Log of Alberg 30 #262 on 30 August 2023

Date: 30 August 2023 1835 till 30 August 2023 1930
Endpoints: Yacht Haven Annapolis Eastport MD to Yacht Haven Annapolis Eastport MD
Purpose: AYC WNR Race Series 3 Race 5
Complement: Meredith Glacken (bow), Christian Douglas (pit), Fred Alvarado (utility), and Yoni Bresler
Weather: SxE Force 2. Low 80's
Engine Hours: 404.0 to 404.6
Fuel: 1/2 tank
Chart: 12282 Chesapeake Bay Severn and Magothy Rivers

Course: B1 shortened to R"8".
Sails: i Elliott/Pattison Sailmakers 169LP genoa and Interrupt main. EP Sails spinnaker. Backstay at 3.

With the wind blowing down the river, decided to start at the pin by setting up beyond the pin without headsail, hoisting the spinnaker beyond the pin and sailing on starboard along the line as needed till turning down at the gun. Did not work out that way. Ended up a bit far from the pin with the spinnaker up and suffered an adverse windshift that had us sailing a close reach to clear the pin. Tight turn round the pin with the possibility of touching, with the spinnaker, the spinnaker sheet, or even the boom. The rest of the fleet was a bit further from the pin than Constance and started at the gun. We have been 20 to 30 seconds late.

All the other boats in the start, but for White Cap, a Cal 25, and Where Egos Dare, headed considerably to right side of the course in place of sailing the direct line to Mark "A". No idea why they did this. Admittedly, the polars indicate an apparent wind angle of 134* at 8kts and 149* at 10kts. Nonetheless, by sailing directly to the mark, even a bit by the lee before gybing for Mark "D", we pulled ahead of the fleet and reached Mark "D" some half dozen lengths in the lead.

Rounded Mark "D". Starboard jib car was mispositione, set for the 135LP sail. While Meredith drive, moved it myself as the crew is not comfortable/confident to adjust the working jib cars. Once adjusted to proper position, we returned to racing. In the interim, we lost several lengths to the rest of fleet, as it took us about 60 seconds to correct this issue, during that time we were making about 2.6kts in place of 4.5kts.

Failed to point as well as Argo at times, during those times we fell off in angle and fell below both Argo and Ronin. Never did catch either, but we not lose significantly more once I driving settled and I was able to find the groove upwind. Too much energy in the boat, sailing with a bubble in the main most of the way upwind. At times the wind eased enough that the 135LP would have been too little sail. Extended our lead over Skybird upwind. For much of the first starboard tack board, sailed very well. Best board of the night. The others needed improvement, that board may have been the most windy.

Shortened course finished at R"8".

Finishing order: 247, 262, 550, 272. Did not compete: 158.

Beautiful evening on the water with a spectacular sunset after the race. Wonderful way to end the summer of Wednesday Night Racing.

T2P.tv video. Brief Alberg footage at 10:10

GPX formatted track Distance: 4.55nm, estimated average speed: 4.91kts, estimated duration: 1:18