Log of Alberg 30 #262 on 02 June 2021

Date: 02 June 2021 1827 till 02 June 2021 2011
Endpoints: Yacht Haven Annapolis Eastport MD to Yacht Haven Annapolis Eastport MD
Purpose: AYC WNR Race Series 1 Race 6
Complement: Meredith Glacken (bow), Madeline Mulligan (genoa), Christian Douglas (pit), and Yoni Bresler
Weather: Generally Force 4/5. Large rollers in the Bay after mark
Engine Hours: 305.1 to 305.8
Fuel: 1/2 tank
Chart: 12282 Chesapeake Bay Severn and Magothy Rivers

Course: B3
Time limit: 2020
Sails: Interrupt 170LP genoa and single reef main. LinGin full sails. Skybird #1 and first reef.

Resolved to stick close to LinGin in order to get a decent start. LinGin was forced by Whitecap, a Cal 25, to pass between the standoff buoy and the committee boat at the start. Per the SI's, the penalty for hitting a mark is 10% or at least one place. Tim mistakenly did a penalty turn. But there is no mention of the committee boat stand-off buoy in the NOR or the SI. That may be changed per Bobby Frey, if the AYC Sailing Committee agrees.

Three boards to reach the "A". Rounded the "A" about two boatlengths behind LinGin and several ahead of Skybird. Skybird appeared to have a hard time pointing throughout the race.

Turned down to broad reach for "B". Heavier air kept making the boat want to head up. Could not neutralize the helm throughout. Ended up coming in somewhat high of the mark about five to ten boatlengths behind LinGin, due to sailing a longer course(?), and several ahead of Skybird. After rounding the mark, LinGin pointed well, higher than we were able to do so while maintaining speed. Large rollers coming up the Bay, at times lifing the bow well out of the water and dropping her back again. Skybird sailed faster than we did, but lower resulting in a net loss of ground, while we lost ground vs LinGin. Tacked once for the "E" mark. All three of us made it without having to add another tack. We sailed a bit high again and may have overstood a bit. LinGin had to pinch to make the mark.

Once around "E", LinGin sailed high to avoid a beam reach to R"4" and R"8", so that they could turn down later and set a spin, which they did. Meanwhile, both Constance and Skybird contented themselves wtih genoa and main on a direct beam reach to the marks, turning into a run from R"4" to R"8". Maintained a lead of about ten boatlengths over Skybird throughout while LinGin was able to open their lead. LinGin broached to windward once during this leg. Chose not to fly a kite for several reasons: little to gain (would not catch up to LinGin) and a lot to lose if problems developed; beam reach would make flying the kite hard and less effective (comparatively more side force than driving force); and still seeing 12 to 14kts at the masthead while the EPSails AirX 600N kite is rated for 10kts apparent wind speed.

With light helm being about 60* to 70* apparent wind angle, passed through the mooring field changing course a bit higher and lower as needed to miss dinghies on davits and mooring balls. Tacked a bit shy of Ego Alley, carried that tack to the ChartHouse, and tacked again for the finish. Skybird had caught up some in the lighter air of the mooring field, having shaken out their reef at R"8". Not enough though as we were able to stay ahead and fall off a bit to close the door by laterally approaching the AYC mega-yacht slips. In the end, Skybird had to tack twice more to make the finish, while we did not.

Madeline did a wonderful job, setting the genoa cars all the way aft to the end of the track, opening the leech of the genoa and flattening the lower portion of the sail. Meredith and Madeline worked very well together tacking and trimming, so much so that I was able to leave it to them completely and worry about my own actions alone.

Finishing order: LinGin, Constance, Skybird.

GPX formatted track . Estimate distance: 8.48nm, estimated average speed: 4.9kts, estimated duration: 1:44