New Boat 4 Sled

[sleddog]

Sled, It looks like there’s an annoying low pressures area (with counterclockwise rotation) developing ~125-130 Nm due West. For us armchair sailors, what do you recommend? Which way to go? Is that why the fleet has split?

Yes DAZZLER. Not only is the transition between the Southerly Surge and synoptic wind moving slowly west, but a low pressure is developing just offshore with an associated trough extending NE/SW. It is a complex situation without a clear answer how to get to the synoptic wind at 126 degrees west.

Some of the fleet have routing programs and the skill to use them. The problem is routing programs like Expedition vary their recommended courses with each run. And not by a little, but by a whole degree! Yesterday at the Skipper's meeting luncheon, one competitor was tugging at what was left of his hair as Expedition had just changed its suggestion from running north to Bodega Bay before heading west over the top of the pesky Low to instead beating south towards Monterey Bay and then sailing under the Low.

Even here at CBC, without Stan Honey beside, I cannot, at this time, figure out which way to go..Yes, I did advise one competitor to sail the closest tack to 225 m. The answer will come, but maybe not for 24-48 hours.

[jamottep]

What's going on with Hula?

[sleddog]

Waters from Point Reyes to Pigeon Point 10-60 NM offshore-
issued 857 PM PDT Sat Jun 19 2021
TONIGHT
W winds 5 to 10 kt. Wind waves 9 to 10 ft. Patchy fog.
SUN
S winds 5 to 10 kt. Wind waves 7 to 8 ft. Patchy fog.
SUN NIGHT
S winds 5 to 10 kt. Wind waves 6 to 7 ft. Patchy fog

[sleddog]

Good news for the Summer Solstice, at 0800 Sunday, June 20, the van of the SHTP fleet found consistent breeze overnight and has been close reaching along at 5-6 knots, 120 miles SW of the start, presumably catching up on some sleep despite prevailing NW swells coming abeam.

Note to observers: The Distance to Go as measured by the trackers is not realistic as it measures the Great Circle (shortest) distance. Unlikely anyone will sail the GC, as it takes you through the region of the Pacific High. Measuring Distance to Go via the GC will show more northerly boats "winning" as they appear closer to the finish. Getting southwest is the name of the game in order to sail under the Pacific High.

The fleet has now sailed out of shore based (VHF) AIS range and can only be tracked on AIS by satellite, for which I do not have a (paid) subscription. It's the onboard trackers or nothing.

[sleddog]

OK Weirdos,
You want scientific evidence the SHTP fleet is sailing the fastest route instead of north to Bodega Bay and then over the top of the pesky low pressure? Maybe this is why HULA reversed course 180 off Bolinas. The below is the latest Expedition Routing for a boat the speed of a Cal-40 run this morning. Take it with a grain of salt.

[Dazzler]

The fleet has now sailed out of shore based (VHF) AIS range and can only be tracked on AIS by satellite, for which I do not have a (paid) subscription. It's the onboard trackers or nothing.

Interesting to see which boats’ AIS signals were being received the greatest distance from shore based receivers. NORTHERN STAR, SIREN and GREEN BUFFALO all look to have had the best signals. In contrast, a few boats appear to have very weak signals that were not even being received half way to the Farallones.

I suspect the differences are primarily about signal strength (or more correctly signal loss), and possibly antenna height although the smallest boat (SOBG) had a very strong signal. The quality of the antenna lead (coaxial cable) and connectors can make a big difference in reducing signal loss. Something to pay attention to.

[Dazzler]

¿Expedition? Don’t need no stinkin’ software!
Just follow Skip’s pre-race advice: “…sail the closest tack to 225 m.”
And now, on day two the software agrees.

[sleddog]

Things are beginning to shake out: MOUNTAIN, the J-109, thus far appears to be .25 knots faster than anyone, close reaching on port at 6.1 knots in 9 knots of breeze, likely with a Code 0. Boat for boat, NOZOMI is second and her sister, the BUFF 3rd, nearby to PERPLEXITY, whose malfunctioning tracker reports her doing double-digit speeds. Ain't buying it: An Express 37 and a Cal-40 are similar in speed.

Good news: the vanguard of the fleet is about to descend into a low pressure "trof" as the weathermen like to spell it. "Trough" would be to confusing for weather language? On the other side of the "trof" is the synoptic or gradient wind, 15-20 knots of northerly breeze that will spank the fleet SW.

And here comes the floating food fight, SHARK ON BLUEGRASS. Do NOT underestimate this little 25 footer putting the nibble on the fleet.

Get those doggies outta here.

[Philpott]

Not to distract from more important stuff, Skip, but Dave Morris came out on Bob's boat Saturday. He sent me this photo:



Looks comfy. Wonder if it would require bonine?

[sleddog]

End of an era. And the beginning of a new one. The last boat builder standing in Santa Cruz has closed its doors forever: Moore Bros. has been evicted and the shop emptied on Grove St. in Watsonville. The Moore-24 molds have been temporary saved by someone, though Ron wanted to cut them up.

Closer to the CBC, I visited Dave Hodges new Ullman sail loft this morning, around the corner from the old one and behind the climbing gym. Wow! David went the extra mile to make the loft light, airy, and well designed. He even hopes to fit in the batting cage.



David and his crew were busy doing something important: chasing down 5 just fledged sparrows flitting around the loft. Fortunately, everyone seemed to be OK as they were relocated back outside. While chasing birdlets, David told me if someone wants the fastest small ultralight that ever graced Santa Cruz, that the 33 foot, Jim Foley designed and built THIRD REEF is in outdoor storage (under cover) in Reno. THIRD REEF is a serious part of Santa Cruz history.

Dave Hodges had also just sailed on Terry Alsberg's turboed Express-27 and says it is much stiffer than he imagined, as well as having whiplash acceleration. The only problem is with 7 foot draft and a shoaled, rocky area under the hoist, Terry's unnamed Wednesday night racer can only be launched or hauled in a narrow and often inconvenient window.

Paddling this morning looked like a giant bubble bath. With big surf and confused seas, the oily bilge water from various boats in Santa Cruz Harbor had collected near the seaward end of the breakwater, where it was being churned into a 50x50 foot area of oily froth 6" high.

Returning from my paddle I passed the Coasties outbound in their big RIB. I stopped them briefly to report "an oil spill at the Harbor Entrance." They were on their way to the launch ramp to haul and return their trailerable rig to home base in Monterey and I don't think wanted to go look or take water samples of what some kayaker was reporting.

However up the Coast 350 miles and 80 miles offshore Crescent City, in Gale Alley, the CG was involved and using 2 helos, airlifted 6 crew off the famous 79' schooner BARLOVENTO in big seas and gale force. Apparently, BARLO was taking on water, and a crew member had been injured. Shades of the loss of NINA, except no lives were lost. But BARLO, abandoned, is being reported as a hazard to navigation. Will she survive? Doubtful.
https://twitter.com/USCGPacificSW/st...10149046181889

But Leo's 111 year old, Fastnet Race winning TALLY HO will survive, hopefully for another century After 4 years, Leo is moving the boat, his crew, and tools to Port Townsend, 20 miles from Sequim. Leo's 100th video is a must watch. And he reveals about Poncho the parrot's future. Good for them! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSXYZHVqmwY