Predicted Log Contests

[Gary Wyngarden]

Just in the last week, I've twice come across a sailing term I've never heard before--a "Predicted Log Contest." I googled it and came up with the following:"WHAT IS A PREDICTED LOG CONTESTIt is a contest where each skipper attempts to most accurately predict the time it will take to navigate a specified course in their boat. The course is published in the race instructions issued by the host club several weeks prior to the contest. It usually consists of four or more legs totaling about 25 miles. Before the contest, skippers turn in predicted logs which specify the time they expect to use on each leg of the course. Each skipper then starts onto the course at their predicted starting time. After starting, an Observer aboard the boat collects all watches so that the skipper and crew have no knowledge of the actual time during the contest. As each mark is passed, the Observer records the time on the actual log. After completing the course, the Race Committee computes the percentage error between the predicted and actual logs for each boat. The skipper with the lowest error is then declared the winner."Anyone ever done one of these? Other than the fact that you're out on the water, it actually sounds pretty lame. Are they fun?Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust h37.5

 

[Ross]

I have heard of them and it would be an excellant

test of your knowledge of the characteristics of you boat. Of course you have no control of the weather conditions on the day of the race.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Gary...

I somehow thought these generic types of events were for powerboats?

 

[Ross]

Isn't the internet wonderful?

you google a subject and up comes an answer.The link won't work so just google "predicted log contests"

 

[Paul Akers]

If Powerboats?...Too Easy!

*nm

 

[Stu Jackson]

Here on SF Bay, Gary

they're all for powerboats. We're too busy sailing.It's a terrific way to learn boat handling, though. Once engaged in the activity, the powerboats owners are like racing sailors. I once got in the way of one, because he cut me off, and boy, was he pi**ed! Of course, you don't know that they are doing that because their big yellow identifying signs are hung off the sides of their boats, so you can't see 'em coming or give them room. You just figure they're powerboats with no knowledge of the rules of the road as they're bearing down on you. If I'd have known, I would have given him plenty of space.

 

[Seattle Scott]

Exclusively power boats

I guess the judgment is in factoring currents and sea state affecting speed/distance. Last summer I was anchored fifty yards off of a permanent ship anchoring buoy, which just happened to be a turning mark for a predicted log contest. A bunch of 40 foot displacement power boats came between by stern and the buoy putting up 3 foot wakes and completly ignored me, just maintained their speed. I guess they had alreay done their predictions, which did not include killing their wake for me.