Log of Alberg 30 #262 on 25 May 2022

Date: 25 May 2022 1730 till 25 May 2022 2000
Endpoints: Yacht Haven Annapolis Eastport MD to Yacht Haven Annapolis Eastport MD
Purpose: AYC WNR Race Series 1 Race 5
Complement: Meredith Glacken (bow), Casey Firth (pit), Rick Chambers (genoa and spin trim), Annabelle Chambers (balance and spin trim), and Yoni Bresler
Weather: ExS Force 4 slowly building. Cool temperatures...low 60's
Engine Hours: 347.6 to 348.3
Chart: 12282 Chesapeake Bay Severn and Magothy Rivers

fuel="1/4 tank"

Course: A3
Sails: EP Sails 169LPgenoa and Interrupt main with a single reef. EP Sails spinnaker.

The pin end of the start line was heavily favored. Just before the start, LinGin and Skybird were running the line on starboard tack while Constance was on port aiming to start at the pin. At the starting signal, LinGin tacke to port to start while Skybird continued on starboard for an additional five to ten seconds, approaching Constance before finally tacking to start. Clear start for all boats.

Four boards to reach the turning mark "E". First port tack board past mark "A" saw the fleet getting headed somewhat as we approached the southwest shore of the Severn. Held position to weather of both LinGin and Skybird. Staying even with LinGin while gaining both height and distance on Skybird. Replacing the Interrupt genoa with the EP Sails 169LPgenoa made this possible. Had we used the Doyle main, expect we could have done better yet.

All three boats in the fleet tacked to starboard in a relatively short period of time. Already ten boatlengths ahead of Skybird. Held the starboard tack to get above the earlier fleets returning to the river on starboard under spinnaker from R"2". Tacked back to port about 170 yards past the weather buoy. Winds were getting a bit lighter at this time, still all boats kept a single reef in the main. Lost distance and height on LinGin in these last two boards from "A" to "E".

LinGin rounded "E" and declined to set a spinnaker. Constance rounded "E" and set the spinnaker in short order. Walked up on LinGin nearly drawing even well before reaching Y"A". LinGin set their spinnaker to prevent us from passing them easily. Shook out the reef. LinGin did not, kept their reef the entire race.

The pressure on the spinnaker pole combined with the downhaul being attached at the center rings caused the outboard tip, where the guy is led, to rise up, visibly flexing the pole. Decided to douse rather than risk damaging the pole. Need to install a downhaul bridle on the pole using Dyneema. Doused. Ugly. Allowed the spinnaker to remain full and flying well away from the boat. Should have been hauling in the sheet while easing to guy to bring the sail close to the main and allow the main to blanket the spinnaker. Got it down without mishap but with some effort.

Followed LinGin to the finish well ahead of Skybird. Parade to the finish.

Upon returning to dock, found that the genoa halyard was jammed. Quite difficult to lower the sail. Guessing that we overtightened the luff of the genoa and damaged the halyard block. Even after removing the sail, the halyard is quite hard to move. Must be replaced. Replaced on 2022-05-29.

T2P.tv video.

GPX formatted track. Estimate distance: 7.16nm, estimated average speed: 5.1kts, estimated duration: 1:24