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Thread: Farallones 2018

  1. #1
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    Default Farallones 2018

    Just to get into the spirit of the race, here are some videos from past races:

    Red Sky/Brian Boschma - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DQlLmz1aE4

    Iniscaw/Max Crittenden - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vXfn70fexc

    Xpression/Dirk Husselman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjWAPWQSnUs

    Chippewa/Ronnie Simpson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6REYBImw2LI

  2. #2
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    Here again are some suggestions I received from Bob Johnston years ago:

    Well first, that's an average for the whole day and 15-25 is a broad range. The last time I looked it was going to be more like high teens out at the Farallones = a piece o'cake. It is forecast to get windier at the end of the day, with gusts as high as 31 knots. Therefore if you're not around the island by mid-afternoon you might want to head back, but see how it's going and how you're feeling.

    On the way out, once the breeze picks up keep your sails flat - plenty of halyard tension, cunningham and outhaul on the main, halyard and sheet on the jib (grind it in flat). If you're still heeling too much you can reef of course, and also try to move the jib leads aft to open up the jib's leech a bit while keeping the foot tight.
    On the way back you can ease everything some. A looser vang will help to keep you from broaching and of course, ease the mainsheet well out if it's getting broachy. If the jib is a little on the tight side (overtrimmed) it will hold your bow down better coming back, also reducing the tendency to broach. If you have an outboard jib lead (like out to the rail) use that - it will also want to led a little farther forward. This will keep the top of the sail from luffing when you ease it out on the reach home.

    If that forecast (SAT...NW WINDS 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT. NW SWELL 6 TO 8 FT AT 9 SECONDS. .SAT NIGHT...NW WINDS 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 4 TO 7 FT. NW SWELL 7 TO 9 FT AT 8 SECONDS. ) proves correct and the wave period is that short, it's going to be a bit sloppy. Remember though - just close up the companionway and turn around and it becomes more manageable/comfortable coming back. So keep going until you're not having fun anymore and then turn around. Hopefully that will be at the island!

    Just a reminder on the rounding: You see the knob on the NE corner of the island from way off so it's pretty easy to plan to pass it at a seamanlike distance. Once you do that, don't bear off - hold a heading of 255 Mag (270 True) i.e. due West, even though the island tapers off to the south as you proceed along the north side. Watch for breakers off your STARBOARD bow. If you see any big ones, tack over and get farther North. Then don't bear away around the west end of the island until you're almost past it. Simply said - sail due West across the top, don't cut the corner.

    Then once around and in the lee of the island (on the south side), use the head and get everything out in the cockpit you're going to want during the trip home. Then relax and enjoy the ride. It's nice to know the bearing back to the Gate since you won't be able to see it until you get closer in. Don't forget to turn on your running lights (I do it early), call in your approach to the finish and jot down your finish time in case the R/C misses it.

  3. #3
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    Ten Years ago, find here a report on Cliff Shaw s/v Rainbow:Hanson Rescue Medal 2008 to Cliff Shaw.pdf

    And earlier, in 1999 the same award went to Ryle Radke s/v Friday Harbor:Ryle Radke.pdf

    Look around at the skipper's meeting Friday night. They'll both be there and on the course Saturday. Thank you, gentlemen. It's a pleasure to be in your company.
    Last edited by Philpott; 05-14-2018 at 06:52 PM.

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  5. #5
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    Good stuff!

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    In 1994 Robert Crawford raced his Ericson 32 in the Singlehanded Transpacific Yacht Race to Kauai in slightly more than 16 days. Fourteen years later, in 2008 he took a bit longer to get there in his Cal 20, Black Feathers: 19:21:15. He wrote a book about the preparation for and subsequent participation in the race.

    Black Feathers is still berthed in South Beach harbor, impeccably maintained, clean as a whistle. I walked by Bob last Saturday, sitting in Black Feathers and preparing for another race. Which one? I asked. Well, Bob has a friend who has never sailed out the gate, so the two of them are going to sail out to the Farallones this Saturday, May 19. Not included in the race, mind you, because it’s a singlehanded race. But out there with the fleet. So if you see a small doublehanded boat, with #14 on its sail and in big numbers on her hull, that’s Robert Crawford on Black Feathers right there. With a friend. Out the gate again.
    Attached Images Attached Images  
    Last edited by Philpott; 05-17-2018 at 09:52 AM.

  7. #7
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    Looks like a classic, prototypical Farallones Race on Saturday's menu, with west-southwest winds veering and building to 20-25 knts out near the Rockpile. Should be fun. Good luck to all, especially good friend RC on BLACK FEATHERS.

    One tactical thought: for those finishing in the afternoon, before 6 pm, unless the South Tower is passed close aboard on starboard jibe, laying the finish under spinnaker is gonna be a challenge. This is because fresh southwest gusts (headers) come whistling down the valley above Crissey Field. A headsail sheeted to the rail is often a good alternative for the last 1.6 nm starboard tack sprint.

    Disregard the above if you are on a Wyliecat, Freedom, E-27, Moore-24, O-29, or Cal-40, which looks to be a good portion of the fleet.

    After 6 pm, the sea breeze begins to fade, the ebb increases, and a spinny should be just ducky if you have several extra pairs of hands: one for the tiller, a pair for the spinny sheet, main sheet, and vang, one for the binos, and another for the VHF radio mike.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by sleddog View Post
    Looks like a classic, prototypical Farallones Race on Saturday's menu, with west-southwest winds veering and building to 20-25 knts out near the Rockpile. Should be fun. Good luck to all, especially good friend RC on BLACK FEATHERS.

    One tactical thought: for those finishing in the afternoon, before 6 pm, unless the South Tower is passed close aboard on starboard jibe, laying the finish under spinnaker is gonna be a challenge. This is because fresh southwest gusts (headers) come whistling down the valley above Crissey Field. A headsail sheeted to the rail is often a good alternative for the last 1.6 nm starboard tack sprint.

    Disregard the above if you are on a Wyliecat, Freedom, E-27, Moore-24, O-29, or Cal-40, which looks to be a good portion of the fleet.

    After 6 pm, the sea breeze begins to fade, the ebb increases, and a spinny should be just ducky if you have several extra pairs of hands: one for the tiller, a pair for the spinny sheet, main sheet, and vang, one for the binos, and another for the VHF radio mike.
    That't a lot of damn hands! I got two plus a tail and that's it. Something is going to have to go.

  9. #9
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    well, you've only got one sail...so that's something gone right there.

  10. #10
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    Most forecast I saw indicate that the wind is building up from 15+ kts at the starting line ... except COAMPS, which shows light air ... Now the forecast is dated but I recall Stan saying that they are very good ...

    https://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/coamps-w...dslpMRY&tau=39

    Aaah ... who to trust ...

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