted to.  Incidentally, what did he
    mean when he said "bad call" that one time you guys came up to see us?
    Had me real worried, you did.  Got us all woke up in a hurry though.  
    
    As we crossed the finish line we knew we had CLADDAGH beat.  And my 
    calculations showed we probably had SPLIT GENES too, but it was really 
    too close to call.  Shoulda known better than trust my math after racing 
    all night.  Turns out they had us by almost 30 seconds, and we had 
    CLADDAGH by about two minutes, corrected. Imagine racing for 17 hours 
    and having the first three finishers that close. 
    
    Needless to say we had the inevitable conversation afterwards about
    what if we'd done this or that differently, or not muffed that first
    spinnaker set, etc.  But overall we were very pleased, and spent some
    time in pleasant conversation with the skipper and crew of SPLIT GENES
    at the awards presentation.  Now that's what it's all about, spinning
    tales and swapping toasts.
    
    I really wanted to greet the crew of KATABATIC at the finish line with
    water balloons, and the chant "no overlap, no lights, no class".  But
    the skipper didn't feel it would be appropriate.  We got the last laugh 
    in any event, beating them across the line by about 15 minutes.
    
    I really wish the USYRU would consider making running lights mandatory 
    for overnight races (as in, you turn them off, you get protested outta
    the race).  That was really a stupid, unnecessary, and very dangerous 
    thing they did, and I didn't appreciate being put in that kind of a 
    situation.  I mean, after several hours of racing you just can't trust
    your (or their) reflexes to be fast enough to react if a collision
    course exists and you don't see it till you're a boatlength from each
    other.  We mentioned the incident to the race committee back at the BYC, 
    but the guy just shook his head and said every year he hears more stories 
    of stupidity on the high seas.
    
    But I think we'll remember this one for a long time to come, 'cause we
    beat one of the best in CLADDAGH.  And we really wanted a chance to
    compete with them this year and were a little disappointed when the
    ratings split put us in B fleet.
    
    So far it's turning out to be a very memorable season for the WAGS gang.
    Next race for us is the NOOD, and we'll be going into it on a high
    note.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Bob, it is a protestable offense to not use your running lights.
    In fact they have to be of a certain wattage.  Blue Yankee was
    protested and warned in the SORC for having lights of too low (3
    watts) wattage.  Anyone who passes us close aboard without lights
    will get our Q beam focused on them for as long as it takes to get
    them to turn on their lights.  Incidently it is also illegal (as
    in laws, not racing rules) to not have your lights on.
    
    It is actions like this that give people the impression that all
    racers are boneheads.  Glad you had fun.  
    
    Dave

    Good job WAGS.  We didn't expect to see you guys in the
    AM, but some serious wee-hour F-ups cost us mega-minutes.  
    The last weather leg was also a bust.  Did you see the wind line
    that we happened to be on the wrong side of?  We were 
    passing Claddagh and climbing on her and the next thing
    shes pulling out like a rocket.  We tried to tack out -- very
    messy -- but ended up getting pinned to the right by that
    tug and barge that came through.  Anyway, it was too late,
    and we just weren't sharp.  On the other hand, WAGS is transformed!
    
    About that "bad call" from Jon, he just thought you were 
    early on the "mast-a-beam."  But you can infer his
    state of mind from the fact that we sat in your shadow
    for so long.  I told him to cork it.  We were happy to see
    you doing so well.
    
    Have fun at the NOODs.  I plan to do some sight-seeing
    that way in a few more weeks:  "Endeavour" and "Shamrock"
    are squaring off for some match racing on the 24th through
    the 27th.  Should be AMAZING!!!
    
    Later,
    Dean
    

    Dean, I was down in Newport this last weekend (while you guys were
    recovering from racing in the dark, tsk, tsk).  Went out to look
    at Shamrock with Tim Woodhouse.  He's building the sails for both
    Endeavor and Shamrock.  What they've done to Shamrock is amazing.
    Took off the huge ugly doghouse and put one on to original specs.
    Also took off the bulwarks to lower the sheer to design.  Put 30
    some feet (30 feet!) back on the mast.
    
    Endeavor is on its way from England right now.  The word is that
    Shamrock hasn't a chance, but the Shamrock crew is taking it very
    seriously.  As of right now they don't have a starting or race
    committee.  The New York Yacht Club is refusing due to the
    commercialism  surrounding the event.  Ida Lewis will probably do
    it.  The Coast Guard is balking at being responsible for the spectator
    fleet.  These J boats respond to a turn of the wheel in 7 to 9 seconds.
    That's a really long time.  If a J boat hits a spectator boat the
    event will be marred permanently.  
    
    The main problem though is that the PHRF New Englands are the same
    weekend!  Does Jon know you're not going to be there or is he
    encouraging it? :^)
    
    Dave

     This weekend was the Chandler Hovey Regatta, hosted by the
     Eastern Yacht Club.  Based on the weather reports, everyone was
     prepared to get wet, but we were pleasently surprized to find
     excellent (and dry) conditions on both days.  Wind was mostly
     a steady 10+ kts.

     The course both days was a gold cup, with a 3 mi. windward triangle,
     using portable marks, followed by reciprocal windward-leward legs.
     The RC did a great job on this one.  Saturday, they moved the
     start to a portable about 1 mi. from Tinker's (which, by the way,
     has a new marker, a taller structure gong marked "TR"), and got
     the race off within a half hour.

     VIGILANTE had an excellent weekend.  Class 'C' had 11 entries.
     Some of the Boston boats came to tune-up for the New Englands
     next weekend, and provided some of the best competition we've
     had all season.  We basically match raced with one of them,
     SAILSMAN (S2 9.2).  Both days we both broke ahead of the fleet
     and battled it out to the finish.

     On Saturday, SAILSMAN led at each mark rounding, keeping a tight
     cover on us all day.  On the final run, they sailed too low, and
     we were able to sneak by for a 1.5 minute (1.25 corrected) margin
     for the win.

     Yesterday, we again met up with SAILSMAN at the front, but we were
     passed on the first reach leg by Dave Vietor aboard FAST LANE.
     We raised our staysail and drove over him on the second reach.  We
     got close to SAILSMAN again on the final leg, but never passed them,
     crossing 15 seconds later (30 seconds corrected).

     The total corrected time difference between VIGILANTE and SAILSMAN
     for the 2 days was 45 seconds!

     There was a promotion for the Whitbread Around-the-world race, to
     mark the first time the Whitbread will include a stop-over in the
     US.  Each day, a skipper and 2 crew were chosen by raffle.  The
     winners will be flown to Ft. Lauderdale, FL to participate in an
     around-the-buoys race aboard one of the Whitbread boats.

     Next week: The New Englands - we're ready!

- Derek

    Well, the NOOD wasn't quite up to last year's standard.  But it was
    still a fine event and we accomplished all our goals for the event.
    
    The regatta was supposed to involve five races.  But Mother Nature and a
    rather imcompetent race committee created a situation where it was four
    races for three fleets and three races for the rest of us.
    
    The first day of the regatta was a bust.  The race committee took us
    out to Bretton Reef tower, bobbed for a couple of hours, took us out
    another 3 or 4 miles, bobbed for a couple more hours, then fired the
    triple guns and called it a day.  Now, I was of the opinion that they
    could have had one race, because the wind never really died (2-5 kts). 
    Sure it would have been boring as hell, but people came a long way to
    race.  At least we could have all bobbed in the same direction and made
    like we were racing.
    
    The second day was a lot more promising.  Winds were from the east and
    looking to hold steady.  But the race committee fouled up again.  This
    time they took us inside the east passage, right into the torpedo
    testing range.  Unfortunately, the Navy was testing and told us to get
    outta there.  So the RC just sits there for an hour trying to figure
    out what to do.  Then they took us up the bay about 2-3 miles and just
    sat there for another hour trying to figure out what to do.  By then
    the racers were getting a little surly (as evidenced if you were
    monitoring the radio).  A half-hour later they finally had a course set
    up and we finally got to race.
    
    The course for the first race was a 'W' (windward-leeward-windward). 
    There were only five J/36s in the fleet this season, and we had all
    been there the previous season.  So we knew the boat to beat was STORE
    BOUGHT WOMAN, who has a modified rig and is pretty hot around the New
    York, LI area (or so I'm told anyway).  They got a very good start on
    us and proved to have superior speed on everybody as they simply roared
    into the lead and kept building on it for the first two legs.  
    We watched them approach the leeward mark well into the J/35 and Tripp 37
    fleets, which had started in front of us ... and then they all stopped.
    The wind was dying fast, and the leeward mark was in the middle of a
    huge hole.  All the fleets were coming down to the mark, stopping, and
    getting swept down toward the bridge by the current.
    
    We were the 2nd J/36 to round the mark, and then we watched helplessly
    as we were passed by the committee boat, which was anchored.  Suddenly
    John, our tactician, heads up to the front of the boat muttering "I've
    always wanted to do this", and quietly slips the anchor overboard. 
    Sure enough we start passing everybody.  Within minutes several other
    boats had thought of the same tactic.
    
    After about 1/2 hour the wind suddenly filled in.  Unfortunately, it
    had shifted about 40 degrees, and it was a screaming reach to the
    finish line.  By this time, all the boats from all the fleets had
    bunched up, and all 11 fleets were roaring to the finish.  Our fleet
    finished in roughly the reverse order of how we had rounded the leeward
    mark, with the exception of STORE BOUGHT WOMAN, who had the smarts to
    go very high, and then drop down and pop their chute to the finish.
    As fate would have it, the race didn't count for 8 fleets anyway
    because we didn't finish the race within the allotted time limit.
    
    The second race was a tacking duel between us, STORE BOUGHT WOMAN, and
    HIGH ZOOT, with the other two boats trailing by a couple of minutes. 
    We ended up losing out to both boats at the line by just a few seconds. 
    Didn't feel so good about our performance, because we have been sailing
    better this season than we sailed for that second race.  But talked it
    over and decided to try some rig adjustments to see if we could get a
    little more speed, and to move some crew around to different positions.
    
    The third day we finally got what we came for.  Good racing from our
    competition and good boat handling out of ourselves.  The first race of
    the day was an olympic course.  To everybody's delight the RC started
    us on time.  We had a good start, but STORE BOUGHT WOMAN had a better
    one, and within minutes had established herself right where we didn't
    want her, between us and the pin.  We had nothing to do but try to
    outspeed her and get to where we could safely tack.  And we did, within
    about 2 minutes.  We tacked across her bow for the first time in the
    last two NOODs (oh whatta feeling).  From there we decided to just go
    fast and ignore what our competition was doing, so we sailed our course
    and played the wind shifts.  When we next saw SBW and ZOOT, they were a
    minute and more behind us at the windward mark.  We continued to build
    on our lead during the reaching legs.  On the second windward leg, SBW
    suddenly lost her main and dropped out of the race.  From there it was
    an easy win for WAGS.
    
    There was about a 2-1/2 hour delay between races while the RC changed
    the course for a 10-degree wind shift, then had to change it back when
    the wind shifted back around.  Those bozos couldn't even recognize an
    oscillating pattern when everybody else out there knew what was
    happening.  Ridiculous !!  Then, they finally got going, started the
    43-footers, the 1-tonners, and STOPPED THE SEQUENCE.  When they finally
    got things going again, it turned out the first two fleets were bearing
    down on their windward mark, which was right in the way of the starting
    boats.  Dangerous !!
    
    The second race was another 'W' course.  And it turned out to be a
    "winner take all" situation between us and ZOOT.  Whoever beat the
    other would win overall for the fleet.  It turned out to be a
    three-way race between us, ZOOT, and BREAKAWAY.  This one was not
    decided for any of the three of us till the last 100 feet or so of the
    course.  At one point we were beam-to-beam with ZOOT, and about 1
    boatlength to weather, when a 1-tonner came down under chute and split
    the water between us.  Talk about close, his pole just cleared our rig,
    and his chute just cleared ZOOT's headstay.  Then suddenly BREAKAWAY
    appears, JUST off the stern of the 1-tonner, barely crossing ZOOT's bow
    and our stern by inches.  Talk about close quarters!  At the finish we
    managed to edge both boats out for the win, but there was less only
    about a boatlength between each of the three as we crossed the line.
    
    With our two wins we managed to take the overall fleet honors.  But
    with only three races, a small fleet, and our best competition dropping
    out, I wonder if it really means that much.
    
    The RC really blew it for this one.  They had a LOT of unnecessary
    delays, goof-ups, and plain bad judgement.  There were several boat
    owners demanding their money back.  The Frers 33's, Soverel 33's, and
    J/35's were holding class championships there, and had plenty to say to
    the regatta organizers about getting a different RC for next season.
    
    An interesting side note ... our two closest competitors so far this
    season (IO and KATABATIC) also did extremely well down there, with IO
    taking 1st in the J/33 class and KATABATIC taking 2nd overall in the
    Soverel 33 class.  We were all comparing stories under the tent
    Saturday night and decided it was because we have basically been match
    racing all year.  It's quite an advantage.
    
    Dave, you guys might want to consider the NOOD next year.  There's a
    very competitive fleet of 1-tonners down there, and it grew from last
    season.  And despite the RC foul-ups (which I HOPE they rectify for
    next season) it is a well-run event with lots of good apre sail
    activity and plenty of nice prizes and souvenirs.  And we were
    pleasantly surprised to find ourselves on the cover of the program,
    just in front of HIGH ZOOT like we like it.
    
    Well, the PHRF New Englands are next week-end.  Guess we're about as
    ready as we'll ever be.
    
    ... Bob  

    Bob, what did you do to your rig to get speed on Store Bought Woman?
    
    - gene

    RE .260
    
    Gene,
    
    We tightened the upper shrouds and loosened the headstay tension to
    rake the mast back more.
    
    STORE BOUGHT WOMAN has a customized rig.  They have removed the jumper
    stays and installed real backstays (J/36 comes with jack stays which
    are fairly useless except in seriously heavy conditions).  In PHRF
    competition, SBW pays a 3-second per mile penalty for the rig.  They
    claim it's worth it.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Bob,
    
    The J/24's sail best with maximum aft rake. This is acheived with a 
    max length headstay and a min length mast.
    
    It was a funny scene this past spring. I was sawing away at the base
    of the mast while my brother and co-owner kept repeating  "Are you sure
    you know what you're doing".
    
    -Paul

    So as not to appear biased, I'll give a looser's
    account of the Chandler Hovey.  Great racing!
    Dumb moves!  
    
    ;)

    This past week-end was the PHRF New Englands, hosted by the Eastern YC. 
    I thought the event was pretty well-run, and the weather made for some
    interesting racing.
    
    The RC broke the fleet down into "divisions" this season, rather than
    using the traditional PHRF classes.  This eliminated the crowded fleets
    like we had last year, and made clean starts a lot more achievable.  I
    liked the courses that were set too.  Eastern has been doing a pretty
    good job this season in that respect.
    
    The first race was a 5-leg windward-leeward type course, with a very
    short reaching leg (1/4 mi.) at the windward mark.  The other two races
    were olympic courses, although Sunday's race was shortened for our
    division.
    
    We were in Division 3, which was for PHRF 72-84.  There were 20 boats
    in the division, and definitely the toughest fleet we'd seen since the
    JFK regatta.  All our favorite rivals were there, and we were psyched. 
    But it wasn't to be a great week-end for the WAGS bunch, the long arm
    of the law of averages caught up with us.  Or maybe that should be,
    Murphy's Law.  We spent the week-end either sittin' on the wrong side
    of the wind shifts, or getting pinned by boneheads who didn't
    understand overstand, and mostly just basing our tactics on who was 
    gassing us at the time and where do we have to go for some clean air.
    Anyway, we ended up in a dismal 12th place overall, our worst showing 
    of the season.
    
    In any event it was't a total bust, there were some memorable moments.
    In the first race we had another close one going with HIGH ZOOT and 
    KRAPAMATIC (er, I mean KATABATIC).  We were steaming downwind toward 
    the finish line nose-to-nose-to-nose.  ZOOT beat us by 1 second, and 
    we beat KATABATIC by 1 second.  It was kind of irrelevent that we
    finished 10, 11, & 12 in the fleet, it was just exciting to have boats
    that close to compete against.
    
    And in the second race we managed to edge out CLADDAGH, and they helped
    us by giving us a nice stern wake to surf on the entire last downwind
    leg. They couldn't shake us downwind, and in heavy air that's very
    unusual.  It was an exciting leg, as the wind has piped up and boats
    were rounding up all around us.  With all that surf it was like white
    water rafting.
    
    And we DEFINITELY came out on top in the water balloon fight (even
    though the RC was telling us to "cease and desist") ... hey at least we
    had the decency to leave the funnelator below  ...  :^)  ...  :^)
    
    In all it was a very enjoyable week-end of racing and a well-run regatta. 
    We need more races with large fleets like that, it definitely requires
    a different set of tactics from what works in the smaller fleets we've 
    grown accustomed to competing in.
    
    ... Bob
    

    I'll second Bob.  The EYC's RC did a VERY good job with 
    this regatta.  The fleets were nicely divided, they set
    good courses, and they were very good about changing the
    courses when the wind shifted.
    
    I'd like to see local Mrblhd RC's opt for multiple races 
    in a day.  Two 10 mile races is more fun than one 20 miler,
    any day!
    
    Bodacious and crew performed better than in the past
    several weeks -- a full crew helped a lot.  Looking
    forward to a fun September series and to some serious
    partying at the Jubilee YC!
    
    ;)

    Agree with the above comments.  The RC did a great job.  Rumor has it
    the Eastern is looking to make it an annual deal, so they went all out.   
    I also second the Idea of two short races rather one long one. 
    
    The name of the game was shifts.  You lived or died by them.  On
    Saturday we couldn't buy one our way and did crummy.  Boat speed was
    getting respectable.  It really helped having two other One Tonners
    (Full Tilt and Legende) to do speed work with.  Sunday was a different
    story.  Once the sea breeze came in we built a plan based on the wind
    following the sun to the south and stuck to it.  It paid off in spades.
    We were first around the first three marks.  Scherherazade caught us
    with a flyer on the fourth leg (second upwind) so we were second with
    two more legs to go.  The RC eliminated those legs for the other
    classes, but we had to do them.  No changes on the downwind leg, but on
    the last leg Overtaker and Legende went on a flyer to the right that
    really paid out.  That's the bitch about covering a large fleet.  You
    can't cover all contingencies.  So we were really let down after
    leading most of the way to end up fourth out of fifteen.  We are
    FINALLY getting the beast to go.  It has been a very humbling
    experience so far this year.
    
    Fall series is here and with that means wind and cheap drinks at JYC!
    
    Dave

     One more pat on the back for the RC.  This year's NE's had look
     and feel of a big time event.  Having it in the same place each
     year should help build it to be bigger and better each year.

     I wish I had a camera a couple of times when there must've been
     well over 100 spinakers between the 2 lines.

     Unfortunately, we saw the consistency we've had all year go down
     the tubes.  The big fleet (24 boats) was a big change, especially
     since the out-of-towners were the best of their fleets.  Several
     boats from the Portland, ME area were at the top of the fleet.
     We were in the middle third for all three races.

     Looking forward to the fall series.

- Derek

    Re .264
    
    The latest issue of SAIL magazine has a good article by Ed Baird
    about how to go where you want upwind and handle the traffic.
    
    It's worth reading.
    
    -Paul 

    This week-end was the Boston YC Fall Regatta.  Although it was a very
    nice week-end for sailing, turnout was very light for a Marblehead
    regatta.  Perhaps folks are burned out after last week-end, or maybe
    they just remember how screwed up this regatta was last year.  Whatever
    the reason, there were just 5 or 6 entries in each of the four fleets
    (five in B fleet).
    
    Saturday's race was an olympic course with portable marks.  Although
    winds were moderate most of the day, occasionally we were overpowered
    on the first leg.  And in the process of shortening sail, DARK HORSE
    managed to pass us, and kept themselves between us and the pin for the
    rest of the first leg.  We managed to pass her briefly downwind, but
    she got inside us at the gybe mark and stayed there for the rest of the
    race.  We finished the race about 10 seconds behind her for a 2nd place
    finish.  CAMPBELL'S SLOOP made an incredible comeback on the last
    upwind leg (making up almost 3 minutes!) to finish 3rd.
    
    Sunday's race was a short upwind leg from Tinker's gong to Marblehead
    Bell, then downwind to the Monster Bouy, the back upwind to Tinker's. 
    Actually, that's what it was SUPPOSED to be.  It turned into something
    that almost resembled a beat-around, as the wind died and shifted a
    couple of times.
    
    We got off to a good start on Sunday, and then followed the A boats who
    had gone to the inside of the course.  DARK HORSE and SPLIT GENES
    stayed out, and managed to put some distance on the rest of us. 
    CAMPBELL'S SLOOP went way inside and got to the first mark well behind
    the rest of us.  Then he turned around and went right back into shore!! 
    Dave Campbell loves to take flyers, and this one was a whopper.  We
    kinda waved good-bye in his direction and turned our attention to the
    rest of the fleet.
    
    The run to the monster bouy turned into a reach, then a beat, as the
    wind shifted around.  We had followed BODACIOUS left when we rounded
    the first mark, and the wind shifts were favorable to our side of the
    course.  As a result, we found ourselves ahead of most of A fleet as we
    approached the monster bouy, and well ahead of the rest of our own
    fleet.  And then the wind died ...
    
    Our golden glow turned a little brown as we watched Campbell steaming
    in toward the mark from shore ... he never lost the wind.  Then it
    turned into a blue funk as we watched the wind fill in for DARK HORSE
    and WILDSIDE, and saw our big lead dwindle to nothing.  We ended up
    being the 3rd B boat around the mark, and Campbell had about a mile and
    a half lead on us (in fact, he had a substantial lead on all the A
    boats too).
    
    There was nothing we could do about Campbell, he had too much of a lead
    and the wind was piping up to 12-15 so we weren't going to catch him. 
    But we had a hell of a race with DARK HORSE, passing her to leeward
    just after rounding the mark and making our time back on her as we
    headed for the finish.  The finish was so close I don't know if we beat
    here or not (none of the crew went back over to M'Head after we put the
    boat away).  We finished 93 seconds in front of her.  I measured the
    course at 15.4 miles.  If that's correct, we beat here by 0.6 second. 
    If it was a 15.5 mile course, we tied.  If it was longer than 15.5 she
    beat us.  Talk about close finishes !!
    
    Campbell was the first finisher overall, about 3-4 minutes in front of
    the first A boat and about 12 minutes in front of us.  VAPOR TRAIL was
    the big loser in the "Where's the Wind" sweepstakes.  She sat for many
    minutes after the rest of us started moving before the wind got out to
    where she was (farthest offshore), and finished with C fleet.
    
    Next week is the Jubilee YC Fall Regatta, and the last of the Salem Bay
    races.  It's been exciting in B fleet, with 5 boats up there competing
    for the fleet honors.  At this point it looks like DARK HORSE has the
    edge, with us second.  But a strong showing by any of the five boats
    could put them in the top slot.  So it should be an exciting week-end.
    
    ... Bob
    

    This weekend was a mixed bag.  We literally couldn't get enough good
    crew to do the Saturday race.  First time that's happened in three
    years!  We did go out for a social sail and had a great time.
    
    Sunday was yet another BYC winner of a course.  Knowing the wind would
    be flukey they sent us to the Monster bouy outside Boston harbor.  What
    a move!  Anyway, the main fun we had was on the first windward leg. 
    The course was set up so that the marks were to be rounded to starboard
    instead of the usual port roundings.  However, it was not terribly
    obvious that this was the case and could have been easily missed.  In
    approaching the first mark Bodacious was right there with us.  We had
    decided to do a jibe set to get back to shore as quickly as possible
    which meant that our spinnaker pole was rigged as it would be for port
    roundings.  Well, Bo saw this and tried very sneakily to determine our
    intentions.  They weren't at all sure we knew to round to starboard. 
    We figured this out and had quite a bit of fun bantering with them and
    playing with their minds.  Finally Jon , the skipper of Bo, just came
    out and asked us which way we were planning on rounding.
    
    Our bow man is in love.  You may ask what the heck this has to do with
    this note.  Well, it seems he can no longer keep his mind on the
    business end of the boat.  In one race he: put up a chute with no sheet
    attached,  lost one of our two forward halyards up the mast forcing us
    to do bareheaded changes, and put the genny up inside the spin pole
    topping lift.  By the end of the race I was ready to permanently insert
    a winch handle into his forehead.
    
    Oh back to the race. Well we rounded the Monster bouy first thanks to
    the land breeze we bet heavily would fill in.  Lose Goose went way into
    shore and it was obvious they would beat us across the line.  From that
    point on our goal was to sit on and make life miserable for Claddaugh.
    It worked, and Mike, Loose Goose's skipper bought us all a round of
    Planter's Punches for the effort.  Nic e to make friends, but I'd
    rather have beat him!
    
    Hopefully the fall series with all its breeze will really set in next
    weekend.
    
    Dave

    Question:
    
     Any of you know a guy who races for Eastern YC, in Marblehead,
    named Robert Shapiro?doyou know what boat/class he sails in?
    
    Thanks,
    	
    	Gregg 

    Well, Mother Nature blessed us with a beautiful week-end, weather wise. 
    But she forgot to throw in a little wind for us sailors, and for the
    second week-end in a row we drifted.
    
    This week-end was the Jubilee YC Fall Regatta.  It turned out to be
    only one race, as the Sunday race was cancelled due to light wind.
    
    Saturday's course was from Curtis Point to Marblehead Bell, to
    Newcomb's, to Gales Ledge, and back to Curtis Point.  Basically I'd
    have to say that light breezes and wind shifts turned it into a matter
    of being in the right place at the right time, and WAGS was.  These
    kind of races really take it outta you as first you catch a zephyr and
    really clock on your competition, then you sit helplessly in doldrums
    watching them do it to you.  But we finished ... well in front of the
    rest of B fleet.  		:^)  
    
    Sunday we went out to Tinker's and drifted for a while.  About the only
    remarkable event was when TOOT SWEET came after us with water balloons.
    I had one of those 3-foot long balloons on board, which we filled with
    about 3-4 gallons of water.  It was about the size of a watermelon. 
    When they came after us we let them in real close, then launched the
    monster from a towel.  Direct hit!!  And then they retreated hollering
    something about escalation.  Guess it's a good thing the season's
    winding down soon.
    
    Hope we get some wind soon, this light wind stuff is kinda boring ...
    
    ... at least partying with the BODACIOUS crew was fun.  And we did get
    to do a little sailing on Sunday.
    
    ... Gene, did you guys actually race ???
    
    							... Bob
     

    I give up.  This is the fall series folks.  You know, lots of wind,
    brisk temperatures and spray in the face.  Hah!  Yet another weekend
    better spent mowing the yard, sitting by a pool, or playing Nintendo.
    Saturday we had only one regular crew with us and a bunch of
    substitutes and neophytes.  No problem.  Except that sailing in these
    light winds requires a much better crew than brisk wind.  We had the
    slows so bad that if we went any slower we'd be going backwards.  By
    the time we rounded the last mark on Saturday our main was slatting
    itself to death and one of our crew was looking pretty bad.  We dropped
    out and DNF'd for the first time in two years.  We would have been DFL
    anyway!
    
    Sunday we had our normal crew back.  It did not look good from the
    beginning, so we didn't even bother to rig the boat.  We set a goal
    that if the race did not start by noon we were history.  Noon came, we
    went by the comittee to inform them we were retiring before the start
    and all they said was that we were showing superior intelligence.  On
    our way back to the harbor we heard the abandonment signal.  No race.
    
    What really made the conditions awful were the swells coming inshore
    from hurricane Gabrielle.  Jubilee got stuck with perhaps the worst
    weekend for racing this year.  Too bad.  They run a great race
    normally.
    
    Please, wind gods, give us some goddam wind!
    
    Dave

    Gee guys.  All you's had to do was to wait another two hours and the
    sea breeze would have started.  When we saw Wildside and Wags coming
    back in we figured it must have been bad news out there.  It's tough
    getting a dozen people together just to have a barfing party.
    
    The CYC committee was determined to get a race off.  They sent mark
    boats all over looking for wind.  Just before 2:00 we saw one of
    them come back without its portable mark.  He found what he was
    looking for an had dropped a mark a mile "upwind".  The warning
    gun went off and in a few minutes the breeze arrived.  Not much,
    but enough to put a few ripples on those huge rollers.  Touche was
    well in back on the line at that time so we had to struggle a bit
    to get to the start.  As luck would have it port was favored and
    we were there with a full head of steam from having started so far
    back.  Perfect start, crossed right at the gun and promptly rolled
    two boats.  Traded the lead with two other boats until we tacked
    right to get what appeared to be a better angle on the mark.  That
    just got us to the hole at the mark faster.  The fleet drifted past
    the mark in a bunch.
    
    The committee had indicated Starboard roundings, the first time
    this season.  I guess that screwed up everyone's geometry because
    many of the boats couldn't find the rhumbline for the second leg.
    We pointed Touche in the right direction and set the chute, moving
    out from the pack with two other boats in third place.  Held that
    to the take down mark where they mercifully ended the race.
    
    Dave, you're dead right about good crew being more necessary for
    these light conditions.  We never had our sails working for more
    than 40% of the time going downwind.  As we headed up a roller the
    apparent wind shifted back and the chute would fill.  Going down
    the other side, we'd sail into the chute and plaster it on the mast.
    Aggresively working the chute and playing the main by directly holding
    the boom made all the difference.
    
    Despite the unperfect conditions a couple of good things happened.
    Found the missing 1/2 knot.  I moved the forestay back 1.5 inches
    and blocked the mast 1/2 inch farther back.  Voila!!  Perfect balance
    and sail shape.  And we've finally acclimated to rolling seas (to
    a degree).   No one barfed on this trip.  But these were offset
    by the collective 4 hours spent at the masthead fixing a stuborn
    halyard lock.  Finally fixed the problem by breaking the offending
    piece off and throwing it overboard.   The manufacturer can expect
    some hate mail from me shortly.
    
    - gene

    The racing was lousy, but the Jubilee hospitality
    was OUTSTANDING -- as usual.  Thank you for the feast
    and good company!
    
    Saturday's race really hurt.  I'm still smarting from
    being blamed for not forcasting the 40 degree shift
    on the first weather leg.  From then on it was down hill.
    Although there were some openings, I think most of us
    would be hard pressed to say we KNEW where they'd be.
    
    Although no race on Sunday, WAGS and Bodacious squared
    off for the first annual "WAGadacious" match race (WAGadacious
    is the hy-brid name for the Santa Cruz 70 we're dreaming about
    getting).  Anyway, we set a short course and set off to weather.
    Although handily winning the start, Bodacious never got on stride, 
    and WAGS broke from under our cover to take the lead.  We called 
    it quits, WAGS the clear winner, as the breeze failed.  But wait 
    'till next year!  ;)

    And THERE WILL be TV coverage.

    This weekend provided the best wind we've had 
    all summer.  Saturday was particularly fun --
    surfing conditions for the first time in "I don't
    know how long!"  YYEEEHHAAAHHH!!!
    
    One more race -- Jubillee.  Rendezvous at the
    club afterwards.  Drinks on Bob.
    
    ;)
    
    

    Yup, this was one fun week-end.  Guested on BODACIOUS for this regatta. 
    It's really nice to get out on a different boat from time to time.  And
    the broaches were exciting.  Haven't helped lay a boat on its side like
    that since the JFK regatta.  :^)
    
    As usual, the Manchester YC had to be as cryptic as possible when
    posting the course, which made for some interesting discussion about
    what the course was supposed to be.  Saturday they did a very poor job
    of setting a starting line, using one of those little MYC racing marks
    that looks like an overgrown lobster pot.  The result was a lot of
    confusion and a general recall for the first start.  Wish those guys
    wouldn't try so hard to obfiscate what should be a routine.
    
    Next week it all ends with the JYC Last Race.  Drinks on ME ?!?!?
    Sure, why not ... at Jubilee prices even I can afford them.  Maybe I'll
    even open up the WAGS bar and grille for one last apre sail event.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Finally got wind and we blow it!  Couldn't do Saturday's race due to a
    lack of crew but did Sunday's.  Right at the first leeward mark our
    navigator was gathering the chute and rapacking it when he fell and 
    apparently broke some ribs.  Great.  Then our halyard jammed on the
    next leeward run and the chute wouldn't come down and we sailed past 
    the mark by a quarter mile.  The hurt guy said the pain was getting to
    him so we went home.  It stunk.
    
    We weren't inthe hunt anyway.  Our key guys continue to desert us and
    we are learning we cannot sail this boat with pickup crew, no matter
    how talented.  It's just too quirky and you have to know it.
    
    Dave

    Flat seas and fresh winds.  Perfect Etchells sailing conditions.
    Just like racing in the Great Bay in Bermuda except for the 30 degree
    temperature difference.  I had more wool on yesterday than any day
    since the end of ski season.
    
    1.8 mile windward leeward twice around.  The sigh of relief at not
    haveing an O course was audible.  No power reaches (or power brouches).
    Good start and a decent first leg got us to the weather mark in
    good shape.  But a less than aggresive chute set pushed us back.
    Never really came back from that but still managed to put a few
    boats between us and the cellar.  With all the wind noise it was
    difficult to hear hails and as result we almost got T-boned.  At
    the speeds we were moving we would have sunk immediatly.  Crashed
    tacked just in time.  Woulda protested but the offender got so far
    behind it didn't matter.
    
    Good turnout for the Etchells but real poor for the other one designs.
    There were more E-22's than all others combined.  Interestingly
    enough it's the older owners who come out when it's windy.  Lots
    of people in their sixties and seventies.  Unfortunately, this can't
    last forever.  You ocean racers really use up the talent pool. 
    One ocean racer uses up three Etchells worth of sailors.  
    
    Dave, I commiserate with your crew predicament.  It takes a couple
    of consecutive races to get into the routine but few can give the
    time needed to do this.  Especially true on string boats.  Occasionally
    it's safer to have fewer people on board when they're experienced
    than more people if they can't watch out for themselves.
    
    - gene

    Gene, you are right.  We had 11 on board, but four were of no
    experience to speak of which left us with seven on a windy day.  Our
    best headsail trimmer became our main trimmer, leaving our #2 trimmer
    in charge and he had the leads too far forward for the first two upwind
    legs.  Nothing seemed to work.  
    
    Anyway, there is a lot of talk among some of the ocean racers about
    going back to one design like the Etchells.  I could see doing it and I
    know David McHugh who owns Boadacia the Soverel 33 wants to get one.
    It is really easy to get lazy on a big boat and one design brings back
    a lot of those skills.  The expense difference would be a big plus as
    well :^).
    
    Dave

    Certainly seems like the E-22 is the class to be in
    these days.  Top notch competition, and tremendous
    upsurge in interest worldwide.  I may be in one 
    in another year -- if the SC 70 falls through...
    
    ;)

    Gene,
    
    Is Dave Curtis in your fleet?
    
    -Paul

    re .282
    
    Ayup.  Had him in our sights last Sunday but he had more beef on
    the rail than we did and got away.  Lotta sailmakers in the
    fleet (Doyle, Smith, Braun, Corwin).  The current world champion
    is the San Diego North franchisee.  Interestingly enough, prior
    to this year, the world champion ship was won twice by a working
    stiff from Detroit who has no marine industry affiliation whatever.
    
    - gene

    That working stiff is a buddy of mine.  Name is Bruce Burton along with
    his crew Glen Burton and Chris Lucander.  Used to live next to him in
    Grosse Pointe, MI.  He was the designee to the Olympics in the Flying
    Dutchman class in 1980 when Carter banned US participation.  He is a
    great guy who does a lot of offshore work too.  Used to steer for the
    Sprint program.  
    
    He is the one who regularly berates me for not getting into one-design
    racing.  He alternates back and forth.  He takes it very seriously, yet
    has a ball.  The Detroit E-22 fleet is not bad, especially at the
    Bayview YC.  It is guys like he, Glen and Chris that make me have faith
    in the entire racing scene.
    
    Dave

    Well, the Last Race is over ... and with it the 1989 racing season.  It
    was a picture perfect day to end the season on too.  Nice steady wind,
    lotsa sun, and reasonably calm seas.  What more could you ask for.
    
    The Jubilee RC set an interesting course, kind of a modified gold cup
    course through the islands, roughly 17 miles.
    
    We ended up taking a 3rd in the race, losing to IO boat-for-boat, and
    to DARK HORSE on corrected time.  But it was a great race, with IO
    taking an early lead and us and DARK HORSE exchanging 2nd place
    position and making runs at the leader throughout the race.
    
    After the race was over we rafted up with BODACIOUS and wound down the
    racing season with a proper celebration.  After all, the WAGS crew had
    a lot to celebrate this season.  There is no doubt this was the best 
    racing season we've ever had.  I think we lost our image as the
    "Rodneys" of the fleet by winning 40% of the races we entered this 
    season and finishing in the top 3 more than 75% of the time.  Just 
    wish we could figure out how ... :^)
    
    Boat comes out in two weeks.  Then it's the looong wait till May before
    we sail again.  Fortunately, there's skiing ...
    
    ... Bob
    

    Well, FINALLY a race with sun, wind and a little luck.  We took a
    second behind Overtaker who got to the seabreeze first and just walked
    away while we all sat watching them.  The real fun was our private race
    with Bodacious.  Although we owe them three seconds a mile, it's proven
    hard for us to beat them at all this season.  We were blasting down the
    spinaker leg right next to them when we tried a little diversionary
    tactic to get the attention of their female crew.  Given the shouts of
    "oh my god!" I think it worked.
    
    Once again the JYC ran a very uncomplicated, exciting race.  By far the
    best place to hang out after the race, too.  I'd ber willing to bet
    that Dean "the wonder horse" is not performing at his peak today.
    
    Dave

    Ayup!  Didn't even think to check in here.
    Running pretty rough for most of the day.  But
    it was worth it.  Sunday was GREAT.  We also
    had a lot of fun in our race with WildSide.  Kept
    a loose cover on them -- playing match racing -- until
    we overstood a weather mark and they slipped ahead, er,
    I mean into the lead.  ;)  We still had our time, but
    we let them go on the final decent.  
    
    Bo had a tough season.  Crew shortages, aging sails,
    and less than good luck when it came to tactics (or maybe
    we're just getting dumb).  But next year should be better.
    And I'll have a reasonably good shoulder again!
    
    Cheerio,
    Dean
    

    The 1990 racing season for the Marblehead Etchells fleet gets under way
    this coming Thursday 4/5 with our annual "business" meeting.  Time will
    be 7:30 at the Boston Yacht Club.  A good oppurtunity to learn about
    the absolutely best racing/daysailing boat ever conceived by the
    mind of man.  Our fleet has an enthusiastic (fanatic?) membership and
    we're always looking for new skippers, crews, groupies, and other
    hangers on.  
    
    One new development this year is rumored progress on the Winter Island
    sailing facility.  Allegedly, docks, cranes, and other paraphanalia
    will (might) be in place in time to give all the E-22's belonging to
    Salem State College a home to sail from.  That will solve the mooring
    availability problem and make chartering one of thier boats a fairly
    straightforward thing to do.
    
    Hard to believe but it's only six weeks to the first race.  All I have
    to do is fix my blistering problem, fair out my skeg, re-hang my
    rudder, bondo seven years worth of dings, remove the Awlgrip, prime,
    repaint, re-nonskid the deck, and make a new gin pole.  Allright...
    maybe 8 weeks to my first race.
    
    - gene
    

    Boy that's funny. The people in my fleet all think we're sailing the
    best one design on the planet. But these boats are too stubby to be
    E-22's. :-)
    
    Gene, maybe we should be like Larry Klein and switch boats for a while.
    (after all your work is done)
    
    Paul

    The E-22 meeting went far too long into the night.  Discussing by-law
    changes with fleet full of lawyers is asking for it.  When I woke up
    the discussion had moved onto some new items for the coming season.
    
    Our gun had been moved up to 12:30 for all races.  yuck!!!  Now I have
    to get up an hour earlier.
    
    The fleet intends to obtain a loaner boat for rental (cheap) use by
    skippers wishing to try an E-22 out.  This will be for racing or
    day-sailing.  It'll be dry stored at the Eastern Yacht Club.
    
    Looks like at least four new skipper will join the fleet this year. 
    With none of last year's members leaving, we should be getting 20+
    boats on the line each week.  Matt Brown and Bill Uptogrove will be
    co-skippering a boat as will Wally Corwin and Steve Cuchiaro.  With
    these guys out there I guess I can look forward to another year in the
    cellar.  We could use a few more turkeys but they seem to migrate to
    other fleets.
    
    Dave Curtis will give an on the water clinic on May 13 covering tuning
    and boatspeed etc.  Everyone is invited.   Should be applicable to sail
    trim on any fractional rig.  It'll probably be held at the Eastern YC
    dock.  I'll post more details as they become available.
    
    - gene

On Sunday May 13, the Marblehead North Sails loft will hold a go-fast sail 
triming session using E-22's.  Anyone can come.  Participants will be 
spread over whatever boats we can get together.

The agenda roughly is:

11:00    Meet at Eastern Yacht Club and listen to Dave Curtis and Jud Smith  
lecture about the elements of speed.

12:00 - 3:00   Get out on the water.  Dave and Jud play musical boats 
showing people what to do.

3:00 - 4:00  Back to the Eastern YC for a de-briefing.  

Cost of all this good advice is $0.00.  Sail trim is sail trim.  Even if 
you never look at an Etchells again, the info will be useful.  Even for 
phrf boats.

Lemme know if you'd like to come so I can give the organizers a body count.

- gene

    Despite a depressingly steady rain on the drive up, over 40 sailors
    attended the North seminar.  The Newport and Buzzards Bay fleets sent
    sizeable contingents.  Nature finally cooperated as we pulled into the
    parking lot and the rain stopped.  The only time we got wet was when
    the 40 participants crowded onto one side of a floating dock to watch
    the tuning demo submerged the float.  I wish I had put my boots on
    sooner.
    
    The on the water diagnostic sailing was quite an eye opener.  After
    about 7 seasons I thought I knew what was going on.  WRONG!  Dave
    Carter, Amy, and I went out with Rick Howard (Combat Zone to you
    PHRF'ers).  Rick sets up the boat, hands me the tiller, and says "Earn
    your keep - sail it".  The weather helm's so bad I hang on with both
    hands.  "Rick, this can't be right, it's too heavy."  "Nah, you gotta
    load up on that tiller".  I suggested dropping the traveller but was
    told to keep it up.  All these years I've been trying to achieve a
    light helm when heavy was the way to go.
    
    After we got stearing out of the way, the next topic was roll tacking
    an E-22.  Not too easy when there are five people on board.  We tried
    anyway.  I'm sure the bruises will heal in a few weeks.
    
    When flying the chute I always cleated the guy and adjusted the sheet. 
    NOOOO!  On a run especially, get the chute out from behind the main
    with the sheet, cleat it, then play the pole to keep the edge on a
    curl.  On the takedown, I always dropped to leeward.  "Always drop to
    weather" says Rick.  This takes practice to avoid chaos.
    
    When we got back to the dock I couldn't even roll the sails right. 
    Seeing me start at the head and work my way down, Rick says "you're
    supposed to start in the middle".  I won't try to describe that process
    in words.  You have to see it.
    
    All in all a humbling but informative weekend.
    
    - gene

    
    >> All in all a humbling but informative weekend.
    
    Amen.  In my case, I'd add bewildering.  One question that I asked
    Jud was how he determined how deep to make the main.  His wry reply
    was '18 years of experience'.
    

    Gene,
    
    The rudder correction fo weather helm adds lots of drag to your
    boat.  Did your speed log indicate you were moving faster?
    
    Do you have any explaination why a heavy weather helm E-22 would
    be faster than the same boat with balance?
    
    Frank
    

    I read an article by Larry Klein after he won the J/24 and E-22
    worlds. He used alot of J techiniques on the E. Some of the things
    he mentioned:
    
         - Reshaping the keel and rudder to minimize weather helm.
    
         - Depowering the rig to sail the boat flat. He said he sailed
           the E flatter (less heel) than anyone else at the worlds, but not
           as flat as a J.
    
         - Aggresive pointing in the smooth water and footing in the chop.
           This is accompanied by changes in the backstay, easing off
           tension to power through waves.
    
    I believe the winds were moderate at the E worlds. Is there a
    difference of opinion here? 
    
    Paul

    
    >> Is there a difference of opinion here
    
    yes.  The experts don't do it the way I've always been told:
    
       heavy helm is better    vs  heavy helm causes excessive drag, which
    				   makes you go slow
    
       play the guy	       vs  play the sheet
    
       hook the jib to weather vs  jib leech straight aft
       slightly
    
       mainsheet loose with    vs  mainsheet tight close hauled,
       vang when close hauled      vang loose
    
       sail it flat	       vs  optimal heel angle > 0 deg
    
    
    There were probably several others that I just don't remember.  I found
    it both humbling and a little discouraging to see that there was so 
    much difference between conventional technique and winning technique.
    The discouraging part is that I don't understand why some of these
    things work better, e.g. a heavy helm.
                                          

re the last few:

Are different techniques better for different boats? I am suspicious of
the conclusion that if X works best for boat Y, then X works best for
all boats. 

RE:.296 by ECAD2::FINNERTY "Reach out and luff someone"

> The discouraging part is that I don't understand why some of these
> things work better, e.g. a heavy helm.

Why substantial helm is better expained in "Sailing theory and practice"
(Majachei - I can't spell his name).

The seperate rudder and fin keel are lifting devices.  The minimum drag comes
with both of them creating lift.  If the helm is too light,  most of the lift
is generated by the keel,  and induced drag will be higher.  If the helm is
too heavy,  the rudder will stall,  and total drag will again be higher.

With a full keel,  the rudder is not an independant lifting device,  and 
minimum drag comes with fairly light helm.


Phil

    VERY dangerous to generalize.  Our One-tonner is meant to be sailed
    FLAT.  This is a wierd feeling that has to be gotten used to.  Our old
    boat was designed to be sailed with 10 degrees heel to reduce wetted
    surface.  Also depends on your keel shape.  For example, with our
    narrow chord, deep keel you have to fall off a bit at first to build up
    the speed to let the keel develop lift and then slowly head back up to
    a good point.  This process must be repeated if you hit a wave the
    wrong way and slow down  again.
    
    I also am dismayed by these counter intuitive moves.  
    
    Dave

    I have raced on several different boats, and never found one that was
    faster with a lot of weather helm.  On the boats I've been on they
    always were the fastest with some weather healm, but not too much(5-10%
    of rudder).
    We always played both the guy and the sheet.  Keep the pole always
    parrallel to the wind(even when shifting) and use the sheet to have
    just a little curl.
    Hooking the jib to weather depends on the size of the jib and sheeting
    location.  With big genoas and light air it works VERY WELL to sheet
    way in-board and put a little weather hook on it.  This holds the genoa
    shape to match the shape of the main more closely creating a better
    slot.  At other times, I have used no hook to weather (unless barber
    hauling).
    When sailing close hauled, I don't worry too much about the vang, but I
    sheet the mainsheet to set sail shape and then set the traveller for
    pointing angle.  The issue of vang sheeting comes when your a sailing
    sufficiently off the wind that the main cannot also hold down the boom. 
    Then you set sail shape with the vang and controll pointing angle with
    the main sheet.
    A little heel is always desirable.  Boats are built to be sailed that
    way.  In light air conditions you want heal to reduce wetted surface. 
    In very light conditions you will get more speed by having crew move al
    the way forward and to leaword(lifts the stern further reducing wetted
    surface).  Reduction of wetted surface is only really pertinent in
    light air.  In heavier air you want to avoid extreme heel because it
    stalls the keel and you encounter  A LOT OF SLIPPAGE TO LEAWARD.  You
    are far better off sailing a little slower and flatter(10-15 degrees)
    and making better Velocity Made Good(VMG).
    Sailing under spinaker down wind, you should try to work your way t
    leaward(don't come up any at least).  This way you will have clear air
    when you are going straight(or nearly straight) downwind, which is
    important because it is a very slow point of sail.  Then you can come
    up when you near the mark and have better boat speed and
    manueverabvility when close to the mark and things are tight and the
    air is bad.
    A little long perhaps, but one sailers opinion.( I have been on boats
    winning 4th place in the Governor's cup on the Chesapeake and on a
    second place boat at the nationals, as well as other iron(low point
    championship stuff).
    Dave Berry
    

    
    The jib hooked slightly to weather makes sense because the boat is
    slipping slightly to leeward; this makes the leech approximately
    parallel to the direction that the boat is travelling.
    
    They set the traveller to windward so that the angle that the sheet
    made with the boom was very small; this way sheeting the main pulled
    the boom more nearly athwartships and exerted less downward pull.
    Downward and athwartships adjustments could then be made more 
    independently, which makes a lot of sense.
    
    These two ideas should be transferrable to other boats.  The others
    I dunno.
    
       /Jim
    

Here's one that has done wonders for my boatspeed:

For genoa trim to windward, we are all taught to adjust the fore & aft 
postion of the sheet lead so that the luff breaks evenly from top to bottom.
The problem is, in most wind conditions and on most boats - this is SLOW.

First, having the entire genny luff or stall at once is not very forgiving. You
can only hold such a fine coarse in very flat water. In most conditions you
need a wider sailing groove. Second, this lead postion will give you a full
shape in the foot of the genny and "leach return" - a lower leach section
angled in toward the center line. This creates drag and backwinds the main.

If you move the lead back and trim the sheet so that the genoa head luffs 
slightly before the foot, wonderful things happen! The sail has more 
twist, this gives you a wider sailing groove (better for cruising too). 
The foot flattens and the leech return disapears -> less leach drag and 
main backwind. A flat foot in the main combines well with a flat genny 
foot - tighten the outhaul. Best of all, you feel the boat go faster.

This has worked for me in all but light and heavy conditions. In extremely
light and heavy air, you want even more twist in the sails.

Paul
      

    I'd agree with the flat foot approach, but differ in that we vary it
    with wind speed.  The higher the wind speed, the flatter we trim the
    bottom of the headsail.  It is a good way to extend the range of say a
    heavy #1 when the wind pipes up and you only have a short distance to
    the mark and you don't want to change sails.
    
    Same with the main.  A flat main on a big frac rig in light to medium
    air isn't very fast.
    
    By the way, many cruisers I've seen have adopted this approach to the
    extreme.  Happily sailing with the top half of their roller furling
    genny merrily flapping in the breeze.  ;^)
    
    Seriously, this is yet another reason even cruising boats need a simple
    way to adjust jib leads.  Many are just not equipped to do this in an
    efficient way.
    
    While we're at it tearing down old myths, you do not want your clews to
    be even when sailing a chute.  The clew at the pole should be lower
    than the the clew at the sheet.  This is the way the chute wants to fly
    anyway.  It opens up the leach and improves flow at the luff.
    
    Somebody earlier suggested to try to stay down while sailing downwind. 
    I'd like to race against that person!  It depends totally on your
    polars.  Most times you want to sail higher than dead downwind and jibe
    a lot.  VMG is much improved over dogging it down wind in all but
    blasting conditions.  You do not want to be approaching the leeward
    mark any higher than your polars say you should be sailing for maximum
    VMG.  If you do approach it higher, you have sacrificed speed earlier
    by sailing too low, or sailed too much distance if you jibe and then
    approach the mark on a hot angle.  You can't argue with the numbers!
    It is the execution that separates good sailors from mediocre sailors.
    
    Dave

    Oh boy, this conversation is really whetting my appetite for the racing
    season.  Here are some comments, based on what we learned from a rather
    successful season last year.
    
    RE .300 (Dave Berry)
    
    We also play both the sheet and guy, but don't you want to keep the
    pole perpendicular (not parallel) to the wind?  
    
    Fractional rigs for the most part do not go dead down very well, so as
    Dave J. mentioned, the fastest way to get theah from heah is to play
    the polars and do a lot of gybing.
    
    Our boat does not sail well flat ... as you say a little heel is ALWAYS
    desireable.  In light air we put the crew on the leeward rail to make
    the boat heel.  One advantage is better sail shape (a genny that looks
    like your living room drapes is definitely slow).
    
    RE .302 (Paul Keenan)
    
    We found that adjusting the genny car back and pulling the sail flat as
    you mentioned works extremely well in moderate to heavy air when the
    seas are flat.  But in heavier seas you need to move the car forward
    for more power thru the waves and head down a coupla degrees to
    compensate.  However, you are right on in saying that adjusting so the
    luff breaks evenly is very unforgiving ... and most fracs have a narrow
    adjustment "window" anyway ... a couple of degrees off and you stall. 
    
    Another trick that works extremely well if you have adjustable cars is
    to move the car on the lazy side forward prior to a tack (the amount
    varies depending on conditions and boat).  Make your tack, and as you
    are grinding the sheet in, allow the car to move back with you.  This
    gives you a fuller shape (more power) right after the tack and allows 
    you to accelerate quicker as the helmsperson brings the boat up to its
    proper course.  
    
    RE .303 (Dave Johnston)
    
    >> It is the execution that separates good sailors from mediocre
    >> sailors.
    
    True, but perhaps you should use the word "racers" instead of
    "sailors".  Some in here would make that distinction.  The secret to
    winning races depends more on execution though than pure boat speed (at
    least in our experience).  You can make up for a LOT with good tactics
    (guesswork in New England conditions) and with crisp tacks and gybes.
    
    Incidentally, I'll be crewing for most races on Bodacious this season,
    and only occasionally crewing on Wags.  So Dean and I will have to flip
    a coin or something to see who puts in the race reports this year.
    
    ... Bob
    

    All of this leads me back to the earlier reply I gave (and Alan's) that
    there are no hard and fast rules for every boat.
    
    Bob, you may not want your pole perpendicular to the wind.  Depends on
    your point of sail and wind speed.  Too long to put in right now.  Why
    aren't you continuing your winning ways on Wags this year?  I think you
    and Dean should both report in.  The difference in perspective could be
    interesting.  Going to do this weekend's race?  Not us. 
    
    Dave

    RE .305
    
    I decided to try something different this year, and Bo' is a good
    boat to continue my sailing education on.  Wags has a surplus of crew
    this season so the timing was good.  I'll be doing Thursday nights and
    occasional week-ends on Wags, and expect to see both boats in the top 
    echelon of their respective fleets (again) this season.
    
    Won't be doing this week-end's race.  Wags is in, and we've already 
    been out for a tune-up.  Bo' goes in this week-end.  But I'm heading 
    up to the White Mts. this week-end to feed the black flies ... ;^(
    
    First race of the season for me is tomorrow night (JYC) ... ;^)
    
    ... Bob
    

    re .303
    I am, first of all, not used to sailing in fractional rigs.  I was not
    advocating sailing dead down wind.  When you watch a fleet run for a
    mark(not a reallong run where you have room for multipe gybes), most
    people point up too high going for speed and leave a slow run for
    themselves at the end.  If you sail a little lower earlier you have
    better speed at the end.  Maybe you gybe your boat every hundred yards
    sharply, but most crews aren't quite up to that.  You also run some
    risk with very frequent gybes.
    
    re. 304 yes, of course perpendicular, I just went brain dead for a
    moment.
    
    You're approach of letting the car forward when tacking has some merit. 
    It's true that you need to get power in a sail after a tack to get your
    speed back up.  Another approach you might want to try(if you have an
    adjustable backstay) is to ease the backstay instead of moving the car. 
    You will have twist more apporpriate to the wind conditions and a
    fuller sail both.
    
    Dave
    

    This is getting to be a tactics clinic, but I guess that's okay.
    
    I disagree that going low at the beginning of a run is the right thing
    to do.  Even in a masthead it can be devastating.  The key assumption I
    make is that the mark is more or less dead downwind.  Then you should
    sail to your polars.  This will get you to the mark the fastest over
    the length of the leg.  By knowing your polar generated wind angles and
    the position of the mark, you can time your jibes to come into the mark
    at the same angle you were sailing the rest of the leg.
    
    A crew's ability to do controlled jibes at will is not a factor you
    should have to worry about on the course.  Practice them until you can
    do jibes every 30 seconds for five minutes with no screwups.  By not
    having this confidence in the crew, you are putting a heck of a
    tactical handicap on yourself.
    
    By going low others are going to get into the "passing lane" by sailing
    a bit higher and blow by you.  They then jibe and cross in between you
    and the mark.  I repeat, the fastest way to get from point A to point B
    downwind is to always, always attempt to sail at the angle that
    maximizes your VMG and that is what we call your polars.
    
    Another point is that we have assumed no wind shifts.  You wouldn't say
    at the beginning of an upwind leg "let's stay high on port and then
    make one tack onto starboard when we reach the layline."  Ofcourse not.
    Why? Because if the wind shifted even a little bit and you didn't
    react, you'd be left in the tail end of the pack.  Tacking on sifts
    comes naturally to most people.  
    
    Jibing on wind shifts is even more important and can pay huge
    dividends.  To then plan your downwind leg not to have to jibe is
    leaving even more opportunity for the bad guys to pass you.
    
    If you have really good speed, your strategy can work on reaching legs
    in light air and possibly downwind in very heavy air.  Other than those
    two situations the watch phrase is "prepare to jibe!"
    
    Dave  

    On windshifts during windward .vs. leeward:
    
    The positive or negative effects of a windshift on one boat .vs.
    another is a function of separation - the distance between the two
    boats measured at right angles to the wind. Because fleets are *usually*
    separated more on windward than leeward legs, wind shifts are *usually*
    more important on the windward legs. 
    
    This is especially true in one design fleets where few people take 
    leeward flyers (the polars are all the same) and the whole fleet tends 
    to go down wind as a mob.  
    
    If your fleet tends to always play the same side to windward and then 
    split up going to leeward, then wind shifts will be more important to
    leeward. It all depends on separation.
    
    Paul

    RE .304
    
    Having raced with Dave J. on his former boat, I can attest to the fact
    that most crews aren't quite up to the boat handling of his "regulars". 
    'Course, he doesn't exactly go out sailing with his family ... most of
    his crew is recruited from college racing programs.
    
    That said, he's totally correct about practicing hard and long till
    you're confident you CAN make quick gybes, and tacks, and sail changes,
    etc.  It does more than just help your boat speed ... it opens up whole
    new possibilities in your course strategy.  This concept is one I took 
    back to Wags two years ago after guest crewing on both Fat Tuesday and
    Bodacious and observing how their crews executed.  And last season we 
    saw very dramatic results.  At our level (non-professional, PHRF), 
    execution is everything, and the boats with the most experienced crews
    (and not necessarily the hottest boats) are invariably among the fleet
    leaders.
    
    RE .308
    
    So let's have a tactics clinic in here then ... can you think of a
    better way to get back into the racing mindset?  Me neither ... ;^)
    
    I was wondering when somebody was going to mention wind shifts.  I have
    the impression that wind shifts affect the outcome of races more here
    in New England than elsewhere, and that conventionsl wisdom in other
    parts of the world may not place as much emphasis on it as we do.  Is
    this true?  
    
    We put a printer on Wags last season to plot wind shifts as we were 
    racing, and you'd be surprised how much that helped us determine our
    course strategy, particularly in the latter stages of a race when 
    patterns start to become evident.
    
    RE .310
    
    Yes, it's great to be at it again ...
    
    						... Bob
    

    This discussion is going way over my head.  I'm still trying to push my
    arm back into its socket from this past weekend.  Can't for the life of
    me figure out why lots of weather helm is fast.  This isn't a totally
    new experience.  Two seasons ago I went out speed testing with Jud
    Smith, each of us in our own boats.  Initially I was slower than Jud. 
    Jud yelled out some changes to make, which I did, and the boat
    immediately sped up.  But the helm felt awful.  Lots of weather helm
    and it was only blowing ten knots out.  But I had no further problem
    keeping up with Jud.  I thought we had to be sailing in different winds
    and ignored the advice in the race.  As is my usual custom, I got
    clobbered.  But at other times I sailed with lots of helm and watched
    the fleet walk away from me.  Strange, very strange.
    
    Maybe I can draw on the experience on some of our noters.  When your
    boat's beating to weather in medium air and smooth water, does it
    require more than your fingertips to control the tiller/wheel?  
    
    - gene

    re Bob
    
    Sorry guy, I pulled my note 'cause I thought it 
    sounded too "full of myself."
    
    All I wanted to say is that "seat of the pants"
    matters a lot.  There is no one right way to set
    up any boat.  I've seen two different styles of
    setting up a J35 work equally well side-by side.
    One was Bo, the other the "factory boat."  Sure,
    there are certain combinations of things that
    work together, but that's not to say a specific
    condition limits you to only one combination.
    
    Anyone want to wet-sand tonight?
    
    ;)
    
    
    
    
        
    

    
    >>  Anyone want to wet sand tonight?
    
        sorry Dean, but I already got an offer to scrape varnish.  ;)
    
    
    Maybe someone out there can offer some ideas about downwind trim of
    a genoa (assuming no spinnaker).  What I usually do is trim the sheet
    to align with the center of effort of the genoa, but down around 150
    degrees or so off the wind this looks *ugly* and seems slow.  
    
    If rules prohibit poling it out when on the same side as the main,
    what should it look like to go fast?

    RE 310
    
    Bob,
    
    There's a book by Stuart Walker called "Wind & Strategy". It contains
    more information on wind shifts than you'd ever want. I been working my
    way through the book for over 6 months - it's not easy. 
    
    Alot of guesswork can be taken out of shift prediction.
    Specifically for you, there's over ten pages on Marblehead winds.
    The book is no longer in print, but you can get it from a good library.
    
    Paul

    RE .313
    
    After about 150 degrees you might want to think about going
    wing-on-wing and poling out on the side opposite to the boom.
    
    About the only advice I can think of is to make sure you loosen the
    halyard tension (in light to moderate winds this is a MUST).  Of
    course, you also have to remember to tighten if back before you round
    the mark and head back upwind.
    
    RE .314
    
    Thanx for the pointer ... maybe I'll check it out.
    
    ... Bob
    

    re. 310
    Windshifts (and holes) are important everywhere I've sailed which has
    been primarily the Chesapeake and San Francisco.  Everyone should read
    up on weather.  There are categories of wind shifts that are
    predicatable based on where you are.  In fact some of them are cyclic
    and can be timed.  This allows you when beating to time your tacks to
    be lifted more often than headed....Talk about an advantage.  The
    cyclic conditions are espeicially true if there are hills buildings
    etc. around.
    Dave

    Question on Polars:  anybody know how to accurately factor loss of
    speed during gybes into how often you gybe and can this be tied to
    polars and wind speed?
    Dave
    

    Not all boats lose speed during gibes.  Dinghy's sailed by compentent
    skippers can come out of a gibe going faster than when they went in.  
    
    Crew competence is a big unknown here.  If the crew doesn't like to
    gibe, ignore the polars and wait for a sign from God.  Chances are God
    will gibe the boat without the crew's intervention.
    
    Crew competence and tactical considerations aside (gaining the inside
    position, boats sitting on your air, etc), boats that lose the most
    speed during gibes should gibe the most often.  Boats that lose the
    least speed during jibes should jibe the least. 
    
    I'll leave it to the readers to explain why this is true and how the
    answer relates to the shape of the polars.
    
    - gene 

    Cute Gene.  But I don't think it's an accurate 
    generalization.  I won't attempt to follow your
    implied rational.
    
    About jibing, you've got to do it as often as conditions
    require -- ie whenever the other jibe is getting you
    to the mark faster, or giving you position that you think
    will get you to the mark faster (that's a study in and of
    itself).  This is true no matter what your boat's inherent 
    jibe characteristics.  This concern about weighting
    jibe characteristics against polars is, it seems
    to me, misplaced.  If you want to improve, try the 
    following experiments:
    
      Have someone time your jibes -- from the get-go until
      the pole is set with chute drawing and the boom 
      fully jibed.  Also have the timer log boat speed; before,
      the slowest it gets, and immediately upon completion (could
      set up a PC to do this).
    
      Practice until you maintain the highest average speed.
      Do so by:
    
        Working on execution at all levels
        Trying alternate jibe methods (end-for-end, dip pole)
        Varying the arc through which you steer (sharp, gradual, 
        gradual to sharp, etc) 
    
    When you find what works best, practice that some more.
    And be ready to modify the procedure for different *conditions*.
    (Sort of like defining "maneuvering polars" where execution is
    a BIG factor, no?)
    
    And jibe when it makes tactical sense.  You're never gonna
    figure out how many jibes to make on a leg based 
    on polars vs. how well you execute.  Mother nature will
    see to that EVERY time.
    
    IMHO
    ;)
    
    

    Cute?  Me?  Even my wife doesn't call me that.  Not even on payday. 8^) 
    
    If crew limititations are getting in the way around the course, this is
    a good way to overcome them.  It's not much fun going downwind if
    everyone on board has gibe-o-phobia.
    
    Cute as my answer sounds, I believe that it's right.  Let me give a hint. 
    A boat's gibeing characteristics are a function of its polars.  Or more
    correctly, a boat's polars are a graphical representation of its
    sailing characteristics during a gibe (as well as other points of
    sail).
    
    I don't think we want to "trade off a the boat's gibeing
    characteristics against its polars".  Instead, we can determine its
    gibeing characteristics from its polars.  This is possible without ever
    having sailed or even seen the boat in question.
    
    To give a further hint, take two boats:  a Westsail 32 (a dog) and a
    Santa Cruz 70 (a sled).  What's the polar for the dog look like?  ans -
    a circle with a slice of pie missing from the top.  What's the polar
    for the sled look like?  ans - sort of a bow tie.
    
    Now, following the polar plot, what happens to V (not VMG) as we go
    from 100 deg through 260 deg with the dog?  ans - nothing.  What
    happens when we do this with the sled.  ans - V drops, reaches a min,
    then goes back up.  Soooo, which boat slows down the most during a
    gibe?
    
    Step 2:  We'll go through same exercise but this time we'll plot VMG
    istead of V.  VMG = VcosA where A = # of deg from dead down wind.  What
    happens to the dog?  ans - VMG steadily increases and is max at A = 0 
    (the dog is dead downwind).  What happens to the sled?  ans - VMG 
    increases, maxes out, decreases, then hits a min at A = 0.  What's this
    tell us?  Ans - for the steady wind condition of this example, aim the
    dog dead down wind where the mark is.  For the sled, sail the A that
    gives max VMG.
    
    Step 3:  Let's throw in some wind shifts.  On a polar plot we can
    show this by imagining the leeward mark initially at 180 and then
    rotating the polar plot in line with the wind shift with the mark
    fixed.  VMG = V cos D where D = # deg from the rhumbline.  Graphically
    this is the same as dropping a perpendicular from the point on the
    polar curve to the rhumbline.  What happens to the angle D that yields
    the max VMG as the polar plot rotates for the dog.  Ans - as the
    circle rotates, the best VMG is at D = 0, the dog stays on the
    rhumbline.  What happens to the sled.  Ans - VMG will be max a D > 0. 
    If D yields a negative VMG, it's time to jibe.  
    
    Because the shape of the polar for the sled is a bow tie, there is a
    relatively small number of degrees which produce max VMG compared to
    the number of degrees in average wind osillation.  This means as the
    wind oscillates around DDW, we need to get from one lobe of the bow tie
    to the other, ie gibe as often as the wind shifts.  For the dog, who's
    polar is a circle, VMG stays at max when he stay pointed at the mark no
    matter what the wind does.  Since his sails are stalled anyway, he
    doesn't even have to jibe when the wind swings to the leeward side of
    the boat.  Sailing by the lee is just as fast as sailing normally if
    there isn't much attached flow anyway.  It can be faster even.  So the
    dog doesn't gibe much at all.
    
    All this may or may not be true, but the cute answer is much easier to
    remember.
    
    - gene
    
    

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think
    polars provide performance predictions for ANY
    maneuver.  However, they will give you the 
    jibe angles.  How you transition between those 
    angles depends on how you "use" your boat's 
    momentum...
    
    Whatever works for you...
    
    ;)

    Gene, good illustration.  My assumption was that the polars looked more
    like the sled than the dog.  The BEST way to sail a Westsail 32
    downwind (in less than thirty knots of breeze) is to crack open a beer
    and turn on the engine. ;^)
    
    Dave

    Momentum will be a factor, but Gene's analysis seems correct to me.
    If both boats are gybed perfectly, the Dog will see no decrease in 
    sail power but the Sled will see a big power drop and slow down. Also,
    steering through a larger angle involves more drag for the Sled.
    
    Paul     (How many different ways can you spell "gybe") 

    There is a discussion of polars in the May 90 edition of SAIL Magazine. 
    In the article they have shown diagrams on how to figure your boats
    polars and the effect wind shifts will have on the boat.  Their overall
    recommendation was that knowing these polars can help you head up or
    fall off during wind shifts or wind speed variations.
    
    Paul 

    Gene
    
    In Multihull racing, we gybe all the time.
     
    A: because of the boats relatively light weight and mimimum drag,
       they accellerate with a gybe. I have gained 100 yards on a pack
       of boats scooting toward the leeward mark like a waterbug. There is
       also less chance of breakage over monohulls, since the boat will either
       squit forward, flip, or auger in, rather then overloading the
       mast/hardware.
    B: I am looking for boat speed. Whatever I can do to Manufacture wind
       is usally worth it to a point(ie no going off to the next latitude
       just because the speed is best on a beam reach). I am trying to get
       my boat pulled out of the water. Attacking at an angle allows me to 
       motor over that wave in front on me, I then head down and let the wave
       push me as I mount the next attack. I am using the kinetic energy
       like a fighter pilot would who is swooping down. As I gather energy,
       I can either use it then, or store it for a short time by retrimming
       the sails.
    C. The spinnaker pole is fixed at the center. the clew is a continous
       line around the boat. We just let go on one side and watch it blow
       in front of us. As the gybe is completed, we sheet her in from the 
       other side of the boat.
    D. Gybing is a great tactical method to destroy any leeches who are
       following, doing everything you are, and waiting for your mistake. If
       your execution is better than theres, at the least you get out of
       close spying distance. At best, you get to laugh at the suckers as
       they auger in and practice their breast stroke . ;>)  This also
       tests both crews stamina and concentration.( Don't ya just love
       racing! ) One must be careful not to ignore the rest of the the boats 
       just to waste one boat, but used properly, it pays dividends.
    
    
       So then, If one has a boat that can go faster than the apparent wind
    on a down wind leg, it should be done if the difference makes up for 
    the distance used.
    
       john

    Multihulls are an extreme case of sled.  The length of the lobes in the
    lower two quandrants of their polar diagrams mandate gibing downwind to
    max VMG.  
    
    The shape of the polar is reliable indicator of the amount of way or
    momentum a boat will carry.  A heavy displacement boat carries a lot of
    way on but doesn't benefit from gibing downwind.  The opposite is true
    of the an overcanvassed lightweight which slows dramatically in the
    slightest lull.  Circles are heavyweights, bow ties are lightweights.
    
    - gene

    Tell me, in english, how to factor *how much* a boat slows down 
    in transition into deciding whether or not to jibe.  Wasn't that
    the point of the original question? 
    
    Maybe this is over my head, but I reiterate that,
    for maneuvers, ie transition states, the polars *do not* give 
    you quantified predictions.  Conclusions so drawn are based 
    on inference -- rather more like assumptions.  I just happen 
    to assume I can jibe a sled pretty quick.

    I like the jibe-when-the-other-side-is-getting-there-quicker 
    *rule* -- as practiced with polars -- except when its time to 
    invoke the air-looks-better-over-there override, or the
    air-looks-like-it-*might-get*-better-over-there payer.
    
    Cheers,
    Dean
    
    
    
    
        

  Ahhhh, Springtime in New England, first race of the season! All those extra 
hours wet sanding seemed to help when we practiced last week, hopes are high,
everybody's psyched, let's go get the boat.

 Seems like a very low tide...... VERY LOW, glad the bottom is soft around here!
"Hi. Ya, we came down last night and put in the new stoppers and the topping
lift for the downwind pole....Sure we're excited!........How come he's Late,
can't wait much longer......Damn, try a little harder next time. I know traffic
can be murder from Boston."

Ok, NOAA said NE 10-15, moving N 10-15 tonight, we're seeing SE at 7 ok but why
isn't the speedo working, I'll take a look.....Well, that'll make tonight 
interesting.   Great, the committee boat is out early and they've got the course
up already!  Good chance to practice those tips from the racing course we took
last Jan.  

How come the course says "Y,A,B" and I can't find those marks!
Wait a minute, someone on the commedy boat just said 15,18, what's goin' on?
The guy at the club said "Yup, this is for 1990 and that's all you need" when
we picked up the 'new' chart on launch day.

 "Race Committee, Race Committee, this is ........ Do we have the right charts?"
.....
"Ok, the course is 36,15,18 from last year's chart, Thank You."


Ya, lets go to the light #1, sure we can change it before the start.  

Great work guys!! that new head foil sure works slick.  
Little toy? Naw, that cost about...

10, 9, 8,.....Bang! Hey, they're over early and we're #2 - Great Start, probably
best ever!!!!!  Ok we'll watch the other fleet 'til you figure out the
rhumb line.

"Hey the wind's goin' away, let's watch sail trim real close ok?"
"I've lost steerage, what's going on??"......Lobster pot? Ok I've got....
That new knife sure is slick, one slice and... ok, let's go...Hey how did they
get back over the line and way out there?


"We have a what? on Stbd? a 2nd one?!!! - Thank you for telling us."

No, that was just the float, I wonder what it got hung up on, oh well. Where'd
the breeze go?


......

"Race Committee, Race Committee, this is ......., we are retiring, thank you
for the opportunity, see you next week."

Let's listen to that audio tape we just recorded to review cockpit conversations
.....How come the engine is so loud?


Ok, I'll check it out this weekend.

Ok guys, see you next week, we'll go over to the club and get the right chart...

"You mean the A fleet hadn't hit the 1st mark after an hour? You retired too??
Ya, we needed the right chart as well."


Nice ride home, I'm pooped... But how come the guy on the radio says it was
warmer last Thankgiving Day??

    Yeah!  Love this notesfile.
    
    Wednesday night was not the first race of the season.  Yaquina
    (ex-Overtaker) has been out the last two weekends.  Two weeks ago we
    took a fourth and a first (and first in the regatta) in the tune-up
    races sailed off of the Corinthian.  Two downwind starts down to
    Bowditch and around the channel buoy.  We learned to stay right where
    the wind is less fluky.   
    
    Last weekend we won the Eastern Yacht Club Spring race in Class A. 
    This was an interesting course which began off of Tinkers gong and
    involved a triangle plus a second beat and a run back to the line. 
    We won the start fair and square from the middle of the line.  Rustler
    (Express 37?) pinched the fleet to windward keeping them bottled up and
    forcing many of them to tack right.  Our chief competitor, Coalition,
    (a new Taylor 40) gained as they stayed to the favorable right side of
    the course on the beat.  We reached the windward mark 15 seconds before
    them and this was as close to us as they came in the whole race.  We
    were pleased to discover that our crew, which has practiced since the
    first week of April, (first in the water, first in one piece, last in
    the hearts of competitors) made no serious errors over four genoa
    changes and two spinnaker peals.  There is some impressive talent
    aboard.  The owner is Chuck Samuelson who used to race Andante (J-30)
    out of Marblehead and Boston.  Jud Smith is on board on occasion; Bob
    Grout, the ex-owner; Tommy Tompkins; and some other experienced folks. 
    
    Interesting sidelight on the trophy presentation:  The head of the
    Eastern YC race committee made some crack about the boat being full of
    ringers before handing over the iron.  Never seen that before.  Bump
    Wilcox was on one of the other boats and there were plenty of rock
    stars spread throughout the fleet.  I have had my doors blown off
    scores of times by members of the Eastern who have their sailmakers on
    board.  Now, I haven't raced in Marblehead in a number of years.  Is
    this a new ethic or just sour grapes?  Any opinions?
    
    We are looking forward to the JFK Regatta this weekend?  Any of you
    going to be there?
    
    Richard
    

    As Overtaker, the crew did not endear themselves to many last year. 
    The impression a lot of us got was that the boat was being sailed by
    Jud's buddies.  I also would not put Bump in the same category as Jud.
    Bob Grout didn't help matters in the public relations department,
    either.  Looking forward to being out there with you guys soon.
    
    Dave

    One more question.  How often does the new owner drive the boat?  Is
    Jud steering or providing tactics?

    Let's not be too harsh on poor Jud.  Like the rest of us he has a
    mortgage and family to support and does what needs to be done to close
    business.  It is funny though how his presence on board in any capacity
    makes a boat go faster.
    
    re. the Eastern YC committee chairman.  If it was Tom Brennanan making
    the presentation, he is a confirmed DIY'er as far as sailing is
    concerned.  Literally.  He frequently single hands his Etchells in
    fleet racing, and finishes in a respectable position.  When his
    daughter was old enough (8 yrs old) she occassionally joined him. 
    After his boat would pass mine I'd endear myself to my crew by saying
    "Tom's got his ringer crew on board - his 8 yr old daughter".  After
    that crack I usually found myself single handing back to the mooring.
    
    - gene

    I meant nothing against Jud!  He's a good guy and a hell of a racer.  I
    just don't believe anybody that is a pro should steer unless he or she
    is the owner.  I also don't like it when the owner doesn't know any of
    the crew.  An arranged crew, a pro that drives, what is there for the
    owner/skipper to take credit for?  Oh, I forgot.  He takes credit for
    paying for it all.  Sounds like a blast, doesn't it?  Lots of
    satisfaction in it  as well.  
    
    Our policy is that there is a lot to learn from the pro's.  We do take
    advantage of their experience (especially now, with a frac that we
    clearly do not know how to make go fast) by hiring them as consultants
    and go PRACTICE with them.  This reduces the pressure to buy their
    sails and lets us forbid the sales hype while they are on our nickle.
    When it comes time to race, we like to do it ourselves.  It takes us a
    year or so to get a boat to go fast, but when we win there is no
    question who gets the credit.  
    
    Off my soapbox, return to work feeling a LOT better.
    
    Dave

re -.1:

Dave, 

Aw come on, quit griping! Aren't you one of the guys who kept telling me 
that I should stop griping about the PHRF rules, optimize my boat, spend 
piles of money, get a good crew, etc, etc, etc?

Your problem is clearly a suboptimal crew! Get your act together and 
practice, practice, practice! No excuses!

Alan

PS Just so I'm not misunderstood, the above is said in great jest and 
with no intent other than humor and if I've offended, I humbly apologize 
here and now. 

PPS I'm now sure you can understand how I feel trying to racing a fully 
optimized cruising boat boat in Marblehead fleets. To me you guys are 
about as much better than I am as the pros you're grumbling about are 
better than you. As said with a big smile.

    Griping relieves my blood pressure.  Actually, this does point out a
    problem that exists in club racing.  How far does one go and yet remain
    "amateur"?  Maybe I'll take a chainsaw and some fiberglas matting and
    convert Wildside to a double ender and be done with it!  ;^)
    
    Dave

    re .331
    
    The owner drives the boat 100% of the time (even when he shouldn't). 
    Jud coaches on tactics and sail trim.  The owner is fairly experienced
    and there is some good discussion between him, Jud and the other
    members of the crew as well.  Jud is the only "professional" on board,
    but what a professional!
    
    Richard

    Wags had their first race of the season last night (JYC Thursday night
    series).  They've really changed the rules this season, with additional
    courses and the adoption of time-on-time handicapping (which I do not
    yet understand).  Wags picked up right where we left off last season,
    being the first across the starting line, playing the wind shifts to 
    perfection, and crossing the finish line way in front of the rest of 
    the fleet.
    
    For those of you in PHRF C fleet this year, keep an eye on Toot Sweet
    (Aphrodite 101).  These guys looked F-A-S-T last night, dueling around
    the course with two boats that owed them 27 and 48 seconds per mile,
    respectively.  I look for them to win some races this year, especially
    in light air conditions.
    
    RE .329
    
    Congrats.  We won that race in B fleet last year, and were the 2nd boat
    across the line overall (only Claddagh, the A fleet winner was in front
    of us).  When Claddagh went up for their trophy the guy handing them
    out pointed to us and said to the Claddagh skipper "watch out for those
    guys".  I think he just likes to find something to say to make the
    presentations a little less boring.
    
    I noticed Claddagh was launched yesterday, so prepare for some stiffer
    competition than you'll get from the likes of Rustler.  Coalition
    should be very tough (I assume it's the same owner and crew as the
    original Coalition).   But many of the tougher A boats aren't racing
    yet.  The Lambert will probably be your first race with the full
    complement of A-boats (including Bodacious, which I'll be on).
    
    We'll be at the JFK, in B fleet, on Wags.  If you're gonna be at the
    skipper's meeting tonight, look for a fat, bearded guy wearing a
    red/orange/yellow Wags crew shirt ... that's me.
    
    RE. Jud Smith
    
    We had an opportunity to race frequently against Jud last season. 
    Seems he split his time between Overtaker and Io.  We had many close
    races against Io.  Without exception, when Jud was on board they beat
    us.  When he wasn't, we beat them.  Draw your own conclusions. 
    Incidentally, when Jud was on Io he did the steering ... and Stuart Neff
    (Io's owner) is no slouch when it comes to racing sailboats.
    
    That said, there were times last season when we beat boats that were
    loaded with "rock stars" ... so don't assume they win automatically.
    Incidentally, it felt great when it happened ... ;^)
    
    RE .333
    
    Dave, isn't it true that you guys have recruited Marco for the season,
    or am I just hearing more sailor's stories.  If so (and having raced
    with the man), good luck trying to make your own decisions while he's
    aboard.  No knock on Marco, mind you.  He really does know what he's
    talking about.  But he makes no attempt to try to understand the way
    YOU do things, or factor in the abilities of the crew when he calls
    tactics.  But he WILL help you make your boat go fast.
    
    RE .334
    
    Alan, need I try again to suggest that if you wanted to race and did
    so in cruising class you'd probably be competitive.  I realize you
    were just kidding, but I'm serious.  You're never going to be able to
    compete against the A-fleet boats unless you own an A-fleet boat.  But
    the cruising class boats (with one notable exception who really
    shouldn't be racing in cruising class) is made up of non-racing boats.
    I've known people to go out in "Clorox bottles" double-handed and do well
    in this class.
    
    In any event, it was wonderful to be out there again last night.  Just
    feeling the waves beneath the boat and the tension on the sheet is 
    enough to put my mind in a real good place.  Looking forward to another
    eventful season.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Re. .337
    
    I was a broker at Can Am Sailcraft when Richard Wagner bought Wags from
    us (I
    assume this is the same J-36?)  He sold it to a partnership of four or
    five co-owners who put a well disciplined program together.  Bob, were
    you part of this program?  Are these the current owners?
    
    I loved the J-36, by the way.  It was fast, but only when sailed
    correctly.

    Bob, as I stated earlier, we did contract with Marco for advice.
    Primarily for his vast experience sailing fractional rigs.  We just
    couldn't get the hang of it last year and realize we need a hand.  We
    are going sailing with him this weekend as a training sail.  
    
    Two points:
    
    First, we told him we are not in the market for new sails until we
    learn how fast we can make this thing go with the current sails.  We
    hired him as a consultant.  As such, we expect to pick up pointers that
    we can apply on the race course.  Our crew is not a bunch of dummies
    and will take what ever we learn and apply it well.
    
    Second, we do not race with sailmakers onboard for precisely the reason
    you stated.  They are not interested in the way we do things.  They are
    only interested in the immediate results of that race.  I have worked
    way too hard to bring my crew together to let them get peeved and lose
    interest.  The crew will be there week after week, not so the
    sailmaker.  Every rule has its exceptions.  we have raced with
    sailmakers and without exception have been sorry we did.
    
    We worked very hard with Tim Woodhouse of Hood to get Fat Tuesday to go
    fast and were very satisfied with the results.  Tim admits he is not
    the guy to talk to about trimming out a frac, so we went to a guy who
    is.  We were very impressed with the work he did with Wags.  Figured if
    guys like Bailey could benefit, so could we. ;^)
    
    Dave

    RE .338
    
    Doesn't sound familiar.  It's probably the same boat, but I think
    you're confusing our situation with somebody else.  Dick Wagner
    bought the boat in 1981, a year before I started sailing with him.
    He is and always has been the sole owner. 
    
    That first season, Skip White put together a crew of rock stars and won
    everything from Edgartown to the best overall A-fleet boat in M'head.
    After that, things declined a little more each season, to the point 
    where in 1986 we were DFL in just about every race we entered.
    
    In 1987, I became the "crew boss" and started recruiting crew thru
    this Notes file and other sources attempting to put together a more
    competitive program.  In 1988 I got the chance to race with some real
    winners, again thru this Notes file (Fat Tuesday and Bodacious).  I
    paid a lot of attention to how they managed to be so competive, and
    took many ideas and techniques back to Wags with me.  That same year 
    we recruited Susan Bradley (a DEC employee with a lot of racing 
    experience) and she showed us a lot about how to successfully campaign
    a boat.  Last season, with the return of all the regulars, we had our 
    most successful season since 1981 ... we finished first in nearly half
    of our races for the season and in the top three for about 80% of them.
    Quite a turnaround in two years.  Needless to say, I'm very proud of
    what we did and how we did it.
    
    The most satisfying thing about Wags' program is that all our crew are
    "home-grown" ... we don't need no steenking rock stars.  Some of our 
    regulars had never raced a boat prior to coming aboard Wags.  As racing
    boats go we're pretty laid back, putting an emphasis on enjoyment of
    the sport and the consumption of food and beverage ... ;^)
    
    This season, I've gone on to a different boat (for most races), partly
    to give some of the other regulars a shot at more positions of
    responsibility, and partly because after 7 seasons, I've pretty much
    settled into the role of campaign organizer and I'd really rather focus
    this season on improving my own sailing skills.
    
    That's just about everything you didn't want to know about one of your
    potential competitors if you're doing any of the overnight races (when
    Wags gets to be an A-fleet boat again).  If you did indeed sell her,
    and want to see how much she's changed since '81, drop me a mail
    message.  We welcome anyone on board for Thursday night races, and
    guest crew are always welcome during any of the week-end PHRF races.
    
    ... Bob
    

    RE .339
    
    Dave, just to clarify.  Marco did one race with us last season, and
    perhaps did help us improve our standing for that race.  But for the
    most part, he was a distraction to the crew because he used 
    terminology we didn't understand, and was rather condescending when
    we asked questions.  He was very critical of the way we did certain
    things, so we did it his way for that race, and then went back to our
    way for the rest of the season, which worked quite well.
    
    As I said, no knock on the guy.  But I think that once you pick his
    brain for a race or two, your crew can probably do better on it's own.
    
    ... Bob
    

    What racing is scheduled for Marblehead/Beverly waters this weekend?
    Where and When. What VHF chan is use for race comm?
    
    WINDSONG is now on her mooring and based on the current weather forcast
    we hope to be able to spend at least Saturday on the water. What areas
    would be best to safely observe the racing from and maybe identify some
    of the DEC boats/people. WINDSONG is and ODay 222 with a slightly too
    tall blue dodger. Please give us a shout or wave and if I have things
    reasonably under control, I will enthusiastically wave back.
    
    One othe request. We are looking for someone with crusing/racing
    experience to sail with us and help check out the boat/crew. (This
    weekend will begin our shake down.) (or maybe that should be shake up!)
    Thanks, Fred   223-3935     617-862-1410
    
    

    I usually don't like to editorialize, but the complaints about rock
    stars and pros on board bothered me a lot.  I raced a lot out of the
    Anapolis Yacht Club, and that was a very competative group.  I found
    that by racing against the so called rock stars, that our own level of
    performance and ability increased dramatically.  You will only be good
    enough to beat the competition available to you.  I also found that
    after the races that these rock stars would be out for a couple of
    brews in the same places everyone else went, and that tghey were very
    free with information and expertise, and that everyone benefited and
    went faster.  The result was that in the big races we MURDERED the
    other yacht clubs around.  Take the stiff competition as the advantage
    it is and learn to go faster.
    
    R.E. 340
    
    You referenced Dick Wagner.  Is this the same Dick who has been working
    in the new corporate ventures group and has recently been working with
    the Landover DCC?  If so I know and have worked with him.  Just didn't
    know he was a sailer.
    
    Dave Berry
    

    RE .343
    
    Nope, different Dick Wagner.  Your points are valid.  My only complaint
    about "rock stars" is when they come aboard the boat you race on and
    assume they automatically know everything about how to make your boat
    win races.  Sometimes it works to your advantage, because these guys
    are very experienced and can usually point out a thing or two that you
    can use.  But there's another side to that coin, and that's the
    distraction they cause with a crew that may be a little resentful of
    the attitude.
    
    On to another subject.  The JFK regatta was this past week-end.  The
    weather turned out to be a lot nicer than anticipated, making for a
    fine regatta.  I was racing on Wags, in B fleet.  Our fleet had 17 
    boats in it, and except for Annapurna, all of last year's top boats 
    were there.
    
    Saturday's race was a modified Gold Cup course, with a long run and
    short reach rather than two reaching legs ... about 22 miles.  Wags got
    off to a good start, but after that this day turned into the kind you
    have bad dreams about.  At the start we were just to leeward of Io and
    Madrigal, the two J/33's.  They both had speed on us and quickly
    climbed into our air, so we tacked away and headed for the right side
    of the course.  Most of B fleet followed suit, but Io and Madrigal kept
    going left.  This turned out very much to their advantage, as by the
    time we got to the first mark they were well into A fleet and pulling a
    horizon job on the rest of B fleet.  We were the third boat around the
    mark, about a half-mile behind the leader.  Most of the rest of the
    race was a battle for 3rd thru 6th between us, Katabatic, Dark Horse,
    and Reggae.   The rest of the fleet was well behind the four of us, and
    basically none of them were going to make their time on any of us.  
    
    We displayed our skills at producing a beautiful hourglass shape with
    the chute as we rounded the mark, but we managed to recover after a few
    seconds of pandemonium and get it flying OK before we got passed by
    anybody.  The downwind legs were fun ... we had some close order drills
    with our competition and the boat handling was really coming together. 
    We lost out to Sheerness, who had taken a flyer, but maintained our
    lead on the other three.  Douse the chute, round the mark, and head
    back upwind.  The wind's still building. Io and Madrigal are way off in
    the distance passing A-fleet boats.  We're in a dogfight with
    Katabatic, who has better speed than we do but isn't pointing as well. 
    Back at the windward mark, and we're third boat but Dark Horse is too
    close behind.  Pop the chute, head for the finish line.  AND THEN THE 
    WIND DIED ...
    
    We fell into a gigundo hole as we watched the thunderheads building
    over Boston.  We watched as spinnakers in A-fleet, and the B-fleet
    leaders, fell slack and draped over the bow.  Turned around and noticed
    that all those boats behind us were still moving ... and the smart ones
    were going waaaaaaaaayyy right, steering clear of the hole.  Red Baron
    came from miles behind to cross first and win the race by taking a
    great circle route to the finish line.  
    
    Finally the wind starts to fill in ... now it's a beat to the finish
    line about a 1/2 mile away.  Up with the light #1.  The wind's really
    building ... get the heavy #1 up here, no check that ... the #3.  We're
    only 100 yards from the finish line.  Forget the sail change, not
    enough time.  The wind's up to 30.  Reach off for the pin.  The skipper's
    got $$ signs in his eyes as we're spilling the air outta his nice new
    kevlar sail to keep it from blowing up.  We finished 8th ... then came
    the bad news.  We had cut inside a mark out by Grave's light that was
    foul water.  D-S-Q.  Oh well ... shifts happen.
    
    Sunday was much better.  We got off to a good start, established a lead
    on Io and Madrigal, and sailed away with the race.  The course was a
    quadrilateral, about 19 miles.  With the wind shifts it turned out to
    be a beat, run, reach, beat.
    
    Mother nature played less of a role on Sunday, as the wind shifted
    steadily all day.  The first leg saw us, Io, and Madrigal take the left
    side; Katabatic head up the middle; and Dark Horse take the right side. 
    At the windward mark we were all right there together, with us holding
    about two or three boatlength lead on Katabatic and the others
    basically stern-to-bow around the mark.  We increased our lead on each
    successive leg on the others and passed several A-fleet boats on the
    way to the finish line.  We took the gun and won the race.
    
    A coupla comments about the regatta.  It really seems to offer less in
    terms of amenities, awards, and hospitality each successive season. 
    The competition is fine, and this season I think the race committee did
    OK (better than in past seasons at least).  But it doesn't measure up
    to some of the Salem Bay events, or the NOOD regatta, when it comes to
    organization.
    
    Look out for Mike Frigard's new toy ... he showed up Saturday night
    with his new J/44, Loose Goose VII.  It'll be the new scratch boat in
    the Marblehead A-fleet, with a rating of 24.
    
    Yaquina looked sharp out there ... Claddagh didn't.  See y'all this
    week-end for the Manchester tune-up races on Saturday and the BYC
    Spring race on Sunday.
    
    						... Bob
    

    Re: .343
    
    You raced out of Annapolis YC?  You know the boat "Restitution"?  It
    used to be "Uptown Girl" when Jim Scott owned it.  That's now our boat,
    "Wildside".  Is "Immigrant" still racing down there?
    
    As for professionals on racing in local events, you are right, the
    higher level of competition does have the effect of raising everybody's
    skill level.  My beef is that when owners do elect to use pro's, they
    crew not get sensitive when they are reminded that the success of the
    boat may not be attributable directly the crew's performance.
    
    I, personally, cannot see the gratification other owners get from
    buying boats only to have paid strangers race them.
    
    Dave

    RE: .344
    
    Bob has done a good job of describing the conditions for the JFK
    regatta.  I raced both days on Taylor Ann, a modified Frers 41 owned by
    Tommy McManus out of Marblehead.  Normally I race on Yaquina but Taylor
    Ann needed a navigator, so I volunteered.  I can't complain since we
    took second in Class A while Yaquina took third.
    
    The competition in class A was pretty good and there were some
    interesting strategic aspects of the race on Saturday.  Like Wags,
    Taylor Ann elected to go right on the first beat.  Prior to the start
    the wind seemed to be shifting right and the hot locals, specifically
    Jack Slattery on Wired, seemed to go for the right side of the Graves. 
    Big mistake!  Left was faster due to both wind shifts and favorable
    current.  The latter I should have forseen, mea culpa.  
    
    We beat our brains out to regain lost ground and "married" the left
    side of the course which helped considerably.  We were 250 yards from
    the finish and in position to pass Yaquina when the wind died.  Yaquina
    still had some air and managed to squeak out a second place finish to
    our third.  Yaquina is faster than Taylor Ann on the wind but off I
    think Taylor Ann is faster.
    
    Sunday was BEAUTIFUL!!  We nailed the start perfectly and this turned
    out to be a key part of the race since the fastest A class boats ended
    up sailing all over the course to find fresh puffs.  Current was a big
    factor especially on the reach to the leeward mark.  We managed to sail
    high with good through-the-water boat speed and let the current push us
    down to the mark.  Yaquina went left on this reach with the expectation
    that she would be able to use the more direct current vector to help
    her at the end of the beat.  Unfortunately, this also meant that she
    would be sailing very low and as the wind moderated she was slow.  They
    must have had a variety of other problems as well since they crossed
    the finish eighth to our third.  The upshot of this was that Bandito
    took first, Taylor Ann took second and Yaquina took third in class A. 
    It really pays to go north out by the Graves.   By the way, the DSQ
    that Wags got was due to their going between Graves light and the buoy
    north of the Graves.  The race instructions mention this restricted
    zone but it is buried in the notes describing Boston inner harbor YRUMB
    marks.  The JFK used Mass Bay YRUMB marks which do not describe this
    restricted zone!  Additionally, the starting line for Sunday was
    between the aforementioned buoy and the committee boat.  The race thus
    began in the restricted zone.  The race committee could have done a
    better job here.
    
    All-in-all, a great couple of days for yachting!
    
    							Richard 

    We raced the J/24 in the Mem. Day regatta in Newport over the weekend.
    We were blown out of the water. We couldn't even compete.
    
    There were 50 boats on the line but we had good starts. But shortly
    thereafter, rather than punching out of the fleet, we were swallowed. 
    After a clearing tack, the fleet would lift up and gas us again. The 
    average boat in Newport would destroy my local fleet in Tiverton,
    thanks to the rock stars and lots of crisp new sails.
    
    
     Goeff Moore from Doyle sails has helped us put the boat in the water
    for the last two seasons (the Ft. Adams hoist is his turf). He finally
    got around to it this weekend. It went something like "I hate to say
    this but ... you're sails look really bad".  
    
    While talking with Goeff before the start, we were  buzzed by Mr. Shore
    sails - Ken Read. The next morning we were the first ones to the course
    and started warming up. Out of nowhere comes ..... you guessed it ....
    Ken Read. He's suddenly full of helpful hints. 
    
    We laughed about the whole thing.
    
    Because of the money, we've focused on working with our old sails. But
    after this weekend there's no denying - we're even slower than last
    year. 
    
    All those who feel moved by this, please send cash donations to the 
    "J/24 #1365 Speed Restoration Fund". No checks, please.
    
    Paul 

    What a beautiful week-end.  Spent both days out on Bodacious.  Saturday
    was for a couple of "tune-up" races over in Manchester.  Two short,
    gold-cup courses.  Not much to talk about except that not many boats
    showed up (these races didn't count for anything) and the weather was
    really nice.
    
    Sunday was the BYC Spring race ... our first "Marblehead" race of the
    season.  Seven boats showed up in A-fleet.  It was a perfect day for a
    race, with sunshine, strong breeze, and only moderate seas.  The race
    committee used portables to set an olympic course of about 13.5 miles.
    
    The start was interesting, to say the least.  All I could see was Arbella
    (a Taylor 40), Jazz (an Express 37), and concerned faces on the committee
    boat (a floating Winnebago), as there was *very* little space separating
    the four vessels.  The end result was that after a lot of hollering and
    suggestions between skippers, Jon got the spot he wanted and the other 
    two didn't.  Arbella was forced to tack away and Jazz was buried on the
    starting line.  On the other side of us, both Sherherazade and Claddagh
    were over early and had to go back.  This put us and Wildside into lead
    positions and basically defined the complexion of the race.
    
    The first leg was us and Wildside sailing basically side-by-side, with
    us to weather.  We rounded the weather mark just in front of them, with
    the rest of the fleet a couple of minutes or more behind us.  Claddagh
    and Sherherazade had already caught up to the slowest A-boats, and were
    coming on strong.  Around the mark, pop the chute, and trim for a reach.
    In this wind it's a sleigh ride, averaging better then 8 knots and 
    exceeding 11 kts. at times surfing down the waves.  
    
    We rounded the gybe mark just in front of Wildside.  Claddagh had passed
    everybody else and was now in 3rd position around the mark. Sherherazade
    was 4th around, and the remaining three were falling further back.  
    
    Now we were headed back to the starting mark.  Wildside took the high 
    road and we took the low road, and they got to Tinker's before us.
    We completed the triangle about a boatlength or two behind them, but
    had managed to maintain our lead on Claddagh.  Douse the chute, round
    the mark, and head back upwind.
    
    Most of the next leg consisted of us trying to tack away from Wildside
    and them tacking to prevent us from doing so ... basically the reverse
    of the first leg.  Near the end of the leg we discovered a foot-long rip
    in the leach of the jib ... (rut roh).  We decided we were too close to
    the mark for a sail change, so Jon opted to overstand the mark so we
    could reach after the next tack and hope the sail held up till we could
    hoist the chute and get it down.  It did, but we lost ground to Wildside
    in the process ... :^(
    
    By the time we got the chute up and settled down, Wildside was nearly a
    minute in front of us and Claddagh was only a few boatlengths behind.  
    We managed to make some of it back on the downwind leg back to Tinker's.
    But we had some trouble hoisting the jib at the mark rounding and were 
    forced to go bare-headed for about a half-minute.  Wildside had no
    problem putting more distance between us.  Claddagh and Sherherazade were
    only a couple of boatlengths behind by the time we got settled in.  We
    had a good final leg, tacking on top of Claddagh and forcing her to
    finally tack away into a header to get out of our gas.  It looked like
    we might even be making up our time on Wildside near the end of the
    leg, but Sherherazade then forced us to take an extra tack and was all
    she wrote.
    
    Wildside took the gun and the race.  We and Sherherazade finished
    within a second of each other, about a minute and a half behind
    Wildside.  Claddagh finished about two minutes behind us.  The rest of
    the fleet was pretty far back.  It was an exciting race.
    
    Dave, you guys really had Wildside moving well.  Hope that's a sign of
    things to come for ya.  But it's lucky for both of us that Claddagh and
    Sherherazade gave us a head start, 'cause the way they were moving if
    they'd had a clean start we woulda been battling it out for 3rd and 
    4th place yesterday.  Between the four of us, Yaquina, Coalition, and
    Loose Goose VII, A-fleet is gonna be very exciting this year.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Good day on Sunday.  While it's true Claddagh and Scherherazade did
    start early, the impact was very different on the two boats.  Claddagh
    realized immediately, jibed and recrossed within 30 seconds.  They then
    went to the right and didn't suffer all that much from the early start. 
    Scherezade, on the other hand, went a long while up the weather leg
    before turning back.  Their comeback was scary.  They took third place
    behind us and Bodacious.  
    
    We were suffering from not enough bodies.  We needed two more people to
    keep the boat flatter.  This really showed in the tacks.  On the last
    leg upwind we tacked to cover every time Bo did and this was costing us
    because we couldn't come back to target speed as quickly as they were. 
    So we finally said the heck with it and went on one long tack
    maintaining target speed to the layline to the finish.  That is where
    we made back up our time on Bo.  Two tacks prior to that we had them
    only 38 seconds behind.  Not enough to cover.
    
    Wish we had some of the wind we got on the sail back to the harbor!  We
    were surfing past Scherherezade with just our main up!  
    
    My opinion is that Scherherazade could have come even further if they
    had dropped to a smaller headsail.  They had their heavy #1 up while we
    had our #3.  They were flogging their main the whole way.
    
    Jazz had a tough day.  They broached and when they recovered they tore
    the head out of their chute!  Then they destroyed their medium #1 (why
    it was up in the first place, I don't know).  Then they ripped their
    heavy #1.  Then at the finish (finally!) their steering chain broke and
    they had to drop out of the race!  Days like that make you want to buy
    a big ol' power boat, develope a pot belly, and hang out at the marina.
    
    All in all, we had a blast.
    
    Dave

    Sounds like some interesting racing over the last weekend.  
    
    Yaquina's owner opted to do some cruising and tuning on Saturday.  We
    sailed down to Nahant where we met up with the Beneteau 42 Halcyon.  I
    will be doing the Bermuda race on Halcyon and this was my first chance
    to sail aboard her (after a leap between the two).  
    
    Halcyon has a new Doyle mainsail which leaves something to be desired. 
    Real flat.  Draft 40%-45% aft in 18 kts apparent.  Leech line cleat
    doesn't and can't be reached.  The foot slits for the leech reefing
    lines do not line up with the reefing cringles.  Mixture of metal and
    plastic sail slides only some of which fit the mast luff groove.  If
    God is in the details he doesn't work at Doyle.
    
    The owner of Halcyon is an experienced offshore sailor (and DEC
    consultant in semiconductor physics) who has done the Bermuda race
    three times already.  He won the Bermuda one-two last time around and I
    am looking forward to a fast passage.  There is nothing like experience
    and thoroughness to prepare for offshore work.  We took Halcyon out on
    Sunday in the Boston harbor area.  Gusts to 43 kts.  Nice shakedown. 
    
    Are any readers of this file doing the Bermuda race?  Any suggestions?
    
    Richard

Yesterday was the Lambert Cup, sponsored by the Eastern YC.  The winds were
light to moderate, from the NE.  And visibility was generally poor due to
fog and mist.  I was sailing on Bodacious, in A-fleet, which consisted of 10
boats for this race.

The course was a skewed triangle, starting at Tinker's Gong.  The first leg
was a beat to Marblehead Bell, then a reach to Boston Harbor Entrance Whistle
(the Monster Buoy), a run to 3-1/2 Fathom Bell, and a beat back to Tinker's.
Total course length was about 20 miles.

We got off to a pretty good start, and were the 2nd boat around the 1st mark
behind Coalition.  However, we were quickly passed by Jazz, Yaquina, and 
Wildside, who were all reaching up for clear air and speed.  It turned out 
to be the correct thing to do, as the wind shifted right during the leg.  

Coalition was making serious time on everybody during this leg, or so it 
appeared.  With the limited visibility it was difficult to tell relative 
positions as boats disappeared into the mist.  When the fleet came back 
together as we were approaching the mark, it was obvious that the boats who 
had gone left had made out on those of us who had stayed near the rhumb line.
Around the mark it was Coalition, Jazz, Wildside, Yaquina, Loose Goose VII, 
Bodacious, Claddagh, Cara, Smoke, and Lightning.

For the most part, those positions were maintained for the run.  Jazz passed
Coalition and was the first boat around the mark.  Claddagh passed us, but
we managed to take it back just before we got to the mark.

As we turned back upwind, most of the fleet went right.  We stayed left,
looking for favorable current to help us improve our position.  It was
impossible to tell whether or not we were being successful, as the mist was
so thick that at times we could not even see Claddagh, who was hanging off
our stern by about 80-100 yards.  But when the fleet came back together
about 2/3 of the way up the leg, we had passed Jazz and Yaquina, and were
much closer to Coalition and the Goose.  Things were looking pretty good,
except ... WHERE WAS WILDSIDE ???

We had a tactical decision to make ... do we stick with Coalition since we
were making our time on her, or do we cover Claddagh and prevent them from
making a run on us?  We decided on the latter ... which turned out to be a
bad decision.  As the mist decreased, we finally spotted Wildside, waaaayy
out in front of everybody.  Whatever they had done turned out to be the
correct thing to do.  They took the gun, just in front of the Goose (who
owed them 15 minutes for this race).  Goose finished a minute or so behind
Wildside, with Coalition a couple of minutes behind Goose, and us a couple
of minutes behind Coalition.  Then came Yaquina, Jazz, and Claddagh ...
with the remaining three boats well back.  Wildside easily won the race,
with Coalition taking 2nd on corrected time and us taking 3rd.

In B-fleet, Wags took another 1st.  They had spent the entire race duking
it out with Io and Dark Horse.  But on the final leg they followed the same
strategy we did and left the others behind.

Congrats again Dave (for the 2nd time in as many weeks).  This was a very
impressive win.  You guys obviously have figured out how to make this boat
go fast.  Gonna be tough to beat.

... Bob

    Yesterday was a watershed race for us.  We had done a lot of work on
    the boat and the crew over the winter.  We tuned the rig differently,
    spent serious time on our bottom finish, moved winches and changed the
    deck layout to make it simpler and read as much as we could about
    making a frac go fast.  Last week we had heavy air and since we always
    went well in that stuff it didn't tell us if anything was really
    improved.  Well, our doubts are gone now.  
    
    We had an interesting start.  After two postponements, we were in the
    starting sequence and just completing the first five minutes when it
    looked to me like the rest of our fleet was lining up for a start.  I
    asked our nav if he was SURE we were in a ten minute sequence.  Yeah,
    no problem he says.  Wrong.  We end up with a perfect leeward end start
    all to ourselves ;^(.  Rounded the windward mark in eighth place out of
    ten starters.  We were berating our nav for serious brain fade.
    
    Long broad reach for the monster bouy off Boston (7 miles or so). We
    had to roll over the Swan 57, Cara right away or let her bury us, so we
    went high.  The loran was telling us our course over the ground was not
    too high of rumb, so the current was being kind to us.  We rounded
    third, having passed five boats by going high.  We gained on Coalition
    and Jazz over the next leg, but remained in third place at the start of
    the last windward leg.
    
    Then the fun started.  We noticed the general phasing of the wind going
    right, so we tacked away from Jazz and Coalition onto port.  Things are
    okay until our main trimmer says "Hey, tighten up the check stay, it's
    come loose".  Not quite.  The shackle pin had fallen out.  A mad
    scramble around the boat to find another shackle.  Took one off the
    lower lifeline, tacked back onto starboard so we could fix the
    checkstay.    Jazz and Coaliton are coming out to us now and it is
    obvious we have passed Jazz and are very near Coalition.  Life is
    pretty good.
    
    When they reach us Coaliton tacks back parallel to us while Jazz
    continues going to the right.  Now what do we do?  We flip a coin and
    cover Jazz, tacking back onto port.  Now the wind becomes our enemy. 
    We want to go back onto starboard, but when we do the wind has gone
    left again and we are on a starboard header, pointing at Coalition's
    stern FAR AWAY.  The tactition (me) is broadcasting Death Radio.  Life
    stinks.
    
    Okay, Jazz might be willing to live with this, but we are going back to
    the lifted tack (port) and just play the shifts.  The heck with the
    fleet way off to our left.  Well the wind begins to go right again, we
    tack back to starboard and are almost on the lay line to the finish. 
    Wow!  Loose Goose (J44) has passed Coalition and is in front. 
    Except...we're going to cross them!  We're in front.  We don't tell the
    rail potatoes yet so as not to ruin the karma.  
    
    Then someone says "what was that?  Lobster pot?"  The boat feels like
    it's sailing thru molasses.  Speed is dropping like a stone.  200 yards
    behind us we're dragging a bouy marking one end of a fishing net.  Damn!
    Can't see the other end of it.  Never did.  Everybody to the leeward
    side and heel the boat WAY over.  Two or three tries and we're free!
    Thank you, God.  
    
    We let the crew know the situation and life is good again all the way
    to the finish.  There won't be many more like it, though.  Mike is
    going to learn how to get that J44 going and he'll own line honors all
    summer.  But for now we'll take it.
    
    Dave

    BTW, results for class A for June 10 were: Wildside 1st, Coalition 2nd,
    and Bodacious 3rd.  

    re .345
    I certainly do remember restitution.  I didn't know those folks, but
    sometimes (like when they were near and there was no wind) it used to
    make for an interesting topic of discussion as to how they got that
    name.  Sorry, I don't remember the other boat.  I haven't raced out
    there since the summer of 1988.
    

    re: .353
    What were the results for Class B?  (Don't leave the little guys out!)
    Thanks
     Joe

    Class B :  Wags was first, Io second, Dark Horse third.
    
    Dave

    RE .353, .355, .356
    
    Gee guys ... I did mention all that in reply .351
    
    							... Bob
    

    Yes, Bob, but did you say it twice?
    
    ;)

    
    	'scuse me guys...
    	This stuff makes great reading (beats all hell outa newspapers),
    but, being the detail-head that I am, could I ask for more keyboard-
    pounding? F'r'instance, make of boat, rating, new sails, deck and
    hardware mods would be interesting. I know Brian's latest is sposta be
    pretty much a clone, but IS IT really? Inquiring racers wanna know.
    
    PS our first really-race is the Chapman. Still gotta do chafe patches
    	on the #1, as well as a zillion other things.... What's everybody 
    think the weather's gonna do?  Can't be worse than last year.... can
    it?
    
    
    Good luck all; see u Friday at 5.
    	Scott.
    
    

    I'll be at the Chapman on Wags.  Weather's supposed to be beauteamous. 
    We're gonna be a little short on crew, so I'm hoping it don't blow like
    last year.  On the other hand, I also hope it doesn't turn into a
    drifter like the year before last.
    
    Then back to M'head for Sunday's Summerset race on Bodacious.  Could be
    a looonng week-end.
    
    Scott, what boats do you want all those "details" on.  It could make my
    reports really long if I filled in all that.  On the other hand, if you
    think it would help, I could post a "scratch" sheet of the boats most
    discussed (M'head, A and B fleets), with make and rating.  Somebody
    else would have to fill in the C, D, and/or cruising fleets.
    
    ... Bob
    

    
    
    
    
    	The Scratch Sheet sounds kinda neat. Any inside scoop/history would
    	also be fun. 
    	Dave (?) Ithink you mentioned deck layout changes that helped...
    	what were the biggest helps? A multipurpose (read: nonflush deck)
    	boat kinda limits mods, but maybe you & others have gotten around
    	such things.
    	So thanks and start praying for wind (but no storms) tomorrow
    	night! I'm gonna need the delivery time to get everything fixed.
    	Banzai.
    	Scott.
    

    I picked up a brochure which talks about the Boston Harborfest
    activities "Boston's July 4th Celebration."
    
    This year the activities run from June 29 through July 4.  One item
    would seem to be of interest, if accurate.
    
    The listing for Saturday June 30 from 10:00 to 16:00 is "J Class Sloop
    Match race  1930's classic yachts, Endeavor and Shamrock, racing in
    Massachusetts Bay" 
    
    No other details listed, but there is an information number,
    617-227-1528.
    
    djc
    

    Last evening I raced with Paul Keenan on his J24, Shockwave.  This race was 
    the first of the summer series off of Tiverton R.I.  We found our go fast 
    gear shift with an inexpensive 3 year old Mylar genoa.  Up until last night 
    we have been racing with a 6 year old Dacron jib.  Mylar is now
    accepted and used by most of the J24 fleet.(I am not trying 
    to sell sails, so I won't use the sailmaker's names)

    The course was a Starboard triangle with an added beat to windward and a 
    downwind finish.

    Until last night we had poor acceleration, couldn't point with the majority 
    of the fleet, and relied heavily on tactics, wind shifts, and local 
    knowledge, which usually gave us middle of the fleet honors, except in the 
    big events.  Last night, that almost paid off as we added the ponting 
    ability and acceleration of the newwer, flatter and fuller sail.

    This fleet uses the "rabbit start," in which one boat is designated the 
    rabbit and drops a mark one minute from the designated staring channel bouy 
    while sailing a close hauled course on port tack.  He then tacks over, 
    rounds the channel bouy and retraces his course.  The rest of the boats 
    have to then start between his stern and the channel bouy before he passes 
    the one minute mark.

    We had a great start, being the last boat to windward to start, we sat on 
    the whole fleet, actually blowing past boats that were our competition last 
    week.  After our first tack only the boat that was the rabbit was in front 
    of us.  During this whole beat the only shift was maybe 5 degrees to the 
    left.  We were forced to dip him after the next tack, but he sailed away a 
    little before his next tack to cover.  As we tacked over to starboard, 
    he tacked ahead and slightly to leeward of us, but we had to go left to 
    make the mark.  He proceeded to pinch up until he started to gas us and 
    forced us to tack away before the rumb line.  He tacked over to port right 
    at the rumb line, but we had to make an additional tack and this gave him 
    about a boat length lead at the windward mark.

    The spinnaker reaches went by without any significant events, and we 
    rounded the leeward mark with the leader increasing his lead to about 2 to 
    3 boat lengths.  We did a pretty poor rounding letting the third place boat 
    point up inside of us.  The third place boat tacked away, and we were being 
    gassed by the first place boat.  The ideal tactic though was to maintain 
    the course to be the farthest to the left, since the wind had started 
    oscillating and was now at its farthest to the right.  However, we were 
    getting killed by the leader, so we tacked away.

    The third place boat then tacked  and crossed behind us, about 3 to 4 
    boat lengths back and then tacked halfway between the leader and us.  The 
    wind shifted left about 2 to 3 degrees every 5 minutes, so to tack left 
    would put us into a header.  So, we held our course, riding the lifts.

    About midway into the beat the leach line on the jib let loose and refused 
    to cleat again.  At that point the boat sounded like a helicopter and lost 
    almost all of the power it had.  The second place boat pulled away and now 
    the fourth place boat started to close.

    The first place boat rounded the windward mark about 25 boat lengths ahead,
    and the second place boat was about 5 ahead. The fourth place boat was only 
    one to two behind us as we got the jib down and the spinnaker up, but he 
    had trouble getting his spinnaker to fill, so we pulled ahead.  We finished 
    third after another insignificant down wind leg.

    All in all, it was interesting to see what a difference a sail can make.

    Charlie

	The following is a list of the A-Class and B-Class boats that
    	generally compete in the Greater Salem Bay races.  Those boats
    	marked with an asterisk generally compete in the south shore area,
    	and usually only show up in the Salem Bay area to compete in the
    	races which count as YRUMB qualifiers (Corinthian 200, PHRF New
    	Englands, Jubilee Fall Series, and Manchester Fall Series).
    
    
				A-CLASS FLEET
				-------------

	BOAT NAME		BOAT TYPE	RATING	HOME PORT
	---------		---------	------	---------

	LOOSE GOOSE VII		J/44		 24	MARBLEHEAD
	CARA			SWAN 57		 41	MARBLEHEAD
       *FULL TILT BOOGIE	CUSTOM 40	 63	????	
	TAYLOR ANNE		FRERS 41	 66	MARBLEHEAD
	YAQUINA			C&C 37R		 66	MARBLEHEAD
	COALITION		TAYLOR 40	 66	MARBLEHEAD
	SHERHERAZADE		TAYLOR 40	 66	BOSTON
	ARBELLA			TAYLOR 40	 69	SALEM
       *GAMBLER			FRERS 41	 69	BOSTON
	JAZZ			EXPRESS 37	 69	MARBLEHEAD
	WILDSIDE		FARR 40		 69	MARBLEHEAD
       *WIRED II		FRERS 40	 69	BOSTON
       *ABRACADABRA		J/35		 72	????
	BODACIOUS		J/35		 72	SALEM
       *OUTRAGEOUS		J/35		 72	????
    	WHIPLASH		J/35		 72	BEVERLY
       *CENTURION		FRERS 41	 72	HINGHAM
	LIGHTNING		FRERS 41	 72	SALEM
       *DRAGON FLY		EXPRESS 37	 72	????
	SMOKE			SOVEREL 39	 72	MARBLEHEAD
       *ARIGATO			C&C 41 CB	 75	SCITUATE
	AURORA			C&C 43-2	 75	MANCHESTER
	CLADDAGH		CUSTOM 41	 75	MARBLEHEAD


				B-CLASS FLEET
				-------------

	BOAT NAME		BOAT TYPE	RATING	HOME PORT
	---------		---------	------	---------

       *LADYLOVE		ISLANDER 40	 81	????
	IO			J/33		 84	MARBLEHEAD
	MADRIGAL		J/33		 84	SCITUATE
	WAGS			J/36		 84	BEVERLY
    	BODICEA			SOVEREL 33	 84	MARBLEHEAD
	KATABATIC		SOVEREL 33	 84	MARBLEHEAD
	ALIBI			NA 40            90	MANCHESTER
	DARK HORSE		FRERS 36	 90	MARBLEHEAD
       *QUICKDRAW		FRERS 36	 90	????
       *ALLEGRA			CS 40		 93	????
       *DARK STAR		EVELYN 32	 96	SCITUATE
       *RED BARON		EXPRESS 34	 96	SCITUATE
       *SHEERNESS		F-3		 96	????
	BAD COMPANY		PEARSON 37	 99	SALEM
	CAMPBELL'S SLOOP 	JENNEAU 39	105	BEVERLY
        WINDSLIPPER V		JENNEAU 39      105	MANCHESTER
       *AEROPHILIA		FRERS 33	108	????
       *ECLIPSE			FRERS 33	108	????
	REGGAE			FRERS 33	108	MANCHESTER
       *RIGAMAROLE		FRERS 33	108	????
	VAPOR TRAIL		FRERS 33	108	BEVERLY
	INFINITY		C&C 35		114	BEVERLY

    Bob, no info on the Chapman Bowl?  C'mon!  Overnights are fun!  ;^)
    
    The Corinthian 200 does not count in the Marblehead or Salem Bay series
    so we are thinking of doing some golfing that weekend.  (Read that as
    our crew is threatening mutiny)
    
    The CYC ran a dull but competent race yesterday.  Windward/leeward from
    Newcombs to some dumping ground bouy off Boston.  The day started out
    very foggy, but burned off and became a beautiful day.  Loose Goose
    found some of its upwind speed and was close to saving its time on the
    fleet at the windward mark.  They still don't get all they could out
    the boat sailing downwind, so they actually lost time to us and the
    rest of the fleet on that leg.  They got the gun, but didn't place well
    on corrected time.  
    
    Bodacious continues to show great upwind work.  They sure are pesky
    ;^).  If they get the kinks worked out of their offwind speed, they
    will be the boat to beat.  Bo is ALWAYS right there at the windward
    mark.
    
    Claddaugh went halfway to the Azores on the upwind leg and then just
    pointed that pig right at the mark for the downwind slide.  Their
    polars are pretty simple; aim toward the mark and put up the blooper.
    They corrected out on us by 30 seconds or so.  They won, we came in
    second, and I'm not sure who got third.  Bodacious?  Don't know.  I
    don't have the class B results, but it looked like Dark Horse was
    leading with Katabatic right behind.
    
    Dave

    Don't have the time or results as yet for the Chapman Bowl.  "Trip"
    report will be forthcoming.  Wags placed 7th over the finish line outta
    15.
    
    Bo finished 4th yesterday in the Summerset.  We did not make our time
    on the Goose, but only missed it by a few seconds.
    
    More later ...
    
    			... Bob
    

    re: .364
    
    FULL TILT BOOGIE is moored in Newport.
    
    What's behind the rating difference between FULL TILT and WILDSIDE. Are
    they one tonners of a different vintage? I imagine they pour a lot of
    bucks into FULL TILT.
    
    Paul
    

    The rating difference between Full Tilt and Wildside is partially
    explained by the 3 second per mile difference between ratings in Mass
    Bay and Newport.  I.e. a J35 is 72 in Mass Bay and 75 in Newport.  
    
    The other 3 seconds I don't understand.  At last year's PHRF N.E.'s we
    rated even with them @ 69.  We are the same vintage but different
    designers (Nivelt vs. Farr).  Maybe they took some lead out and
    abandoned the IOR configuration.  Don't know.
    
    Dave

    Just realized what a bone head I am.  The 3 second difference between
    us and Newport boats would work the other way and compound the problem,
    not explain it.  The mystery grows...
    
    Dave

    
    	More re. 364:
    
    	Rigamarole's a Scituate boat, fairly active down there.
    
    	Some Hingham Bay PHRF boats on your list:
    
    	Wired II (HB-PHRF Governor)  sails from Hingham YC
    	Red Baron (ex- Bumpa)          "     "     "     "
    	Dark Star (ex - boat of Ben Hall as in spars) out of Braintree YC
    	Allegra (new elliptical sufaces this year) out of South Shore YC
    	Ladylove - sails out of Commuter Boat City (Old Hingham Shipyard)
    
    

    
    
        I am finding this note getting more interesting all time. Not only
    can one read of a given race's results, but to the novice Mass. area
    racer, one can get an idea of who fast, who to watch out for, and 
    what type of tactics are used in the course of a race. At the same
    time, the noters seem very honest in assessing what they have done
    right and what mistakes they made. This is very commendable, and shows
    a true desire to sail their boat to it's limit. I bet many of you have met
    the last place captain who has an answer for everything, yet does not
    understand their own weaknesses and its bearing on their results.
    
    The description of conditions and tactics is like talking to a old salt.
    One can learn a great deal from these experiences, if even just to know
    what to watch out for. Much like the apre-regatta bench racing without
    the bragging ;>) . I hope all you contributors keep up the good work.
    
    
    	thanks
    
         john  "trying to improve with every reach"
    

    Correction on class A reulults yesterday:
       Bo clipped the Goose by 2 seconds!!  Can you
       believe that?  We'll take the 3rd, but feel bad 
       for Goose.  Well, not too bad.  
    
    RE Dave
    
       Pesky upwind?  We're working in on it.  Sluggish
       downwind?  We're working on it.  Boat to beat?
       Wildside is building a pretty good case for herself.
    
       But there are a lot of good boats out there.  Gonna
       be a great summer.  Let's hope for good participation
       next week.  

    RE: the scratch sheet
    
    Since I made this up from scratch sheets I have available to me and
    from memory, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the home ports ...
    that's why I used the ???? on some.  The boat types and ratings are all
    guaranteed accurate.
    
    RE Yesterday's race ...
    
    Alright!  ;^)
    
    RE Chapman Bowl
    
    Friday evening was the start of the Chapman Bowl overnighter, sponsored
    by the Scituate Harbor Yacht Club.  The race started at 7 PM, at the
    Scituate Harbor Approach Gong.
    
    Prior to the race, we rafted up with Scott Wagner and his new Beneteau
    32-5, Adventure.  Nice boat Scott, best of luck with it this season.
    
    The race course was approximately 90 miles, sending us 20 miles
    southeast, to the bell off of Mary Ann Rocks, then 22 miles northeast
    to Stellwagon Bank, then 16 miles northwest to an approach bouy, then
    10 miles north to the Eastern Point Whistle, and 22 miles back to 
    Scituate.  At the start of the race, the wind was moderate (7-10 kt)
    from the southeast.
    
    There were 15 boats in A-fleet, which was extended to include boats
    with a rating up to 96.  I was on Wags for this race.
    
    At the start there was some conflict involving both Sherherazade and
    Yaquina, resulting in both boats hoisting their protest flag.  I do
    not know what caused it or what the end result was.
    
    The first leg was a beat.  The fleet split almost evenly after the
    start, with some boats heading left following the favored tack to the
    mark and other boats heading toward shore looking for more wind.  We 
    were in the latter group, although this was not by choice.  Coalition
    wanted revenge for last year's defeat and came after us right from the
    start.  They got to windward at the line and sat on us till we tacked
    away.  They continued out, along with Sherherazade, Yaquina, Claddagh,
    and a couple of boats I could not identify.
    
    It soon became apparent that although the boats outside were lifted,
    the boats inside had stronger wind.  Sherherazade was one of the first
    to realize that they got sucked into an unfavorable situation and
    tacked back, quickly followed by Yaquina and Madrigal.  Coalition and
    Claddagh continued out, and were soon looking far ahead to see the rest
    of the fleet.  Within an hour of the start, the entire A-fleet was short
    tacking up the coastline, playing "chicken" with the shore.  However,
    we all had to tack out in order to honor the nun at Farnham Rocks.
    
    At this point, Wags was in a duel with Madrigal and Red Baron. 
    Ahead of us were Sherherazade (in the lead), Yaquina, another boat we
    thought was Ladylove, then the three of us.  Claddagh and Coalition had
    by now realized their mistake, come back in with the fleet, and were
    merrily passing boats clawing their way back into the race.
    
    About 10 PM the fog started rolling in.  By this time the wind had
    shifted around to almost completely south (170-175) ... dead nuts on
    the nose to the mark.  Boats were tacking up the rhumb line, but it was
    tough to tell who they were unless they were within 50 feet or so.  The
    wind intensity was also very variable, and we did about 8 headsail 
    changes during this leg.
    
    About 2 miles from the mark, Claddagh finally passed us.  When they
    realized who we were they gave us a sarcastic cheer as they crossed our
    bow.  About a mile later, we crossed a couple of boatlengths in front
    of them and gave it back.  At the mark, we were the 4th boat around,
    behind Sherherazade, Yaquina, and the other boat (which we never did
    positively identify).
    
    Around midnight the wind died altogether.  From then till about 3:30 AM
    we had between 0 and 1 knot of wind to work with, shifting from 30 to
    220 degrees.  The water was like glass, and visibility in the fog was
    50-100 feet.  Around 1 AM we heard one of those throaty diesel engines
    that are usually attached to something very large and metallic.  Out 
    with the air horn and radar reflector.  Suddenly there were air horns
    all around us.  Our fleet was sitting there bobbing in the fog with some
    ocean-going vessel passing through where we were ... lemme tell ya, 
    that's a tense feeling.  But whatever it was, it passed without
    incident.
    
    Around 3:30 we finally got a few knots of wind to work with ... now
    from the northeast.  So we beat for an hour or so and it died again. 
    Shortly after 5 AM we're ghosting along at about .5 kt in about a knot
    of air when the boat starts rocking in rather large ripples.  The water
    had been flat and glassy.  Now, about 100 feet to port, there were four
    whales surfacing.  I went down and woke up the rest of the crew, popped
    in a tape, and sat back listening to Chuck Mangione's "Chase the Clouds
    Away" while Mother Nature's most impressive creatures entertained us
    for a few minutes.  Definite trip highlight ... I had some nice words
    for the Creator of all this right about then.
    
    Back to the race ... we rounded the mark at Stellwagon Bank around 6:40
    AM ... almost 12 hours into the race and we were only a little more
    than a third done.  Now we're starting to worry about finishing within
    the time limit.  Apparently we weren't the only ones.  Four hours later
    we still had not seen more than 4 kts of breeze, and that only for
    short moments at a time.  Around 10:30 we heard Coalition call the race
    committee and drop out of the race.  From the position they gave we
    figured they were about a mile in front of us.
    
    Shortly after that the wind finally started filling in.  It had clocked
    back around to the south and we were able to set the chute and make
    some time.  It felt great to have the boat moving along at 6-7 kts
    again.  By the time we reached the next mark (12:30 PM) the fog had 
    lifted and we could actually see chutes on the horizon behind us.  Later
    we figured out that the two chutes we saw belonged to Madrigal and Aurora.
    These were the first boats of any kind we had seen in more than 12
    hours.
    
    The wind shifted southeast and we ended up reaching to Eastern point,
    dropping the chute, and close hauling it back to Scituate.  By now the
    wind was up to 11-14 kts and we were averaging around 7 kts.  With about
    11 miles left in the race, the fog lifted again momentarily and we
    could see for about 2-3 miles in all directions.  There wasn't a sail
    to be seen anywhere.  Within minutes the fog was starting to roll back
    in, and within the hour it was dense once again.  With about 3.5 miles
    to go we suddenly saw a sailboat about 100 yards to starboard.  It
    turned out to be Dark Star.  Bad news ... we owed them much time, too
    much to make back with the amount of race course we had left.  Then
    with a mile to go we heard Allegra cross the line, followed a few
    minutes later by Red Baron.  In front of them were Sherherazade,
    Claddagh, Yaquina, and one other boat (we never did find out who).  We
    were 7th across the line, but placed 8th (Dark Star crossed about 3
    minutes behind us, enough to make their time on us).  We finished the
    around 5:30 PM ... about 22 hours total time.
    
    I did not stick around for the results, as I had to jump off at the
    dock and get back to Marblehead in time for Sunday's race on Bo.  When
    I get the final results I'll post them here.  If somebody else out
    there has them, please post.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Scott Wagner asked what kind of modifications we did on Wildside this
    year.  He was correct in that we were limited in our choices but
    actually made some pretty big changes.
    
    First, we decided the boat was too hard to sail the way it was laid
    out.  There were too many controls, sail tracks, and winches.  Things
    got crossed, there was no place to sit, and little things like the
    spinnaker grinder having to keep the mainsheet clear drove us nuts.
    We had two sets of jib track, an inner and outer.  We rarely used the
    outer and decided if we did need to open up the headsail slot we could
    us a block on the rail.  So we eliminated that track and with it got
    rid of a set of Harken jib lead controls and the lines and shockcords
    that go along with that.  This also effectively widened our side decks
    and gave us one less thing to trip on.  Total weight savings were about
    20 pounds.
    
    We went from an eight winch setup to a six winch system by moving our
    secondary winches from the cockpit coaming to the cabintop and
    eliminating our halyard winches entirely (using the secondaries for
    raising sails).  The advantage of this is that it cleaned up the
    cockpit coaming giving more room to move from side to side.  The
    spinnaker trim is done from the cabintop, well away from the mainsheet
    and its misbehaving ways.  During jibes, the spin trimmer has a clearer
    view of the chute with the afterguy grinders now behind him.  We can
    also cross-sheet much easier to grind the spin trim on the high side
    during tight reaches.
    
    The things we had to change were focused in the pitman's duties.  He
    now has to raise halyards, spin poles etc. without the winches.  That's
    why we call him our pit bull.  Overall, this change has been well
    received by our crew.  Total weight saved was about twenty pounds (the
    combined weight of the two small halyard winches removed).  But our two
    secondaries weigh about 40 pounds and they were moved three feet closer
    to the center of gravity.
    
    Our main sheeting system was totally redone.  The traveller system was
    simplified from a 4:1 to a 2:1 system with the cam cleats on the car
    and not the side decks.  Downside is that in a breeze the main trimmer
    gets a good workout.  Benefit is the the ergonomics are far better and
    there is less line to contend with and get tangled.  The coarse and
    fine trim on the main are now both  double ended and cleat to the side
    decks and not the blocks at the bottom of the cockpit.  Again, better
    ergonomics and a happier trimmer.
    
    So what have these changes done for us?  Hard to say.  The boat is much
    easier to sail, and will look a lot cleaner (when we finally paint the
    deck and hide the scars).  Sail trim is better and the crew feels the
    boat is "theirs".  I'd say 80% of the benefit is that the bitching and
    groaning is eliminated during the races, and to me that was worth the
    effort!
    
    Dave

    
    Here's some results I got second hand, on Monday. I'll fill in the
    blanks tomorrow.
    
    
    
          A             B             C             D             E
      Yaquina         Reggae          ?    American Princess   Deep Trance
    Scheherazade      Mirage                  Windshaper       Whirlwind
      Red Baron      Sailsman                
    	 ?	    Slingshot
    	 ?          Night Moves
     Dark Star	    Bel la Mer
      Wags	  Ultimate Joy
    
    
       D N F's:
    Coalition       Rigamarole       3 DNF's      3 DNF's         5 DNF's
    1 other...      Ragamuffin
    		    Aventure
    		    Macushla
    		    3 others
    
    
       We bobbled in middle Cape Cod Bay 'til about noontime Saturday.
    2nd mark was still 10 miles away... so we wimped out; joined the
    Bwian Club and dieseled home. Murphy put a mojo on the LORAN right
    before Mary Ann's, we found it by Braille navigation, then let the
    Canal suck us in for a few hours...
    I guess bopping immediatly north mighta saved us, but but but...
    Now the FIRST leg, that was fun! Held off people that I would have been
    satistfied just keeping transoms in sight; Frers 33, J-29 with hotshot
    helm, C&C33, our sistership Mirage- quite satisfied with the boat, just
    gotta straighten out that nut loose on the tiller.
    
    Scott.
    
    ps Thanks for the deck insights Dave; I'm inspired to Harkenize my
    traveler. Maybe there's enuff loose change in the car ashtray }8^\ .
    

    RE .375
    
    Scott, those two question marks in A fleet would have to be Allegra and
    Claddagh ... but I do not know in which order.
    
    ... Bob
    
    

    RE .374
    
    Interesting to note that for the most part the deck mods were tailored
    around crew ergonomics and efficiency ... nothing to make the boat go
    faster per-se, just stuff that makes the crew get their jobs done with
    less hassle and reduced chance for screwing up.
    
    On Wags, many deck mods were made to reduce the necessity for physical
    strength ... this due mostly to the co-ed nature of the crew.  Mods
    such as adding a 5:1 purchase to the outhaul, or adding more blocks 
    to the foreguy/pole lift, didn't make the boat go any faster.  But it
    reduced the need to have people scrambling around trying to help each
    other out during chute sets or when the wind's piping, and you're
    beating, and you'd really rather the crew had their butts on the rail.
    
    Modifications to any boat are going to be as much a matter of racing
    style and preference as anything else.  It's a matter of going out
    there and racing, then evaluating where your boat handling came up
    short and coming up with a way to do something better to improve on the
    performance.  Seemingly insignificant changes in deck layout can often
    help even reasonably mediocre sailors perform better by simplifying their
    tasks and reducing the chance for error.
    
    You'd be surprised at how much little things, such as running the leads
    for outhaul, foreguy, vang, cunningham, traveller to where they can be
    easily reached from either rail, can help you during a race.  This in 
    turn can't help but make their boat more competitive.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Having just read the excellent account of the Bermuda race, I feel a
    little silly reporting about our little 'round the bouys action, but
    here goes.
    
    This weekend was the manchester YC Patton Bowl.  The races were
    scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday arrived with thick
    dense fog.  The start was off Gales Ledge by Manchester and just
    getting there from marblehead proved to be a bit of a pain.  The fog
    was THICK.  We were carefully motoring out with Jazz when we saw
    Yaquina come out of the fog to our left motoring along at a solid 6
    knots.  I said "Gee, aren't they a bit far to the north" and was
    watching them when they hit the bricks.  HARD.  The noise of a boat
    going onto rocks is awful.  They hit the rocks to the west of Eagle
    Island.  The tide was coming in strong and was pushing all of us to the
    north.  We hung around to offer assistance, but none appeared to be
    needed.  We notified the race committee and recommended that they
    postpone the start as it was too foggy to race around in.
    
    We finally did get out to the starting area, waited around for an hour
    and a half, and the committee abandoned the race.  Too bad because the
    wind was a solid 15.  As soon as we got back to the harbor it cleared
    up and the one design fleets went racing while we sat on our mooring.
    Yaquina did not break any ribs apparently, but I have to believe they
    took a heck of a divot out of their keel.
    
    So with nothing else to do, our whole crew went to Mattie's in M'head
    and got drunk and disorderly.  (Ofcourse the Claddaugh crew beat us to
    the bar.)
    
    Sunday was foggy, both on the water and in our heads. We were all
    feeling awful from the night before.  They committee postponed due to
    no wind and fog.  We picked up a lobster bouy and used it for a mooring
    while we caught up on some sleep. The race finally did get started in
    light winds.  The course was a gold cup ( triangle, windward, leeward)
    twice around.  Ten legs.  Not what our beat up crew wanted to hear.
    
    After a poorly executed port tack start we went upwind with Loose
    Goose, Bodacious, Jazz.  The marks Manchester uses are very small and
    hard to see from more than a quarter mile away.  Anyway, we're beating
    to weather and I ask our navigator what the bearing and distance is to
    the first mark.  His answer implied that we could fall way off and
    still make the mark.  But Loose Goose and Bodacious were tacking
    further upwind and Jazz was right in front of us close on the breeze. 
    Had out navigator screwed up?  No.  As is turns out we end up setting
    our chute to get down to the windward mark.  To make matters worse, the
    mark was a half mile off position further the breeze.  
    
    How did this happen?  A huge shift, small marks, and collective brain
    fade are all I can think of.  
    
    From this point on we were in catch up mode.  We worked our way past
    Lightning, Aurora and Claddaugh, while Loose Goose worked their way
    past us to the lead.  Claddaugh really threw the race away by going to
    the wrong mark at the end of the first triangle.  Because of the huge
    windshift, the race became a series of reaches until the committee
    changed the windward mark on the last windward/leeward sequence.  Boat
    speed and finding the marks were much more important than any tactical
    decisions.
    
    So, as it turned out Loose Goose crossed about 5 minutes ahead of us
    but owed us 14 minutes.  We second, but couldn't save our time on
    Aurora, who ended up winning the race.  We got second and Bodacious
    pulled off a very impressive third over Jazz.  Good job!
    
    With the spring series over, I believe we took first for the series and
    Bodacious second.  No race this weekend.  Next race is the Eastern YC
    on July 4th.
    
    BTW, I heard Bob Bailey was dallying in a sport that requires some
    athletic ability and broke his ankle.  Bob, you should know better than 
    that!  That's why we sail.  It's the only sport where you can sit the
    whole time and drink beer.  ;^)
    
    Dave
    
    
    

    Yup, fractured me ankle playing basketball.  Was feelin' bad about not
    being out racing this week-end till I read your account, Dave.  Guess I
    really didn't miss much.
    
    I hope to be back out by the EYC Annual (July 4).
    
    								... Bob
    

    Hi guys.
    
    Bo got a third?  We thought 4th by a few seconds.
    At any rate, very little about that race was impressive,
    beginning with the course.  The first mark was almost 1/2
    a mile away from the RC's posted location.  That's
    why so many bots were barreling upwind.  I just can't
    believe that some boats made the same mistake twice!!!
    
    Anyway, we seriously considerd protesting the RC, but
    as everyone was equally disadvantaged, Jon said the
    heck with it. 
    
    With all the scrambling we went through to climb back into
    the race, we managed to screw-up so many things I'm surprised
    we finished at all.  Really.  I'm very upset about abusing 
    our new number 1, and fear we took a lot out of it for no 
    good reason.  
    
    Anyway, Dave, you owe us one for that "sorry." 
    
    Bob, we missed you, and hope you can come out again
    soon, but don't push it.  It does no one any good to
    gimp around on a boat.  I know.
    
    Cheers,
    Dean

    RE:  Chapman Bowl which Yaquina didn't race in, having become a land
    yacht.
    
    Thank God I was not aboard for this particular race.  Yaquina did take
    a nasty divit out of her keel.  She is now in Gloucester at Brown's
    being worked on by Mark Lindsay.  Fortunately the only damage was to
    the base of the keel.  The keel was not displaced from the hull and did
    not compress the hull aft of the keel.  
    
    
    Mark had some criticism for the way in which the original fairing job
    was accomplished last year (when Yaquina was Overtaker).  For one thing
    the keel was not symmetrical, there were some unfair areas half way
    down from the canoe body and the leading edge was too fine.  These
    problems are going to be corrected.  I guess $20,000 for a keel job
    just isn't enough these days.
    
    Yaquina has seemed sluggish in light air down wind, witness our
    performance in the Lambert Cup race.  This problem was partially
    explained by the fact that the new paint job was an unmitigated
    disaster.  When she was hauled it became apparent that the paint had
    blistered in a major way.  We have spent the last few nights sanding
    down to last year's paint (#80, #220, #400, #600; you know the drill!). 
    Close inspection reveals that last year's paint is badly crazed.  A
    visit by International Marine reps concluded that this crazing is the
    probable cause of this year's paint problems.  Crazing permits the old
    paint to hold "thinner bleed-off", gas which emerges from the paint
    over a multi-year period, as well as condensation.  In short (actually
    in long!) we have to sand to the gel coat and start over.  This is a
    problem for the next year.  Until then, the divers of Marblehead will
    have some steady income.
    
    It looks like we will make the July 4 regatta and then the Corinthian
    200.  Having just finished the Bermuda race on Halcyon (a story for
    another day) I feel primed and ready for some overnight sailing.
    
    Thanks to Bob and the rest of you for the great race analyses.  
    
    							RDB  
    

    RE: .378
    
    Where is the account of the Bermuda race?  It isn't under the 118 Topic
    for the Bermuda Race?

re .381:

>>> I guess $20,000 for a keel job just isn't enough these days.
    
Are you serious??? $20,000 to fair a keel??? Surely you're kidding!!!

signed,

Flabbergasted

    I got mad about spending $50 for some epoxy, sandpaper, and masks
    to clean up my keel this year.
    
    I feel much better now!

    We had a new keel and rudder built by Mark Lindsay for Fat Tuesday for
    just over $25,000.  He is a perfectionist when it comes to blades!  The
    best.  Whatever he does for you will be done right.  Just watch out for
    the boatyard bill at Brown's.  It tends to add up real quickly!
    
    The $20k must have referred to a complete bottom fairing job.  That is
    not incredibly unreasonable, but would have expected a symmetric keel
    out of the deal at least.
    
    Hope to see Yaquina out there on the 4th.  Like I said in an earlier
    note, the lack of structural damage where the keel meets the hull is a
    testiment to C&C construction.  I saw it hit and it was hard.
    
    Dave

    RE .381
    
    Richard, a nit but ...
    
    >> RE: Chapman Bowl which Yaquina didn't race in,
    
    You mean the Patton Bowl, I'm sure.  Yaquina took 1st in the Chapman
    Bowl, if I'm not mistaken.
    
    ... Bob
    

    
    RE: .386
    
    Oops!  I did mean the Patton Bowl.
    
    RE: .383
    
    I kid you not.  Grout spent $20 k on fairing the keel, rudder and
    painting the bottom of the boat last year.  I don't know the full
    extent of the work but the bottom doesn't look like it was modified in
    any way except for the paint.
    
    By the way...Chuck Samuelson has great things to say about both Lindsay
    and Browns in this time of crisis.  
    
    							RDB

    I'm looking for someone to race on my Etchells in Marblehead this July
    4th.  If interested, give me a call on dtn 264-4407 or at home at
    617-527-2058.  Time frame is 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
    
    - gene

    This isn't strictly local racing in the sense that we participated, but
    since the Eastern Yacht Club DID run the J Boat regatta, I guess it
    fits in here.
    
    The J's (Endeavor and Shamrock) raced for the first time ever off
    Boston last Saturday.  I was fortunate enough to get to spend some time
    with the full-time crews on Friday night.  Went below on both boats. 
    While Endeavor is spectacular in its detail and beauty, Shamrock is the
    classic interior.  Both were stripped of furniture and wrapped in foam
    packing sheets to protect the interior from the rigors of sail
    handling.
    
    That friday afternoon Endeavor had run over its chute while jibing in
    light air and tore the entire foot out.  Tim Woodhouse (the owner of
    Hood who makes all the sails for these beasts) was offered the Doyle
    facilities in Marblehead rather than drive all the way down to
    Portsmouth RI to the Hood loft to repair the chute.  Tim said to
    Robbie Doyle (loudly and jokingly) "Hell no.  You can take my wife to
    the party tonight, but you can't get your hands on my spinnaker!"
    
    Actually, I ended up taking Tim's wife to the party and in exchange I
    got to go on a press boat the next day to watch the race.  The boats
    had been measured for IMS ratings to set up a handicap.  Shamrock is
    markedly slower than Endeavor.  About $10 million slower.  So, the race
    committee set up a course with two windward marks.  One for Endeavor
    and one for Shamrock with the Shamrock mark about a half mile shorter.
    
    The start looked like it would belong to Shamrock until you realize
    that you can't tack and accelerate in less than two minutes.  Endeavor
    took a running start and passed to leeward of Shamrock.  From then on
    they went on seperate tacks and were nowhere near each other.  They
    each rounded their respective windward marks at about the same time.
    Shamrock had consistently better sail handling, and it paid off. 
    Shamrock won by about a minute which was about the time Endeavor messed
    around with bad take downs and chute sets.
    
    Except for the sheer majesty, the event was pretty boring.  Shamrock
    was a pig in 1930 and sixty years haven't improved things.  The
    handicapping makes the race somewhat fair, but provides for wide
    seperation between the boats.
    
    After the race there was much toasting and boasting.  The skippers were
    Ted Kennedy on Endeavor and  Sen. Kerry on Shamrock.  Kennedy provided
    eight cases of Dom Perignon.  What was really interesting was that
    during the race Faszizi (sp?) pulled in to Charlestown and was right
    across the docks from the J's.  Took a peek down below.  I wouldn't
    sail to Bermuda on that much less around the world.  What a pit!  The
    cook had to cook on his knees!  NO headroom.  It does look sort of cool
    from the outside, though.  All in all, it seems to me that Elizibeth
    Meyer spent her money very well and is bringing a lot of joy to a lot
    of people.  That same $10 mil could have been spent on yet another huge
    power yacht that would be anonymous.  The Yachting Museum on Newport
    has done a great job maintaining Shamrock back to near original
    condition.  And Faszizi?  I'd take Siberia.
    
    Dave

>>>    The J's (Endeavor and Shamrock) raced for the first time ever off
>>>    Boston last Saturday.  

Dave, perhaps your comment pertains to those particular boats, 
specifically off Boston.  However,...

J's have raced (all-out boat-for-boat, same marks) in these parts, as my
father enjoys recalling.  In 1938, after he and his father had done well
in Annisquam catboat and Fish classes at M'head Race Week, they both were
invited aboard a private yacht of about 75' LOA to watch the spectacle of
the last race of 4 J-boats together, off Marblehead.  There were Ranger,
Weetamoe and two others I forget right now.  Anyway, for a boy of 18 who'd
never sailed anything over 16', it was a heady day.  My grandfather was
more circumspect in his recollection, as the yacht belonged to his boss,
and he was apparently somewhat self-conscious most of the day. 

J.

    Eastern YC ran its Annual Regatta yesterday, the 4th.  As usual, the
    turnout was good.  Class A had 13 entries.  The day was very hot and
    windy.  The course was a windward-leeward, twice around, with short
    offset legs at the windward marks to help keep the mark roundings sane.
    Distance was 20.4 miles including the offsets.
    
    The wind started out at about 240 degrees at 16 knots.  The first
    weather leg was uneventful for us with the exception of a perfectly
    executed slam dunk on us by Full Tilt Boogie.  I could have sworn the
    guy had lost his mind and was going to hit us.  We congratulated them
    on the move and tacked away.  We were crossing in front of Yaquina at
    one point , preparing to tack to cover when they started yelling at us
    not to tack.  We were going to go a little further and then tack, but
    with all that yelling we tacked right on top of them.  Don't know who
    they were trying to kid.
    
    The downwind leg was a disappointment.  The wind went further west by
    about 30 degrees and a lot of boats we had buried at the windward mark
    were right back there at the leeward mark. 
    
    We spent too much of the second windward leg in a tacking duel with
    Scherherezade and both of us let Coalition slip away.  I should also
    say that while all this was happening Loose Goose had taken off from
    the very start and was sailing her own race way in front of the pack. 
    They had to since they owed us something like 15 minutes on this length
    of a course.  We rounded the last mark a minute behind Scherezade and
    right with Full Tilt and Yaquina.  Then came the downhill rush to the
    finish.  
    
    The wind was blowing a solid 20 now and we had to finish less than a
    minute behind Scherezade to finish third.  Coalition was gone and it
    looked like Loose Goose would save her time on the fleet.  We also had
    to finish less than a minute behind Yaquina and less than two minutes
    behind Full Tilt.  Note here that Full Tilt sailed with a rating of 63
    compared to our 69.  Crazy.  We should rate even, but that's another
    note.  We were making time of Scherezade and not worrying about Full
    Tilt or Yaquina as it was apparent they would not save their time.
    
    Yaquina was approaching the line at a lower angle than us and reached
    up for the last three minutes.  We hitched a ride on their wake and
    added three tenths to our speed.  finished 30 seconds behind
    Scherherezade to take third and just put enough time between us and
    Bodacious to hold it.  We let Full Tilt slide in there as they didn't
    matter to us.  They crossed 2 seconds before us.
    
    We made three dumb mistakes.  1)  We didn't anticipate the shift to the
    westerly breeze when we all knew it was coming.  Every forecast had
    predicted it.  2)  We didn't go to our #3 headsail when the wind piped
    up.  Held with our #2 which overpowered us and made tacking difficult.
    3)  Got sucked into a tacking duel with Scherehezade and let Coaliton
    get away unencumbered as well as many other boats catch up.  Fortunatly
    none of these was fatal and we had a good day.
    
    Results in Class A:  First, Loose Goose; Second, Coalition; Third,
    Wildside; Fourth, Scherherezade.
    
    The Corinthian 200 is tomorrow.  We aren't doing it.  Too many of our
    crew (wisely) had other obligations.  Through this and a quirk in the
    scheduling, we don't race again until the 21st and 22nd of July. 
    Stinks.
    
    Dave

   Although used to buoy racing in Hobie regattas, I had a chance to
sail in the New England 100 last weekend. This race, sponsored by the
New England Multihull Association originates in New London Ct and sails
27 miles to Pt Judith RI. The second leg is on to New Bedford Ma,
which will add another 42 miles. It is open to all multihulls from 16
ft upward using PHRA ratings. A total of 57 boats were in attendance
with a wide variety of brands. There were Big Trimarans, Formula 40s,
Stilleto 24s, Nacra, SuperCats, Prindles, Hobies, Darts, Etc of all
sizes and conditions. 

We entered the A Class with consisted of 16-21 ft production boats
with additional headsails. We were using this race as a chance to
figure out how to use our spinnaker with the prevailing Southwest
winds. When we heard that winds would be from the North East, I went
frantic as it would mean we would be beating the whole way, and my
original sails were terrible upwind. I called the dealer for the
umpteenth time to find out if my replacements sails had arrived from
the factory (having dealt with the factory personally the week
before). They had, but the employee who lives close by was not working
that day, so unless I drove the extra 175 miles Friday, I was out of
luck. Needless to say, we left the house 3 hours earlier and picked up
the new rags. I was feeling ready for bear, but a bit nervous of not
having had a chance to shake out the the sails, and sailing in
an area I had not been before. 

Saturday was a sunny day in the 80s, clear with a light wind from the
NE. A lemans start and a quick spinnaker run down the Thames river got
us out to Fisher Island sound. Once in there, the wind got real weird.
It seemed to be veering 180 degrees and with very little
force. My move to go right up the middle of the sound turned out to
be a costly mistake as I got caught in one of those holes where two
different winds push each other with no winners. (Some day I am going
to figure out how not to do this, as it has happened before). I took
about half an hour to tack over to the fisher island side and make use
of the South Westerly. Once out of the Sound, I decided to head
outward where I hoped the SW breeze would freshen first. This turned
out to be my second glaring error as the wind died down for an hour
and half all the while the boats near shore were making steady
progress even though they were sailing further. As we neared Pt
Judith, the wind freshened to about 5-7 knts, but the damage had been
done. I was in last place in my class as the bobbing for almost 2
hours cost me dearly. That night, a wonderful party thrown by the
organizers did make me feel better. Tomorrow was always another day. 

The next day we went over the boat and found we had never emptied the
hulls of water, and this oversight for the past couple of weeks was
worth a lot of weight on a already sluggish light air boat. The race
started at 9:30 in the morning with a light wind (3-5) out of the
northeast. I had tacked over to the opening of one of the breakwater
openings to give me a layline to the one I wanted. Just as I got
there, the stop watch turned 10Am and every cement head in Southern
N.E. with a powerboat came blowing by under full tilt and always in
front of me. There must have been a cement head convention or wake
size contest at Gays Head or something. The waves killed any momentum
in the boat and I went into irons with a lessing breeze. The fact that
30 boats were ghosting their way in front of me didn't help. By the
time we got out of Pt Judith breakwater it was 10:30. 1 hour gone, 1
mile completed and only 41 to go with a lessening breeze. We sailed a
low line past Newport with a spinnaker and then started heading up to
gain speed the calming air. We started slowing passing people, but we
were heading further out. I didn't care, as when you're in last, you
have nothing to lose ;>( . This worked well for the next couple of
hours although stretched out on my side lying on a hull for 3 hours on
a single tack is pretty rough on body. As we got close to Horseneck
beach, the wind started to come up a bit to about 5 knts from a
south-southwesterly direction. The waves were from the south, so we
gybed off and headed north until we knew we could use apparent wind
right up channel. This worked great was now the channel was making the
waves go Northeast. As the we got close to Buzzards bay the wind came
up to about 10-15 knts and the boat started responding. Unfortunately
my crew and I were tired after 2 long days lying on the deck holding
the sheets. as the wind came up we had to hold on as the boat really
accelerated with the spinnaker on reaches. We finished more
respectably, but by no means struck fear in the hearts of the top 3 
:>) . Noter Jeff Duncan was one of organizers and I must say, they did
an excellent job with enough people to get the job done right at not
one, but 3 different locales. 

   The race was good for teaching us spinnaker skills, and how to
pilot one's boat in the real world, rather than one of those C.G.
courses. I also found not knowing the area makes it more difficult to
set a strategy. Lastly, we overlooked simple things on the boat as we
concentrated on items related to safety and new equipment. 

If you have a multihull and wish to increase your sailing skills, this 
race may be the one for you. 


john 

    Rumor has it there will be 100 J/24's on the line tomorrow for the
    Volvo regatta.
    
    The lift at Ft. Adams has been so busy all day they canceled tonights
    Newport series race. With this many boats, maybe we can beat somebody.
    
    -Paul

    The Corinthian YC hosted the Midsummer Regatta this week-end.  There
    was a light turn-out in A-fleet, but the races were well run, the
    weather was reasonably good, and the entertainment factor was high.
    
    Saturday's race was postponed for 20 minutes while the wind died and
    then filled in from the south.  It shifted slowly easterly as the day
    progressed.  The race committee set a 20-mile course, somewhat like a
    skewed Gold Cup course.  The first mark was a beat to a portable mark 
    set 4 miles south of Tinker's Gong.  From there it was a run to a nun
    off of Halfway rock (about 5-1/2 miles), a reach back to Tinker's 
    (2-1/2 miles), a close-hauled fetch back to the portable, and a
    screaming reach to the finish at Tinker's.
    
    There were only four boats in A-fleet; Wildside, Bodacious, Arbella,
    and Smoke.  Wildside and Bo' quickly established a lead on the other
    two boats, and it was Wildside in the lead around the first mark.  On
    the downwind leg they clearly had superior speed, and increased their
    lead to a minute or more over Bo'.  As we were approaching the mark
    Wildside gybed away, going at an angle that didn't seem to make any
    sense to us.  We watched them sailing away from the mark.  Apparently
    they were headed for the wrong nun !!  Meantime, B-fleet was catching
    up to A-fleet.  The wind slowly shifting to the east enabled them to
    fetch the mark while we had to gybe a few times.  Wildside suddenly
    realized their mistake when they saw the three other A boats and the
    leading B boats heading for the nun and came back to join the party. 
    By now we had established about a 3-1/2 minute lead on them and Smoke,
    and about a minute and a half lead on Arbella.
    
    With the wind building and shifting easterly, the final three legs were
    basically point it at the mark and trim the sails.  Wildside clawed her
    way back past Smoke and was catching Arbella, who was catching us.  But
    we took the gun, with Arbella 5 seconds behind us and Wildside only
    about 1-1/4 minutes back.  Smoke had been lapped by Wags, who took the
    gun for B-fleet.
    
    Sunday's race was also delayed, due to fog and the fact that so many
    boats were late arriving through the soup.  The race finally started
    at noon.  The course was similar to Saturday's, but the marks were
    different to account for the different wind, which was fairly steady
    from the south-east.  The first mark was a portable, 3 miles
    south-east; then to Newcomb's ledge, back to Tinker's, back to the
    portable, and back to Tinker's.  Total course length about 15.6 miles.
    
    Claddagh and Kestrel (J/37) came out on Sunday, so A-fleet had 6 boats
    in it.  Campbell's Sloop joined B-fleet on Sunday, making 9 boats in
    that fleet.  While waiting for the race to start, the crew of Katabatic 
    demonstrating their skill at making a Soverel 33 sail backward.  This
    was but the first of a variety of unusual entertainment that was
    provided on this day.
    
    Bo' got off to a very good start, as did Wildside and Claddagh. We had
    managed to keep clear air right up till we were ready to approach the
    first mark.  Then we let Arbella tack on top of us and pin us in the 
    corner, forcing us to overstand the mark.  This allowed Claddagh and
    Wildside to make up a lot of the lead we had established on them.
    Arbella was the first boat around the mark, with us on their stern,
    Wildside on ours, and Claddagh only a few boatlengths back.  Smoke and
    Kestrel brought up the rear about 2-3 minutes behind Claddagh.
    
    The second leg was a screaming reach with the chute set in as tight as
    it would go.  Smoke opted to stay with her jib, and in the end it
    turned out to be the correct choice as she clawed her way back up with
    the leaders.  Arbella then provided the second act of entertainment for
    the day.  In attempting to take her chute down she managed to somehow
    let it get behind the boat and fill ... she was actually attempting to
    go upwind with the chute still up and drawing backwards!  Needless to
    say she dropped waaaayyyyy back in the fleet by the time they got that
    sucker down.  Wildside was the first boat to round, but had apparently
    not noticed the wind shifting and had their pole on the wrong side.  So
    they had to head out away from the mark and gybe, giving us a chance to
    take the lead, with Smoke right beside us.  Claddagh, finally looking 
    like her old self, set her chute and just sailed away from the pack. 
    
    Wildside passed us again about halfway down this leg.  We pretty much
    stayed with Smoke for the rest of the leg.  Rounding Tinker's it was
    Claddagh, Wildside, Smoke, Bo', Arbella, and Kestrel.  Going back
    upwind we managed to pass Smoke and make time on both Wildside and
    Claddagh.  Around the final bouy it was Claddagh, Wildside, Bo',
    Arbella, Smoke, and Kestrel.
    
    The last leg was truly entertaining.  Our strategy was to ride on
    Wildside's quarter-wave and attempt to stay close enough to make our
    time on her.  At the mark we were only 22 seconds back.  They tried to
    shake us with several quick gybes, but we managed to match them each
    time and stay where we wanted to be.  This was not only much fun, it
    was also quite entertaining.  The crew of Wildside was trying to throw
    us off our guard by waiting till the bowman went into action before
    moving to do the gybe.  The bowman was crouching in the forward hatch,
    out of our sight.  All at once he'd spring outta the hatch and the whole
    boat would quickly go into motion.  We realized what they were doing
    after the first couple of gybes and would just watch their bow.  When
    the "rabbit" came outta the hole, it was time to gybe ... ;^)
    
    However, they were successful in opening up the lead on us.  So as we
    were approaching the line we decided it was time for a desperation
    ploy.  We came up on a hotter angle trying to go for speed and gybe
    to approach the finish.  But the wind shifted against us and our
    strategy backfired.  we lost out to Wildside by about 30 seconds, 
    corrected time.  Wildside crossed the finish line about a minute 
    behind Claddagh, with us about a 1-1/4 minutes behind them.
    
    Results in A and B fleets for the two-day event were:
    
                  Saturday		      Sunday	
    	   A-Fleet	B-Fleet		A-Fleet	    B-Fleet
    	   -------	-------		-------	    -------
    1st	   Bodacious  	Wags		Claddagh    Alibi
    2nd	   Arbella	High Zoot	Wildside    Campbell's Sloop
    3rd	   Wildside   	Vapor Trail  	Bodacious   Bad Company
    
    Overall regatta winners in A and B fleet were:
    
    		A-Fleet		B-Fleet
    		-------		-------
    1st		Bodacious	Wags
    2nd		Wildside	High Zoot
    
    
    ... Bob
    

    From the annals of strange and exciting racing experiences comes this
    little brush with mother nature over the weekend.  We were in the the C
    fleet for the Lake Champlain Race which as usual we were late to the
    starting line by about 8 minutes.  Since the race is about 90 miles
    long we were not too worried.  The fleet tends to buch up as the wind
    dies during the night.  As it turned out, we caught the D fleet and the
    rest of our fleet within about 4 hours.  From then on there was no
    looking back.  It turned real foggy at around 1 AM and stayed that way
    until mid morning on Saturday.  We practiced potato navigation down to
    Diamond Island which was exciting to say the least.  Luckily the water
    stays deep right up to shore down toward the southern end of the lake. 
    As we were coming back up the lake after having found our mark and 
    rounding, we noticed something floating in the water off our starboard 
    bow.  At first it looked like a log with several birds perched on it.  
    We discussed this for about 15 seconds until we all came to the 
    realization at the same time that we were looking at a swimming moose!  
    It was the rack that was sticking out of the water.  It would not have 
    been so strange if we were closer to shore but we were about a mile off 
    the NY side in 300 feet of water.  We don't know if he wandered into the 
    water and became disoriented or if this is a normal activity.  We ended 
    up winning this race by several hours since the wind died mid afternoon.  
    We ghosted over the line at about 1/4 knot and could not see our 
    competition anywhere behind us.  The moose sighting was definitely the 
    high point of the event though.  Never a dull moment.  
    
    Brian
      

RE: In antler to your question:  

>>>  We don't know if he wandered into the water and became disoriented 
>>>  or if this is a normal activity.  

People also see deer (mini-moose, to some) swimming in the ocean waters of
coastal Maine.  The furthest I've ever seen one was on the rhumbline from
Metinic headed to Isle Au Haut, a couple miles south of Vinalhaven.  It is
relatively normal, since young males which are unsuccessful in mating
either instinctually seek prospects on distant shores or may be driven off
by a bull in charge of the island or area they were previously inhabiting.

J.

    And here all this time I got excited by seeing whales occasionally!
    
    Re: -.3  
    
    Bob's account is accurate with a couple of things he left out.  We (Bo
    and Wildside) sailed without lorans this weekend.  We have two so that
    they can both be down for unrelated reasons simultaneously ;^).  This
    made finding the marks fun in the fog and haze yesterday.  On the last
    windward leg we knew we were getting near the port tack layline but
    wanted to go further left and wait for a header to tack back onto port. 
    problem was we didn't know how much further we could go without
    overstanding.  But we saw Bo going left still and thought it must be
    okay.  They saw us going over and thought it must be okay.  Neither of
    us overstood (by dumb luck) and it wasn't until after that we realized
    that neither of us knew for sure where we were going!
    
    Bob also kindly forgot to mention that our foredeck wizard put the
    chute up sideways at the set, preventing us from jibing and forcing us
    to sail 1/4 mile perpendicular to the course.
    
    Our mistake on Saturday of going to the wrong mark is actually
    explainable.  The mark was "R4" in Cat Island Channel.  However, there
    are TWO "R4"'s.  One at the northern end off Eagle Island (which we
    were going to) and the right one, a nun nearer to Halfway Rock.  Still,
    we did have the coordinates of the proper mark, and not checking it was
    major brain fade on our nav's part.  
    
    All in all, a nice weekend.
    
    Dave

    Just a brief description of the J-24 VOLVO Regatta in Newport, that was 
    held last Friday, Sat., and Sun.  As Paul Keenan mentioned with
    anticipation, there were just under 100 boats on the starting line each
    day.  Actually there were 92.  You can imagine how much starting
    practice the race committee gave us.
    
    On Friday, the first race had a starting line just south of Rose Island
    in Naragansett Bay, with a strong SSE breeze blowing about 10 to 14mph.
    The tide was dead low at 7:00AM and high at 1:05PM, which put the flow
    for most of the race coming from the direction of the first mark.  The
    course was a Windward-Leeward-Windward.
    
    The first gun was around 10:30, and the first two starts were total
    chaos as a good half of the boats were over early.  On the third start
    the committee decided to move the pin to heavily favor that end of the
    line to keep the collisions with the committee boats (there was one on
    the starboard side of the line and one in the middle of the line) to a
    minimum.  We got a start about a third of the way from the pin, right
    next to Jeff Moore and Ken Reed (Doyle Sails and Shore Sails).  The
    wind was not shifting, so the most important thing was to get out of
    the current by getting to the shores and short tacking.  The favored
    side was Jamestown, but the boat traffic forced us to the Fort Adams
    side.  There was only about 20 boats with us on that side.  We made a
    few tacking mistakes and wound up at the windward mark with only about
    20 boats behind us.  As we headed back wind it became apparent that
    the Fort Adams side was favored now.  We managed to pass about 5 to 10
    boats down wind as we actually planed for about 30 seconds.  Back up
    wind we dropped a few more boats and finished 78 at about 1:50PM.
    
    The second race didn't start until about 3:30 after 2 more recalls.
    This race was outside of the bay near Brenten Tower.  Again the pin end
    was favored, but the shifts made the right side of the course favored. 
    We started almost on top of the committee boat, without any collisions,
    and were the first to go right.  It was 2 miles to the first mark, and
    with only 100 yards to go we were on the lay line with only 9 boats in
    front of us.  At that point one of the race committee chase boats cuts
    everyone off and puts up the postponement flag.  It turns out that the
    A fleet PHRF boats had a course that brought them within a few yards of
    the windward mark.  What we had learned in this race though was how to
    make the boat go fast in high wind and rough seas.
    
    The first race of the second day was pretty uneventful and we took
    about 45th out of the 92.  By the second race the committee was tired
    of doing general recalls, so they hung the black flag.  Anyone over
    early was thrown out.  The only problem was that after a start they
    would do a general recall and then notify the people who they saw over
    during the previous start that they could go home.  The rule doesn't
    work that way, but by the time we got off of the line all of the big
    whigs were thrown out.  This race was dominated by light winds and big
    shifts and we finished in the top 3rd.  We got back to the docks to
    find out that they had thrown out the race due to their acceptance that
    the race committee had made a mistake in their understanding of the
    rule.
    
    Sunday the fog rolled in so there were no races.  So, they decided to
    reinstate the botched up fourth race with average points awarded to the
    guys who were thrown out.  What a screwed up event.  We are still
    waiting to find out how we did.
    
    Charlie
    
    
    

    Good report.  I've done big J24 regattas (midwinters, regionals etc.)
    where the fleet was split into silver and gold fleets, making the
    starts less hectic.  Thirty boats on a line is a LOT different than 80
    to 100 boats.  I can't imagine that the committee assumed that all
    boats had an equal chance of winning.  The split fleet concept might
    have saved some headaches.  I am surprised they didn't use it.
    
    Dave

    The J/24 results for the VOLVO are still up in the air. The thing
    is such a mess it'll take weeks of protests to figure it out.
    
    I think the RC just couldn't deal with a large aggressive fleet.
    There's little chance of starting 92 boats fairly. They should have
    PMSed as many boats as possible and let the fleet go; over the weekend
    they'd have caught most of the offenders. If they wanted perfectly fair
    starts then split the fleet.
    
    Starting in a big fleet can be a lot of fun. You can get away with
    murder if you hide behind a bulge in the line. You really have no
    choice but to get up on the line, stick your bow out, then power up
    and go before the next guy. To sit back and not risk a PMS will 
    guarantee a fleet load of bad air. I feel the competitors accepted
    this but not the RC.
    accepted this but not the RC. 

    I was in New Orleans this weekend and talked with a buddy of mine who
    had run the J24 midwinters last winter out of the Southern Yacht Club. 
    He told me that at all sanctioned J24 championships you MUST split the
    fleet when the total entries exceeds a certain number.  He was working
    from memory, but it was about 32.  In short, the Volvo had three times
    the amount of starters the J24 class association thinks is manageable.
    
    Dave

Last weekend marked the low-point (so far) of this season
on Bodacious.  Up till now we've enjoyed close competition on
the course *and* good finishing results.  With one exception,
caused by gear failure, Bo has placed in the top three in
every race she has entered.  Not so with the Berringer Overnight
race.  We were forced to withdraw after a fading breeze and
strong tide conspired to wrap us around a large bell at 2 am
Saturday morning.  We were being dragged stern-to into the
buoy, and rather than risk damaging the rudder or letting someone
injure themselves with heroics, we engaged our engine to avoid
collision.  

In some ways, however, the disaster was fitting:  After leading 
the way around the course for the first three legs, we managed to 
drop to the back in one leg due to some serious tactical blundering.  
Having played the right side of the course for the first downwind 
leg and making out like bandits, we elected to maximize VMG in realtime 
for the 2nd downwind leg because it looked like the wind was fairly stable.
A *very* bad assumption, as Wildside demonstrated.  She took the
right side and came from *way* back to take the lead.  Nice going!

What was the rest of race like?  We went to Castle Rock to see
what was happening around 10 am, and it looked like a drifter,
but then we saw Wildside on her mooring, so you guys must have
followed some breeze around.  

Anyway, the crew of Bo has been duely chagrined.  The experience
did remind us, however, of just how infuriating it can be
to bob around on an overnight race, and I think this refresher
may save us from doing the Monhegan next weekend.  

Cheers,
Dean

    Well, against all better judgement, we did the Beringer overnight race
    put on by the Boston YC last Friday night.  The course was seven legs
    and just over 62 miles long.  Started at Tinkers, went to Boston
    "monster bouy", to Marblehead Bell, to Graves Whistle, to Eastern
    Point, back to Graves, back to the monster bouy, and finished at
    Marblehead Bell.
    
    The weather couldn't have been better.  Warm, with moderate breeze. 
    Nearly full moon and a cloudless sky made for great visibility.  Seas
    were small and the sailing was beautiful.  In spite of all this, it
    stunk!
    
    Class A was four boats. Bodacious, Claddagh, Lightning, and Wildside.
    Three of the four of us had no choice but to race because we are in the
    hunt for series/season champoinship.  The race is so heavily
    incentivized with points toward a championship that you can't afford to
    ignore it.  That should be the first clue that this is not a fun thing
    to do.  People simply do not LIKE to race all night and end up in the
    exact place they started, exhausted.
    
    The first leg was shifty and playing shifts was key.  For a while we
    were looking good but we jokingly said "some how, Bodacious HAS to be
    first around the mark.  They always are."  Sure enough, they rounded
    first, but not far in front.  The downwind leg to marblehead bell was
    different.  Bo and Claddagh went right, we went left.  The wind to the
    left (toward shore) was lighter and we tanked.  Bo rounded ten minutes
    or more in front of us!  Pretty depressing, but the race is pretty long
    so we fought back.  Claddagh had rounded three minutes ahead and we
    worked on catching them.  Lightning was behind as usual.  This was a
    three boat race.
    
    We then had a long downwind leg to Eastern Point off of Gloucester (14
    miles).  We were not going in toward shore again!  We went out to sea
    and jibed when we thought we could lay the mark on a good angle
    according to our polars.  We had lost sight in the dark of Claddagh and
    Bodacious.  Approaching the mark it became clear to us that we were
    going to round in front of both Claddagh and Bo.  What happened, I can
    only quess that they went into shore and hit lighter breeze.  That is a
    LOT of time to lose.  
    
    We rounded Eastern Point in first (which never would have happened in a
    day race.  You can't hide in the darkness) and had Claddagh breathing
    down our necks all the way to Graves.  Almost done now.  Only a short
    leg to the monster bouy and then 7 miles home.  We rounded Graves a
    little ahead of Claddagh.
    
    Then the sun came up.  And the wind went away.  And Claddagh passed us
    with their big masthead rig.  And life was bad.  Only thing to do was
    break out the beer.  Breakfast of champions.
    
    the rest of the race was us slowly catching Claddagh and them pulling
    away again until we got within a mile of the finish and the wind REALLY
    died down to nothing.  We split.  They went right, we went left looking
    for breeze.  They got it five minutes before we did and won the race.
    
    Now throughout all this we noticed that Bodacious had disappeared.  We
    had no idea what happened to them.  When the sun came up they weren't
    around.  Apparently they dropped out at some point as did Lightning. 
    Don't know why.  Thought they needed the points too badly.
    
    Anyway, our crew did a great job and the sailing was great.  The
    concept of these night races needs to be re-thought.  It always comes
    down to a crap shoot when the sun comes up on an August morning and the
    wind dies.  My time is too valuable.
    
    Dave

    Dean and Bob, I must have been writing my note while you were writing
    yours.  What bell did you tangle up in?  Eastern Point?  What happened?
    We noticed the wind die shortly after we rounded Eastern Point.
    
    We finished around 8:30 Saturday morning.  Would have finished by 6 or
    6:30 had the breeze not taken the morning off!  Sorry about your DNF.
    Even sorrier that Claddagh now has two firsts in the summer series.
    
    Dave

A rather light turnout.  Although not surprising with many Marblehead boats 
down at the Buzzard's Bay Regatta.  I ran into the daughter of one of our 
Etchells friends there who, in her first stint as navigator, plotted a first 
place finish for Yaquina.  Don't know how they did for the rest of the 
regatta but they were a pretty upbeat bunch on Friday.

My wife and I made it to the BBR but Touche did not.  Just couldn't find the 
third crew despite much pleading.  Paul Keenan found himself in somewhat 
the same predicament for Friday so I volunteered us both to crew on his 
J24 for the day.  After reading about their chaotic starting practices I 
couldn't wait to see it in real life.  I was not to be disappointed.

The BBR limited the number of entries to 40 for any one design fleet to 
avoid the problems that plagued the Volvo regatta.  That's about the number 
of J24's that showed up.  40 is not that large a number and with the size 
of the Bay it was possible to set the racing circles for all the classes 
far enough apart to minimize any potential traffic problems.  With five 
experienced people to share the work on a small boat I anticipated a 
relaxing day.  In fact, I had sold my wife on the idea of going by telling 
her it would be an easy day of fun in the sun.

There was plenty of sun.  Paul found us with no problem and we motored out 
the starting area in light breeze.  The Bay really can swallow up a 40 boat 
and we wandered around a bit looking for our competition.  There is a lot 
of cross fertilization (i. e. plagiarism) of ideas on layout between the 
J24's and Etchells.  Paul had all the same strings in more or less the same 
places so we felt right at home.  When we found our line, I was ready.  
Just two fleets, J22's and J24's on our line.  Should be no problem.  We 
were poised for our 10:30 warning gun.

10:30 came, we heard a gun and figured that's for us.  Normally the fastest 
boats start first.  Since we were still a ways off, we made a bee line for 
the committee boat to get the course info.  Turned out it was the J22's 
start.  They got off cleanly and we waited for our gun.  After what seemed 
like about 5 minutes I saw the red shape go up on the committee boat.  
Since the visual signal takes precedence over the audible we started along 
with about half the fleet.  Then we hear the gun and the rest of the fleet 
starts.  First general recall.  

The next sequence starts OK but boats at the committee end bunch up on the 
line obscuring the flag marking the line.  Everyone else downwind of them 
does a naultical equivalent of dress-right-dress but adding a few feet.  
You guessed it.  The whole fleet's over early.  Second GR.   Next sequence 
finds a bulge at the committee boat.  I yell to Paul "They can't see us - 
go for it".  He does, it's a great start but they call it back.  By now the 
J22's have completed their first circuit and are bearing down on our line.  
Postponement flag goes up and we take breather.

Gun goes off, postponment flag goes down, and we start our watches.  A 
minute later another gun.  A dozen boats start.  My wife figures it out.  
This is the real start of the sequence.  The first gun is just the end of 
the postponment.  But now there's a yellow shape up.  That's not in the 
book.  We go on the premise that it's really a white shape that's mildewed. 
By now the black flag is up and everyone's cautious.  Paul swings up to 
leeward of a boat approaching the line.  We squeeze him back and, with 
brother Mike calling the line, alternately feather and foot our way inches 
ahead of the pack.  As the gun goes off we start in clean air and pull away 
from the pack close to, if not in, first place.  Boatspeed's good and we tack 
more to keep our air clear than anything else.  It works and we round the 
windward mark in sixth in a tight cluster.   But not without some 
contention as a port tacker tries to take our place on the layline and 
bends one of our port stanchions in the process.

The course is WL twice around.  On the run everyone scatters and we take a 
conservative route down the middle.  Maybe too conservative.  Boats sailing 
higher on both sides pull ahead and there's quite a convergeance shaping up 
at the takedown mark.  Clean chute douse, we call for room on some outside 
boats, and tell the boat behind us that he has no rights for buoy room.  
That didn't stop him and he slams into us again with some colorful commentary to 
boot.  Same boat that bent our stanchion at the previous mark.  This pushes 
us back a few boats and makes the next upwind leg a bit tougher with more 
boats and bad air to dodge.  Couldn't make up any ground on the upwind and 
one or two boats sneak by on the last run.   When we cross the line there 
are still more boats in back than in front.

By now it's PM and the Buzzard's Bay Southwester is blowing with vigor.  
The committee now has its act together and we get clean start off.  
Unfortunately behind 39 other boats.  May as well have been racing in a 
vacuum chamber.  A bazillion tacks to clear our air and take advantage of 
minute headers got us nothing other than blisters and cramps.  Don't 
believe any of the nonsense about easy sail handling on J24.  That genny is 
plenty big when it's blowing in the high teens.  This was a six legged 
Olympic course but it was decided in the first 20 yards after the start.  
We never improved our position.

They gave us a third race (how geneous!).  Another Olympic.  Another 0 of a 
start.  Somewhere around 38 at the first mark.  Couldn't get anything back 
in the tight reaches, hit the corner on the next leg out of exhaustion 
and hourglassed the chute in the run.  By now we finally figured out how to 
get two persons on the genny and we tack a bit more aggressively on the last 
weather leg.  Put six boats behind us on that one but it didn't feel 
especially satisfying.  Just too tired and we knew we shoulda done better.

Things went better on Sat and Sun but I wasn't there.  Spent much of Sat in 
bed recovering.  Now I know why J24 sailors are mostly in their teens and 
twenties.  Definitely a young persons boat.  

    Gee, I  really  like  night  racing.  Distance  races  are  a much
    different  competition  which  requires somewhat different skills.
    Learning  how  to  pace people, and make sure that they get enough
    sleep is important.

    We have  the  skipper  navigate  full time (he normally steers the
    start  and  the  first half hour to an hour, and doesn't touch the
    helm  again.)  We  have  two  watches each with two helmsmen. This
    means that we always have a reasonably fresh helmsman.

    Once you have that, you can concentrate on strategy, and where the
    wind  will  come  from next. This is sailboat racing as it used to
    be,  with  courses that don't change depending on the weather, but
    are  from  point  to  point. It's also much more stategic than day
    racing,  with  ultimate boat speed less important, but keeping the
    boat moving fast at night a real challenge.

--David

    re 404
    
    Eastern Point -- near the rig.  We were just rounding
    as the wind died completely.  Tacked with the last of the
    breeze, realized the current was dragging us down, and tried to 
    tack away, but by then the attraction was gravitational.
    
    So, now we're doing the CYC race on Sunday -- can't afford not
    to -- although it will be tough to offset our debacle.

    re 407
    
    Dean, that really must have been a bummer.  Truly sorry.
    
    re 406
    
    No, that's how night racing SHOULD be.  We never had anybody get sleep. 
    Need people on the rail or trimming.  With the course we had there was
    lots of jibing, mark rounding, tacking etc.  On a long distance point
    to point race you are right.  On a round the bouys with lots of marks
    you can't enjoy yourself and be competitive.  IMHO only ;^).
    
    We had only two people drive all night.  The driver has only that job
    and gets to rest on his time off.  
    
    Lest people get the wrong impression, I love to do deliveries at night.
    Night sailing is beautiful and there is a feeling that you have the
    ocean to yourself that is hard to beat.  It's hard core racing that I
    find to be a bit stupid.
    
    Dave

    I don't know -- forget where I once said it, but someplace
    in this note I recount some "peak" experiences while racing
    long-distance.  Of course, last weekend was the "pit."
    
    ;)

    CYC summer...
    
    Good race, with nice weather work -- a portable set 5 
    miles up the pike.  But tough to recover from the fickle 
    wind on the first leg.  Though predicted to go right, a 
    seeming bias to the left looked too attactive to pass up, 
    and we gambled instead of covering our primary competition.
    They sailed off into the predicted shore breeze.  
    
    After letting Wildside and Claddagh go, we found ourselves 
    in a dog fight with Jazz (Express 37) for much of the race.  
    That turned out to be a lot of fun, as we engaged in a tacking 
    duel coming up from the bottom mark off Salem.  A classic 
    confrontation with them starting in front, but us breaking their 
    cover and sneaking ahead.  In all the fun, however, we failed 
    to notice that Smoke was off by herself and had made up 
    some ground.  So we had to ease off Jazz to get back towards 
    the middle.  Managed to cover both as we were all converging on 
    the line, and nipped Jazz by 12 seconds; Smoke by 30 or 
    so seconds.  A good time was had by all, although during the 
    ride home we had a lively debate about covering the boats to beat.
    
    ;)

    Dean, I wasn't on board this weekend.  Had some pre-marriage stuff
    going on in New Orleans.  We needed to win and did.  But now we are
    faced with a real problem.  We are planning to go down to the NOOD this
    upcoming weekend and are looking forward to it.  However, Claddagh and
    us are neck and neck for the summer series, and we don't want to give
    them a chance to get ahead on points.
    
    So what's my point?  KICK THEIR BUTT THIS WEEKEND.  And put about six
    boats between you and Claddagh.  ;^)
    
    Dave

    After computing the results so far for the summer series, I changed my
    conclusion.  If we don't race (which we aren't since we'll be in
    Newport) Claddagh will win by at least the nine point lead she holds
    right now, we'll be second and Bo will be third.  Not that we don't
    want Bo to blow the doors off Claddagh, ;^), but it won't do us any
    good.
    
    Leaving for Newport 9:00 Wednesday night, looking to arrive 1:00 in the
    afternoon the next day.  Looking forward to the trip and the weekend!
    
    Dave

    Nice racing yesterday -- real ocean-going stuff.
    A strong NE wind to 27 knots, with seas building to 
    8 feet and ocaisionally breaking.
    
    We had some trouble at the start getting our #3 hoisted and
    ended up *3-minutes* late for the line!  However, we
    went right when the fleet went inshore, and a 25 degree 
    header allowed us to tack and converge on the faster starboard 
    tack.  We had a very close crossing with Claddagh.  Quite 
    something to see your competition's bow rising 6 feet in the 
    air and coming down about 4-feet from your stern!  With seas 
    like that and gusting wind, was a little close for comfort, 
    but exciting!
    
    After rounding, the big win was a spinnaker hoist while 
    the remainder of the fleet held genoas.  Thought sure 
    Claddagh would follow suit, but they let us go.  A few surfs 
    to 13 or so, a dog-leg reach, and the last weather leg 
    was poetry.  We powered away under the #3 and full main.
    Doesn't help our summer standings (or does it Dave?) but
    good results towards overall, and just a fantastic time.
    
    Dean

    Just returned from a week of cruising and racing in the NOOD.  It was
    quite a week.  Our adventure started Monday night while delivering Wags
    to Newport by way of Provincetown, when a minor miscalculation on the
    part of yours truly put us on the beach at Race Point (yup, time to say
    "Oh sh!t" in a big way).  The CG had to pull us off the beach, but
    fortunately we got off with nothing more serious than a severe wet
    sanding job to our keel and the reopening of a minor crack in the hull
    at the aft end of the keel.  After diving down and inspecting the
    damage we decided it wasn't serious enough to warrant changing our
    plans, and we continued to Newport making stops in Onset, Padanarum,
    and Westport.
    
    Upon arrival we found out that we were the only J/36 in the regatta
    this year, and they put us in the 37-foot class with the Tripp 37's and
    Peterson 37's.  That seemed reasonable to us, since all three boats
    rate the same.  There were four Tripps and two Petersons and us in the
    fleet.
    
    Friday was a complete bust, as the race committee was determined that 
    all races would be held offshore.  So they sent us out of the harbor 
    in fog so thick that many boats had a difficult time finding the 
    starting line.  After bobbing around for three hours they cancelled 
    the race, and the fleet started back in.  Once around the point and 
    into the bay, we emerged from the fog into a bright, sunny day and 
    fine sailing weather.  Most boats decided to sail around for a while,
    and some even set up informal races amongst themselves. 
    
    Personally I feel that the RC really blew it, since just about
    everybody in Newport could have predicted that the fog would burn off
    inside, and we could have raced if the RC hadn't been so stubborn about
    not wanting to race in the bay.
    
    Saturday we had moderately strong (16-28 kt) southwesterly breezes and
    heavy seas.  The RC set up two windward/leeward races, about 8 miles
    each.  The first race was not a good one for Wags.  We had a bad start
    and ended up having to tack away for clear air.  This put us out of
    phase with the wind shifts, and we quickly found ourselves in catch-up
    mode.  Also, it became obvious that with the pounding seas we could not
    go upwind as well as the heavier Tripps and Petersons.  However,
    downwind turned out to be our strong suit as we were able to sail lower
    and faster than the other boats in our fleet.  Just as we were starting
    to make some headway on the fleet, though, we had trouble with our
    spinnaker take-down and fell behind again.  We ended up in 4th place
    for the race.
    
    The second race we were a little smarter and took a 2nd.  However,
    before the race, two of the Tripps took themselves out of the regatta
    with a bone-jarring (and fiberglass splintering) collision that caused
    heavy damage to one and minor damage to the other.  Fortunately no one
    was injured.
    
    Sunday the wind had shifted around to the northeast at 24-30 kts, and
    the seas were very choppy.  The RC took us even further offshore so they
    could set a course with an upwind start.  Once again, it was a
    windward/leeward course, about 6 miles in length.  The seas were so 
    rough it took the comedy boat over an hour to set anchor.  Finally the
    race got off.  On the first downwind leg we witnessed one of the most
    amazing broaches I have ever seen.  We had to avoid the starting line
    on the way to the leeward mark, making the pin end of the starting line
    somewhat like a gybe mark.  Io, a J/33, tried to harden up as they
    passed the pin, and put their entire mast in the water.  We could see 
    rooster-tails off their top spreaders, and both sides of the keel were 
    visible.  I frankly didn't think they were coming back up, but somehow 
    they did.  It must have shook up a lot of people on other boats, because 
    several chose to dump their chute and go bare-headed to the mark rather 
    than harden up and reach with the chute.  We had (wisely) left up our jib
    to depower the chute, and made up a lot on the fleet by simply dumping 
    our chute and going with the jib as we passed the pin end of the
    starting line.  The second time around we noticed that every boat in 
    our fleet did likewise.  We nearly ended up getting T-boned by a Tripp
    called Kamikaze.  It was your basic port-starboard and their main
    trimmer failed to let out his sheet as they tried to duck us so they
    rounded up right into us.  Fortunately, our main trimmer was awake and
    we ended up getting out of their way.  We decided not to protest, since
    we already had 2nd place sowed up and it would have served no useful
    purpose.  We beat them across the line and ended up taking second place
    overall in our fleet.  First overall went to a Tripp named Troll-Fjord.
    
    I'd give this year's NOOD regatta a "C+".  The racing, such as it was,
    was exciting due to the wind and wave conditions.  I was not overly
    impressed with the RC, since their determination to have the races
    offshore caused no races on Friday, and the cancellation of the second
    race on Sunday.  Bay racing would have been preferable to no racing. 
    Also, sponsorship has fallen off from previous years and we ended up
    getting less for our money than last season.  But I would go again,
    although I don't think they'll invite us back next season since there
    isn't a J/36 fleet anymore.  Guess that's the problem with racing a
    boat that's been out of production for a few years.
    
    The boat's on its way back now, and when it gets to Beverly we'll have
    to haul her and fix the keel before the PHRF New Englands next
    week-end (which I'll be racing on Bodacious).  Dean, nice to hear you
    guys beat Claddagh yesterday.  Kinda wish I'd have been there, but I
    had a blast getting beat up in the waves down in Newport.
    
    ... Bob
    

    We brought Wildside down to the NOOD last Wednesday night.  Left M'head
    at 9:30 PM and got into Newport at 1:00 PM the next day.  Beautiful
    sail!  Averaged almost seven knots the whole way.
    
    Like Bob said, the committee blew it Friday sending us offshore into
    the fog.  On the way in, four of the Class 40 boats (our class, since
    they only got 5 One Tonners and not the requisite six to have our own
    class ;^(  ) decided to set up practice races in the outer harbor. 
    Turned out to be the most fun we had all weekend.  Bright sun, ten
    Knots of breeze, serious racing, all for the hell of it!
    
    Saturday was great fun, but we realized that we are really trimmed out
    for light to moderate breeze.  Pulse and Ragtime, much newer One
    Tonners just had a pant load mor speed up the breeze than we did.  Off
    the wind we had a great time surfing and timing our jibes to be going
    down waves to unload the boat as much as possible.  Finished in seventh
    place after two races out of fifteen.  Not many laggards in that fleet!
    
    We did have one broach when we jibed and hit the back of the wave in
    front of us.  I hadn't cleated down the runner and had it in my hand. 
    To let go was to lose the rig so I dangled from the runner tail while
    being dragged through the water yelling at our crew to grind back the
    after guy!  I swear my pants were only wet from the salt water, but my
    crew says otherwise.
    
    Sunday we went back out to the starting line, saw it was blowing
    thirty, made a management decision and went back to have some bloodies
    at the Black Pearl.  Who needs it?  By the time we had brunch, three
    boats from our fleet of Class 40s were back in the harbor with split
    mains, travellers pulled out of the deck, numerous destroyed chutes,
    and generally bad attitudes.  Don't feel like we missed anything.
    
    We'll go back, but not until we get the boat as fast as some of the
    newer One Tonners.  Also, we need our own start.  We had a weight limit
    of 1890 lbs. of crew as Tonners, but had to drop that to 1720 as a
    Class 40!  One of our crew had to go home!  That didn't improve our
    mood at all.  Anyway, Bob is right grading the regatta as a C+.  But
    Newport really is a blast!
    
    Dave

This season's Digital Sailing Notes get-together took place this past 
weekend, not at Misery Island as in the past, but Aboard Scott Wagner's 
Benteau 325 "Adventure".  Scott and his all Dec-star crew (musta been 9 or 
so of us) sailed "Adventure" in the class 6 of the New England PHRF 
championships.  At 141 "Adventure" rated near the faster end of the class 
along with several old model C&C 34's, other smaller C&C's, an Olson 30, 
and another Beneteau.  Saturday's brisk air and choppy seas saw a 13/23 
finish.  Not bad for a pick crew.  Because of the scheduled race on my own 
boat, I missed that one.  Ironically, because of seasickness, crew 
cancellations, and general malaise, I wound up missing my own race too.  Oh 
well, the yard needed some cleaning up anyway.

Sunday started out quite a bit differently.  Flat seas, no wind, decent 
visibility instead of the rain, fog, wind, and chop of Saturday.  Stayed 
that way for about 2 hours before a light southeaster filled in.  The race 
committee set a windward leeward twice around course.  With only about 5 
knots of wind, there wasn't enough horsepower for the usual pre-race 
maneuvering and wind readings.  Scott elected not to stray too far from the 
line and, instead, picked his spot on the line and went for it slowly, 
feathering and footing to eat up time and keep the leeward boats in check.  
It worked and we had a front row seat at the gun.  For some inexplicable 
reason the RC immediatly postponed the race and we all went back.  Not 
seeing the general recall flag, I suspected a wind shift but they didn't 
repost the course heading.  At the next sequence, Scott tried the same 
play.  We had good position on the line but were a few seconds ahead of 
where we should have been.  Feathering killed some of the momentum and 
boats around us crossed the line with better speed at the gun.

We held on Starboard as the boats ahead of us and those to weather tacked 
to port to follow the wind that was clocking right.   As the leftmost boat, 
we soon sailed into a band of air that gave a speed advantage as we tacked 
to rejoin the fleet most of whom had gone way right.  We gained perceptably 
sailing along at the edge of the wind band over all the boats to leeward 
who probably had half the air we did.  They eventually figured out what was 
going on and, one by one, tacked over to head left.  The wind at this point 
also started shifting left leaving a clear wind line on the water on the 
left side.  Less than confident about our ability to crisply tack the boat 
we elected to stay right and go the layline thereby saving one tack.  We 
did that and promptly sailed out of the good wind.  Hitting what we thought 
was the layline, we got headed, then sat upon by my old boat Voyager who 
had gone left and gained.  So we wound up doing the extra tacks anyway, 
except in lighter air.

The shift in the wind was now apparent as we set the chute.  What should 
have been a run turned into a beam reach.  Pleasant sailing but no 
oppurtunity for tactical gains.  At the takedown mark the RC posted a new 
windward heading 25 deg left of the old course.  We went right, and being 
aborbed in sail adjustments, forgot where we were and almost sailed into 
the big boat line before someone noticed that we were abeam of a mark and 
an RC boat.  Had to be ours so we tacked for it.  We layed it with one more 
tack and mercifully finished just before "Orphan Annie" who was in the next 
class.  It was such a short line some of the boats in the later classes 
stalled themselves out completly as they tried to shoot it all at once.  
Must have been amusing on the committee boat to see all those boats 
drifting out of control right next to them.  At that point the RC ended the 
race since air was lightening and there wasn't time for another leg.  It 
looked like about 7 boats crossing ahead but the RC PC is still digesting 
the final results.  We beat the other Beneteau but, my personal targets, 
the two old C&C34's finished a country mile ahead.  Darn!  We had decent 
crew work even for a pickup crew.  A little more attention to the compass 
oscillations and telltales and we coulda had 'em.

-gene

    Not too much to say about the PHRF New England's, except that for the
    third consecutive year the regatta left me with a sour attitude about
    racing, and racers, at this level.  In the top classes it still is the
    case that the pros win, the sea lawyers break the rules with impunity,
    and the big fleets generally bring out the worst in people.
    
    As much as I love racing sailboats, next year I think when the PHRF New
    Englands roll around I'm going cruising.
    
    ... Bob
    

    re -.1 (open note to Bob Bailey)
    
    Bob,  
    
    I'm sorry you came away feeling that way.  I know
    we got hyper, but your observation about pro sailors was
    the animus.  We just wanted to beat Doyle right there on 
    the course.  You've got to admit, that "slam dunk" was one 
    of the more satisfying moments of the season.  I just 
    wish I'd seen the "fist pounding."  Of course, we pushed
    too hard after that, and the result was we blew our slim lead
    by taking a foolish flyer.  With that, some of the later
    flair-ups were out of frustration.  That's not an excuse, 
    just an explanation...
    
    We all get pressured.  I have a tough time living down getting
    blamed for going to the wrong side of the course, etc etc.
    But somehow I keep coming back for more, and I hope you do
    too.  Bob, you're an excellent sailor -- for reasons that have
    little to do with knowing how to trim sails or plot courses -- 
    although I wouldn't fault your skill with the former,
    and the latter I'm sure will improve...  ;)
    
    We've enjoyed your company on Bo *tremendously* -- make no mistake
    about that!
    
    Cheers,
    Dean

    Oh-oh.
    
    A downbeat report from Bob, silence from Dave, apologies from Dean.  Us
    armchair racers are obviously missing out on some high seas drama. 
    Must have run out of drinks at the club or something equally serious. 
    What gives.  Don't worry.  Alan will delete all the libelous replies
    before we get sued.
    
    - gene 

    Actually my down-beat report had little to do with the sailing on Bo'
    this week-end, although we did have some tense moments near the end of
    yesterday's race.  That is a natural effect of racing against guys like
    Robbie Doyle, especially when you find yourself in a close race.  It
    is frustrating to see someone like him take a boat that normally has
    trouble getting out of it's own way, and winning the big races with it.
    Last season it was pretty much the same, only a different pro on a
    different boat.
    
    However, lest you think I'm just whining, it was very  satisfying to see
    him pound his fist into the deck yesterday when we lee-bowed him and
    proceeded to accelerate right into his air, forcing him to tack away.
    I doubt I'll ever be able to compete successfully against sailors of 
    his experience anyway, so losing a close one to Mr. Doyle is a victory
    unto itself.
    
    We had both good and bad moments on Bo' this week-end.  That's yacht
    racing, and such as it was I enjoyed it.  Much of my feeling about this
    week-end's event comes from past experiences, coupled with what happened
    to Wags (again) this year.  
    
    Those of you who have sailed on Wags know that Dick Wagner is a skipper
    who places great emphasis on having fun and being a sportsman.  Also,
    that he avoids protests like the plague, even when it's not in his best
    interest to do so.  When he hoists his protest flag it is simply
    because he honestly feels some idiot has put his boat and crew in
    physical danger, something which is not an integral part of the sport.
    
    For the third season in a row he got hosed by someone who doesn't give a
    damn about sportsmanship or basic boating safety ... someone who played
    games with the rules and laughed in his face as they were walking out of
    the protest room.  This time, the skipper of the offending boat brought
    a "witness" to the protest room to testify on his behalf.  Only problem
    was, this "witness" was on a boat in a different fleet, couldn't have
    possibly been within sight of the incident, and coincidentally dates
    one of Zoot's crew.  How the RC allows people to get away with such
    blatant disregard for the rules is truly astounding.
    
    If this were an isolated incident it would be easy to just shrug it off
    and forget it.  But it seems too common these days ... and these kind
    of incidents seem to be more prevalent in events like the PHRF NE
    Championships, where the prestige of the event brings out all the big
    names.  What ever happened to sportsmanship, let alone simple
    observation of the USYRU rule book (or, as Alan has recently pointed 
    out in another note, the observation of Colregs).
    
    I love this sport, and devote a lot of time to it.  But when it ceases
    to be fun, when it ceases to be something where you can show a little
    honor and sportsmanship to your competition, then it's time to find
    something else to do.  Because that's when it ceases to be competitive
    and starts to take on an aspect that reflects the ugly side of human
    nature.  I get too much of that in the business world.  I don't need it
    in the things I choose to do when I play.
    
    I firmly hold to the old adage, it isn't important whether you win or
    lose, it's how you play the game that counts.  At the upper levels at
    least, this concept seems to be losing it's appeal to the yacht racer. 
    Or am I just deluding myself into believing it was ever there ???
    
    ... Bob
    

    Bob,
    
    Sounds like you should race E-22's. I know of one for sale ....
    
    

    I agree with Paul.  Bob, get away from racing that says the boat with
    the best electronics wins.  I started out racing one designs (Lasers),
    took the plunge into PHRF and IOR, and now have decided one design is
    the way to go, since I'm now racing J-24's with Paul.
    
    We have the competition of the "big whigs", but it isn't always the guy
    with the most expensive toy that wins.  Take for example, Jeff Moore. 
    He won the J-24 North American Championships in a 12 year old boat that 
    he practically saved from the junk yard.  But, this weekend we soundly
    beat him in a Naragansett Bay race in Barrington R.I.  Now that's fun.
    I race week after week and there isn't one time that I can truely say
    that I wasn't having fun, yet I think back to the times when I was
    racing PHRF and IOR and mostly the bad times stick out, when I wasn't
    having fun.
    
    Get back to the basics, race one design.
    
    Charlie

    Alright.  No more silence.
    
    First, I can't believe Gene is selling Touche.  Think carefully about
    it.  Sounds like you had bad crew problems this year and this weekend
    in particular.  All it takes is two crew, and I'm sure you could work
    on that over the winter.  Give me a call.
    
    Second, why is it that Wags always gets the short end of these things?
    We had nothing but spirited, good humored fun out there with some of
    the closest racing I've been involved with in some time.  We love to
    play with the big boys in these regattas.  Makes us feel good to beat
    some of 'em.  Plus, you can't expect to do great in a fleet that good
    just by showing up.
    
    Third, NOBODY had a more frustrating weekend than we did.  The boat had
    engine problems and did not make it up here for Saturday's race in
    spite of a full court press to get it fixed in Newport by Friday
    afternoon.  Saturday killed us not to be out there.  We did get it here
    at six in the morning Sunday after a bonzai delivery from Newport.
    
    Gotta run more in a little bit.
    
    Dave

    RE .422
    
    Charlie, while I get your drift, my message wasn't about fancy boats or
    instruments ... it was about sportsmanship, or the lack of same. 
    Perhaps the one-design fleets have fewer chances to use rule-beating
    tactics on each other, I don't know.  I'm not about to give up on
    racing, but it does bother me when I see situations where people look
    to win by beating the rules rather than the competition.
    
    RE .423
    
    Wags isn't the only boat that ends up on the short end of situations
    like the one I described ... merely the one I'm most qualified to talk
    about.  As to your comment about expecting to win by simply showing up,
    I believe we passed Wildside enough times last season for you to be
    aware that Wags is a pretty well-sailed boat, and doesn't go out there
    expecting to win by simply showing up.  Wags is in a different class
    than your boat, and takes their racing much less seriously.  That
    doesn't imply a lack of effort on their part, as the season-to-date
    racing results will bear out.
    
    As to your third point that nobody had a more frustrating week-end than
    you guys, I'll simply point out that your frustrations were pretty much
    self-inflicted.  I was talking about frustrations that were brought on
    by competitors looking to gain advantage by bending or breaking the 
    rules we're supposed to be observing while participating in a race, not
    frustrations brought on by equipment failures or simple bad breaks. 
    Nobody loves close competition more than I do, I just want to compete
    in a sport where honesty and sportsmanship mean something.
    
    My note had nothing to do with winning or losing, simply the behavior I
    observe in major regattas like the PHRF New Englands, as opposed to the
    more normal regattas that you and I usually participate in where these
    kind of incidents occur with less frequency and have much less impact 
    on the actual outcome of the event.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Back to it.
    
    When we did get out to race on Sunday the frustrations built even more. 
    After busting butts to get the boat up, it looked for a while like the
    breeze would never fill in enough to get a race started.  After a
    couple of hours, the southeasterly did begin to fill in and a race got
    off.  
    
    We had a good start and tacked off to the right.  We hadn't gone very
    far when we saw a breeze line to the left and tacked over to it.  Just
    like Gene, we should have sat in it longer as the boats that went way
    left made out.  We rounded the first upwind mark in 7th out of 15.  
    
    The course was five legs.  Windward/leeward/w/l/w.  The downwind leg
    was a blast as we took the fast lane, went a bit higher than most,
    passed the one tonner Legende and caught up with Scherezade when the
    wind headed us to allow us to come back down to the rhumb line without
    jibing.  Rounded in 5th.  
    
    Fought our way up wind to round the next windward mark in fourth.  In
    front of us were: Taylor Anne, a Frers 41 skippered by Judd Smith,
    Coalition, with Mark Lindsay, Jim Taylor and Steve Cruise from Doyle
    aboard, and Scherezade with nobody special aboard, just their regular
    great crew.
    
    Taylor Anne and Coalition started a jibing duel immediately in the
    light air that took them farther in toward shore away from the breeze. 
    What great luck!  Scherezade jibed toward the mark at what looke to us
    to be a slow angle.  We hung on a bit longer, got a lift and jibed
    immediately coming to the mark at a great angle.  While Scherezade was
    struggling to make the mark without jibing, we were screaming in
    (relatively).
    
    Just before we get to the mark, the stake boat crosses in front of us
    going about 20 knots, throwing up a huge wake.  We're really pissed,
    but it is apparent they are trying to set a finish line.  They're
    shortening course and we're going to win!
    
    Ofcourse not.  They couldn't get the anchor down in time, so we round
    and head back upwind to the finish in front of the fleet.  Coalition
    and Judd on Taylor Anne are right behind us and Scherezade.  We and
    Scherherezade play the lifts and sail up the middle.  Judd goes left. 
    WAY left out of sight.  Coalition goes right.  WAY right.
    
    At the finish Judd comes screaming in from the left for a first. 
    Coalition comes in from the right for a second.  Scherherezade and
    Wildside take the pipe by covering eachother.  Didn't matter at all
    what side you went to, just so you banged a corner.  We let a couple of
    other boats come in from the corners and end up with a sixth out of
    fifteen.  
    
    We were very happy to beat the stuffing out of the Newport One Tonners,
    and fealt we had done a reasonably good job against the big guys.  If
    only we had been there the whole time...
    
    Bob, nobody's holding a gun to your head making you do this awful stuff
    on your weekends  ;^)
    
    Dave

    I found  a  real problem with the lack of sportsmanship in college
    racing,  which  sometimes  resemble  bumber cars, and in the laser
    fleet, which I no longer race much in.

    People in lasers were always pushing well past the rules, and this
    behaviour  was  getting  worse. The last regatta I sailed in I was
    going  along  on starboard tack late in the next to last race, and
    the  guy  who  was  leading  the regatta was trying to cross me on
    port.  When  it  became clear that he couldn't cross (he still had
    time to crash tack) he rocked the boat 8-10 times to get up enough
    speed  to  cross me. I protested, and he admitted rocking the boat
    but  argued  about  how often. Rocking is illegal, so he DSQ'd the
    race.  It  was  his  worst  race  of the series anyway, so the DSQ
    didn't matter, as there was a throwout.

    It was  that  sort of blatant foul that caused me to lose interest
    in   racing   lasers.   Similar  things  happened  in  other  very
    competetive classes like 470s.

    Now I  race  in  somewhat  less  competitive classes, but at least
    everyone  out there is reasonably sportsmanlike, so it's much more
    fun.

--David

>    time to crash tack) he rocked the boat 8-10 times to get up enough
>    speed  to  cross me. I protested, and he admitted rocking the boat
>    but  argued  about  how often. Rocking is illegal, so he DSQ'd the
>    race.  It  was  his  worst  race  of the series anyway, so the DSQ
>    didn't matter, as there was a throwout.

I thought a DSQ for violation of the propulsion rule was not allowed as a 
throwout. ??

Al

    RE .426
    
    Ah, your example is precisely the type of thing I'm talking about. 
    Now, imagine how you'd have felt if instead of rocking his boat he
    simply sailed right at your beam and left it up to you to get out of
    his way.  How would you feel if brought in a "witness" to the protest
    room to testify that you altered course prematurely, and then laughed
    about pulling one over on the RC on the way out of the protest room.
    THEN you'd understand why this sort of thing makes me angry.  That 
    ain't racing, that's lawyering.  Not to mention dishonest and
    unsportsmanlike.
    
    Port-starboard situations are commonplace, and when the port
    tacker completely ignores you and continues to point his bow right at
    you, how are you gonna know if he'll bear off at the last second or
    simply plow right into you?  That's what I mean by a dangerous
    situation.  How many racers do you know who'd hold their course rather
    than take evasive action, even though they have the right-of-way.
    
    RE .425
    
    Dave, would you be so flippant if a port-tacker plowed into your boat
    and knocked your rig down in your face?  Gonna try to tell me it
    doesn't happen?  I saw it happen last week, and last year it happened
    at the PHRF New Englands ... ever hear of a Frers 33 named Hot Spur? 
    Wanna go ask their bowman how much fun it was to have his collarbone
    broken in a port-starboard situation where he was on the boat with
    right-of-way?  Now you wanna suggest again it only happens to Wags?
    
    Nobody's holding a gun to my head.  Nobody's gonna convince me it's all
    part of the game either.  And nobody's gonna tell me I can't talk about
    it in here ... to ignore it is to condone it.  And to condone it is to
    make the sport less than it should be.
    
    ... Bob
    

    I don't mean to imply that everyone who races one design does so
    fairly, but it is my impression that there is less room for cheating. 
    I agree with Dave W. in that I too saw some interresting means of
    propulsion while racing my Laser, but I feel that as the cost of the
    boats that are competing increases and the amount of prestige in
    winning a certain race increases and the amount of knowledge to sail a
    specific boat decreases, the incentive to cheat becomes much more
    appealin.  We too see the crazy crash tacks and just plain crashes. 
    However, I can't imagine the wording to a rule that would imply that
    everyone on the race course must use their "God given" morals.  I don't
    think that missing a particular race because there might be cheaters,
    is going to help the situation short of possibly preventing unnecessary
    damage to one's self and one's property.  Eliminate the need to be
    first and you will eliminate the cheaters IMHO.
    
    Charlie

    Bob,
    
    Sounds like you may have a good case for an appeal. 
    
    We had a port/starboard case in our fleet last year. The port tack
    boat won the protest mainly because the starboard tack skipper was
    not well liked. The protest comittee put the burden of proof on the
    starboard tack boat - this is wrong. The starboard tack skipper
    appealed and won. The "good ol' boys" looked pretty silly when their
    decision was overturned and criticized.  
    
    If you can show reasonable doubt about a possible collision, the burden
    is on the port tacker to prove conclusively otherwise. You felt the
    port tack witness was to far away to see what happened - can you find
    a witness to discredit him? What hails were exchanged? 
    
    If you're right and you can prove it - appeal! The results of protests
    are influenced heavily by reputations. Build a reputation as someone 
    who demands a proper decision.
    
    Paul  

    Easy Bob, only kidding.
    
    Why didn't Wags bring his own witness into the meeting?  We always get
    a witness first thing.  Plus, we WILL hit someone who ignores our hail.
    Most of our fleet askes "tack or cross".  We will often let a port
    tacker cross if he is going the way we want him to go.  
    
    Jerks are jerks, but you have to establish yourself as someone not to
    be fooled with.  If that means gelcoat, and injury isn't likely, then a
    lesson will be learned.
    
    Dave
    
    PS Bob, ofcourse you have the right to ventilate.  And I have the right
    to disagree with you.  Doesn't mean I don't like you.
    
    

    re : -1 If you are serious that you would hit someone you are in
    contravention of the collision regs and it can only harm the pastime we
    all care about. 
    
    Pete
    
    PS I have raced in the USA as well as UK but for the last ten years
    have been doing the odd club race else cruising.......

    I'm not  sure  that  one-designs are cleaner than bigger boats. It
    seems  that  when  you get near the top there are people who don't
    care  about the rules anymore. There were cases a few years ago in
    the  470  class where someone threw his weight jacket overboard to
    try  to  avoid  it  being  weighed  (He  was  over the wet clothes
    allowance.) There was also a case where someone used two different
    jibs  in  a  regatta  where the rules allowed only one (This was a
    standard   470  class  rule,  not  a  wierd  one  in  the  sailing
    instructions.  They were used to racing under that rule.)

    There are  of course top sailors who obey the rules carefully, and
    I  have  a  great  deal  of respect for them, but I'm beginning to
    think that they are the minority.

--David

RE:

 <   There are  of course top sailors who obey the rules carefully, and
 <   I  have  a  great  deal  of respect for them, but I'm beginning to
 <   think that they are the minority.

David, I have to disagree with you.  The dishonest racers tend to be 
"fly-by-night" racers, and in one design racing their infractions are 
usually only regarding one race.  They are also easily caught.  In PHRF 
if a racer alters his boat to get a favorable rating certificate, the 
repercussions can last for a whole season.  But, theses are not the type 
of sailors that Bob is referring to.  The type that he is talking about 
are life threatening and basically act like Soddem Hussein on the race 
course, with total lack of respect for anyone else, never mind the rules.  
I believe they are truly a minority.  I find that many of the one design 
racers are educated on where to expect the wind to shift, how to set the 
rigging correctly, and basically how to sail fast.  Their boats aren't 
tax write-offs and they race because they like to race.  That last line 
can't be said about boat owners who own boats that cost in excess of 
$200,000 to buy and thousands to maintain annually.

What's the old saying - cheaters never win and winners never cheat....
    
Charlie

    re .432
    
    While racing, you're allowed to hit another boat (while you have the
    right of way) if it doesn't result in serious damage. A better word
    than "hit" or "crash" is contact. If the boats are traveling parallel
    courses, the contact force is usually small. A port/starboard convergence 
    is another story.
    
    I've made contact with eight boats so far this season. The only damage
    has been a bent lifeline stantion on a port/starboard situation. I've 
    also altered course (while in the right) many times to avoid bad
    collisions.
    
    Paul

    And I was naive enough to think that the coll regs took precedence over
    all other regs..........
    
    Pete

    Rule 36.  It's the shortest one in the book.  Port keeps clear of
    Starboard - period.   I would think that this one would be pretty
    easy to observe or adjudicate in a protest but it's never been that way
    in real life.  And anyone who has been in a close port-starboard
    situation knows why.  Three options:  cross, tack, or duck.  A
    microsecond to chose and maybe a second or two to execute.  If you
    don't already have a strategy firmly planted in your mind and all the
    crew motions hard wired, you're in trouble.  In fact both port and
    starboard are in trouble.  Starboard's supposed to hold course according
    to rule 35 but the prospect of getting T-boned can quickly overwhelm
    any pickiness about rule adherence.  Of course, once that happens both
    parties have grounds for protesting each other and what was black and
    white is now a murky gray.
    
    Bob, I can empathize with the funk you're in.  Nothing worse than
    getting stiffed and seeing them get away with it.  Sometimes in the
    genteel world of yacht racing the real protest hearing takes place in
    the parking lot.   I've had a few of those.  If nothing else, I felt a
    lot better afterwards.  In one memorable case, it helped.  The cowboy
    got tired of the confrontations and eventually sold his boat.
    
    Getting back to port-starboard.  Remember NOOD two years ago.  Same two
    boats Wags and High Zoot.  Wags thought he could cross, High Zoot
    didn't.  Wags held on Port, HZ tacked (thank God!).  Wags accused HZ of
    altering course, HZ accused Wags of trying to sink him.  There were
    witnesses around.  Coulda been a contentious protest if Wags hadn't
    done a 720.  The same thing happened a month ago on a Wed. night race. 
    In both cases it was too many choices with too many people involved in
    too little time.  Basically not enough hard nosed closed course racing
    experience aboard.   If you don't see these situations all the time you
    won't know how to avoid getting trouble.  The decision in this
    situation can go either way.  One side will always feel that it was
    cheated.  The only way to avoid this is to have a firm game plan about
    which way you want to go beforehand and to resist the temptation to do
    a leebow just because the opportunity is there.  
    
    Above all, discuss the situation with the other side afterwards. 
    Somtimes they're gonna be turkeys, but usually something can be learned
    by both.  It won't affect the current protest results but maybe in the
    future there will be a little more curtesy on the course.
    
    - gene 

    
    A few other hard realities, paralleling some of these situations:
    PHRF attracts the gamut from cruising AND racing. It's designed that
    way. Gets more boats together; creates fleets that wouldn't be there
    otherwise. However, as has been sprinkled in this note, American Sailor
    mag, etc.etc is the concern of MIR's. (marine industry racers). Like
    Robbie Doyle, Jud Smith, Jack Slattery, etc.  Now beside their talents,
    and helping/hurting the sport etc, when I know some hotshot is helming
    a boat, not the owner, there's a little extra tension knowing that he
    has no real punisment for holing me, or whatever. I try to stand my
    ground, when it IS mine, but, hey, face it, who's got pockets that
    deep? And while the rulebook makes it pretty clear to me that
    collisions are something to be avoided at all costs, when a racer from
    say, a Finn fleet (where you `bump' just to prove that it WAS gonna
    happen) takes the helm of a 10+ ton vessel, damn straight that's in
    the back of my mind. Guess the tactician has something else to write
    down at the beginning of a race...
    Oh well, I'm vented, and going back out to joust with ol' Bobby
    Slattery on a Frers 41. Ain't even come close to unsportsmanlike, yet,
    thank God! `Course, how much threat ARE we?
    
    Oh, yeah, thanks, Gene for your coverage. Made us sound pretty Hot!
    It was a full DEC crew, with Gene on deck, jibs and tactics, Geoff
    Sampson on main and mast, Jeff Harbison on foredeck, John and Connie
    Whitcraft on Genoas, Colleen Lannon on deck and downwind helm, and
    Ray Drueke on tactics and u-name-it! Pretty good results from a crew
    that never saw the boat before the first race. Which, BTW, had a moving
    finish line! Or so we thought. In the RC's fine wisdom, they tossed
    the first race for the second-liners. Grrrr.
    Now the Globe knew talent! We showed up in living color on Monday's
    sports page!! 
    In the fine tradition of WAGS, do we take it all next year, huh, Mr.
    Bailey?? Hoho! Thanks for your help, and if ya wanna drop down a few
    sizes, the lifeline pelican's always unsnapped for you.
    
    Thanks to all my DEC crew; let's do it again!
    Scott.
    

    Back to my earlier statement that we will hit an offending port tacker.
    That is probably tru in that we assume they have a plan and expect us
    to hold course.  If it looks like major damage will occur or injury is
    likely we would avoid as best possible.  However, just saying you had
    to alter course to avoid collision doesn't buy much in the protest room
    and encourages further behavior on the part of the offender.
    
    Any damage gets paid for by the guy in the wrong.  Cara (a Swan
    fifty-something) took out our lifeline stanchions along on whole side
    and dragged us backwards at five knots inflicting fiberglass damage.
    He was wrong and he paid.  In Block Island a couple of years ago we got
    t-boned at the start.  We were in the right and the other guy had a
    hell of a repair bill.
    
    We try VERY hard never to play chicken while we are on the wrong side
    of the rules.  But if we're in the right, we have to assume the other
    guy knows what he's doing.
    
    Re: -.1  Jack Slattery protested the third race of the NE's because of
    the time limit (and because Wired did well the first day and not the
    second).  Do you know how that turned out?
    
    Dave
    
    P.S.  About the MIR issue.  In the NE's acouple of years ago we had Tim
    Woodhouse of Hood Sails as tactician.  Taylor Anne had Jud Smith. 
    Approaching the windward mark on port we tried (at Tim's urging) to
    sqeeze in front of the starboard tacker Taylor Anne to get around the
    mark in first place instead of an easy second place rounding.  Thank
    God Jud headed up and didn't take off our transom.  He protested us for
    tacking too close and won, costing us the series as it turned out.  We
    would have never done that on our own and used that as the basis for
    our rule that the MIR can suggest, but the owners decide.

    Re 434
    
    Charlie,
    
    There's a guy named Dennis Conner who allegedly juggled ballast
    on Williwaw in the '81 SORC.  Although it didn't get
    big press, as I recall -- 'cause it was DC -- I'm pretty
    sure they were thrown out.  At least, that was the "skinny"
    on the docks in Nassau.
    
    And what about the America's Cup??!!!
    
    Hey, we kick off the Mrblhd Fall series this weekend,
    with Wildside out front but not out of reach, and Claddagh
    and Bo in the thick of the hunt.  I'm pretty psyched!!
    Good boats to mix it up with!!!  
    
    Cheers,
    Dean
    

RE:
    
<    There's a guy named Dennis Conner who allegedly juggled ballast
<    on Williwaw in the '81 SORC.  Although it didn't get
<    big press, as I recall -- 'cause it was DC -- I'm pretty
<    sure they were thrown out.  At least, that was the "skinny"
<    on the docks in Nassau.

Dean, most of the designers of these boats are rule benders.  The idea is 
to modify your design so that it is slightly different, hopefully faster, 
than the other designs, so that the sailor doesn't have to truly sail to 
win.  Think about it.  How much more comforting is it to win a race with a 
faster designed boat than to win by lying through your teeth in the protest 
room.  I say neither is "fair sailing".
    
<    And what about the America's Cup??!!!

I also wouldn't call the America's Cup boats "one-design" by the fairest 
definition of the term.  To me, one-design means just that.  The boats that 
are racing are as close to each other in design and build as is currently 
possible with the present technology.  The tolerances of the variables 
shouldn't be significant enough to decide the outcome of a race.  Don't you 
race to prove that your ability to make your boat go forward is better than 
the other guy's?

Charlie

(Hey Bob, is my unending tirade working?   ONE DESIGN! ONE DESIGN!.....)

    Re: -.1
    
    One design is a wonderful thing.  Especially as applied in
    intercollegiate sailing where you draw your boat by random luck.
    That truly is where the best sailor shows.  But I disagree that this is
    the only goal, even in one design racing.
    
    When you own your own boat you will push its competitive ability to the
    absolute limits of the rule if you want to win on a regular basis. 
    Stars are one designs, but you can pick a used Star for $2500 or order
    one from Germany brand new without rig or fittings for $30,000.  They
    are NOT the same.  Part of the winning comes in selecting your platform
    and preparing it to the best of your ability.
    
    One design sailors are notorious for seeking the boat that comes the
    closest to meeting the rule minimums.  Even in the M'head Etchells
    fleet some hulls are known to be faster than others independent of the
    drivers (although the better sailors will gravitate toward the faster
    boats).
    
    Handicap rating racing isn't always great.  Within the established
    rules designers constantly try to come up with the fastest combination
    of factors for a given rating.  That is not breaking the rules any more
    than optimizing your Star to the class rules is.  It's irritating in
    that at the top levels there are often significant improvements every
    year requiring huge sums to be spent to remain competitive. But that is
    what the grand prix types like, so let them have it.
    
    True cheating in changing ballast after getting a rating and the like
    is just that, cheating.  There are spot inspections of rating
    certificates and hulls at some regattas.  That's how Williwaw was
    caught.  The owner was banned from racing for several years.  DC did
    not own the boat, merely drove it.  And it wasn't covered up at all. 
    Made big news.  The boat was sold to Sweden and became one of the Bla
    Carat's.
    
    We derive our pleasure from putting together a program that takes the
    boat we have and make it go as well as we can.  Last year we sailed it
    terribly, and the results show it.  We worked very hard to learn the
    boat and now we are doing better.  Without cheating, even.  The point
    is that one design does have its good points, but lack of over zealous
    competitors cheating isn't one of them.
    
    Dave

    Charlie, I think your point about one design racing is well made but
    the racing world is, to a degree, passing you by.  Those who were at
    the PHRF NE's this year and last year will remember that portable marks
    were used to demarcate closed pattern courses - the same type used in
    one design racing.  In addtition, this year they used wing marks to
    reduce the congestion at the windward mark on a windward - leeward
    course.  All this came about because of popular demand by the top crews
    and skippers, many of whom were current or past one design racers. 
    This type of racing gives the crews a chance to exercise their boat
    handling skills and greatly reduces the role chance plays in the
    results.
    
    The down side of this is, given the size and cost of the boats, there
    is much more potential for disaster.  On a course with government marks
    where you just reach, reach, reach and where the handicap breaks spread
    everyone out, who are you going to hit?  On a two mile windward -
    leeward, with the handicap breaks spanning only 10 seconds, and 20
    boats in a class, you're doing collage dinghy racing in 10,000 lb
    dinghies.  It's for all intents and purposes, boat for boat one design
    racing, just a lot more expensive.
    
    While this can be more satisfying for those who have the skill to do
    it, it can be unnerving or even dangerous for those who don't.  Those
    of us (probably most of those out there) who have come to the sport too
    late in life to have paid our dues in optimist and widgeons have a
    steep learning curve to surmount to learn to how close we can cut it in
    a tight crossing situation.  The hardest thing to learn is to avoid the
    congestion altogether when possible.  Those squeeze plays at the marks
    rarely pay off.  Intimidation on the course is usually a coverup for
    ignorance.  If you don't have a strategy, you're reduced to mixing it
    up each time you encounter an opponent. 
    
    Improving the situation isnt't easy.  We could all go back to the
    reaching courses we used to curse the BYC committee for setting. 
    We could also go back to the invitation only format of the early PHRF
    NE's.  But that'd dry up the sponsorship which we've grown accustomed
    to.  And a lot of us wouldn't get the chance to participate.  My guess
    is the current recession will cure the problem.  Fewer people will be
    able to afford to compete which will thin out the fleets.  As the Bozos
    obliterate each others boats, only the better sailors will survive. 
    PHRF darwinism.
    
    - gene
    
    
    
    

    Gene I like your analysis ... same thing basically applies to the NOOD
    too, where close encounters and protests abound.  My initial point in
    all this (before I started kvetching about rule beaters and lack of
    sportsmanship) is basically that I think it brings out an element in
    the sport that I don't necessarily like.  Too many of those racers out
    there last week-end really DON'T know how to deal with the close
    encounters, and it encourages mishaps and people trying to find ways
    out of them.  It's kinda like driving in Boston traffic ... sure it can
    be exciting, but not necessarily fun.  Guess it's all a matter of what
    you like.
    
    One comment about letting a boat hit you ... there's just no way no how
    anyone will ever convince Dick Wagner to intentionally let somebody hit
    his boat, for ANY reason.  He just doesn't think a sailboat race is
    important enough to warrant the hassle of a boat repair.  I agree 
    with him.  Sometimes I think he finds himself in these situations
    because his competition knows how he feels and they think they can
    take advantage of it.  Sometimes they're right.  Unfortunate, but hey,
    that's yacht racing.
    
    Anyway, some interesting viewpoints.  Didn't realize when I started 
    venting that it'd stimulate all this conversation.  Guess I'm a born
    boat-rocker ... :^)
    
    ... Bob
    
    

    
    Whatever happened to GOOD sportsmanship, and the sense of fair play??
    
    When I used to race, disputes and protests were settled at the bar over
    a glass of whiskey, and repeat offenders were, in the Ammish sense,
    shunned for the season by everyone in the Yacht Club.
    
    I suppose that todays racing crew should consist of the local district
    Attorney, two admiralty lawyers, and a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

    re .442
    
    Didn't see the news, since I was there and
    stayed with the boat for awhile after.  So 
    I hedged.  But don't you think it's ironic
    that DC got off?  From what I heard -- again, 
    on the dock -- he's the guy who did the finagling.
    
    See you Saturday.
    
    ;)

    re .445
    
    What does FAIR DINKUM mean? 

>                             -< SPORTSMANSHIP???? >-

    
>    Whatever happened to GOOD sportsmanship, and the sense of fair play??
    
     It went the way of manners, common sense, and honesty.  ;>(

    On many of the notes files, I see more and more people screaming about
idiots, low lifes, bulleys, and other assorted human flotsam and jetsam.
Whether sailing a boat, driving a car, or in line for a meal, we are confronted
with "cement heads" who have no idea that the world actually doesn't revolve
around them (otherwise known as the "hub of the universe" concept).

The problem is the world is getting smaller which means we need some basic
rules to keep from hurting one another, but for the last 20 years everyone has
only been looking out for themselves. Does this mean I want more legislation?
Heck no, we have too much now. Besides there are things you cann't legislate
like common sense, good taste, and civility. You just have to keep an eye
out for rift-raft, and feel happy if you can at least get a sorry out of them
on those unforunate encounters.

I love racing one designs as it helps level the playing field. No it isn't
perfect, but it is closer. But there are classes that even I don't sign up
for as the group is too competitive to the point they get into dangerous
situations. Like most people, I don't race for money, my review is not 
influenced by how well I do in the standings. To some people, this is not the
case, so I learn to stay away from them. If I can't, I'll take issue with the
person later,like the time a windward side barger almost took out my spine
and wrecked my rudder on a starting line. If the person is a total jerk, 
there is always the ol' "pull out their tent pegs in middle of the night"
trick, but ussally this isn't required ! 

One of newer rules institued in Hobie racing is that if a person intimiates a
novice with a bogus rule (i.e. screaming port at a starboard rookie), the
person is throw out of the race immediately with no protest hearing.
Unfortuneitely, most cases are not black and white, but shades of grey. So what
are we to do. 

I agree with Bob B. that it is getting to point where these clowns are making
is not worth the effort to go to a race. These are the same people who own
fast cars, but don't know how to drive them, drink expensive wines, but don't
understand what makes up it's unique character, belong to the best health
club but never use the place. They are on an ego trip. The trick is to get
through thier thick skull (very difficult, as many cements heads are 
contitued of amost 100% cement) that they are not clever, and nobody really
likes them. You cannot do this one on one. These people will chalk it up to
jeleously. 
 
My favorite technique is to talk a lot with the people in the class and come
down on the morons. We saw a bozo come straight downwind in 40-45 knt winds
onto a beach. He then couldn't stop and hit a boat being disassembled 30 yards
up the beach (the only thing that saved him from sailing into the parking lot).
Sure he had to pay for the repairs, but to us that was not enough. So we took
turns telling him that was a really stupid thing to do, and you had best not
even think of pulling such a stunt again. When everyone tells you
your a total loser before shunning you, the ego has to pop. 

When I start to get to aggressive, my crew tells me to lighten up or take him
back in. That stops me fast enough. If we all just lighten up a bit, we all
will have LOTS more fun out there. As to the pro sailors and rich zeros who 
have to buy everything for their boat, I just feel sorry for them. 

 john

p.s. Hey Bob, just give me a call if your up for some Hobie partyin... I mean
racing. We'll take you back, as long as you don't start bragging about them
there monohull boats  :>)  :>)

    
    
    Re: .447
    
    FAIR DINKUM = the straight truth = Australian "Strine" or slang
    

    Please see the Crew Wanted note!  We need one or two guys for this
    weekend.
    
    Dave

    Thanks to Lawrence, Ray and Fred who answered my prior note at the last
    minute and came sailing with us Saturday.  with their help we pulled
    off a victory as well as had a great time with new guys on board.
    
    sunday was a different matter.  Lawrence came back but Ray and Fred had
    other commitments.  No sweat, we had another fill in.  Unfortunately
    the course was around the cans using fixed government marks.  Brief
    upwind leg (which we blew) and then follow the leader in reach after
    reach.  the positions never changed from the first mark.  The bad news
    is that on corrected time we were last at that mark and at the finish. 
    Only Bodacious was actually behind us by about five seconds.
    
    On the last leg when we were clearly out of it, we got into a tussle
    with Bodacious off the breeze.  All we wanted to do was sail our
    polars, not take those guys up.  There was bluster about mast abeam and
    such so we agreed to take their stern if they wanted to go down.  Good
    thing we did that, too.  by sailing our polars we got to the finish as
    fast as possible.  By taking a first and a last we tied for second
    place for the series with Loose Goose who took a last on Saturday and a
    first on Sunday.  The tie breaker was elapsed time which we beat them
    by a little over a minute.  So, to those on Bo, we're sorry, but we
    really weren't trying to be jerks.
    
    We also learned to NEVER tack just to windward of Bodacious.  We need
    to come off the breeze a bit after tacking to build speed.  Bo just
    pinched us right up into the way-back machine.  Should have lee-bowed
    them had we not been brain dead.  Oh well, Saturday was fun!
    
    Dave

    Dave,
    
    Jerks?  Just some banter to relieve steam, I'd say.
    Were it not for the two-boat contest for DFL honors,
    Sunday would have been a TOTAL loss.  We screwed up
    at the start, and as you say, 'twas follow the leader.
    Well, that last weather leg presented a brief thrill,
    as we both were lifted very nicely and made up a fair
    amount of ground on the leaders.  Just not enough.
    
    Saturday was a bummer for us.  After leading for most
    of the race, we never imagined we'd drop the whole
    thing on the final beat.  And when Claddagh came in from
    right field to stuff us at the finish, that was the pits.
    
    Was interesting to hear that Claddagh may get sold.  Hope they
    keep raciong something, as A-fleet is dwindling.  On the other
    hand, maybe some of the drop-outs will return if they know
    there's new room at the top.  On the "other" other hand, this
    is the time of year when we wonder if we'll come back.  You know how
    it is...
    
    Cheers,
    Dean
    
    PS  Good luck Dave!  ;)

    Dave,
    
    Thanks for the great ride on Saturday. You and Dennis and the rest of
    your 'regulars' do a great job of making 'fill ins' feel both welcome
    and a part of the team. 
    
    We got the mast up on Sunday in time for an early evening sail. Glad we
    did, Monday just wasn't safe for a boat the size fo WINDSONG.
    
    All the best next weekend.
    
    Fred
    

    Well, I had a great time this week-end, despite the results.  Could've
    used a little more wind but otherwise the weather was great.  Dave,
    nobody on Bo' thought you guys were being anything but competitive on
    that last leg on Sunday.  I thought that last leg was a blast ... most
    fun I had all day.  Of course, it would've been more fun if the two boats
    had not been battling for last.  But hey, we've both had our share of
    victories (and near-victories) this year ... ;^)
    
    Lawrence had a fantastic time with you guys (I carpooled with him both
    days and we had a long time to compare notes).  I'm sure he'd welcome
    an invite next time you're short (and Wags isn't racing) ...
    
    Any thoughts on why the fleets were so small?  Is it late-season
    burnout?  Or perhaps just that people need a week-end off after the
    PHRF N.E.'s?  Or maybe just that the series winners are pretty much
    determined by now?  Anyway, B-fleet couldn't have been much fun with
    only two boats out there ... and none of the top contenders showed up.
    
    Dean, you can't be serious ... we WILL be back next season ... won't
    we ???
    
    			... Bob
    

    Oh, another thing ... was anybody out doing the M'Head race last
    Wednesday night?  I heard that High Zoot was involved in a massive
    collision with another boat.  Apparently it was your basic port-
    starboard situation, only this time Zoot was on starboard.  I heard the
    story from someone who raced on Bo' on Sunday.  From what he said, Zoot
    hailed the offending boat a couple of times, then plowed into them at
    about 7 knots, hitting the port-tack boat just forward of the mast
    and causing extensive damage.  I just hope nobody was injured.
    
    Right or wrong, these kind of collisions should be avoided (personal
    opinion, of course).  If you have time to hail another boat, you have
    time to take evasive action and hoist your red flag.  Then again, maybe
    Zoot figured the offending boat would produce a fake witness and get
    off scott free (gee ... where has THAT happened before) ... :^(
    
    Did anybody witness this, or can shed a little more detail on what
    happened?  Does anybody REALLY know where Colregs fits into this kind
    of scenario?  Seems to me that even if you have rights, it's awfully 
    negligent to hit another boat if you have the opportunity to avoid it, 
    particularly when you hit it hard enough to cause extensive damage.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Some results finally on Touche.  Took a third in the Thursday evening
    race mostly due to good boatspeed.  Finally figured out the light air
    jibs.  Don't know where we finished on Saturday but there were lots of
    boat behind.  Saturday's race was sailed in Stuart Walker's category 1
    conditions - oscillating winds, Paul Keenan's dream conditions.  After
    a perfect start (the first one in a couple of seasons), we bounced from
    header to header and found ourselves next to Jud Smith at the mark. 
    Not jibing enough on the runs cost us but we got most of it back on the
    beats.  Nice to finish up in the fleet for a change.  What a difference
    a good crew makes!  It's been such a long time since I've had someone
    on board who knew his job and could let me concentrate on mine.  A lot
    of concentration capacity (a scarce resource for me) gets freed up 
    when I can use racing lingowithout a lot of explanatory baby talk.  
    It doesn't get any better than that. 
    
    Monday was the survival chowder race.  Took a second, mostly because we
    were stupid enough to go out and actually sail the course.  A tornado
    catamaran passed us as we approached the committee boat for the finish. 
    Matt noted that they seemed to be going slowly for a reach in 25+
    knots.  "It's because we're planning" said Larry as the bow wave hit us
    in the faces.  First time I've done that without a chute up.  Just as
    the Tornado passed the committee boat it did a perfect pitchpole,
    turning turtle and catapulting the crew into the air.  We had to swerve
    to avoid hitting them.  The woman on the stern of the RC boat had the
    most significant look of concern I've seen in a while.  We planned into
    the harbor and on the final approach to the mooring, the hiking stick
    broke sending us rounding up into a another boat.  No damage to him but
    next weekend is damage control for me.  Dumbest thing I've done for a
    free lunch.
    
    - gene 
    
    

    Last Wednesday evening while we in the starting sequence aboard
    elysium, we heard a lot of commotion about 75 or 100 aft of us.  We
    were sailing away from the scene of the impending collision but the
    noise attracted my attention.  I was driving but there was no traffic
    around me, so I got to watch.
    
    The bow person on Zoot noticed the impending collision situation with
    another J35, Whirlwind; and started hailing about one boat length from
    the point of impact.  Whirlwind was in the middle of a pack with the #1
    genoa up.  They had nobody on the bow that I could see.  They made a
    minor course correction after the hail of "Staarboard!", enough to get
    standing sort of upright instead of rail down.  Zoot's bow went up onto
    the side deck of Whirlwind.  My depth perception didn't allow me to
    determine how far forward or aft the impact was, but it seemed to be
    about amidships.  (The collision bent the aft end of Whirlwind's
    downwind pole.)  
    
    I sailed back to Whirlwind to see if everybody was alright and told
    them I had seen the collision.  The skipper looked at me and asked what
    had happened, they didn't know something was going to happen until the
    crunch.  Maybe they were not keeping an adequate look-out?
    
    Colregs?  Something in them alludes to keeping a proper look-out, I
    think.  I honestly don't know how much maneuvering room Zoot had by the
    time the collision was imminent.  Did they hail on time?  Maybe.
    
    
    djc
    

re .456
    
Gene,

Let me tell you about dream wind conditions. Or was it a nightmare?

Last Thursday we had our usual night race. The weather forecast showed
a high pressure system up north over Maine moving quickly to the east.
Therefore I expected a northeast wind, veering to the right persistantly.
Since we race in upper Narr. Bay, the windward land mass introduces thermal
turbulance and oscillating shifts. So I expected to see the oscillations on
top of the veer. But how much of each?

We got to the course 20 minutes early, the wind was out of the northeast 
and shifted steadily to the right by 15 degrees - with no oscillations. 

I decided the shift was persistant, we went right immediately after the start
and sailed for 5 to 10 minutes in a header. Hot sh!t, we're going to kill 
everybody!  

Then we got a lift - oh no we're dead! The wind was ocillating back, the 
whole fleet tacked and crossed us, we rounded the first mark DFL.

On the following run and into the beat we managed to claw back into third 
place. The crew didn't want to hear anymore about pressure systems: "Just
tack on the oscillations and stick with the fleet!". Halfway up the beat
on starboard, we had the two best boats below us. They tacked, crossed our
stern, and tacked back - upwind and to the right of us. The wind kept shifting
to the right, the two fast boats were lifting inside of us. But it didn't 
matter, we had switched to oscillation mode - we waited for the header - it 
never came. Now we really were in a persistant shift to the right. The two 
fast boats crossed us when we finally tacked for the mark.

To quote a crew member "Don't feel bad, you were right. But at the wrong time!"

-Paul
                                           

    re. the collision
    
    Whirlwind is brand spanking new, just launched in late July.  I saw
    them getting outfitted at the M'hd Trading company yard where I keep my
    dinghy.  Not a very pleasant way end to her maiden season.
    
    - gene

Well, the season is over for Bodacious.  She was hauled
last Wednesday.  Season cut short as Jon is traveling abroad the 
last week of September.  

It was a reasonably good season for us, but also disappointing.
Overall A-fleet participation was poor, with only 6 or 7
boats showing up on a regular basis for the summer and fall
series.  I guess fleet participation dwindled as the
same 3 boats started to monopolize on trophies.  Tough to 
feel motivated.  

Our best 10 races: two 1sts, two 2nds, and the rest 3rds.  Not bad, 
but we're still likely to get no better than 3rd overall for 
the season.

Although the top 3 boats are well sailed, the rating debate 
must inevitably follow.  I know that Bo's rating is carved in 
stone, as the J35 is a benchmark -- 72 forever.  From the sounds 
of it, the owners of Claddagh are going to sell, so her 75 is a moot 
point.  She should have been 72 -- maybe 70 -- two years ago.
Wildside will likely get bumped, my guess is 3 seconds.
What other changes are likely to happen?  Dunno.  But 
something must happen if we're to have any kind of fleet 
next year.  Either that, or it's time to join the Etchells.

Later,
Dean
    
    PS,  Dave, got any room for Greg next weekend?
    

    Claddagh is sold, according to one of her crew who I saw at the
    skipper's meeting last Thursday night.  She's going back to the land
    down under.
    
    Sailed on Wags this past week-end for the Manchester Fall Series.  As
    it was the final YRUMB races for the series, the turn-out was fairly
    large (B-fleet had 11 boats) for a late season series.
    
    Saturday's race was a two-legged windward/leeward from Gales to Graves
    and back (roughly 25 miles).  Sunday's race was a gold-cup course from
    a portable mark 1 mile east of Gales to Curtis Point to Newcomb's to
    the portable, then back to Curtis Point and then the finish at the
    portable.  Didn't stick around for all the results, but in B fleet Io
    took 1st both days.  Wags took a 3rd on Saturday and a 2nd on Sunday,
    for a 2nd overall (and 1st overall for the combined Manchester series). 
    Yaquina won the Fall series in A fleet, and Claddagh won the combined
    Manchester series.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Dean, we didn't race last weekend either.  One of our crew members got
    married Saturday (imagine that!) and the series didn't count toward the
    Marblehead series.  We went out social sailing on Sunday and watched
    the Manchester race.  Beautiful day!
    
    Dean, we do have room for Greg next weekend.  You too, if you are
    interested.  Give me a call at DTN 244-6607.
    
    Glad to hear Claddagh is going back to Jim Hardy, its original owner in
    Sydney.  That's just about far enough away...
    
    What do you mean we'll be bumped?  John Collins has published articles
    that specifically state that One Tonners of our vintage are 69, period.
    I hope he's a man of his word.  
    
    We will probably be doing more travelling around next year if we win
    the boat of the year award this year.  Things like Buzzards Bay, Block
    Island, Edgartown (if they get their stuff together) etc.
    
    We were talking in the bar yesterday about starting a new race. 
    Seriously.  Marblehead to P-town.  Stay overnight and return the next
    day.  Could even race back.  Charity was mentioned.  The obvious
    charity is AIDS research, but MS and others come to mind.  The race
    schedule is filled with so many holes it would be easy to schedule.  We
    thought about doing it the same weekend as the Marblehead to Halifax
    race.  How many boats actually do that race anyway?  This could turn
    into a mid summer version of Figawi!  We could get a big cruising
    contingent that doesn't race on a regular basis.  Comments!
    
    Dave

    M-head to P-town ... sounds great Dave.  Go for it.  Jubilee YC used to
    have an annual cruising race to P-town (overnighter).  They stopped
    doing it about 5 years ago, and I really miss it.  Now if only I could
    arrange to miss the beach down by Race Point ... :^(
    
    ... Bob
    

    re M'hd - P'town race
    
    How about substituting this for the Berringer overnight which
    frequently goes to Race Point anyway.  Having dinner Saturday night in
    P'town sounds much more fun than aimlessly wandering around Mass Bay in
    the dark.
    
    Since sponsorship is the way to go with the big name races these days,
    I wonder if some one could be persuaded to chip in a few (kilo)bucks
    for this one.
    
    - gene

    Another Etchells hits the water.  Matt Brown's #76 finally made it in
    this past Sunday after months of reconstructive surgery.  New rudder,
    keel, awlgrip, tiller, console, floorboards, running rigging, and
    sail control systems.  With only light usage, almost none in the last
    ten years, the hull is ramarkably stiff so I expect it to be fast
    around the race course.  Matt's partner, Bill Uptogrove, has been in
    and out of the Etchells, PHRF, and Finn fleets for the past dozen or so
    years.  With that experience and all the hardcore Tech dinghy racing
    they do during the week, I wouldn't be surprised to see them up with
    the top boats.  They certainly done a good job psyching out the other
    fleet members who have stopped by to check their handiwork.  Nothing
    but the best kevlar, spectra, and epoxy for their baby.  Now all they
    need is a name.  They've rejected the obvious one based on their sail
    number (Spirit) and my suggestion (Trombones).  
    
    - gene

I rowed out to get the boat for last race of the season last week. But the
boat and mooring were gone. I didn't even want to look, but I scanned the
shoreline expecting to find the wreckage. Still nothing.

Finally I spotted the boat out toward the channel, it had dragged it's 
mooring several hundred yards. I was relieved to find only paint smudges
and small gouges from banging other boats along the way. Minor stuff 
compared to a "bumper boat" regatta. 

The wind was fresh and we had a good race. We rounded the last mark in second
with two boats on our transom. We tore the chute during the set, but it held
together. Rather than play pure defense, we gybed away on a few shifts and 
left the wolves behind. We crossed the line for an easy second place.

After relaxing for a minute, someone uttered the fatal words "Hey, we better
get the chute down". Right then a strong gust hit us and blew the sail
apart. I felt like Gene Ho. 

To ease my race withdrawal, I went out and bought a book. Just when I
thought I'd "read it all", I found a good one. Gary Jobson and Tom Whidden
have a book called "Championship Tactics". It contains many tips that I've
never heard before (whatever that's worth). Not surprising since these guys 
have been the tactical brains in the US America's Cup for the past 20 years. 
There's also a strong Stuart Walker influence, but easier to read. They 
emphasis how the skipper will inevitably make dumb mistakes if he tries to 
do all the tactics himself. I can attest to that.

Paul  

    Dave,
    
    I'll be traveling that weekend, but thank you for 
    the invite.
    
    As for your rating, I know nothing about articles, etc,
    it's just my impression that you're a little faster than a 69.
    Either that, or we're a little slower than 72, which I'm
    more inclined to beleive.  Who knows what next season will
    bring.  Maybe we could have an off-season draft for crew...  ;)
    
    
    Claddagh is gone.  Will kind of miss her....
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Nah!  ;)  Have they gotten another boat?  They were looking
    at a Farr 40, yes?
    
    Have a fun off season everyone!  
    
    Cheers,
    Dean
    

    re .466
    
    A J-24 dragging its mooring?  Guess you'll have to put down TWO cinder
    blocks next season.
    
    If you were able to salvage the nylon scraps from the chute, a
    sailmaker can sew them back together.  You will, however, have some
    seams showing that weren't there before.  
    
    If your withdrawal pains become intolerable, I can use a tactics whiz
    on Touche on Oct 6, the last race in M'hd.  That is, of course, if I
    haven't sold the boat by then.
    
    - gene

    re:.461
    Nice race, Wags.  I was on Bad Company.  A real squeeker on Sat. given
    the distance raced.  Glad the rain held off.
    
    Joe

    Squeaker ???  2/1000's of an hour (about 7 seconds) corrected, over 
    a 25+ mile course ... yeah, that's kinda close ... ;^)
    
    Fun week-end ...
    
    			... Bob
    

    Last Race for the season was yesterday.  As usual, the Jubilee ran an
    interesting race course.  The only problem was the use of the Cat
    Island channel bouy for a mark.  This is the mark our navigator mistook
    earlier in the season.  The problem is that it is marked "N4" on the
    chart and not "R4" like the YRUMB book claims.  Unfortunately there is
    an "R4" right in Cat Island Channel.  The coordinates make it clear
    that YRUMB means N4, but some other poor shnook got caught in the same
    problem yesterday.  Anyone hear how that protest turned out?
    
    We had two of Bodacious' crew members with us yesterday.  We didn't
    show them our best stuff at all.  We had some good moments, but could
    only finish third with Arbella of all people beating us out for second.
    We had an ungodly jib wrap while doing a jibe set of the chut at the
    last windward mark.  The jib tailers let the jib out in front of the
    headstay during the jibe and it got wrapped in the foreguy.  What a
    mess!
    
    It was a beautiful day.  Very sad the season is over.  We believe we
    won Class A boat of the year for Marblehead, so we are happy about
    that.
    
    Dave

    I was on Wags for this race.  Io was the boat that went around the
    wrong mark, and Fred DiNapoli and I got to sit on opposite sides in the
    protest room (we were the respective naviguessers for Io and Wags).  
    
    I thought Fred made a good argument (as did Jacque earlier in the 
    season).  YRUMB should make their mark designations match what's on the
    charts (in this case, the mark we rounded should be designated RN4).
    Also, I have always wondered why that little nun out by Halfway Rock is
    called the Cat Island Channel Buoy, rather than the one over by Cat
    Island, which is the one Io rounded.
    
    But my case was that, although the YRUMB book is unclear about the mark
    designation, the lat and long given in the book very closely match the
    coordinates of the nun that the rest of us went to (within .1 nm).  
    Also there is no light on the nun, as the YRUMB book indicates.  The
    channel marker that Io rounded has a 4-second red flash on it.
    
    The protest committee agreed with me that it should have been obvious
    which mark was the one designated in the Salem Bay list (the other one
    is not even on the list), and that Io violated the rule (52.4?) about
    not rounding all the posted marks.
    
    I thought this was an unfortunate way to end the race, because from the
    start it was a two-boat race between us and Io.  They took an early lead
    and basically held it between 1 and 6 boatlengths for the first 12 miles
    of the race.  When they headed for the wrong mark they were about 3-4 
    boatlengths in front of us.  Had they continued sailing as they had for
    the first 75% of the race, they probably would have won.  It would have
    been better to either have won or lost based on boat speed and tactics.
    But I just couldn't see letting them take a 3+ mile shortcut ... :^(
    It just took away any opportunity for us to catch them during the last
    1 and a half legs of the race.
    
    Bernie Burke (Io's skipper) plans to write YRUMB a letter asking them
    to clarify the mark designation in their list.  I think that would be a
    good idea ... nobody should lose a race because the mark designations
    are confusing.
    
    It was a beautiful day to be sailing.  Too bad the season's over.  Wags
    is getting hauled next Sunday.  Hope Saturday's nice so we can get one
    last sail in before the long wait begins.
    
    ... Bob
    

    I'd like to thank Gene Ho for including me in yesterday's E22 finale. 
    Paul Keenan was aboard as well.  We took a sixth or seventh, but kept
    up in the fleet the whole way.  I really had a blast, but ended up with
    all sorts of mystery bruises and scrapes!  Plus I had to relearn to
    read an analog compass ;^).
    
    Thanks again, Gene.
    
    Dave

    Sure woulda liked to have been sailing yesterday instead of hauling
    Wags.  We got our last sail of the season in on Saturday.  What a day! 
    The wind was 18-30 SW, warm and sunny.  Best sailing day of the season
    IMO.  Then yesterday turned out easily as nice.  Never hauled a boat
    in that kind of weather before.  I envy those of you who spent the day
    sailing instead of working.
    
    ... Bob
    

    RE .471
    
    Found out yesterday that Io is appealing the protest on the R4 mark. 
    At the very least, I expect that will get the YRUMB folks to clarify
    the designation of the two marks in question ...
    
    							... Bob
    

    
    
    	I was a guest on Saturday for the Scituate Chowder Bowl on John
    Glancy's Frers 33 `Rigamarole'. Quite a turnout, actually, saw a buncha
    Hingham Bay and Boston boats getting in their last licks. Can't beat
    the conditions; ssw 15-25 with the biggest waves generated by the
    hulls! Fast AND dry! Anyway, a twicearound olympic, more or less, with
    1 1/2 mile legs. Sorta like the New Englands, with perfecto conditions.
    Anyway, the battle was with a Frers 36, Quickdraw I think, and Fred
    Baker's Evelyn 32. We had a strong second going into the 5th leg, when
    the heavy #1 said so long. The #2 was in the shop, I think, so speed
    really suffered with the worker. Anyway, after woofing down a bit o'
    chowder, assembled some of my crew back at Wessagusset, and blew the
    rest of the day off in fine style, around the outer harbor islands.
    The next day was less air; better for my wife, so a quick run to
    Minots, then the `B', back around Boston Light then battling the
    current for awhile. In fact, NOBODY was making Hull Gut under sail
    alone.
    
    So, this may even be another topic...but...
    This is my first year without total control over the boat. The last one
    lived on a trailer; the boatyard was my back yard. Now I'm told when I
    have to be pulled, at the club, or shell out multithousands at
    Hewitt's, the local big yard. And still have to line up the Lift, or
    Brownell, or whatever. Anyway, the whole thing sounds unfair, even tho
    many say it's better to be out because of possible storms. I say BS;
    there's plenty of safe hiding places in the event of a nor'easter. Is
    this the price that must be paid? I figure I'm losing a good month or
    so of boating. Six months seems awfully short. Comments?

    A terrific day and a great crew on board Touche for this season's swan
    song.  Paul and Dave:  thanks for showing a duffer how to find his way
    around the course.  If I can hold off Alzheimers for another year I
    hope to remember some of tricks I picked up.  Dave, I had usually tried
    to tack in the usual keel boat manner, shooting slowly to weather
    before bearing off.  But, you know Dave, you're right about not losing
    speed in the tacks.  When I just slammed it over, the boat didn't seem
    to slow up at all.  Paul, if I can get that leach up like you said,
    maybe we'll be able to squeeze Bob Sides (740) up the next time he
    tries to roll us.
    
    The race itself is still a bit of a mystery in my mind.  We started out
    doing the textbook things.  Compass readings on both tacks indicated a
    65 deg tacking angle, perfect for the flat seas and steady wind. 
    Running the line showed it to be square.  Shooting the wind showed a
    true beat for the rhumbline.  Dave and I independently assesed the left
    side as the one offering the most oppurtunity.  The game plan was to
    start in the middle of the line and to work the left side without
    hitting the corner.  
    
    The start happened according to plan, thanks in large part to a quick
    fix of broken vang bail by Dave and Paul.  Thank heavens they had the
    presence of mind to do what had to be done inspite of my completely
    unhelpful advice.  A gang up at the committee boat resulted is a few
    PMS's and many boats bailing out to go right to avoid our gas and the
    early starter's coming back.  But as luck would have it there was more
    favorable wind on the right and we watched quite a few sterns as we
    crossed tacks.  We arrived at the windward mark on the port layline and
    tacked around with not as many boats in back as we would have liked.  
    
    Downwind the fleet consolidated and we rounded the leeward mark in a
    cluster, tacking to go left to avoid the line of boats in front.  Left
    paid off this time.  At the weather mark we're back in 4th place after
    doing a quasi legal real close tack on #467 right at the mark.  Some
    quick sail handling by Paul and Dave got us around with maybe an 1/8"
    to spare and we heat up 30 deg. on Starboard.  Some inattentive steering
    on my part dropped a few boat lengths and at the finish two boats
    squeezed past us.  Boy do I wish there had been another leg to get
    those two boats back.  But that will have to wait for next year.
    
    A season never passes without a halyard lock fiasco and it was # 76's
    turn this year.  When I drove over to the Marblehead yacht club to
    carpool with one of the owners, he was still sailing around trying to
    get his mainsail down.  At the club dock much advice was given on how
    to do this, most of it very humerous but all of it utterly useless and
    some of it suicidal.  We sailed #76 over to the Corinthian dock to use
    their ladder and barely avoided putting it on the rocks when the
    skipper tacked short of the dock.  We got the main down but not before
    the owner had torn out a significant portion of his remaining hair.  By
    the way, Paul, we saw the Iron Lady back on its mooring on the way
    down.
    
    - gene
         

    Gene, a couple of comments.  First, it wasn't so much the driving as
    much as my lack of knowing the E22's polars that lost those two boats
    at the end of the race.  I played the downwind legs too hot.  Obviously
    not the best VMG as the two boats were behind us at the turning mark.
    Sorry!
    
    Second, I was amazed how much speed the boat holds out of the tacks!
    The story might be different in light air, but not in yesterdays
    conditions.
    
    Third, the fleet is so bloody close that wind shifts that we might
    ignore ( less than 5 degrees) had a huge affect on the E22 fleet.  I,
    too don't understand how the right side paid on the first beat.  The
    guys on Wildside watched us round the final mark not knowing that was
    us with the problem.  They were in hysterics saying it had too have
    been me that put us there.  I tend to want to do that a lot.  "Sure,
    there's PLENTY of room..."
    
    Fourth,  E22's are a blast to race.  There is NO room in that fleet for
    slacking.  Can't help but make for better skills.  We bigger boat
    sailors get lax and content looking at our digital doodads.  Back to
    the (wet) seat of the pants sailing!
    
    Dave

I went to the Ct State Championships in Candlewood St park outside of Danbury
this weekend. Great racing. A small lake with funny shifts, it really
challanged me. The fact a large contingent of ProSail guys showed up made it
that much more interesting. My normal crew had other commitments, so I had Dave
Shear from Albany captaining my boat while I played dead weight and ran the
chute. Dave is a skipper I have always admired, and he wanted a chance to try
racing a cat with a chute. 

Saturday was as perfect of a warm fall day as one could ask for (except for the
moron leafers crawling along the highways while I'm trying to get to the race,
I mean why are they driving 2-3 abreast at 50 mph at 4:30 AM ??? The *(&^ sun
isn't coming out for another 2 hours!). We did pretty good. Dave went through
my boat and really tighten up everything (shrouds, rudders, etc). Then on the
course he runs the main really loose and constantly is footing the boat. It
didn't feel like it was moving, but come the windward mark, we were always
there first in our class, even carrying and extra 120 lbs of beef on board. I
am finding that even though the boat feels faster pointing, you are to better
the foot it constantly. The downwind runs were a riot as the narrow lake and
large fleet made the crossing interest at speed to say the least. The leeward
mark as insanity as 15 cats crossed, dropped chutes and headed back up in a
very confined area. Some poor soul avoided another boat the t-boned another
cat. 8 guys on one boat with a power boat pulling the other way couldn't get
them apart. They head to tow the mess to shore where it took over a dozen
people to free the two boats. 

My spinnaker technique was a "c". Half the time I was perfect, half the time
something would go wrong and cost us more distance than the chute would save
us, since the legs were so short. Luckily our upwind performance was good, as
was our course placement. I learn to enter the leeward pin shallow and over
point the mark. When the boat stalled, the preasure would be off the sails and
we could quickly bring in the outhaul and boom vang. Then we would pick up a
bit of speed and tack off to clean air as everyone else ate dirt on a port
tack. It was worth the extra tack and problem of our finishing on port. 

As .78 says, pull the rudders over for a quick tack. This goes against
everything I every read about cats since you have two rudders and very little
momenteum. It does work though. Anyways, we aced all 4 races. 

On Sunday the winds were lighter and we sailed the first course ok, but took a
2nd after our competitor overstood the last leg and footed for more speed. The
best part was wasting half the pro-sail 21s who had tacked off immediately and
had to eat the bad air of all of us who overstood the mark. We had enough
points (ie. less points than anyone had with throwouts the previous day) to
skip the last race. This was done for 2 reasons. 1. get to shore and put the
boat away before the hords showed up. 2. Why take a chance of getting a DSQ
which could not be thrown out. In fact    the 1st place 21 did the same thing
when 6 different guys begged him to    sail the last race. He smelled a set-up.

Won our class, and then went down the street to have a couple beers with the
pro sailor. learned the following: 

Hobie cat is having financial troubles, and has cut out it's support of the
association. This is causing us to run with more sponcers and to let other type
cats race in an open class. it will be interesting to see what happens to the
limitations on the types of changes one can make to their boat now. 

The ProSail group had a bad year as they lost Salem as their sponcer and only
had a couple of races. The is another sponser signed up for next year, and it
looks to be a much bigger calander. 

Great weekend and it made up for the beating I took at the Nations. When I have
a chance, I'll crank in the gory details of that. 

john 

Gene and Dave, enjoyed sailing w/ you both. I was concerned about
creating a three headed skipper monster, but it worked out well.
One of the best moments was after the vang broke, Gene directed me
to a container filled with nuts, bolts, shackles, etc. I quickly
opened it, then dropped everything in the bilge! Gene looked down
at me groping in the bottom of the boat and muttered "Well that's
not gonna help".

I would love to get the best of that #740 boat some day. He was smart,
kept shifting gears on us. At the start he was to windward and just
climbed away from us. Later on he drove down and herded us to the
port tack layline. 

Gene, I've been thinking about your main. On my boat, the main is
a higher aspect ratio, I keep the foot fairly tight and this only flattens
a small portion of the sail. On your boat, we had the foot tight and this
seemed to flatten a large part of the main. I wonder if loosening the foot 
a bit and tensioning the leech to add fullness would pay off.  

Paul

    Etchells #740 belongs to Bob Sides who sailed in and won his 51st M'hd
    Race Week this year.  He went out to the left with us but managed to
    climb back up and eventually win Sunday's race.  Over the past 8 years
    he's done the exact same thing to me maybe 50 or 60 times.  Some of us
    are slow learners.   Funny thing is, every time I just follow him around
    the course, the magic doesn't happen and we both get tanked.
    
    About the main, you're right about the impact of the outhaul.  The
    radial panels emanating from the clew really transmit the flattening
    effect way up the sail.  The sail is new this year with very few races
    on it and I haven't figured everything out yet.  Trimming for more
    power and a rounder leach is definetely on the test agenda for next
    season.  Jud Smith has also mentioned this but it's hard to know how
    to quantify "full" and "round".  Maybe I need to get the two of you
    back next season as consultants.
    
    - gene

From:	MFGMEM::KEENAN       "PAUL KEENAN DTN 297-7332" 10-OCT-1990 09:13:39.58
To:	STEREO::HO
CC:	KEENAN
Subj:	Backstay

Gene,

In a fleet as tight and competitive as yours, gear shifting is critical.
One thing we didn't agree on this weekend was the use of the backstay.
To shift into pinch mode, I tighten my backstay and mainsheet and ease
the jib cunn. a bit. This flattens both sails, moves the draft back,
and tightens the main leech. I find this works well for me.

I dug through a few books/articles on shifting gears and they seem to
agree. I can't think of any reason why an E22 would work in reverse - ie. 
ease the backstay to point. Stuart Walker's Adv Racing Tactics has a
chapter on gear shifting; you may want to reread it. I also have a 
good article by Greg Fisher, I'll send you a copy if you send me your 
mailstop.

Next time we'll drop #740 like a no deposit bottle.

Paul

    From:	STEREO::HO           10-OCT-1990 18:30:34.58
To:	MFGMEM::KEENAN
CC:	HO
Subj:	RE: Backstay

Paul:

Good point Paul.  I had moved a block to the rear of the mast at the 
partners to get into a lighter air mode than last week but forgotten to 
adjust my perception of what the trim shoud be.  This has the effect of 
loosening the forestay for a given amount of mainsheet and backstay 
tension.  To get the same entry shape in the jib I should have put more 
backstay on.  But the forestay seemed reasonably tight.  It usually bobs 
around if it's not.

None of this however occured during the race.  But going upwind it seemed
that the mainsheet was already within maybe two inches of the max setting 
which the forwardmost position on the scale that's on the boom.  With much 
more backstay (mark lower than about 3 inches), inversion wrinkles start to 
appear which kills both speed and pointing.  Plus the boom was starting to 
droop significantly compared to my recollection of what's normal at that 
wind speed.

I often do as you recommend for pointing but in the last few weeks I've 
noticed that I've depowered the main too much by over tightening the 
backstay thereby overflattening the top of the sail.  I thought I'd try 
keeping it powered up this time.

On factor that may account for a difference in the trim between a J24 and 
an Etchells is the utter lack of integrity in the E22 mast.  Softer by far 
than a J24.  More backstay just bends the mast without tightening the 
forestay.  Bending the mast collapses the leach.  More mainsheet gets the 
leach back up but stretches sail in the upper third and flattens it.  Thus 
less power.  With the wind decreasing, I wanted to keep powered up, 
especially with four in the boat.  And there seemed to be just enough wave 
action to need the power.  The Etchells doesn't have the big genny to power 
through like the J24.

The rationale for all this mainsheet and backstay tension is to remove 
forestay sag which in an Etchells is outrageous compared to any other boat. 
In light air the backstay takes out a lot of the sag.  In 10 or more knots 
it's the mainsheet that does it.  The function of the backstay transitions 
above 10 knots to flattening the upper main rather than reducing forestay 
sag.  As the wind builds we have to move blocks from the back of the mast to 
the front to tilt the mast back.  Even mainsheet tension alone is not 
adequate.  This however, changes the point of max mast bend.  More block in 
back = lower bend = more fullness in upper main.  With the blocking we had 
I think we had barely enough fullness up high.  I'm not sure which way we 
should have gone on the main.  In the past I know I've been burned by too 
much mainsheet and backstay when I should have been paying attention to the 
other sail.

The BIG trim booboo on my part was not resetting the jib cars for the Wave 
Jib that I finally selected.  Remember, I equivocated for God knows how 
many minutes about sail selection.  When I finally decided, I forgot that 
the cars were set for the flat jib I had on last week.  The Wave Jib is so 
full that it has to be stretched at the foot and luff or air just won't 
flow around it.  

The other change I would have made is to put an extra mast block in back of 
the mast at the partners.  This would have moved the point of max bend down 
reducing the tendency of the backstay to flatten the top.  Then I would 
have eased the outhaul more and really cranked down on the backstay and 
mainsheet like you say.  And just trim the jib tighter.  This might have 
given us power in the main and a tight entry in the jib.  If only we had a 
time machine to check this out.

    Nothing like sipping beer, listening to oldies, and cruising.  Do this
    on a one tonner on a close reach in twelve knots with three other
    talking boatheads and sailing doesn't get much better.
    
    Dave Johston and company graciously let me tag along for the ride as
    they delivered Wildside to her winter home in Boston.  Didn't even have
    to motor much despite the Southeast wind.  As we past the Pig rocks
    south of Tinkers Dave wishes out loud for the wind a few more degrees
    aft so we can set the jib and, whadya know, the wind shifts and we set
    the #1.  Didn't have to touch it much after that.  Only one jibe the
    whole trip.
    
    It's been a while since I've been in big boat but Wildside does handle
    almost as responsively as a dinghy.  Hard to resist the temptation to
    make the boat dance in the waves when on the helm.  My enthusiasm had
    to be restrained.
    
    Lots of nice user friendly ideas.  Color codes on stoppers and halyards
    and rollers to skirt the jib.  The trip was too short.  Coulda kept on
    going to the Virgins easily.
    
    - gene

    Yeah, Gene, the Virgins would have been nice.  Woulda had to stop in
    Bermuda for more beer, though.  Glad to have aboard!
    
    Dave

    Well down here in NZ we have just finished our major spring regatta
    last weekend in which we finished 3rd and are looking forward to 
    a summer of racing ahead. Twlight racing starts tonight and goes until
    the end of march with a break for christmas cruising with saturaday
    racing starting this weekend.
    	I kind of feel sorry for you having to take a break from racing for
    the winter as down here racing is an all year round event with short
    breaks between the summer and winter series,winter racing seems lately
    to attract the bigger fleets.
    	Well I'll look forward to reading this note when the spring arrives
    and you start again.I suppose one good thing about such a long break is
    that if it happened down here I'd be able to get a few things finished
    around the house and keep the wife happy.
    
    regards Revel.

    Revel,
    
    Please keep us posted on events/issues in your racing
    circles.  At least, I'd like to know what's up down under.
    
    ;)

    Revel, what kind of boat do you race?  Do you crew or own?  What kind
    of racing is big down there?  One design or handicap and if handicap,
    what measurement is primarily used?  Much controversy?  How long
    (distance) are your average races?  What sort of wind is normal? 
    Harbor racing, or ocean?  
    
    C'mon, fill us in!
    
    Dave

    
    
    	6 months to sail, 6 months to repair. The New England sailor's lot.
    	
    	Any hi-paid crew openings in NZ??? That's one place I'd sure like
    	to visit. Revel, the winter might be a little warmer here if you
    	keep us updated. How are the sea conitions? Are rocks and current
    	as important to know as favored sides and mast bend? Are pros 
    	competing against amateurs? Which brands and designs are favored
    	there?
    
    	Any other racing noters in that hemisphere? C'mon, let's hear 
    	what works!
    
    	Scott
    
    

    I'll try and answer your questions but first I have to say that we won
    the race last night so that's not a bad way to start.
    	The racing calander in NZ starts in October with the spring regatta
    with 4 races over 2 weekends (2 harbour about 30miles,2 olympic) the
    winds for these are generally very strong 25kts + and again this year
    was no exception with the last race changed from olympic to a harbour
    race as they couldn't lay the marks,it blew 35kts true and the clew of
    the kite parted company from the rest of the spinnaker.
    	The next race is the coastal classic a 120 mile race up the coast
    this was last weekend 153 boats entered in 7 divisions determined by
    LOA, with prizes going to line honours,PHRF,and if enough entries of
    the same design to the first one there in each divison.They started the
    race with a mass start which was interesting to say the least but
    somehow we managed to get a good one and hit the right side of the
    track to be leading our divison which we managed to maintain for the
    first 80mile then the lights went out,and along with them our
    brains. The 3 hours between 2-5 am weren't our finest.The final result
    wasn't pretty.It also cost us 5 bottles of rum made in rash bets in the
    yacht club.
    	From now until March the yacht clubs run the most important for us
    the RNZYS series of races. These are made up of a combination of
    harbour,olympic and three passage races to points around the coast.The
    best of the passage races is to Kawau Island but that is not until Feb.
     	There are 2 other series of races both of 5 races made up of longer
    races 80-150 mile during the year.And of course wednesday night racing.
     So there's plenty to do. Then winter starts but that will be another
    story.
    	Racing is done in a mixture of one design fleets and mixed
    divisions using PHRF and IMS is starting to become popular.The popular
    one design boats in NZ are the Farr 1020,Farr 38,Townson 32,Young
    88,and Swaurt 34. I own a Young 88 which is a 30ft fractional rigged
    cruiser/racer boat with an open transom displacing 2750kgs they rely 
    on crew weight to make them go uphill and are easy to surf when running and
    reaching.There have been about 150 of these made in NZ so the fleet is
    one of the biggest and very competative.One design came late to NZ with
    our classes growing out of the fact that someone built a few of these and
    went out on the harbour a blitzed everything out there,so you built a
    mould and started selling them and dream a set of class rules.
    	  Got to go will continue tomorrow if you are interested.
    
    regards revel.

    Yes, go on.  I noticed while visiting Sydney that many of the
    "cruisers" down there are more radical than most of the so called
    racers in Marblehead.  Much more to my liking.  After all, sleds were
    invented in NZ.  
    
    Dave

    ... I am interested.  It'd be nice to see some activity in here during
    the off season.  Just don't start feeling lonely ... most of us turn
    read-only in the winter.  I think the cold weather has something to do
    with it ... ;^)
    
    Please continue to post your racing stories and results.  They'd be
    enjoyable reading to tide us over till it's sailing season on this side
    of the planet again.
    
    ... Bob
    

    I just read the last paragraph of my last reply  and it made no sense
    sorry about that. The program for us this year is do wednesday
    nights,the RNZYS series(12) and one of the 2 longer series.There is also
    our championship regatta (5 races)in april,a match racing series to
    select a rep from the class to go to the NZ series.
    The boat is also raced on tuesday nights by a ladies crew who are using
    as training in the lead up to the national champs for ladies the winner of
    which goes on to the worlds.
    	Boats in NZ are usually have some sort of cruising comforts and
    racing stops for a month over christmas so the boats can go cruising.
    I would have to agree that from looking at american sailing mags that
    the average cruising boat here bears very little resemblance your
    boats.Most "production" boats here are not bought fully finished here
    but at a hull and decks stage and are completed at home.There are a few
    all out racers but even they have a freezer ya cant race without a cold
    beer at the finish.
    	The race on wednesday night started badly for us we got a bit of a
    shock when the committee boat pointed out that we'd made yet another
    bet for a bottle of rum with "John's Dory" that had slipped our
    minds.Well we started badly with john dory going over the top of
    us and "88 proof" jamming out from under us, being the meat in the
    sandwich is not a lot of fun.So out the back we go. 88 proof went round
    the first mark 2nd behind john's dory we were 4th.John's dory then
    proceded to sit on our face not giving us any clear air for the first
    half of the beat,they were then faced with the choice of protecting
    their lead as 88 proof and "flash gordon" were coming through (flash
    had a few of the north boys on board and in the past have been real
    hard to beat).Well from our point of veiw John tacked clear to cover
    the other 2 which was just fine by us as we were going where we
    wanted.That move cost him a bottle of rum.In clear air we managed to get the
    boat trucking along to round the top mark 2nd a boat length behind 88
    proof.We had a tight reach to our next mark then a gybe set to go back
    home. We ran over 88 proof on the run lead the fleet home this is a very
    nice way start to the series.
    	Do the pro's race the the little guys? Well in the 88's the spring
    regatta is open to anyone but the class champs the boats must be helmed
    by an owner or regular helmsperson(a ladies crew won last year but they
    also went on to win the world champs for woman and they had the skipper
    from propaganda on board).Last year in the spring regatta we raced Rod
    Davies helming with David Barnes calling the shots.That was a bit of an
    eye-opener.In the champs Chris Dickson and Russell Coutts have raced
    but only as tactision.
    	The weekend has arrived which we are taking off as some of the crew
    have exams coming up and they have to study.So we'll see you next week.
    
    regards Revel.

    re "Sleds invented in NZ..."
    
    I happen to know that sleds were invented in 
    Switzerland when an avalanche nocked down a barn
    but the owner's favorite cow escaped harm as she 
    rode the barn door down the mountain.
    
    No, wait, that's surfing.  Nevermind...

    It was a tad windy last night so they posponed the the race until 12th
    Dec. The weather station on the point of which we race had 48kts in the
    gusts and there are a lot of small boats that race so the committee
    canned it. The big problem with this is that you get to the yacht club
    at 5:30 which is a tad dangerous.
    	Raced on Tuesday night on a friends bopat and won that race so the
    week hasn't been a complete washout.Raceing on saturday in a 70 miles
    race.
    
    Regards revel

    Sittin' home sick today, so I was reading the latest issue of Sailing
    World.  There's an interesting article in there called "Helping the
    Helmsman", which is an interview with Robbie Haines (1984 Olympic gold
    medalist in Soling class) on communication between crew and helmsman.
    
    Now I've raced on a few boats (with many of you, in fact) and everybody
    seems to have a different idea on the role of various crew with regards
    to communication.  In my experience, communication between crew and
    helmsman is one of the most important, and least well-defined functions
    of the racing team.
    
    So the following is excerpted from the article for purposes of discussing
    your ideas on the subject.  
    
    	The key to a good team is to keep the helmsman from feeling like
    	he has to look around, so he can concentrate on keeping the boat
    	moving.  
    
    	The helmsman has to have a good dialogue with the genoa trimmer
    	when going upwind.  The trimmer should have his eyes glued on the
    	knotmeter and should know what the target boatspeeds are. Every
    	boat should have targets and the genoa trimmer should have these
    	in his head.
    
    	Just after a tack the genoa trimmer should be calling off the rate
    	of increase in boatspeed because that'll dictate the helmsman's
    	course.
    
    	Input from the main trimmer is anything in regard to, "We have a
    	two-knot puff", "the wind's the same", "I'm going to pull the sheet
    	in a little, how does that feel on the helm".
    
    	The spinnaker trimmer should provide information like "pressure" or
    	"no pressure", and the helmsman should dictate his own course.
    
    	The helmsman should never stifle constructive comments from the
    	crew, but it can get a little confusing if people are telling
    	him where to steer the boat.
    
    	Going upwind, the tactician should understand puffs, headers and
    	lifts as they relate to wind velocity.  For example, "the boat to
    	weather is going a little bit faster, but the water looks darker
    	up there and I think it's a puff".
    
    	Downwind the tactician should be relaying information about the
    	boats upwind, whether they are going faster, or getting on your
    	wind.  The helmsman should never have to look back to see what
    	the fleet behind is doing.
    
    
    Comments ??
    
    			... Bob
    

    I agree with the above and have a few points of my own.
    
    - At the boat I sail, the helmsman tends to be the tactician as well,
      so the crew should try and do his looking around for him and enable
      him to concentrate on boat speed.
    	
    - Crewmembers, particularly younger ones, sometimes talk in a language
      all of their own ( "XYZ is really down the pan now","ABC is history",
      "DEF is doing a horizon job" and other such things ), and what the
      helmsman really needs is clear information like "XYZ has had a 20
      degree header", "ABC has gone too far out into the tide and is now
      losing out" and "DEF has got better wind down to leeward"
    
    - Inactive crew members should try not to distract the ones who need to
      concentrate with comments like "Look at the colour of GHI's kite !"
      This is a particular problem with big crews, half of whom are there
      to pull strings during mark-roundings etc, and have nothing to do
      during the straight line bits.
    
    Chris
    

    Here's my thoughts:
    
    It's become fashionable to call the skipper a "driver". I've been
    in a few situations with crews who want me to shut up and "just drive".
    I don't think this works at all. Mainly because no one has a better feel 
    for speed, power, and balance of the boat than the helmsman. The
    helmsman has to be in close communication with the throttle man. Upwind
    the throttle is usually the genny trimmer and downwind it's the
    spinnaker sheet. 
    
    Target boatspeed is mainly a big boat technique. Smaller One designs
    accelerate and decelerate too much with every change in wind speed and
    waves. The big thing in One Design is measuring yourself against the
    fleet. The two main areas to watch are the lee bow and windward
    quarter. Crewmembers who can discern gains and losses against the fleet
    and communicate it are worth their weight in gold.
    
    
    As far the helmsman looking around, I think the crew has to do most
    of it and identify areas of interest. Then the skipper can take quick
    looks to optimize his look-around time. 
    
    I also believe in the "get your head
    out of the boat" theory. Basically, you can't sail fast with your eyes
    riveted on the telltales. I think if telltale-fanatical skippers took 
    the telltales off their jibs, most would sail faster. Gary Jobson says
    angle of heel is the most important thing to sense while steering and I 
    agree. There's also the feel of the helm, sound of the bow wave, mast
    head pennant, wind on your neck etc. I've been able to sail very fast 
    upwind at night with no flashlight on the jib, sailing by angle of heel. 
    The competition were all blinding themselves with lights and we left them 
    behind. Our crew maintained thier night sight, spotted areas with more 
    wind, and we tacked toward it.    
    
    Paul

    Silence is golden.
    
    The sail trimmers have set up the sails so the boat almost steers
    itself.  Just an occasional glance at the telltales and compass out of
    the corner of the helmsman's eye is enough to keep the boat in the
    groove.  Everyone scans the water and boats around us for advantageous
    variations in wind and position.  There is instantaneous mental
    convergeance on a tactical opportunity and a flick of the helsman's
    wrist is enough to signal the initiation of a perfect roll tack.
    
    This happens on everyone else's boat.  It never happens on the boat I'm
    aboard.
    
    In the absence of mental telepathy, I prefer to do all the things we
    not supposed to do when building consensus in meetings or interviewing
    prospective employees:
    
    	1.  Ask only questions that can be answered yes or no.
    
    Bad question:  What's goin on to weather of us?
    Good question:  Are they gaining or losing to weather?
    
    	2.  Never give data without a value judgement.
    
    Bad data:  125 127 126 128 129 131 130 135 
    Good data:  We're knocked, let's tack!
    
    	3.  No real time data dumps allowed.
    
    e.g.  3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.7 4.8
    
    This is a good demo of working knotmeter but is otherwise worthless
    data.  Only the trimmers need to know the rate of speed increase and
    they can keep it to themselves.  The helmsman just steers to his
    telltales.	
    
    	4.  The less you can get away with saying, the better.
    
    Lessens the chance of having to eat words latter.  Or treating some one
    to an expensive dinner after the race.
    
    	5.  No sailing lessons while racing.
    
    Instead, de-brief after the race.
    
    If there is a significant skill or experience inbalance, it will be
    hard to adhere to the above.  And the results usually show it. 
    However, it's not wise to be too bottom line oriented in sailboat
    racing.  Encourages the wrong attitude.
    
    - gene  

    The article could have been written by our crew.  We strive to carry on
    a conversation that is focussed and not directly aimed at the driver. 
    That's right, driver.  The driver picks up the pertinent data and
    should react.  Main participants are myself as tactician, the main
    trimmer, and headsail trimmer.  The driver sits between me and the main
    trimmer so he hears all our conversation.  Sentences are short and idle
    chat is discouraged.  Info from the rail is crucial, but the balacne is
    to keep it from being a constant stream.  
    
    By the way, we place a great deal of credit for our recent sucess on
    exactly what the article stresses, providing the helmsman with the
    confidence that he does not have to look around.  Steering is a
    technical task.  On a big boat it is VERY difficult to be both driver
    and tactician.
    
    The concept of "skipper" is dying.  Sailing is a team sport.  We are
    all crew with our own jobs to do.  A lot of people think that the
    ability to write checks imbues them with the ability to do everything
    else as well.
    
    Dave

    
    
    	Actually, I thought the action of ripping all those checks out of
    	the book created breeze, thus I was important. Aw nuts.
    
    	Great stuff here. This is the first year with this boat, and
    	suddenly 3-4 people aren't enough. In that great DEC tradition,
    	more middle management is created. The chute trimmer has to yell
    	to the bow man, not the driver. Etc etc. 
    	
    	Now the big question; where does one who has a comfy boat attract
    	good crew? Big new sleds are more like magnets for sailmakers and
    	such. I've not seen Jud, or Wiley, or Robbie on an O'Day 28. In
    	that case, usually every OUTING, race or not, is a lesson.
    
    	I've read neat yachtclubbish stuff about parties with college 
    	talent and such which sounded great... anyone seen this in action?
    	Or any other methods? 
    	Actually, Notes and Email have been my best help yet!
    
    	Who wants to expose their magic secrets???

    Gene,
    
    The only thing that "spontaneously converges" on my boat is the boom
    and peoples heads. But you know all about that!
    
    Dave,
    
    About this Skipper/Driver stuff - please show me a good team without a
    good leader. Some of the most critical decisions of any race are boat to 
    boat tactical moves at starts and around marks. And these situations
    allow no time for discussion, the helmsman must act, right or wrong.
    He's the Skipper. This is especially true in One Desigh where 20-30
    boats can converge on a mark at once. All the grand strategy  and
    teamwork of a long beat can be blown instantly. I'm a great believer
    in crew teamwork. But at the same time, the feel of the helm gives
    a good Skipper an acute awareness of the boats performance and
    manueverability.
    
    Paul
    that went into the windward strategy can be lost quickly at the
    windward  

    Paul, you are right!  Teams DO need a leader.  NOT the driver, though. 
    Maybe it's different in one design.  Although, the Burton brothers who
    won the E22 worlds twice would disagree with you.  At our starts
    especially the helmsman has final veto, but the tactician calls the
    shots.  A helmsman cannot possibly take in all that is happening at the
    start and maintain proper boat handling.  If skill is an issue, that is
    one thing, but I can attest to several good boats in A fleet that don't
    do better because the owner/helmsman makes all the calls.  Can't do it
    all well.
    
    As for getting crew.  Good question.  I hate to discourage you, but it
    can take several seasons to build a first rate crew, and it takes as
    much or more work than maintaining the boat to race specs.  Start by
    asking your sailmaker for recommendations if you have or are buying
    sails.  Let your crew (if qualified) have a share in running the boat. 
    Treat them lavishly.  Barbecues, plenty of sandwiches and beer on board
    for after the race.  Commit to being at least competitive.  A lax
    program will lose the interest of crew.  If you don't care, why should
    they?  
    
    Also find an enthusiastic core of less experienced crew who will make
    that all important time commitment and learn with them.  Go to a
    J-world training week in Newport with them.
    
    College sailors are tricky.  Posting notes at the boathouses helps. 
    Once you have one, you now have the important "in" to that program.  We
    have it with MIT now and to a lesser extent, Harvard.
    
    In summary, make it fun, don't yell, admit what you don't know, and
    treat the crew like they are really contributing.
    
    Dave

>   Treat them lavishly.  Barbecues, plenty of sandwiches and beer on board

>   Go to a J-world training week in Newport with them.
    
    Hey Paul, have you been holding out on us?!!!

    But, if an owner/skipper really wants to build the respect of his crew,
    he  has to be willing to clean the bottom himself in the scummiest 
    harbor, he can find.

    Charlie

    Hi Guy's the way we run our boat is similar to that of dave's during
    the start the trimmers (we don't have a dedicated tacticion) and the
    helmsman decide what end to start and where to go after the start and
    it's then up to the driver to get a good start with input from the rest
    of the crew.During the race the 2 trimmers call the shots.This tends to
    take the pressure off the driver to concentrate on speed,The driver
    also has active input to this process discribing how the boat feels.The
    crew on the rail also keep an eye on the competion as to how they are
    going,but the foredeck and mastman are quite young so this nomally
    turns into what they did last night,are going to do tonight etc.But
    they are also very good and this tends to keep the rest of us amused.
    	On Saturaday we did a race that turn from being 60miles into the
    shortened course of about 35miles as the wind was only blowing 10-12kts
    max all day.We raced in B division, the handicap used was just club
    handicap,this is someones idea of a BAD joke,needless to say we had the
    highest handicap in the division by quite a bit. The race took us
    7hrs50mins we finished with only 2 A divison boats in front of us and
    20 mins in front of the next B boat and the eventual winner by over an
    hour.Give me one design anyday at least you know where you stand.All
    the boats that corrected out better are actually bigger than us.
    
    Regards revel

    I don't know of too many skippers who can steer, evaluate the
    environment, and trim sail at the same time.  In 10-15 knots in smooth
    water, maybe.  Above or below that you get at best two out of the
    three.
    
    At starts and roundings I've found it useful to have someone not
    steering to call the position of the line and the inside overlap.  And
    to do the necessary communicating with the surrounding boats.  The
    helmsman's too far back at the start to see where the line is.  And if
    he's doing his job of squeezing up the windward boat and creating a
    hole to leeward, he's too busy to look for it.  
    
    At roundings, I prefer a trimmer to call for the best path around
    because they're the ones who have to do the heavy work with the chute
    and pole.  Any ad hoc movements by the helmsman usually result in a
    chute screwup.  
    
    It's nice to have the bodies with the skill sets to evenly spread out
    the work but that for me is the exception rather than the norm. 
    Usually it's a one man band which is as effective as a V8 running on
    four cylinders.  The top boats in the fleet usually split it up with
    the most commom duty for the helmsman to steer and complain about feel
    of the helm.  The others react to that input and tell him where to go.
    
    The most productive crew recruiting scheme I've found was to put an ad
    in the DTW.  That generated about 25 responses a few years back and
    about 4 of those were crazy enough to come back for more.  It does,
    however, stretch one's diplomatic skills to take that many out knowing
    that most of them won't work out.  Now I don't do cold call anymore.  I
    usually call only people who have expressed an interest in the
    Etchells fleet or the family and crew of other owners.  It gets
    frustrating giving sailing lessons for free.
    
    - gene

    Well we raced on wednesday but the week lay-off caused a bit of brain
    fade and we did real bad like 2 boats that have never beaten us
    finished in front of us, so I'm not going to take about it.
    	This weekend the summer series starts with an olympic type course
    on saturday this series tends to a lot more competive as we get to race
    the boats from up the other end of the harbour (the  city end so they
    think they better).The top boat in our class comes from there so we'll
    have to see if we can beat him.
    On Sunday there is a special event held annually The Ronstan Interclub Relay
    	There are 10 yacht clubs competing,6 from Auckland and 4 from the
    rest of the country,each club brings 13 sailors and they compete in a
    relay using 4 different designs of boats.The boats are borrowed from
    the owners who are on board and have final say as to use of the baot.My
    boat has been used for the last 2 years no damage has ever happened to
    it,I think we tend to treat it worse.
    	The that are used are as follows and as there is only one designer
    that you may just have heard of, a brief description is each is
    included,most aren't anything like american boats,ours go fast first
    think about other considerations later.
    	Elliot 5.9 requires 2 from the clubs + the owner,these are a
    daysailor 5.9metres long with a centreboard that has a bulb,easy to get
    to surf these are used here as a trainer for young people coming out of
    the centreboard classes who want to go onto match racing etc.These are
    designed by a guy called Greg Elliot,considered by some to be nz up and
    coming yacht designer,he's into fast boats built to no rule apart from
    overall length.That is not to say his boats are unsafe, in early
    October I sailed on an elliot 41 back from Gladstone in Australia,about
    1500 miles in 9.5 days cruising a very nice trip. 
    	The next boat is the "Ross 930" 5 from the clubs a light 30ft boat
    that uses a small self tacking jib upwind,these boats are quite narrow
    and fly downwind  but struggle uphill.These are designed by Murray
    Ross who is best known here as a watch captain on various NZ round the
    world boats laterly Fisher + Paykel. He has a bit of an ongoing battle
    with Greg Elliot.He also has a 41ft design that the boat I brought back
    from Oz was designed to beat. 
    	The Young 88 comes next with 6 from the clubs this is what my boat
    is.So I tend to think it is a better design than the Ross 930 and if we
    ever do any mixed fleet racing tend to have good fights with them until
    it blows a bit going uphill.These are design by Jim Young an older guy
    than the other 2 but also has on going battle with them. Greg elliot
    work for him  as a budding designer.
    	The last boat is a Farr MRX these boats where designed especially
    for match racing and are run by the RNZYS (Royal NZ Yacht Squadron) who
    are looking for corporate sponsors. These boats are a development of
    the Farr 1020 with the hulls coming from the same mould but with a
    completely redesigned deck, the local marine industry have so far
    supported these boats by donating time and materials to the project.
    this the first time something like this done here. If you get coverage
    of the World Matching Cup in early Nov these are the boats that will be
    used.
    	So Sunday should be a lot of fun.
    
    regards Revel.

    Just a reminder that tonight, Thursday, November 15, is the fall
    meeting of the PHRF Marblehead fleet.  It starts at 7:30 at the Boston
    YC in Marblehead.  Hope to see some of the local racers there.  It
    usually provides some pretty good entertainment.
    
    Dave

    Hi guys,
    
    	It's friday morning here and I've a tad busy this week not had a
    chance read notes.In fact I missed sailing on both tuesday +wednesday
    nights. The boat won on wednesday without me.
    Last saturday we came 4th but it was a bad race in 8-12 kts very shifty
    so not really idea yacht racing conditions we had to think too much.We
    where last divison to start so we caught up to a lot of slower boats 
    on the reaching legs, do you think they would let us passed.It was very
    annoying as we'd made up 100 metres on legless to be on their stern at
    the wing mark with them having room on an outside boat but not us.At
    the bottom we were 200 metre behind them.
    	Tonight we are doing a night race around an island, our last 2
    night races have been disasters so I hope we do better. We dont seem to
    do very well if we cant see our opposition.I dont know if there is any
    special technque to be successful at night.Any Suggestions gratefully
    accepted.The big problem tonight,is that tommorrow we are supposed 
    to race uptown against the top dogs.
    
    regards Revel                    

    Congratulations to Wildside for taking overall
    Class A honors in Marblehead PHRF!!  
    
    Congrats also to WAGS!
    

    Well congrats Wildside you'd have to be happy with that.
    Last Friday in our race we where doing real well until the breeze died
    away and the fleet parked up.It was very fustrating we came around a
    turning mark in the lead stopped and watched our opposition sail around
    us our preformance in night races is a bit of a worry as we have a
    further 3 to do this season.
    Last night we raced in our club series wednesday night race.We had what
    most sane people would think a bit of a radical start,on a very biased
    line we tried to start on port,as soon after the start everyone has to
    tack onto port as there a reef on that end of the line.This we nearly
    pulled off dipping the first starboard tacker,the 2nd one tacked on to
    our line,the 3rd one tacked and protested us so we had to do a 720.
     From there it was a bit tricky getting back but we sailed a very good 
    beat to round the top mark in second 2 boat lenghts behind flash gordon
    and well clear of the rest,going the right helped.We then spent the rest
    of the race tring to get past flash which we didn't. So far this season
    the score is 2 guns to each Flash and ourselves.
    
    regards Revel.

    Thanks to Revel and Dean.  We set the season championship as our goal
    this year and set everything else as secondary.  That we achieved it is
    a mix of that dedication by our crew and a lot of luck!
    
    In doing it we became slaves to the ridiculous schedule that Marblehead
    PHRF sets.  We tried (for the third year in a row) to bring this up as
    an issue at the fall PHRF meeting and got nowhere (also for the third
    year).  The powers that be can't understand the lack of participation
    and then set a schedule that is highly irregular and hard to follow.
    Detroit has 200 boats per weekend participating because of one simple
    fact.  Everybody knows that you race every Saturday between May 15 and
    October 15.  Period.  Crews don't have to commit to a full weekend, and
    if you miss a weekend you only miss one race.  Also (okay this is a
    second simple fact) the entry fee covers all races.  No entering
    different yacht club fees.
    
    Anyway, because of this and the diminishing fleet locally, we are
    planning to do a lot more travelling to regattas next year.  Jon
    Burbank, the owner of Bodacious said it best:  it's no fun racing
    against the same four boats every week no matter how good they are.
    
    Marblehead PHRF, wake up.
    
    Dave

This is now the 3rd time of trying to enter this reply and each time my node
crashes the briefer it gets.Our major championship for the year is one regatta 
over 5 races on one weekend with the rest of the year taken up with less
important events and series.
	Last Saturday we sailed in 12-20kts around a olympic type course
getting a good start in 2nd behind "Smokey and the Choirboys" on the pin
after the start boat dragged,we held our place up the beat with the day
coming off the rails at the top mark,the boom hit the mark,720 degrees 
later we where in a distant 4th and nearly 5th with "Danger Zone(the top boat)
and "legless" going past.We spent the rest of the day trying to catch legless
and managed to get the lee bow on her at one stage to force her back on to the
side of the track we thought less favoured up the last beat.
	There is no racing this weekend as the RNZYS is running the 
"Mazda World Match Racing Championship" with most of the top match racing guys
being there,most of them are from here anyway.Starting on Wednesday with a
round robin competion,semi-finals on saturday,final sunday.It is being sailed
in the Farr MRX(Match Racing 10 metre) and there is TV cover all weekend.
Those competing are Chris Dickson,Peter Isler,Rod Davis,Russell Coutts,Peter
Gilmore,Eddie Ward-Owen and 4 others.
	The A-division fleet in Auckland attracts 12plus boats ranging from
Longfellow(64ft) to Excess(elliot 10.5 racer with rotating mast and other
goodies) and includes a farr40 one tonner called Pacfic Sundance I think 
it is about the same era as Exador.
	Because of the match racing Tom Elham(sp?) from San Diego is in 
town and was interveiwed on the radio last night.He had a lot of interesting 
things to say about what's happening in the US.

Regard Revel.

    Pacific Sundance is in Aukland?  It used to be in San Francisco.  It is
    the same as Exador and Epic.  Design #136 from Bruce Farr.  Ours is
    design #143 and is basically a close development of #136.
    
    Not ALL the names you mentioned in the match racing are from NZ.  ;^)
    
    Just the BEST are from NZ.
    
    Dave

    re: .511 + .513
    Dave,
      My congrats as well.  From my vantage point (in B fleet: on Bad Company)
    during the races I participated in, your boat was always well sailed.  
      You couldn't have said it better regarding the scheduling problems. 
    Each club calls its own shots (and pays for the outcome).  Look at what 
    happened at the Corinthian this year.  The die hards will always be
    there, but the schedule won't do much for getting or keeping new part-
    icipants.
    
    Joe

    They're going to try to race through the winter in Boston this year.
     
    The Courageous Sailing Center plans to hold races on Saturday mornings
    at the mouth of the Charles between Constitution Marina and the Coast
    guard station using Rhodes 19s.  $200/person.  Three persons/boat,
    spinnakers allowed.  That's about the same cost as getting my own
    interclub back in the water except I get to beat up on their boat
    rather than mine.  Prospective season is 12/1 to 3/30 (18 Saturdays).
    5 - 7 races per day.
    
    I may wander down this weekend to see how practical this is.  Anyone
    interested in forming a team?
    
    - gene

    The Boston sailing center is doing much the same this winter on J24's.
    A few of our crew got together and is doing a whole boat.  Seems crazy
    to me, but our guys love it so far.  The cost is $300 per person, but
    less if you get three guys together and "do" a whole boat.
    
    Dave

    Gene,
    
    I'm tempted, but with a baby due in January I'll have to pass. Maybe
    next year.
    
    Dave,
    
    Three people per J/24 - is it non-spinnaker?
    
    -Paul

    Right, no spinnaker.  The committee determines the largest headsail
    that may be carried before they go out to race.  For example, they
    limit you to a blade or even mainsail only.
    
    Dave

    If you had 12 knots of wind, the 150% genoa, and three 300 lb crew,
    you'd be unstoppable upwind!

    re .513 "the schedule"
    
    It appears that the schedule is having its intended effect - to promote
    travelling to remote regattas.  The one design fleet has the same
    problem/opportunity.  Some of the events for which lay days are
    scheduled such as the Volvo or Buzzards Bay draw enough boats in some
    of the classes to reduce participation at the top of the fleet.  Others
    like Quincy Bay are a little dubious.  
    
    As a general rule one design boats don't travel much.  The one
    significant exception was the J24 class which had a number of regional
    regattas that had to be sailed to qualify for the national and world
    championships.  The M'hd fleet had dropped from about 35 boats to 10
    (many owners got married and had to buy houses).  When 3 or 4 were away
    at a regatta, not enough were left to race.  Many of the crews also
    complained about "having" to race every weekend.  If we had 2 races per
    day every other week, they reasoned, there'd be more time for
    family/work obligations and the fleet would grow.  
    
    So the M'hd racing assoc adopted the swiss cheese schedule.  You can
    guess what happened.  If you missed a scheduled week, you could go as
    long as a month before the next race if you didn't want to travel. 
    That happened to us this past August.
    
    Some of the E22 owners work every other weekend so they could only do
    half the races anyway.  With the schedule change they were lucky to
    race once a month.  We lost three boats in our fleet due to that. 
    There were similar reductions in the other fleets.  
    
    Ironically, the J-24s who started all this dropped another four boats
    down to six.  We rarely see them out there at all now.
    
    On the other hand the Wednesday and Thursday night series for PHRF and
    One design have drawn consistently and grown over the years.  It's
    there, same time, same place, every week.  You pay one nominal fee and
    you're all set.  If you miss a week, there's always next week.  
    
    - gene

    
    
    At the last PHRF-NE meeting, tha same kind of reports were shared;
    Wednesday or Thursday twilights were the best attended. Most thought
    this had to do with crew availability. In Hingham Bay's case, no chutes
    are allowed in Twilights, so a lot less crew can do the job.
    The economy was the biggest bugaboo; people ARE working weekends,
    especially in the building trade. Two perennial champions were not even
    in the running due to lack of practice and consistent crew.
    We plan schedules in the early spring, when each fleet decides which
    races are being kept, added or dropped. Then neighboring fleets can
    keep off each others toes. Also the biggies are respected; JFK,
    Chapman, Corinthian, NE Champs for example. So in our case, anyway,
    there's no big plot behind schedules. 
    There is the usual grousing about throw-outs for those who want
    vacation cruises AND silver, and sometimes when big IMS or such sort of
    races conflict with locals. I found clubs were the most meek; they love
    to see some big boys on the line.
    Impossible to keep everybody happy, so we just look at what has
    succeeded and hope it works with us. 
    Finding sponsors for existing races has been a push; parties and
    ostentatious trophies are always a draw.

    The results from the world match championships after 2 days of racing
    with 7 rounds sailed.The wind has being 18-25 kts on wednesday,15-18
    yesterday.
    
    	Rod Davis and Peter Isler lead with 6 wins.
    	Peter Gilmor and Eddis Ward-owen    5 wins.
    	Chris Dickson has 4 wins and after the first day he had only 1 win
    from 4,he races Coutts and Gilmour today so he has a very slim chance
    of making the final.
    	Russel Coutts has 3 wins.
    
    Regards Revel

    There was a good turnout for the Courageuos Sailing Center's inaugaral
    day of frostbite racing.  Enough hard cores showed up to get 12 Rhodes
    19's on the line for five races held in Boston Harbor near the Coast
    Guard Station and the Navy yard docks.  With temps in the 50's and a
    puffy 10-20 knot SW wind we had more comfortable conditions than we
    often encounter in early spring races.
    
    Short WLW courses were used.  That combined with shifty winds and 2-3
    knots of current from the Charles River outflow made for intensely
    tactical racing.  We really had to keep our eyes open on what was going
    on around us.  However, all the buildings around us provided convenient
    markers to highlight the lifts and headers.  Not like on the ocean
    where all there is to look at is a compass.  Tack fast and tack often
    were the keys.  That and overstanding the marks enough to compensate for
    current kept us at or near the top.  With most of the participants
    sailing club members or big boat racers, the level of competition
    wasn't quite what we have to deal with during the summer.  But the
    staff team and the Tufts racing team made life more than adequately
    interesting.
    
    The boats are new ones from Stuart Marine.  Good boat builders but
    clearly not racers.  External halyards, non Haarken gear, and poor
    placement of blocks made for a lot of friction.  The difficulty in
    setting and dousing the chutes negated the speed advantage they
    offered.  We saw a first place at the windward mark turn into a fourth
    at the leeward one because we couldn't get the chute down.   Did better
    without it and gibing on the lifts.  Kinda of a shame since the chutes
    were top quality from North sails.
    
    It's small world.  In bar afterwards we BS'd at length about the summer
    season and it turned out many of us knew each other's boats.  Not
    surprisingly, many were there to recruit next summers crew.  The owner
    of the sailing center turned out to be the son of one of the Etchells
    fleet members - Ben Smith.  Maybe I'll hit him up next year for a ride
    on Courageous.  Nice Bar.  Part of a marina on an adjacent pier.  Nice
    harbor view, cheap beer, and most importantly, warm.
    
    The cost is not too steep.  $200/single person or $280 if two sign up
    together.  When that was announced, it was amazing how many "couples"
    materialized.
    
    - gene

    I was wrong about the "no chutes" rule on the J24's.  They are free to
    use them unless stipulated before the races.  
    
    Dave

    Hi Guys the results from the match racing champs.
    
    	Peter Gilmour beat Rod Davis 2-0 in the final after thay had beaten
    Peter Isler and Eddie Ward-Owen in the semi's respectively.\
    	So NZ didn't do so well although Rod Davis calls himself one these
    days.
    
    Regards Revel

    Just back from the Red Lobster Cup in Florida and had to write a trip
    report.

    	This year they had 578 boats and sailboards registered in about 40
    different classes.  With just about every age group covered with a
    winner in the NOVICE sailboard class being in his 70's.  This year
    they had very strong winds both days.  The bad news is that they had a
    near fatal accident Sunday.  One of the Lightings was gybing and
    capsized.  One member of the crew was trapped in the rigging and
    drowned.  Others in the fleet, and the rescue boat managed to get him
    out of the water and restart his heart.


    Friday:
    		Went to pick up the US1 that I was borrowing to take to the
    lake.  I planned to get a little tiller time in and get a feel for the
    boat.  The boat was not ready, and it was later than planned when I got
    to the lake.  In addition it was blowing over 30 with breaking waves
    and blowing spray.  Only two professional Hunter 23s went out, and
    several of the sailboards with tiny sails.  It was amusing to watch
    Larry Klein misjudge a channel and run his boat aground on the sandbar.

    		In the evening a number of talks were given by Greg
    Fischer, Jim Brady and Ed Baird, Lynne Jewell Shore and Allison Jolly,
    and many more.  After the talks snacks were served and a party went
    until midnight.


    Saturday:
    		Arrived early to finish sorting out the boat and attend
    the skippers meeting.  It was blowing 10-15 thought great it would be a
    nice sail.  Left the beach at 11:15 for the first of three races wind
    was up to mid 20s with some breaking waves.  I almost decided to leave
    the boat on the beach but went out hoping for the best.  I thought we
    were in the third starting group, I was wrong we were second.  Dumped
    the boat twice in the first race and finished 6th of 8 boats.  Not
    great sailing two boats broke and withdrew for the day.  Had the start
    wrong for the second race and finished 5th of 5 starters another boat
    went to the beach with a broken centerboard trunk.  Last race started
    3rd and got as high as second before finishing 4th.

    		In the evening a sit down dinner was served, and afterwards
    door prizes were handed out.  After the door prizes a dance started
    that went to midnight again.  I ate dinner with the race organizer, and
    Ed Baird.


    Sunday:

    		Got to the beach about 8:45 to sail out for a 9:30 start no
    wind.  Spent an hour drifting out with about 100 other small boats wind
    filled in about 10:30.  Started at about 8-10 and built to mid 20s for
    the second race.  Had the start sequence sorted out and was over first
    had a terrible windward leg.  A small light boat full of water from
    breaking waves is very slow.  I worked hard and managed to finish 3rd. 
    Second race I was second on the start and held third for most of the
    race.  At the end of the second reach leg the shortened the course and
    sent us to the finish line.  All I needed to hold third was cover the
    4th place boat.  I got greedy, I thought I could catch the second place
    boat and broke the cover.  The forth place boat got a huge lift and
    almost finished second.  I ended up tied for 3rd and was awarded the
    forth place trophy.  I was very happy first regatta of any size against
    sailors I did not know (including a former sunfish North American
    champion, in boat I had never seen before).

    		After the racing more door prizes, entertainment, and
    awards were handed out.  Considering the number of boats and the
    conditions the event ran smoothly.  On Saturday only about 10 protests
    were heard, and on Sunday about another 8.  I had a great weekend for
    a reasonable investment, I will do this race again.


    Forrest

    Cloudy skies and a light variable northerly made for a sharp contrast
    with last weeks balmy conditions at this saturdays Courageous frostbite
    racing.  During the week the staff had been at work re-rigging the
    halyards and mainsheets.  The difference was immediatly apparent as we
    hoisted sail.  Everything went smoothly, even the spinnaker gear. 
    There's nothing like having some one else do all the busy work on the
    boat for a change.
    
    Jim, Sam, and I teamed up on boat #1, each of us rotating throught the
    three positions - helm, main/spnkr, and jib/foredeck.  Aceing the start
    seemed too easy.  We picked our spot on the left 2/3 the way down and
    hit it right at the gun.  Funny thing was despite good speed off the
    line boats to weather and leeward started to gain us.  We didn't want
    to bang the left corner too hard so we made a consolidation tack back
    to join the bulk of the fleet on the right.  We didn't want to take any
    sterns so we tacked again to a not-especially-safe leeward.  I figured
    we'd pick up on the shift everone was going for but the crept past us
    and we had to take some sterns to go for the mark.  
    
    We consolidated somewhat with some good chute work but were bugged by
    the slows all the way up the final beat.  Looked like a fifth at the
    finish.  Ditto for the second race.  Some inattention caused us to miss
    the third race which ulimately got cancelled when two fuel barges came
    through the middle of the course.  Aced another start for the fourth
    race and some good shifts gave us a third.  Better, but the boat was
    still slow.  Whatever it was we had for trim wasn't working so we
    change every thing to its opposite setting.  Tightened everything that
    was loose and loosened everything that was tight.  Much faster this
    time and a third at first mark.  One more boat sneaked by when I turned
    too sharply at the leeward mark but we caught some on else to hang on. 
    A satisfying race.
    
    With the cooler temps, gloves were the topic of conversation.  Sam had
    new neoprene/leather gloves made for frostbiting.  Jim had dishwashing
    gloves under sailing gloves, and I had just sailing gloves.  Sam was
    cold, Jim tore his gloves, and my gloves were too clumsy for good pole
    work.  One of the Tufts team members had PVC gloves from Wearguard that
    looked good but come in only one size, unfortunately not mine.  Next
    week I think I'll try mittens dipped in rubber cement.  If they don't
    work, at least I'll be able to get 'em off easily.
    
    - gene 

    It's Friday evening here in NZ,the racing for the year finished on
    Wednesday night and last saturday for that series.
    	The Saturday race went very well for most of the way with us
    getting a good start which was turned out to be a lay to the first
    mark before setting off around a harbour course of 32 miles.We rounded
    2nd,it was a very shy kite reach to the next mark,blowing about
    20kts(didn't have time to work out the polars) but we had did very well
    here as we have the heaviest crew (1200lbs for the 7 of us) and we
    where able to hold it on its feet. So we rounded first ,the next leg
    was a broader reach to the gybe mark with the next leg also very
    tight looking at the divison in front of us it appeared that they
    where sagging so we decided to drop at the mark and 2 sail the rest of
    our fleet did the same,as we sailed the leg it was freeing and the
    breeze was dropping,so we set up for another kite run and decided to
    wait for the main opposition to go for it none of them did and we got
    sick of waiting for them so we hoisted and had another blast to the
    bottom mark.This week we started in reverse order with the A division
    boats starting behind us and we started to get run down by some of them
    and they have to go over the top,one in particular a Baltic 55 was 2
    sailing on the reach went over the top of us hoisted there kite  then
    broached but they did give us a tow when they got it upright. The beat
    to finish started very well for us with the fleet falling into line
    behind us and we held them out until we where forced out of our
    covering position on Danger Zone by some of the bigger boats and they
    slipped trough to finish just ahead of us.We where a bit unhappy about
    that but overall we where happy as the rest of the fleet was a long way
    back.
    	ON Wednesday we finished second again after we ripped our nice new
    #1 kite at the top mark. The race itself turned into a follow the
    leader after the beat with us worried about being run down under our
    little shute,88 proof basically gave it to us as when they went for the
    hoist the first time their foredeck hadn't clipped the kite on properly
    so they had to retrieve the hayard, on the 2nd for the run to the
    finish they where 3 boat lengths behind us and this time they hiosted
    without the sheet attached,gave a bit of a breathing space and we had a
    very good duel up the river to the finish with us not giving an
    inch.Cause we had the little kite we just luffed them all over the
    place and when they tried to go under us we just sat on their faces,a
    lot of dicussion of the rules was had,they river gets a bit shallow if
    you get out of the channel and it very nearly went bad when we touched
    the bottom.
    	Racing finishes now until after christmas with us cruising the boat
    for 3 weeks so the boat gets a rebuild with the comforts being put back
    on. We have one more race on Sunday,one of the salesman here also owns
    a Young 88 so we having an inhouse race agianst them (sales + EIS) a
    few rash comments on the on the possible outcome. They have the better
    crew as only one of the rest of our crew has done any sailing but my boat's
    better.
    
    Regards Revel.
    
    P.S. enjoyed the ims discussion but have been too busy to put my oar
    in.

    I heard some news about next years Volvo Newport Regatta for the J/24
    fleet. Last year had 92 boats crashing together on the line and at
    mark roundings. Most of the weekend was spent in general recalls - but
    it was fun. For next year:
    
    * The J/24 fleet will have separate racing instructions. Automatic
      black flag after first general recall.
    
    * The fleet will not be split up. Everyone will be given bow numbers
      like at North American or World chamionship regatta's.
    
    * The courses will be simple windward-leeward or triangle.
    
    * There will be two staggered windward marks.
    
    * There will be judges at all mark roundings.
    
    I just hope they have at good race comittee. Last year they set our
    windward mark beyond the gybe mark of another fleet. Just as the fleet
    converged on the wrong mark, they abandoned the race. Too bad for us,
    it was our best windward leg of the regatta. Although splitting the 
    fleet is better for fair competition, bashing it out with 90 other
    boats is a thrill. Just don't hang your legs over the side!
    
    Paul

    I had the "opportunity" to race in the Boston Harbor Sailing Center
    frostbiting series last saturday.  The weather got a little wet later
    in the afternoon, but other than that, what a blast!
    
    We had twelve J 24's on the line for four races.  Short
    windward/leewards, triangles.  Some twicearounds.  Of the twelve, three
    were privately owned J's and the rest belonged to the sailing center. 
    The difference in sail condition was notable and the top privately
    owned boats had a real advantage.  Nobody took the thing too seriously,
    though, and the competition was good natured.  The starts were very
    tight and provided good practice.
    
    We didn't have a working engine on our boat, so we had to sail back to
    the dock (not mooring).  Decided to give the people at the Winery bar a
    show and sailed in under spinnaker alone.  Dropped the chute 25 yards
    away from the dock and drifted right in.  Nice way to finish.
    
    BTW we had three fifths and one ninth.  We got the ninth when we did a
    windward chute takedown and the wet spinnaker wrapped itself around the
    shroud.  VERY slow sailing upwind with the spinnaker acting like a
    giant airbrake!
    
    Saw the Rhodes 19s over by Charlestown.  Looked like a good crowd.  It
    is so great to see the harbor used this way by such enthusiastic
    sailors.  I'm going to be out there again soon.
    
    Dave

    Some interim standings from the Etchells-22 world championships being
    held at this moment in Fremantle Australia (after 4 races):
    
    Standing       Skipper         Country
    
    1              Chris Law       UK
    
    2              Colin Beashel   AUS
    
    3              Michael Coxon   AUS
    
    4              Dennis Conner   USA
    .
    .
    .
    20             Jud Smith        USA
    
    21             Jim Hardy        AUS
    .
    .
    .
    28             John Bertrand     ?  (can't tell from the FAX copy if
                                         the AUS or the USA one)
    
    
    The word from Jud is that it's been "blowing like stink".  With Dennis
    Conner weighing in at over 300 lbs. and each of his two crew at only
    slightly less, they've been sailing in their element.  Not
    coincidentally all of the above are current or former America's cup
    skippers.  DC is said to be taking this seriously as a warm up for the
    America's cup eliminations next year.  He even bought a brand new
    Etchells and had it delivered to Freemantle for the series.  The rest
    of the non residents had to make do with borrowed boats.  DC was in
    first place until the most recent race.  A finish in the teens dropped
    him down to his current 4th place.  While it'll be a good workout for
    the participants, it's not for sure the skills will be tranferable to
    San Diego.  Unless there's a profound climate change, San Diego isn't
    likely to see 30+ knot winds too often.
    
    A couple more Marblehead teams were originally going to attend but the
    tough economy zilched that.  Even 6 time world champion, Dave Curtis, 
    couldn't get his employer, North Sails, to spring for the bucks.
    
    - gene ho

    Chris Law finally won the event, with Connor second and Gilmour,
    Bertrand ( the Aussie one ) and Beashel also in the top 6.
    
    This must be one of the most impressive group of sailors assembled
    since the Fremantle Americas cup. Law has been away from competitive
    sailing for a year ( so the papers say, although I did see him on board
    a 50 footer during Cowes Week ), partly through illness, so he must be
    particularly pleased.
    
    Why were there so many people of the worlds top sailors there. Was
    Fremantle so irresistable ?
    
    Chris
    
    

    I think that the irrestibility of Freemantle is due partly to the
    presence of Dennis Connor.  DC let it be known early last season that
    he had his sights on the world championship.  The qualification series
    over the summer was to serve as sparring practice to prepare for the
    America's Cup eliminations.  As a result, participation has been high
    in the California fleets where DC sails.  Word got across the Pacific.
    
    Most of the other top finishers are not strangers to the Etchells - I
    recall seeing the names over the years in the class newsletter.  DC
    probably had the most recent membership.  In Australia, many of the top
    skippers sail in the Etchells class.  In fact, it's from the top of the
    class that many of their America's cup skippers were chosen.  I have no
    first hand experience but from what I've read, the Etchells class has a
    considerably higher recognition factor among the general public there
    than in the US.  They certainly sell more Etchells in Aus than in the
    US.  What's interesting about this championship is that it was won by a
    non AUS or USA skipper.  I don't think that's happened in this decade
    if ever.
    
    - gene

    The Etchells have become seriously big in the Solent recently, with 
    mainly offshore skippers trading down, rather than dinghy skippers
    trading up. This is the only fleet of any significant size in the UK.
    Chris Law was not involved in this, so he must have been practising in
    private or in some foreign fleet.
    
    He also has considerable experience of other keelboat classes,
    particularly Solings, 12 Metres and large IOR boats. His younger
    brother Tim, is a good helmsman too, will probably be skippering
    the Oracle-sponsered Two Tonner in the next Admirals Cup.
    
    Chris.
    
    

    Had dinner last night with a couple of guys who just got back from Key
    West Race Week.  I was VERY jealous.  Anyway, some snippets:
    
    IMS class A was won by Croppduster, a new Wylie 46.  Collaboration, last
    year's winner, was second.  They were tied going into the last race and
    basically matchraced for the win.
    
    IMS class B was won by Rumours, a new Tripp 40, owned and sailed by Tim
    Woodhouse (owner of Hood Sails), Barry Carroll (the builder), and a
    third guy who is the distributor of the engines.  That was the boat my
    buddies were on.  Secon was Lobo, the old IOR boat converted to IMS. 
    Third was High Noon, another new Tripp 40 sailed by Mark Plogh.
    
    Word was that the Taylor 40's were "not competitive".  Coalition and 
    V Max were not in the money.
    
    The report back on the J39's was also interesting.  They owed the
    Tripp 40's time and yet never finished ahead of them.  One of the J39's
    was sailed by Ken Read, so it wasn't for lack of talent.  The opinion
    was that J Boats had succeeded in creating yet another boat that needs
    to sail against each other, because they can't sail to their rating.
    Time will tell.
    
    The fifties were also there.  All I got was that there was a great
    crash at a windward mark.  Seems that Carat was approaching the mark on
    starboard with a new Admiral's Cup 50, Capricorno, on her windward hip.
    Windquest tried to sneak in on port.  Carat hit Windquest in the stern
    and both boats attached themselves, forming a big "V".  Capricorno
    couldn't see what was happening and hit both Carat and Windquest at the
    junction of the V.  Windquest received a hole in the transom, no big
    deal.  Carat's bow was cut off about two feet back on the dech and a
    bout a foot above the waterline.  Capricorno's bow ripped up from the
    water line to a point about six feet back on the deck and folded back
    along the deck.
    
    All rigs stayed up somehow and nobody was seriously hurt.  Carat is at
    Derektor's beeing fixed.  Capricorno was declared a total loss.  Hey
    guys, this ain't Tech dingies on the Charles!
    
    the weather was pretty good and the wind constantly 15 to 30 knots.
    
    All in all, it sounded like it beat the hell out of working for a
    living!
    
    Dave

    OK Dave J., you've got me in suspense. 
    
    What's the new boat gonna be??????

    Hi guy's,
    	Re .-1 what's the new boat dave?
    
    	Well our 1991 half of the season has started a lot better than than
    last year so far we have had 4 races 2 wednsday nights and one weekend
    of races. In the first wednesday night race we came 2nd after a close
    race with flash gordon and the next week we cleaned them up big
    time.They left there #1 kite at home so we loaned them our old #1 and
    they very nearly beat us to the bottom mark our new #1 reahes a lot
    better and where as the rest of the fleet 2 sailed across the the tight
    reach we carried ours and blew them all away and with clear air put
    time on all of them up wind.
    	The weekend races we did is an important part of the summer racing
    called Kawau weekend, a friday night race to Kawau island 30 miles
    north of Auckland harbour a race around the island on saturday and a
    race home on sunday with a very debauched time in between.Friday was
    blowing 20kts+ at the start that eased during the race from our mooring
    to the start we had to motor into it and we cut it a bit fine arriving
    just as the 10min went so we went into the start not knowing when the
    gun was going to go but we picked our end of the line and everyone left
    us alone and got a very good start that was a tight reach with the #3
    and full main having a heavy crew helped here and we cleared out to
    lead the race was a tight reach to a bouy 15miles out then a lay to the
    finish so it was follow the leader who happened to be us, the only
    time of worry was as the wind dropped the chasing boats changed up to
    the #1 genoa's, our class rules ban foils so bearheaded changes are
    nesscesscary which we did better than the guys behind this was the
    first time that we had beaten the uptown boats during a summer race so 
    we celebrated  when we got there maybe a bit much as Saturday started
    as a horror show with us being last around the top mark after a start
    better forgotton we managed to get back to 3rd by the time we finished.
    	Sunday dawned with no breeze so we packed up and motored home.So we
    are very happy with the start to the season our #1 genoa is getting a
    bit sad after a hard season average of 2 races a week for the last
    12months so that will be replaced next month also with the fractional
    rig with onre set of speaders we have trouble holding it in column at
    the higher end of the wind range so we going to stiffen that as well,a
    trade off between weight aloft and a straight mast.
    	The only bad news on the horizon is that my season finishes at the
    end of next  week as I'm Auckland's support engineer I have to go on
    training that happens to be in Sydney for 4 weeks so I'll miss the rest
    of the season but will be back for the nationals.
    	A couple of boats launched in NZ over the last that you might be
    interested in. A new Farr 2 Tonner called Brava(spelt wrong) for the Us
    admirals cup team all deck fittings are hand made in titanium lots of
    money $1m plus also a German Frers IMS of similar dimensions and price
    even without all the carbon fibre and titanium.
    Regards Revel

    Re: -.1
    
    Revel, I think the Farr you mean is Bravura.  There is a Farr One
    tonner of the same name on our West Coast.  Being built by Cookson in
    NZ for the AC team here.
    
    As for us, we have a new boat.  It is a Nelson/Marek designed one
    tonner built in 1987.  We haven't renamed it yet, but it was built as
    Cooter and is currently named Pulse.  
    
    We wanted to move onto a bit higher tech boat, but wanted to stay in
    the 40 foot range.  Without the means to get into a new IMS boat, we
    stayed in the old IOR arena.  The deal was pretty creative.  We don't
    own Wildside anymore, but the current owner wants to sell it and we
    would like to see it stay local.  Actually it is a bit of a risk for us
    as we are not at all sure that Wildside wouldn't beat Pulse in light
    air.  The only times we went head to head last year it was blowing in
    the 20's.
    
    At any rate, we are very excited and looking forward to learning our
    new boat.  Ofcourse we are not excited about the lumps we are going to
    take until we get it going!
    
    Revel, I don't feel too badly for you having to go to Sydney for a
    month!  They are known to sail a bit there as well.  I'm sure you could
    get aboard for a race or two while there.  
    
    Dave

    Anybody know what happened to KATABATIC? It was up near my boat inthe
    Central boatyard in Marblehead. But it was gone a couple weeks ago.
    
    Gregg

While looking through the latest Edson catalog, I was delighted to learn
that Edson is now building carbon fiber steering wheels -- a 48" wheel
weighs only 6 lbs and costs just $2750! A conventional 48" stainless
steel wheel with an elkhide covering (which should more properly be
covering the elk) is only $850 or so, as well as many pounds heavier.
Now I suppose everyone expects me to make some tacky comment like "a
fool and his money are soon parted", but I won't. Now if only Edson 
would make carbon fiber tillers .......

    Congrats Dave!!  I'm sure your experience with
    Wildside will transfer pretty directly.  Just remember
    to bend the rig -- a *lot*.  

    Thanks, Dean.  I'm sure we'll get you out on it this spring!
    
    Alan, were those prices for the wheel alone or the whole assembly?
    BTW, our new vessel does have a carbon fiber reinforced composite
    tiller.
    
    Dave

re .544:

The price was for the wheel only. 

    	Well my last race of the season turned into a complete horror
    show the other night just when there was a lot of incentive to do
    well,one boat had a new set of Norths and another boat was brand new
    competing for the first time.
    	It looked like a kite was on out of the start so we decided to
    the weather end but watching A division who did the same thing it soon
    became apparant that it wasn't such a good idea so when the gun went 
    we were half way down the line and not looking pretty.After a 2 sail to
    the first mark for a run to the bottom mark,getting there 5th we
    decided to gybe set to keep clear air.This is were things went real
    bad.The mark is a nav pile and as we went to gybe we got a bit close to
    the mark hooked the kite halyard around the mark after this happened
    all hell broke loose,it took us about 30-40 secs to cut the halyard
    I managed to free the sheet straight away but the guy was still
    attached ripping our nice new kite in half.We managed to recover
    everything after putting a guy on the mark to recover the kite.
    	We motored home early and decided to take the rig out that we were
    going to this weekend anyway so we can stiffen it to stop it bending.
    	Hopefully I can get some sailing in over in sydney I have a contact
    that I sailed across the tasman with last year.
    revel

    Rev,
    
    Nice going!!  We've seen a few days like that -- well, maybe
    not quite *that* bad...  ;)
    
    Cheers,
    Dean

    A bit more International colour.
    
    On Sunday, I took part in the second race in the Warsash Spring series,
    sponsored by Bacardi Rum, which was run in the Solent.
    
    About 150 boats took part, with 3 CHS classes, Sigma 33's and 38's,
    J24's and Sonata's each having thier own starts.
    
    I was racing on 'Sunstone', a 1965 wooden S&S one-off which, although
    its about 40 feet long, rates with the Half-tonners ( under IOR & CHS),
    and is very successful, except in light airs.
    
    Fortunately, the moderate breeze at the start gave way to a nice 18
    knots, with sunshine getting in the trimmers eyes for most of the two
    hours. Our new Mylar No.1 was soon replaced by a No. 2 for the beats,
    where we managed to pull away from most of our rivals, except for
    "Flair II", a MG 335, which won the first race, and 'Red Fox', a Laser
    28. "Red Fox" was just ahead and to leeward going down the next reach,
    and we made a couple of attempts to pass to windward. Their Helmsman
    looked round and called "You won't get pass that way", and then
    embarked on a violent luff. Unfortunately his crew weren't ready and
    their kite collapsed and the boat broached. We sailed happily by to
    leeward, with big grins. After two big triangles, the race finished
    with "Flair" first, us second, and "Quokka", a Davidson half-tonner
    third.
    
    In class 1, there was a new Dubois 50ft IMS boat, called "Dump Truck"
    which looked very impressive, along with several one-tonners, and a 
    two tonner called "Eagle", formally "Yeoman", which I am now trying to
    get a ride on. None of the Admirals Cup contenders were out, which was
    a shame.
    
    There are six races in the series, and it finishes just before the
    regular season starts.
    
    Next weekend is Antifouling. I won't bother reporting that.
    
    Chris.
    

    A Dubois 50 named "Dump Truck?"
    Shades of "Police Car?"  Haven't heard much about
    Ed Dubois in a few years.  What else has he done lately?
    
    Dean

    hi guy's
    	Well its autumn here and the summer racing has finished but there
    is the winter racing to look forward to starting in late May.Over the
    summer we competed in 3 series and we achieved the following results
    	Wednesday night Bucklands Beach Yacht Club(BBYC) 
    2nd line,3rd handicap pre-Xmas,1st line,1st handicap post-Xmas,1st
    line,3rd=handicap overall.
    	Panasonic Harbour series (BBYC) 4 out of 5 count,we missed one,
    1st B divison line 3 guns and a 2nd. 4th handicap B divison.
    	RNZYS summer points series on Saturdays 4th overall we ended up
    missing to many of these races.
    	So it was a relatively successful year with the major regatta
    coming up this weekend being the National champs so if we do well in
    this we'll be happy. Our major opposition are too numerous to list here
    but the best sailors we'll be up against will be Tom Dodson who sails
    IOR boats like propaganda etc,and Lesley Egnott the current womans
    world keelboat champ and NZ's big hope in 470's and she has Rick Dodson
    helping her Rick and Tom run Norths in NZ.
    	A mega crusing yacht  was just launched here it was designed by 
    Ed Dubois,100ft plus,powered winches,carbon fibre rig,gold taps  etc
    that sort of thing and there is a second one of similar size but a bit
    bigger being built.
    	Cookson's here are building yet another Farr one tonner for an
    american Dave Clark from memory this is the latest main differances
    being a longer cocpit area no forward hatch and according to the
    article the way they do kite drops is over the side lifelines and
    between the loose footed main and the boom and down the companionway
    seems a tad complex.
    	regards revel

    Re Ed Dubios.
    
    'Police Car' was named on the basis that nothing can catch a police
    car, I am not sure that the same applies to Dump Truck. As -1
    suggested, Ed has been involved in designing 'super yachts' for the
    super-rich, and also a very sucessful Formula 40 Trimaran 'Full Pelt',
    on which he also crewed. I think he is the designer of a new one-tonner
    that is being built in UK for a Turkish owner, which will be chartered
    to Lawrie Smith ( as Rothmans II ???? ) for the British Admirals Cup
    trails.
    
    Meanwhile, the two tonner in the team ( the only one in the trails ),
    called 'Wings of Oracle' - owned by the Software company of that name
    and mainly crewed by Royal Air Force members - has had a good start to
    its season, winning 3 out of 3 at the Spi Ouest Regatta in France, with
    opposition including Corum 40, the French 89 AC boat. The British
    one-tonner slot still looks weak, so a lot of hope is pinned on the
    above mentioned Lawrie Smith charter.
    
    The start of the Saeson for my regular mount, the Scampi "Olivia Anne IV",
    has been delayed by a slight mishap - she sank on her moorings. It will
    take at least three weeks to clean her up, repaint the topsides, redo
    the wiring & electronics and rebuild the engine. This is after the
    insurance people approve the work etc. etc. This gives me a chance to 
    sail on a few other boats instead, but it could endanger our build up
    towards the Fastnet race in August.
    
    Chris
    

    Dave Curtis and Jud Smith of North Sails will hold their Etchells
    tuning and sailing clinic this Saturday, 5/11 at the the Eastern Yacht
    Club dock at 11:00 AM in Marblehead.
    
    Learn tuning and sail trim and get a boat ride for free.
    
    - gene

Hi There.

	Well all the summer racing is over here now and the winter racing starts 
on Sunday. This must mean that up there in the north you would have to be 
starting your season shortly.
	In our last regatta we finished 6th out of 28 in the nationals we where
4th overall going into the last race 1 point behind 3rd and we had them behind
us by a long way and a wind shift in the last harbour race let them through
we where very disappointed we ourselves.We got a real hard time from the 3rd 
placed boat at the prize giving.WE made 2 mistakes in the 5 races this was 2 too
many.
	Dave hows the new boat coming along we haven't heard anything about it
for a while.
	Yet another IOR boat has being lauched here, A One tonner called VIBES
destined for the american AC team an exschoolmate will be sailing foredeck on it.
NZ is building these IOR boats but no-one here can afford to campaign them let
alone build them.NZ will not be going to the Admiral Cup this year.Tom Dodson
put a 3 chartered boat team together but couldn't get the funding for the 
one-tonner about $us100k.

Regards Revel.

    Revel, must be nice having TWO racing seasons!
    
    Yes ours is about to start up.  Next week, in fact.  We may or may not
    make it.  Here's the story.
    
    Harrier was sucessfully raced by its previous owner who did little
    maintenance and zero cosmetic work on it.  We are a little more
    concerned about such things.  We spent several hundred man-hours
    sanding down all that bad Micron 33, filling and fairing, and painting
    with VC Offshore.  Then more sanding and burnishing with bronze wool.
    We also needed a new shaft and cutlass bearing.  No zinc on the boat
    last year helped that.
    
    THEN we started above the water line.  Buffed out the hull and took off
    the old name.  Payed some bozo way too much to put on a new name.  The
    deck paint was coming off in sheets.  Stripped, sanded, filled,
    patched, and repainted the entire deck.  That was totally unexpected
    work.  So, while we expected to deliver the boat from East Greenwich,
    RI to Marblehead this weekend, we are a week behind and will do it next
    weekend.  This weekend we will actually sail this thing for the first
    time in Naragansett bay before taking off on a 20 hour delivery.
    
    So...if we start the trip at sun-up next weekend (the 18th) we should
    be in Marblehead sometime around midnight the same day.  First race is
    Sunday the 19th.  Theoretically, we could make it.  Hmmm.  
    
    Got our rating.  63.  Ouch!  But at least the Taylor 40's are also 63
    as well as the C&C 37R's.  Don't yet know what the Tripp 40's will
    rate.  Probably 60.  An opportunity for Bo' and Wags!
    
    To say we are excited is a vast understatement.  However, we are amazed
    nobody has picked up on Wildside yet.  If you have a boat, the owners
    (Oceanus Institute) will do a great deal where you trade yours in for
    tax write off and throw $25 k in and the boat is yours.  As an example,
    they were talking to a guy who had a C&C 34.  They would take his boat
    in at a value of $75 k.  Say he pays an incremental tax rate of 33%,
    then that is worth $25 k in lower taxes next year.  Then he pays $25 k
    to Oceanus and gets a much bigger boat for the same amount he had in
    his old boat.  Just has to wait until next February to get his $25 k
    back.  Now is the time to be creative!
    
    Dave

    IMS does NOT severely penalize IOR designs.  New IMS boats being built
    over here resemble IOR designs without all the things that make IOR
    boats slow like bumps, bustles, etc.  IMS favors fast boats.  Older IOR
    boats can be very fast.  Ofcourse new IMS designs are generally faster,
    but multiple times the cost.  
    
    The price your friends paid for Fever sounds about right if it is in
    very good condition.  It's been advertised in Seahorse for a LONG time.
    One tonners are a lot of boat for little money.  Wouldn't want to
    cruise one, but as a challenging racing platform, they are hard to
    beat!  'Course I'm a bit partial, being on my second tonner.
    
    Dave

The PHRF ratings for the Taylor 40's and the C&C 37 R in New England remain 
as last year at 66.  The rating in Long Island Sound for these boats is 63.
This is also unchanged from last year.  The IMS ratings have changed by a small
amount ( ~ 0.1 second/mile ) because of the changes in the crew weight rule. 

    Then Brian Tedeschi is lying to me.  He just got his rating and it's 63
    from PHRF New England.
    
    Dave

    
    	Wired would be PSYCHED to have a rating as high as 60. Don't count
    	on it.
    
    	We reached along, she looks less impressive as the excitement fore-
    	casted. Next handicapper's meeting Tuesday, I think, at Bump's new
    	place. I'll try to find out.
    
    	Don't know squat about Coalition's winter activity, if any.
    
    	Scott, heading up the stick AGAIN!!!!

The "base" rating of the Taylor 40's hasn't changed.  However, Coalition is
racing this year with a longer boom.  Thus the 3 second penalty.  So we're 
both correct.  Hugh raced two years ago with a penalty pole (which by the
way belongs to Brian from what I hear).  It is possible that Hugh may go 
with a longer boom and/or the longer pole.  

This is kind of like being ahead in an overnight race.  All you have to do is
start spinning an empty winch and all kind of commotion breaks out behind
you.  

......

As far as Wired goes, I talked with Steve G. a few weeks ago.  He's trying to
get his new Tripp 40 into the 40 Ft. Class band ( IMS greater than 605 ).
His is a much different boat than those at Key West.  Its a masthead rig with
much more ballast.  This is before the boat was measured.  So a rating of
around 60 wouldn't surprise me.

After racing well over 20 races with the Taylor's last year (in both IMS and
PHRF) there was one race that I can remember where one or the other of
us won on corrected versus wall clock time in IMS (since our IMS ratings are
significantly different at various wind speeds) or would have corrected out
in PHRF with a 3 second differential.  

    Right... I called Bump and found out that Coalition does, indeed have a
    longer boom.  My mistake!!!  Now, how the hell are we going to give
    time to a standard Taylor and 37R?  
    
    Could be a long summer!  The 60 rating would be for the masthead
    version rating ~605 IMS.  Just a guess, no fact to base it on.
    
    I guess the JFK will get it all sorted out.
    
    Dave

    So Dave, how was your first sail in Harrier?
    Looking forward to seeing her run her paces.
    
    We may be at the JFK, but with major tuning to 
    be done, getting to the line this Sunday will be 
    a trick.
    
    Welcome to the '91 season, mates!
    

    STILL haven't sailed her.  Got the engine going and then the Loran
    crapped out.  Worked on that for many hours (without sucess).  By that
    time the wind in the bay was 28-34 knots.  We only had 4 guys with us
    and decided not to break anything.  We sail up to M'head this weekend.
    Did the same thing when we bought Wildside.  Then we literally
    launched, started the engine, and left Newport for points north!  This
    time we have a liferaft in case things don't work out as well.
    
    Trying to make this Sunday's race.  If so it will be with zero crew
    practice.  We'll still be sorting things out.  We'll also be seeing the
    racing sails for the first time.  Should make for some good arguments
    on trimming.
    
    Dave

    Wags splashed down on Saturday.  Went out sailing Saturday PM and again
    on Sunday.  Since the only instrument on the boat that worked was the
    stereo, I wasn't really sure how hard the wind was blowing.  But Sunday
    it sure was honkin'.
    
    Tomorrow night is Wags' first race of the season.
    
    Won't make this week-end's race.  I'll be up in the White Mts. feeding
    the mosquitos.  I'll be at the JFK ... on Bo' if she races, on Wags
    otherwise.
    
    It sure feels fine to be sailing again ...
    
    							... Bob
    

Hi Guys,

	Excuse my ignorance but how do the phrf handicaps work up your way
here in NZ,PHRF handicaps are express as percentage (ours is 0.8635) that is
multiplied by the eplased time to give the corrected. Not that we have to worry
about them that often.

	But the best way to stop worring about them is to race one design.

Regards Revel

    The practice in New England is to use time on distance handicapping
    which assigns a handicap number in seconds/mile.  The seconds refer to
    the number of seconds longer it will take the boat in question to sail a
    mile than a theoretical scratch boat. 
    
    Conceptually, corrected time for a given boat is calculated as follows:
    
    corrected time = elapsed time - (R - RSC) * (# miles in race course)
    where R is the PHRF handicap of the boat in question and RSC is the
    handicap of the scratch boat for that race.
    
    Never having scored a race, I don't know if that's how they do it in
    practice.
    
    Boats with lower handicaps are said to "owe" time to those with higher
    handicaps.  In order to win, a faster boat (lower handicap) must "save"
    her time on a slower one by finishing ahead of her by a number of
    seconds equal to the length of the course times the difference in their
    handicaps.
    
    The throwaway phrase "Are we having fun yet?" has some real meaning
    after a PHRF race when it is necessary to count the seconds between
    finishing times to determine who beat whom.  With the time on time
    system, it seems like you'd have to calculate corrected times for boath
    boats and calculate the difference.
    
    - gene
    

    Gene,
    
    Will you be competing in the E-22 N.A's at Marblehead in Sept?
    
    I have crew, will travel.
    
    Paul

    JYC's Thursday night series adopted time-on-time handicapping last
    season.  You need a fappin' laptop computer to figure out who won a
    race, but the concept is that the longer you're out there the higher
    your rating is.  It's supposed to favor the slower boats.
    
    Unfortunately, last season Wags won the series by a record margin.  So
    this season they've added an "anti-Wags rule" ... the winner of a race
    takes a 20 second/mile hit to their rating for the next race.  If you
    win again, you take another 10 sec/mile hit.  If you don't win, they
    give you another 10 sec/mile back.
    
    Last night was the first race of the season.  We got to the starting
    line late, having waited around too long for a crew member, and were
    about a minute late crossing the line.  Just as we crossed, and then
    tacked for clear air, the wind shifted and suddenly we were fetching
    the mark and the whole rest of the fleet had overstood ... we were
    about a minute in front of the fleet getting to the first mark.  Never
    looked back from there, and easily won the race.
    
    Next week, we rate 70 ...
    
    				... Bob
    

    Bob:
    
    How do you convert time-on-distance handicaps to time-on-time?
    
    - gene

    The guys on Rustler said they won the Wednesday night race.  They
    foolin' with me??
    
    Dave