Page 1 of 15 1234511 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 146

Thread: Shorthanded Midwinters 2014/2015

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    3,688

    Default Shorthanded Midwinters 2014/2015

    Greetings!

    I'm planning to enter the Berkeley Midwinters to race shorthanded in their Sunday series. BYC has offered a Sunday shorthanded division for at least a couple of years but there haven't been enough sign-ups. Let's fix that.

    The dates are 11/9, 12/14, 1/11 and 2/15, with the Winners' Race on 3/01. Races are mostly W/L's on the Berkeley Circle; all other details are available on BYC's website under the "Racing" tab.

    Please sign up by 11/03 so they'll know we're doing this, and indicate your interest here too. We need five boats - surely we can get that many together.

    I'll race SH if necessary but I'll be looking for a second, if anyone is interested.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    3,485

    Default

    I'll do it if they have a singlehanded division. I did that years ago when I had my Cal 20 - lots of floating around the Circle, but why not?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    3,688

    Default

    Yes, you can race either single or double-handed. You might need that light air headsail you posted about, to minimize the drifting part.

    So we're already 40% there - how about a few more shorthanders for the Berkeley Mids? I might be persuaded to race non-spinnaker, to keep this fair.
    Last edited by BobJ; 10-09-2014 at 07:05 PM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Montara, CA
    Posts
    803

    Default

    Yes, Kynntana is in. I've been meaning to find a double-hand series for a friend and me to race in. This would be perfect. Might even try flying that spinnaker....

    Carliane

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    3,485

    Default

    the shorthanded division will be Sundays

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Montara, CA
    Posts
    803

    Default

    I spoke with a few people today who might also be interested in this. The one thing they brought up is that BYC often finishes their races INSIDE the breakwater. I know Jackie is keen to fly in there under full sail, but me, not so much with 550 sq ft of the stuff...

    The NOR says: "Courses will be on the Olympic circle, using both permanent and temporary buoys." Does this mean that start and finish will be on the circle?
    Last edited by Gamayun; 10-12-2014 at 06:49 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    3,485

    Default

    It's fun to sail into the marina with both sails up. Sometimes, when the wind is due west one gybes unexpectedly mere feet from the breakwater. That's especially exciting when you are practicing your port to port passing of a new sailing student from OCSC, learning how to tack back and forth on his/her way out of the marina. Sometimes small fishing boats are parked at one or more of the three entrances to the marina while their owners ignore everyone else. Then there are the commercial fishing boats, which tend to use the south entrance with aplomb - in Berkeley that means they ignore right of way. Best of all are the shoals just off the entrances, which last Friday fluctuated from 10 to 5 to 11 to 4 feet deep as Dura Mater approached the middle entrance. But my very favorite experience is when deep draught boats (like the Cal Maritime racing sloop) stop dead in the shallow entrance as they approach with those beautiful spinnakers up. Best to be on the deck of the Berkeley Yacht Club when that happens. There's always lots of yelling and cursing and sometimes people fall into the water. Not to discourage anyone.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    3,688

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Philpott View Post
    . . . There's always lots of yelling and cursing and sometimes people fall into the water. Not to discourage anyone.
    Uh, huh - little miss joy and sunshine!

    I know BYC finishes their Friday night races off the club (inside the breakwater) but I don't think that's true of the Midwinters - I'll ask around. It's been 12(?) years since I last did them. Gamay, the start is at the center of the Circle at X-OC. On low tide days that could be an issue.

    As for today, I motored straight back seeing 8+ knots SOG until the tide turned, and then I was on the race deck for part of the afternoon. The breeze would come, the breeze would go. A few boats made it in right before the deadline. Kudos to Allen and Kristen who sat out there all afternoon, and to Jonathan who brought us beer from the club - whataguy!

  9. #9
    pogen's Avatar
    pogen is offline Sailing canoe "Kūʻaupaʻa"
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    927

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobJ View Post
    I know BYC finishes their Friday night races off the club (inside the breakwater) but I don't think that's true of the Midwinters - I'll ask around.
    Thanks Bob, this would be good to know. I think if they finish in the marina I personally would not be too excited to do it singlehanded. Maybe if I got crew?

    After a brilliant start and run down the river yesterday, I broke my usual rule and got too clever following Starbuck (who I thought had the same draft as me) outside the fairway in a plan to minimize the number of tacks to make it out of the river mouth. Hit the mud, and had to motor off immediately, as the tide was falling. So I was DNF from almost the first hour. Really lovely day to be out though. Thanks to Allen and Kristen also who put a lot of time in to not get to see many finishers!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Montara, CA
    Posts
    803

    Default

    Seriously, Jackie; you sure know how to make the heart pitter patter with excitement while sailing and I get enough of that already.

    As to Vallejo, I used up my patience quota on Saturday and got to just past the ferry dock when the wind died while I was on a port tack and heading toward the shallows with another boat tacking toward me. Motored back at only 4-5 knots. The tide was too strong, but the Blue Angels buzzed over as I was putting the sail away on the back side of Treasure Island. It was a good weekend. In my opinion, Race Committees should get extra special awards and free beer at the end of the year party :-)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •