Re: Moon Chase Regatta - after a good night's rest
An overnight regatta is an exciting adventure. We treated as such. For both of us, it was the first distance sail at night. We were both comfortable with the task ahead of us. I was hoping that the winds would be on the lighter side (5 to 10 knots) but didn't expect the wind to be under 2 knots.
We found each of the marks easily using compass headings and GPS. I do need to connect the compass backlight. It was the first time I have needed it. I did get a larger GPS (Garmin echoMAP 70dv) which was a great improvement over my little handheld Garmin.
We were one of two JAM class boats out. A Catalina 30 ("Iphigenia") was the other. We stayed together until just before the second mark. I was feeling nauseous (a side effect of a new medication I started on Monday - felt much better after "feeding the fish") and didn't trim the sails as much. The slowest of the Spinnaker boats (SABRE 28-2 Ketch) was also with us. It had the same PHRF (207 — my Capri 22 is rated at 228) rating with the spinnaker as the Catalina 30 did with Jib and Main only.
I was surprised not to see any of the faster boats begin to catch up to us by the second mark. I didn't even see many sails behind us although the sun was interfering.
About 22:40 the captain of "Iphigenia" came by us and let us know they were withdrawing and there were only 1 or 2 other boats still out. We decided to withdraw, too. The captain also runs the Boston SeaTow franchise. He was concerned that my electric motor setup might not be enough to get me back (we motored at 5 knots to the start line - about 45 minutes) but still had several hours left if we motor sailed at 3 knots. We were 12 nm out so it was a 4 hour return. But that was faster than sailing. We returned to the dock at 3 am with plenty of reserve.
SUMMARY OF THE EVENT
Although we did not finish the race, we went out and stayed out longer than most of the others (most boats were the more competitive ones in the area).
The low winds did allow us to test several things on the boat and ourselves.
• The new (last season) Ullman sails (main with full battens and 135% foresail) kept us close to a Catalina 30 with and experienced crew. The loose footed main sail allowed me to shape the sail for the low winds.
• The quick pin for the Boom kicker started coming out with the flapping in the low winds. Quick pins should not be used. A few years ago, the quick pin used in the forestay came out. Quick pins need to be checked very frequently for safety.
• Compass backlight needs to be connected.
• The 7 inch GPS screen was much better to use especially for us with "maturing eyes".
• The electric Torqeedo and 210 amp-hour battery system does give me the speed and range needed for most situations. It will go "fast" for up to two hours or it will go at slower speeds for up to 16 hours. It could have motored up to Gloucester and back at 2-3 knots. The "house" electronics use a separate Group 24 deep discharge battery.
• Proved the older Tiller Pilot (TP100) that came with the Ranger 29 works very well. Since we were sailing double handed, it was allowed in this race. But we did not use it while sailing - just on the motoring back.
Oh yes. I am looking forward to next year's Moon Chase! (Matt - you are welcome to join us.)
It was a great adventure and gave us the confidence to do more...
ENTREES:
13 boats signed up: 3 JAM and 10 Spinnaker
Only 1 boat completed the course within the allotted time (Race ended at 10:00 AM Saturday).
Most did not start. The others withdrew after reaching the second mark and the predicted wind did not arrive at 10 PM.
CONDITIONS:
First Gun Time: 18:00:00
Race Conditions: Gorgeous for a booze cruise (quoted from the official site)
WIND (Sailflow):
2-5 knots predicted
0-2 knots actual
COURSE (using Government marks - Mass Bay Sailing Association):
Calculated times assuming an average speed of 4 knots using official start time of 17:28
Total race time should be 10 hours making our finish about 03:30 Saturday morning.
The course was altered slightly early on Friday moving the start location just a bit north and out of the shipping channel.
No race committee boat was on site - all reporting is done on the honor system.
TABLE OF COURSE
MARK Leg Dist Total Dist Leg Time Calculate Actual ave (kts)
START 0.0 0.0 0:00 17:28 17:52 start
Mark 1 1.5 1.5 0:22 17:50 18.35 2.5
Mark 2 5.5 7.0 1:22 19:12 21:05 1.8
Mark 3 12.8 19.8 3:13 22:25 (04:45) 1.7 (withdrew at 22:45 two nm from Mark #2)
Mark 4 5.2 25.0 1:18 23:43
Mark 5 8.0 33.0 2:00 01:43
Mark 6 5.5 38.5 1:22 03:05
FINISH 1.5 40.0 0:22 03:27
START: between "5", Fl G 2.5s and "6", Fl R 4s
• outside of Boston Harbor (Deer Island) between North Channel G "5" buoy and South Channel R "6" buoy
time 17:28 (calculated @ 4 kts)
time 17:52 (actual) - late start
MARK 1: "NC", Mo (A) WHIS RACON (-.), Mo(A) W
MBSA "M"
• entrance to Boston North Channel
• 1.4 nm bearing 26°
time 0:21 (leg calculated @ 4 kts)
time 17:49 (calculated @ 4 kts)
time 18:35 (actual)
MARK 2: "B", Mo (A) WHIS RACON (-...), Mo(A) W
MBSA "K"
• eastern buoy leading to North Channel
• 5.4 nm bearing 88°
MARK 3: "2", Fl R 4s WHIS
MBSA "A"
• off Eastern Point, Gloucester
• 12.7 nm bearing 24°
MARK 4: "1", Fl G 4s WHIS
MBSA "B"
• off Newcomb Ledge, Marblehead
• 5.1 nm bearing 222°
MARK 5: "B", Mo (A) WHIS RACON (-...), Mo(A) W
MBSA "K"
• eastern buoy leading to North Channel
• 8.0 nm bearing 194°
MARK 6: "NC", Mo (A) WHIS RACON (-.), Mo(A) W
MBSA "M"
• entrance to Boston North Channel
• 5.4 nm bearing 268°
FINISH: between "5", Fl G 2.5s and "6", Fl R 4s
• outside of Boston Harbor (Deer Island) between North Channel G "5" buoy and South Channel R "6" buoy
• 1.4 nm bearing 207°
