Preparing for trip down Hudson.

Boat is provisioned, checked and ready.  Jason and Andrea will be joining us this afternoon.  We set off tomorrow around 9:00.

November-December Notes:

Roll-tacking advice from Kevin Sailor:  Make the turns happen more by shifting weight and less by moving the tiller.

12/1 - Second to Will Scheck.  Light but steady winds from South - large sails.   light, lumpy but steady. The breeze started almost from the classic sea breeze direction, with a tilt to the east, and then gradually backing as the day progressed. Right side of course best. Loosened shrouds to last hole.

12/2 - very light winds (0-3)and foggy/rainy- A fleet.  Difficult starting in a as competition for spots on line is more intense - need to identify exact slot or spot for start, avoid too much time on port and avoid allowing other boats to push over the line.
Added good telltales made from video tape.  Referred to more frequently.  Essential in these very light winds.

12/10 - Light winds seemed from West but suddenly shifting North for first race and duration of day.  Good results staying left on upwind leg.  Outbound tides made it hard to get over start line, round windward mark, and make finish line.  Important to maintain momentum at these points as wind also died at times.  Good results moving downwind by moving farther forward and tensioning forestay with some hand pressure.
Good results in accelerating boat with some lean to leeward as boat initially picks up speed, then accelerating further by flattening posture.  See below regarding helm.
Observations by Paul regarding helm:  In general, want to find neutral point and then "dial in" a little helm.  Bahar:  too flat or "completely neutral" fails to provide lift available from a little pressure on the rudder.  Experiment with this next time.

Sunday, 11/4/18

Winds Light, Southerly

B Sailers - 13

Races: 5

Overall results: 4th for the day, good for me.  Finishes:

87

Tom Speyer

B

4

5

3

6

3

6

27

4

Major accomplishment was consistency, finishing in top half in each race.  

Starts were generally good, especially at boat end of line.  Stayed up on the line and timed starts well.  Focused on finding an opening with clear air and staying in touch with better sailors in the division.

Tried dip start at pin end with bad results in third race.  Bad timing caused me to foul Peter Winder as I was coming around on port too early.

Upwind sailing was competent, pluses being ability to follow wind shifts in light wind with the tiller, keep the boat moving by using a looser sheet.  Practiced keeping the air flowing nicely on port tack returning to dock.

Check - flow seems better on port tack than starboard, check shroud tensions on each side.

Downwind results were good, not losing ground in any race, and passing a couple of boats.  Focused on keeping boat balanced, neutral tiller.  Stayed inside.

Roundings, OK though in one case lost the lead (for both Carla, who was following closely, and myself) by cutting lay line too thin.  I think I failed to note tide shift which affected rounding and finishing.

Today is the first non-weekend or holiday in my retirement.  If I weren't retired, I'd be working today.  Instead, I'm preparing to go to Canada from Grand Isle, VT.

This is a picture of a Bartender boat currently under construction in my garage.