More light breeze for the first race today, about 5kts out of the northeast, again with a big favor to one side. Better wind second race at 8-12. We're still not having a great regatta with another 6 and an 8 to put us 8th overall. Our issue seem to be light air speed. Kind of wishing we'd saved the $ on the awlgrip for a bottom job lately! Once the breeze is up we're as good as anyone, but under 5kts we're a bit pokey. Have to say our crew work has been excellent, everyones really spot on. Surprisingly our starts, which were our concern going in have been great so far (knock wood!) Saw Robin Monk (past nat champ from newport) really pick it up after a disappointing day yesterday with 2 bullets.
Looking forward to today, as we've got better breeze forecast, and theres a lot of close races that should get worked out. We've got some close points with other boats, but will be just trying to get some improved finishes. While the regatta isn't going as well as we'd like, it's great racing and we're having fun in our first nats.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Shields Nats Day 1
Day 1 is done, the racing is very high quality but the wind is a bit less cooperative! 3 races today, started racing in about 3 kts, which over 1.5mile legs takes a _long_ time. The first race took about half the day, with lots of shifts from around 90 to 40. We got ourselves in trouble by tacking a bit too much trying to stay in phase, where it seemed like the leading boats picked a side early and stuck to it. Not saying we should have done that, especially as the good side was different each leg! Felt a lot like rolling the dice for race 1, and we ended up 13th!
Race 2 was a bit more breeze (around 5kts) and we did a little bit better coming in 6th. This was another tough one, as I felt like everytime we tacked the wind went the other way. During the season I felt like we had a lot of little gifts, where we'd tack and get a surprise lift, today I think was the payback as we got a bit of the flip side.
Race 3 the wind filled in a bit more at about 6-8 kts, and we had a better one again, seeming to be around 3rd much of the race. The last leg we rounded 4th, but managed to give away 2 spots in the last 200'. Ouch!
Tomorrow is forecast more of the same in the AM but building up a bit in the afternoon. I feel our speed is fine, boathandling is fine, and think we just need to tighten up our tactics to improve.
Race 2 was a bit more breeze (around 5kts) and we did a little bit better coming in 6th. This was another tough one, as I felt like everytime we tacked the wind went the other way. During the season I felt like we had a lot of little gifts, where we'd tack and get a surprise lift, today I think was the payback as we got a bit of the flip side.
Race 3 the wind filled in a bit more at about 6-8 kts, and we had a better one again, seeming to be around 3rd much of the race. The last leg we rounded 4th, but managed to give away 2 spots in the last 200'. Ouch!
Tomorrow is forecast more of the same in the AM but building up a bit in the afternoon. I feel our speed is fine, boathandling is fine, and think we just need to tighten up our tactics to improve.
Monday, September 14, 2009
New boats in town
3 boats arrived today from the east coast. Pics to follow tomorrow.
White Rabbit #238 has changed colors to a light gray, a shade lighter than Peanut. Apparently it's picked up a nickname of "gray hare." Neat. Really striking; gray hull, gray bottom paint, no bootstripe. Very much a ghost boat, hope we don't have foggy days as it should photo well (if you can find it!)
Syrinx #239 belongs to Bill Berry, who's won 2x Nat's in the last 3 years, and come in second a ton of times. It has the most perfect bottom/keel I've ever seen. If you touch the surface, your skin tingles a bit. They've done some neat stuff with their mainsheet, going 2:1 gross tune and 4:1 fine. This means they can trim and turn really damn quick, but have to use the fine tune in lighter airs than we do. I considered this for 88, but kind of chickened out as it's a pretty big main for 2:1, and our main trimmer is my size.
Freedom #255 has got to be one of the prettiest Shields around. Flag Blue (I think), gold stripe, waterline and red bottom. Just looks classic. Makes me want to don an ascot. Actually I don't actually know what an ascot is, but it seems like something one wears when one has a postcard quality yacht.
Saw 239 and 150 go out for a sail in about 5 kts. Looked fun! I'm really itching to sail, which I guess is the point of taking a bunch of time off from the boat before the big event. Mark P from 63 was joking about us not sailing for a while being like the way athletes rest before a big event. I didn't want to say anything then, but thats exactly the point!
By the way, here are all the photos from our powerboat adventure (thanks CMRC, happy to make that trade anytime!)
http://picasaweb.google.com/chicagoyachtrigging88/Sailing91209?authkey=Gv1sRgCJGzhs-Pk57PZA# And I do mean ALL the photos, as in 471 of them. Highlights would be the start photos and the fog photos. We also zipped over to the big boat course and captured 88 crew Katie A finishing 1st in the J105's. Go K.
Helped out 130 today as they made a couple last minute changes, such as our spinnaker sheet ratchets and 2:1 jib sheeting. I sailed with that family for years and really have high hopes for them at Nat's. They've been pretty damn fast when they have the whole team together this year, so they should do well. Kevin on 150 has a great team too, with Ryan coming into town, and when those two get together it's usually rocket fast. I really feel like fleet 3 has grown a lot the last 3 years or so, so we should do well as a group at Nats.
More updates tomorrow as I measure the boats and meet more teams, this is really exciting to have Nationals in our pond!
White Rabbit #238 has changed colors to a light gray, a shade lighter than Peanut. Apparently it's picked up a nickname of "gray hare." Neat. Really striking; gray hull, gray bottom paint, no bootstripe. Very much a ghost boat, hope we don't have foggy days as it should photo well (if you can find it!)
Syrinx #239 belongs to Bill Berry, who's won 2x Nat's in the last 3 years, and come in second a ton of times. It has the most perfect bottom/keel I've ever seen. If you touch the surface, your skin tingles a bit. They've done some neat stuff with their mainsheet, going 2:1 gross tune and 4:1 fine. This means they can trim and turn really damn quick, but have to use the fine tune in lighter airs than we do. I considered this for 88, but kind of chickened out as it's a pretty big main for 2:1, and our main trimmer is my size.
Freedom #255 has got to be one of the prettiest Shields around. Flag Blue (I think), gold stripe, waterline and red bottom. Just looks classic. Makes me want to don an ascot. Actually I don't actually know what an ascot is, but it seems like something one wears when one has a postcard quality yacht.
Saw 239 and 150 go out for a sail in about 5 kts. Looked fun! I'm really itching to sail, which I guess is the point of taking a bunch of time off from the boat before the big event. Mark P from 63 was joking about us not sailing for a while being like the way athletes rest before a big event. I didn't want to say anything then, but thats exactly the point!
By the way, here are all the photos from our powerboat adventure (thanks CMRC, happy to make that trade anytime!)
http://picasaweb.google.com/chicagoyachtrigging88/Sailing91209?authkey=Gv1sRgCJGzhs-Pk57PZA# And I do mean ALL the photos, as in 471 of them. Highlights would be the start photos and the fog photos. We also zipped over to the big boat course and captured 88 crew Katie A finishing 1st in the J105's. Go K.
Helped out 130 today as they made a couple last minute changes, such as our spinnaker sheet ratchets and 2:1 jib sheeting. I sailed with that family for years and really have high hopes for them at Nat's. They've been pretty damn fast when they have the whole team together this year, so they should do well. Kevin on 150 has a great team too, with Ryan coming into town, and when those two get together it's usually rocket fast. I really feel like fleet 3 has grown a lot the last 3 years or so, so we should do well as a group at Nats.
More updates tomorrow as I measure the boats and meet more teams, this is really exciting to have Nationals in our pond!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Prep day
Nationals starts in 3 days holy cow! Although the last 2 years of racing have been the best of my life, we did after all buy 88 with the purpose of racing a Nat's in our backyard, and it's finally here. Getting very excited, the boats in good shape, the team is great and I feel ready. Ready especially after today, as Niki and I spent several hours on the dirtiest (and slimiest, don't forget the slime) parts of the boat.
First we stripped all of the non essential gear (and beercans) off the boat. Bam keeps telling me that my boat is "cluttered" so I keep cutting lines shorter and taking more gear off. Hopefully it's uncluttered now, as I have no idea what else could possibly come off the boat! Then we gave the boat the most thorough wash of its life (it gleams!) and pulled it over to the crane.
I really like this shot, as the boats just look so weird out of the water! Once the boat was out we gave it a good scrub and sand, followed by some Harken Hullkote. I really don't know if the hullkote does anything on a bottom as rough as ours, or over VC17, but it sure made us feel fast while we got washer-womans elbow putting it on!
A recurring theme in this blog is that my wife rocks, as it was her idea to buy the boat, but I think getting covered in algae and bottom paint may be a new high (low?) for us. This was actually kind of fun, and it's nice knowing the boat is as prepped as it possibly can be.
See, our boat really does get cleaned!
Protest update: The protest from C3 was reopened, and in the end 88, 150, 90, and 63 were DSQ'd. I'm 100% sure that we were never properly protested, and that we weren't signaled a course change. I trust everyone in our fleet, and have no problem believing that they sailed the course they were given, but we didn't get that course. I submitted my testimony by email (mistake) and didn't go to the reopened hearing. The markset boat driver claims he was on station, sounding horns, and had someone jumping up and down on the bow waving (what?) and that we are a dark boat with a purple/pink/purple spinnaker (thats actually a Luders 16.) I've always been fascinated by the wide variations in how people can see the same event (like a protest, or a car accident.) Our season result is still safe, but I was a bit bummed to hear that we were DSQ'd, as we're sure the RC made a mistake, and that what the markset boat driver said was incorrect. 2 lessons here, one is if you care about the rules, go to the protest hearing! Two is that protests are ugly, and can end in ways that make no sense, so it's best to not get into them in the first place, although thats kind of irrelevant here since we sailed that race right, led every mark and still got a 12. I guess a third lesson is that it's best to let these things go and get on with your life! I had a really fun day with Niki, and at least I can look back on that race fondly, as we did sail well and had a good time.
It's all about Nat's from here on out, as our season is secured. Pray for big breeze!
First we stripped all of the non essential gear (and beercans) off the boat. Bam keeps telling me that my boat is "cluttered" so I keep cutting lines shorter and taking more gear off. Hopefully it's uncluttered now, as I have no idea what else could possibly come off the boat! Then we gave the boat the most thorough wash of its life (it gleams!) and pulled it over to the crane.
I really like this shot, as the boats just look so weird out of the water! Once the boat was out we gave it a good scrub and sand, followed by some Harken Hullkote. I really don't know if the hullkote does anything on a bottom as rough as ours, or over VC17, but it sure made us feel fast while we got washer-womans elbow putting it on!
A recurring theme in this blog is that my wife rocks, as it was her idea to buy the boat, but I think getting covered in algae and bottom paint may be a new high (low?) for us. This was actually kind of fun, and it's nice knowing the boat is as prepped as it possibly can be.
See, our boat really does get cleaned!Protest update: The protest from C3 was reopened, and in the end 88, 150, 90, and 63 were DSQ'd. I'm 100% sure that we were never properly protested, and that we weren't signaled a course change. I trust everyone in our fleet, and have no problem believing that they sailed the course they were given, but we didn't get that course. I submitted my testimony by email (mistake) and didn't go to the reopened hearing. The markset boat driver claims he was on station, sounding horns, and had someone jumping up and down on the bow waving (what?) and that we are a dark boat with a purple/pink/purple spinnaker (thats actually a Luders 16.) I've always been fascinated by the wide variations in how people can see the same event (like a protest, or a car accident.) Our season result is still safe, but I was a bit bummed to hear that we were DSQ'd, as we're sure the RC made a mistake, and that what the markset boat driver said was incorrect. 2 lessons here, one is if you care about the rules, go to the protest hearing! Two is that protests are ugly, and can end in ways that make no sense, so it's best to not get into them in the first place, although thats kind of irrelevant here since we sailed that race right, led every mark and still got a 12. I guess a third lesson is that it's best to let these things go and get on with your life! I had a really fun day with Niki, and at least I can look back on that race fondly, as we did sail well and had a good time.
It's all about Nat's from here on out, as our season is secured. Pray for big breeze!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Aft bulkhead holes fix
A Shields sank in Edgartown this summer, so the national class is asking fleet measurers to crack down on perforations in the bulkheads. One of the many things required on the Nationals entry measurement form is checking these out so they comply with this rule:
Perforations - Bulkheads
Perforations in the fore and aft bulkheads are permitted. Such perforations shall be made watertight while racing. One or two small holes not to exceed 3/8 inch in diameter may be drilled as close as possible to the top of the aft bulkhead to accommodate lines for trimming the backstay. (See Specifications 7.2, 10.1)
About half our fleet is in some small violation of this rule, and I let everyone know by email that some boats would have to fix this. Within about 5 minutes much of our fleet had gotten in touch with me by phone or email, kinda freaking out. Here are some fix tips:
First step when in violation of this rule is do not freak out and call me!
Second step is fix the holes. Old holes are easy, you can either fill them with epoxy, or close the hole up with a bolt and washer on each side of the bulkhead. 88 has a combination of these fixes.
The big stainless washed is covering the 1/2" hole left by the original backstay line. There is a 1/4" bolt holding the washers in place, with a nut on the back. Make this tight and put sealant below the washers.
The smaller hole between the 2 blocks has been filled and sealed with epoxy. The super easy way to do this is to wash out the hole with acetone, put tape on the front face of the bulkhead, then pack it with very thick epoxy or aggressive sealant from the back of the bulkhead. Let it dry, then tear the tape.
The holes where the line goes through are about 5/16" so we're fine there. If your line holes are larger you can make a gasket out of 1/8" plastic or G10, drill a 3/8" hole through it, glue it in place and clamp. Once dry, run your line through. Or, you can do the epoxy trick above, and then redrill your line hole.
Third step is really, really don't freak out and call me all at once.
Here are photos of how boats are in violation:
Perforations in the fore and aft bulkheads are permitted. Such perforations shall be made watertight while racing. One or two small holes not to exceed 3/8 inch in diameter may be drilled as close as possible to the top of the aft bulkhead to accommodate lines for trimming the backstay. (See Specifications 7.2, 10.1)
About half our fleet is in some small violation of this rule, and I let everyone know by email that some boats would have to fix this. Within about 5 minutes much of our fleet had gotten in touch with me by phone or email, kinda freaking out. Here are some fix tips:
First step when in violation of this rule is do not freak out and call me!
Second step is fix the holes. Old holes are easy, you can either fill them with epoxy, or close the hole up with a bolt and washer on each side of the bulkhead. 88 has a combination of these fixes.
The big stainless washed is covering the 1/2" hole left by the original backstay line. There is a 1/4" bolt holding the washers in place, with a nut on the back. Make this tight and put sealant below the washers.
The smaller hole between the 2 blocks has been filled and sealed with epoxy. The super easy way to do this is to wash out the hole with acetone, put tape on the front face of the bulkhead, then pack it with very thick epoxy or aggressive sealant from the back of the bulkhead. Let it dry, then tear the tape.
The holes where the line goes through are about 5/16" so we're fine there. If your line holes are larger you can make a gasket out of 1/8" plastic or G10, drill a 3/8" hole through it, glue it in place and clamp. Once dry, run your line through. Or, you can do the epoxy trick above, and then redrill your line hole.
Third step is really, really don't freak out and call me all at once.
Here are photos of how boats are in violation:
Shields 88 2009 Setup photos
Bam took some good snaps of our setup from last week, and I thought I'd put them here. The boat is setup to its "final" version, for 2009 anyway! All of this seems to work pretty well, and is better than the traditional gear.
Our console area took a lot of tweaking (not all the extra holes in the wood!) but it seems to work well now. The cleats on risers are for the 2:1 jib sheets, and the angle is critical so that the trimmer can sheet from the windward rail. The topper and downhaul are in the center, with extreme angle fairleads so that the lines can be cleated or released from anywhere on the boat. The vang is on a pennant so that the cleat is up in the air, and easier to release in "oh s%#t!" situations. That was Bam's idea. The cunningham is 2:1 through the sail cringle, and another 2:1 to a cleat, which is mounted to the mast by way of 2 metal slugs. The jib halyard setup works pretty well, and is a lot easier to get to than the stock way.
Above is our 2:1 jib sheets in action. They're really nice, and one person can tack the jib really quickly, and be able to trim it in solo in light and moderate air. Critical is the load sensing ratchets (do _not_ try to use regular ones) and the low profile ti-lite blocks, which let you sheet in all the way. Only funny thing about this is that the jib trimmer has to be ahead of the pit person upwind. It would be perfect for a 4 person team! 
Our main trimmer area hasn't changed much at all, just new line on the twings. I really like this setup for both spin sheets and main controls. Note one of the most important 88 tricks in the bag on the shelf there; a baggie of Advil! I think we're probably the hardest hikers in the fleet, and it makes for speed in the big air and waves. And it helps certain members of the crew who have reputations for showing up hungover.
The mainsheet gross and fine tune seemed to work out really well. I like the ratchet 90% of the time, the only concern is at windward mark roundings. One thing we're going to start trying is having our 3rd crew trim the finetune hard in tacks, and then release once we're through the tack. One little extra oomph upwind, and then an easy ease to power up.
Our console area took a lot of tweaking (not all the extra holes in the wood!) but it seems to work well now. The cleats on risers are for the 2:1 jib sheets, and the angle is critical so that the trimmer can sheet from the windward rail. The topper and downhaul are in the center, with extreme angle fairleads so that the lines can be cleated or released from anywhere on the boat. The vang is on a pennant so that the cleat is up in the air, and easier to release in "oh s%#t!" situations. That was Bam's idea. The cunningham is 2:1 through the sail cringle, and another 2:1 to a cleat, which is mounted to the mast by way of 2 metal slugs. The jib halyard setup works pretty well, and is a lot easier to get to than the stock way.
Above is our 2:1 jib sheets in action. They're really nice, and one person can tack the jib really quickly, and be able to trim it in solo in light and moderate air. Critical is the load sensing ratchets (do _not_ try to use regular ones) and the low profile ti-lite blocks, which let you sheet in all the way. Only funny thing about this is that the jib trimmer has to be ahead of the pit person upwind. It would be perfect for a 4 person team! 
Our main trimmer area hasn't changed much at all, just new line on the twings. I really like this setup for both spin sheets and main controls. Note one of the most important 88 tricks in the bag on the shelf there; a baggie of Advil! I think we're probably the hardest hikers in the fleet, and it makes for speed in the big air and waves. And it helps certain members of the crew who have reputations for showing up hungover.
The mainsheet gross and fine tune seemed to work out really well. I like the ratchet 90% of the time, the only concern is at windward mark roundings. One thing we're going to start trying is having our 3rd crew trim the finetune hard in tacks, and then release once we're through the tack. One little extra oomph upwind, and then an easy ease to power up.
Beercan 9-2
Just about the nicest night for a beercan we've had yet. 70 degrees, about 4-6kts out of the northeast. We had 150, 88, 90, and 45 out to play. On our boat we had Niki on bow/jib, me on spin/main and Jacob drove. It was a reach/beat on port to the first mark, with the start being so boat favored as to be uncrossable on starboard. We got caught outside the pin and started behind 150, which is where we stay all night! We did roll 90 which was nice. Jacob did a great job on helm and we seemed pretty quick, but just couldn't reel in the blue boat. Finishing order was 150, 88, 90, 45. Got some cool photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/chicagoyachtrigging88/Sailing9209Beercan?authkey=Gv1sRgCMGx7smh7NDkugE#
http://picasaweb.google.com/chicagoyachtrigging88/Sailing9209Beercan?authkey=Gv1sRgCMGx7smh7NDkugE#
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