Flying Scot Michigan Ontario Districts

Just returned from Detroit Yacht Club and the Michigan Ontario Flying Scot Districts. What a great place to sail with nice people and a nice club. The open water races on Lake Saint Claire were much like our regatta with winds at 15-20 and gusting to 27. What a blast. I finally got my bow bag flotation installed but, thankfully, didn't need it. Sunday's races were on the river with current, lots of local knowledge, and less wind. Ugh. All in all it was a great time. I'm trying to make contacts there to get them to attend our regatta next year. Anyone know any sailors in that area?

Boat Speed 2 Comments

A deep sail creates more drag than a flat one

TRUE OR FALSE

Answer - True

Assuming that the wind velocity over the sail is the same, the friction and profile drag on the sail are the same and then the statement is false. If the sail is set optimality for the wind, the flat sail would have a larger wind velocity over the sail and a larger friction drag than the deep sail and again the statement is false.

If the sails are not set optimality for the wind and because the profile drag is be greater for a deep sail than a flat sail, the deep sail could have more drag than a flat sail. Then the statement would be true.

Dennis

3 Boat Length Zone

Recently I a question came up regarding the new rules and mark rounding's. Does anyone know how the "three hull length zone" is defined if two over lapped boats of different classes are approaching the leeward mark at the same speed. Lets say the inside boat is an Opti at 7.58' and a Mumm 30 at 31' is the outside boat. Furthermore, how many feet in diameter would the zone be defined? Also, who defines the zone?

I think that there are some good pionts in there, I guess my question is that since the new rules say that the inside boat determines the circle size. Would that mean in my example the Mumm 30 would only have a 15' zone to work with?

John

The rule in Long Beach was:

Bigger boat yells "BIGGER BOAT" and smaller boat gets out of the way.

Dennis

Unless things have changed, We don't have any Opti's at the club nor do we have Mumm 30's or 31's. So as far as I'm concerned we either get some Opti's or Mumm's the word!

Barry

Boat Speed 1 Comments

1) When you want to point higher, a tighter leech is usually better than an open leech.

True False

Comments -

True. I instruct that you point off the mainsail leach (the discussion of going through the gears)

Jack

To point higher, the leech of the main sail should be tight. That is why we put a lot of tension in the boom vang. The leech of the jib should provide a uniform gap between jib and the main sail. That is why we cross sheet.

Dennis

I am really getting alot out of the book you loaned me. Thanks George!

Brian

Rules Quiz 1 Comments

Wow. People are really into this. We have gotten some great responses. Care to add your comment. E mail it to me and I'll post it. Let's keep the discussion going.

George

I do not believe that the racing rules apply before the warning signal except that boats waiting for the warning signal cannot interfere with boats that are racing or boats that have already had the warning signal.

What about boats that are not participating in the race. Does the FEDERAL WATERWAY REGULATIONS require them to stand clear and not interfere with the boats that are racing?

Dennis

Tricky one. My guess is false based on the fact that the rules when boats meet are in effect at all times.

Jack

I have not read it in the book, but I have participated in many events on federal waterways. We are always instructed that the racers are to keep clear. Plus, it only makes sense to stay out of the way of a large commercial vessell.

Jack

Good stuff to get people thinking and talking about rules. Specifically, you are racing from the preparatory signal. The 4 minute gun in a 5 minute sequence or the 2 minute gun in a 3 minute sequence. The exception is rule 23.1, a non racing boat interfering with a racing boat. As in almost every race when a boat from a fleet not starting sails into the start area.

Dan

What about boats that are not participating in the race. Does the FEDERAL WATERWAY REGULATIONS require them to stand clear and not interfere with the boats that are racing?

Dennis

My answer would be no. Only because I have had commercial traffic interfere with the race course during a nationals race last year and it was my responsibility to keep clear of them. Only to frustrate matters, we were winning the race a the time...

John

First BYC Junior Sail of 2009

What a great weekend. Our Juniors sailed at Hoover Lake near Columbus and on Lake Erie at Mentor Harbor Yacht Club as well as Saturday and Sunday at Berlin. Check out Tom Sherer's smiling face as he drives the new Junior Chase boat to coach our kids. You can check out pictures of the weekend at http://gallery.me.com/georgegecik/100945 or add your own to the blog with you comments.

Don't forget our regatta coming up on June 20-21.

George

Berlin Yacht Club & Cleveland Amateur Boat Builders

BYC and CABBS teamed up for the "Launching of the Fleet" at BYC on Saturday. It was a spectacular day with a cool breeze and lots of sun. Members came from both clubs to enjoy the beautiful hand made wooden boats and to swap "ancient mariner" stories while making new friends. CABBS brought a ton of great food for the grill, pot-luck, dessert, and more. Everyone had a great time. It was a perfect day. Check out the pictures at http://gallery.me.com/georgegecik/100929.