Rocking and rolling

[Jackdaw]

We had a race yesterday in 15 knots of breeze, with gusts to 20. Not too bad, but the gusts came on with 30 degree shifts that hammered you hard upwind. Downwind through a narrow channel, you just had to hang on. Normally BlueJ is rock solid downwind, but this was a challenge.

 

[Brian D]

How fast were you going? Just the sound of the water rushing by told me 6~8 knts.

 

[Jackdaw]

How fast were you going? Just the sound of the water rushing by told me 6~8 knts.

Between seven and eight for most of it, between eight and nine for about 20% of it. According to the velocitek, somewhere on the run we hit 9.6.

Unlike a lot of our fast spin runs, that one wasn’t as enjoyable as it was just exciting.

 

[Brian D]

Nice. I learned the sound of my boat when sailing. I love the sound of the water rushing by.

 

[agprice22]

Nice! Looks like walking a tightrope. One of the things I love about sailing is that it is not easy!

 

[Jackdaw]

Nice! Looks like walking a tightrope. One of the things I love about sailing is that it is not easy!

Indeed. Its a bit of a pucker moment; that bay narrows from a 1/2 mile wide to maybe 120 feet before opening back up into next bay. With the wind that shifty and strong and kite up, you really have to line up your approach well, and still hope that things don't go crazy.

One of the two Capri 25s in front of us in the video (earlier start) wiped out in the channel, the other blew up their mainsail on a Chinese gybe.

Fun day! Happily we came through unscathed.

 

[Brian D]

We have a condition like that in San Diego Bay. Not narrow, but shifty winds under and near the Coronado Bridge. I had tried many times to go under the bridge to get into the north part of the bay but failed. Would have a nice sail upto the bridge then the winds would shift/die/turn/stop/backup you name it. Unless one was moving at boat speed to get under the bridge, forget it. However, coming south to the southern part of the bay was easy. I don't get it. LOL

 

[agprice22]

But THAT is what keeps you coming back! Anything that happens is exhilarating. Win, lose, succeed, fail, cruise, or crash. It is another notch. It is another story. Sailors live for stories.

 

[agprice22]

We have a condition like that in San Diego Bay. Not narrow, but shifty winds under and near the Coronado Bridge. I had tried many times to go under the bridge to get into the north part of the bay but failed. Would have a nice sail upto the bridge then the winds would shift/die/turn/stop/backup you name it. Unless one was moving at boat speed to get under the bridge, forget it. However, coming south to the southern part of the bay was easy. I don't get it. LOL

Excellent! The challenge is worth it. You drive yourself into the mouth of the problem and work it out! I have enjoyed many relaxing days on the water, but I have never had a better time than when I have to solve the problem.

 

[JRT]

Cool, what is that green flag above your head for? Looks like it is giving you wind direction from the back stay?

 

[Jackdaw]

Cool, what is that green flag above your head for? Looks like it is giving you wind direction from the back stay?

Well that's what it's doing in that that shot! Actually its a fleet class flag. Our 6 One Design fleets don't need then, but each of the three handicap fleet have their own color flag. Green = PHRF 1 (spin)