Flat is faster

[Russell Egge]

Sunday was a great day on Narraganst Bay. Winds forecasted at 10-15knots with mostly asunny day. Since we were going to beat down bay 1st, we put in one reef right away, pulled in the sheet and made 5 knots in 10-12 knots apparent. As the day went on the winds picked up to 22 apparent. When the boat hit 20 degrees on the "heel-o-meter" I would let out the main and the boat would flatten back down. I used my handheld GPS to check my speed and everytime I let out the main, my boat speed increased by .5knots. We had a perfect day on the bay and no excitement (my wife was happy) We made it past beaver tale and 8 miles east of Newport before heading home. Saw a new 290 and a 336. Everyone seemed to be having a great day.RREGGES/V Allie Kat

 

[Bob Rutland]

Ditto....

When I was new to sailing,I saw those guys with the rail in the water and we would all say,look at them,they must be flying! WRONG!It wasn't till I crewed with some very good racing sailors that I learned FLAT IS FAST! Fast Sailing, Bob

 

[Carl and Juliana Dupre]

Narragansett Bay Sailing

Yo, Russell! I was just magnificent all weekend, wasn't it! We were out Friday 6/8 and Saturday 6/9; Sunday was boat project day. Saturday had to be by far the best sailing day of the season so far. We are in Dutch Harbor, and Narragansett Bay seems to be one gigantic thermal this time of year; anytime after about 11:00am the wind is up into the bay. Constantly beating out West Passage has become a nuisance and we have gotten to the point where we just motor out to Beavertail and then raise sail and head off. But the runs back in have been most pleasant. Is it like this all year long? And, yes, we do indeed sail MUCH better flat. We were out on single reef this past weekend, which is the first time that we have been anything less than double reef! And we have been almost constantly clipping along at 5.5 to 7 knots. More sail and all you do is heel more; less comfortable, no faster.On Friday 6/8 about 1:00pm we were motoring out to Beavertail crossing paths with a lovely 336 tacking its way out. Who was that? Identify yourself! We all need to get together sometime and have a Narragansett Bay Hunter Party.Carl and Juliana DupreH340, s/v 'Syzygy'

 

[Russell Egge]

Hi Carl and Julina

We did boat projects most of Saturday, but Sunday was great. We usually beat out of the bay, but motoring out is a great idea.Yes Naraganset Bay has good wind all summer, less in August but still over 10 knots. The wind dies by 6-7pm most days.Dutch is one of our favorite lunch spots. You can see the Newport fireworks on the fourth.RREggePS Looks like kids commitments Sat, but hope to get out Sunday. My only concern is lack of crew.RREgge