Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Flying Scot NAC - Day 7 - All Done

Posted by Mark Taylor, FS4321

ALL DONE!

Well, I got my first bad start. Under me was Ryan Malgrum (Mad Sails) and Dave Neff, both pinching like mad fools. Had to tack away and duck a bunch of boats. We rounded the 1st mark around 25th, held our own downwind. Steller 2nd beat launched us up to 16th. We struggled to hang on as the wind died. We were 16th in race 6 and 16th overall. Allen and Katie Turhune kicked our butts.

We really had a good time. Fun sailing, fun meeting new people and a ton of fun fooling around with Chip and Hunter. Great guys - hope they come sailing with us soon. (Chip you had to see that coming ;-} )

Packed up our boat and are headed home early tomorrow. Looks like it is going to rain all day.

Final results are here.

Flying Scot NAC - Day 6 - Race Day 2

Posted by Mark Taylor, FS4321

I know you are staying up late, waiting for my emails. Hell, Andy calls me everyday for an update. We have the best fleet captain in the world.

I have some house keeping to catch up on. First Chip wanted me to let everyone know that in the first race (while he was a ground) he got passed by a couple of Challenger fleet boats. Fortunately, they rallied past those uppity challengers and put them back in there place.


Tonight at the Annual meeting members of our fleet scored some awards:

And the first award goes to ......... Andy Hayward

Scots-N-Water Editor's Award 2008 Individual Fleet Contributing the Most.

Yeah Andy!!! Keep the articles coming.



The second award goes to ......... David Thinel

Scots-N-Water Editor's Award 2008 District Governor Whose District Contributed the Most.

Yeah Dave!!! Keep bugging Andy to write more articles.



OK, on to today's racing.

Today there was WIND and we did not run aground while racing!

Race 1 was 10 knots and building. Dad and I popped of the pin end between Josh Goldman and Allen Turhune. Normally this would be a bad spot but we were rocking. Allen spent most of the beat yelling at me to put the bow down. Point and speed - gotta love that. Tacks are not are friend but straight line speed is good. Chip and Hunter also had the boat moving. We finished 14th. After the race we noticed Hunter sitting on the bow of the boat. I thought he was retuning. Nope broke the fore-stay. Hunter pulled a McGuiver and fixed the fore-stay. I will try to attach a picture of his handy work to this mail.



Race 2 - scored another 14. Spend much of the time sailing with Freds S. and Josh.

Race 3 - wind picked up to 15 or so. We started at the boat. Had a great 1st beat. On the 2nd beat we messed up and went left - lost 10 boats. BIG 20 degree righty. Finished 26. Guess who hit me ....... can you guess? 15 hour drive and the Freds hit us on a port/starboard crossing. We could of done this at home. I think Fred fell down in the boat, he plunked us in the transom.

Back to Chip/Hunter and the broken fore-stay. Chip decided to purchase all new shrouds. Joking around we decided to check to see if the new shrouds were the same length. NOPE! Harry came over with 5 more shrouds and we searched for a "matched pair". Ever have one of those regattas? I think Chip is having one of those regattas. Oh yeah, before I forget. Chip go to http://scotsrock.us/ and sign up as a member of our fleet. Click on the LOGIN menu choice click the Join Fleet 168 button. We'll hit you up for $20 later.

Oh Yeah - Dad is doing a great job and we are having fun. At least I am and he is still talking to me, guess that is a good sign.

One race tomorrow then done. Could move a place or 2 with a miracle. They raced 3 today because of thunderstorms and a front scheduled for tonight. Worried might be 20+ knots.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Flying Scot NAC - Day 5 - Race Day 1

Posted by Mark Taylor, FS4321

Update July 22, Results posted at www.fssa.com then click results (Not Toms River YC)

Hey - 1st day is done.

There are 20 challenger and 50 championship teams. We sailed out in no wind and started the first race in 4 knots of breeze. Got a good start 1/4 way down from boat, horn went off and tacked imediatly to port. Had a boat pinching below me and a guy footing above me. Quick tack to left - ooopsss hear the toilet flush. Left was bad! Had to claw back to the 25. On a good note we were fast downwind. Hung tough with Fred/Fred Strammer and Ryan (MadSails).

What we learned - tide only changes .3 of a foot but the current was ripping. The starting line was down in a corner next to a bridge. Everyone that started at the pin end and went left near the bridge ran aground. Ask Chip Merlin - Hunter actually jumped off the boat to see what was wrong with the board. That seems slow......

Had to go right to get out of current, on the right was a point about 3/4 of the way up bottom was muck. Hard to tell when you ran aground. Yah, we did it, helm went to crap and I freaked.

Race 2 - 1/4 way from boat and tacked immediatley to port again. Breeze between 6 and 8. Fought hard to stay in the top 20. Breeze up and down shifting 10/20 degrees. Still had to hit the soft bottom on the right.

NAC's and run aground - go figure. If you have not seen, Allan/Katie Turhune are kicking our ass. Dad and I are in 19 with a 25 and a 19. Scores are all over the place.

Had club party/dinner with Chip Merlin. Hunter went to bed. I guess his swim wore him out, Chip promises to come sail with us and actually had his club application with him. Hey, I still have his drink card if anyone is thirsty!!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Flying Scot NAC - Day 4 - Measuring In

Posted by Mark Taylor, FS4321

Today was measurement. We only had to measure main and safety gear. No problems there. We did see much debate on the Gus jib, seems something was not quite right. I walked away as tempers flared. Guess they got it figured out. There was also a question on one of the Ulman chutes. Something about it may be polyester - not sure how that one was resolved. Got my boat weighted, let's just say it was an eye opening experience.

Boom vang.

Two explanations on that crazy check.

1. only one waco 360 can be use but not on vang. ok if swivel is not 360.

This sounds whacked to me

2. the verbiage was to check laser like vangs with cleat on vang line from boom to tabernacle. OK, this one kind of make sense.


Name dropping:

Parking spot next to Chip Marlin and Hunter Riddle.

Watched Benz Faget re-invent the Scot on a club boat.

Had lunch with Allan and Katie Turhune

Shared a drink with Brian Heyes


Did I mention that NJ has all full service gas stations? They freak out when you pump your own gas. They also have jug handle left turns - basically you can not make a left on a major street you have to turn early and merge with with street you are trying to turn left on. Then wait at the light - most retarded thing I have ever seen. Some of the gas stations are in the jug handle, no way to get to them.


Quote of the day:

Allan Turhune - "I had salad and diet soda, I can get a Rich's Ice Cream Bar". I like how you think Allan, I also had the salad but skipped the Ice Cream.

Flying Scot NAC - Day 3 - We have arrived

Posted by Mark Taylor, FS4321

Ok we made it. First things first. "Short Cut" BAD BAD BAD! We lost 3 hours sitting in Delaware. What a useless state. Can create Teflon but not a decent N/S road.

The club is cool looking. Looks like they have a great Jr. program. Ok, so we drive 15 plus hours and who do the make us park next to??????? Any guesses???????

Chip Merlin - for those of you who do not know Chip he lives in S. Tampa. My guess not more then a few blocks from me. HeHe, I asked him if he needed a map to DI.

Measurements are random based on the form color in your packet. It looks like we got tagged for a mainsail check. New sails should be a piece of cake.....right? I am also going to try and slide into the boat weight line just for giggles.

Rules guys - I have an interesting rule check on my form that might impact some of you.

In Boat Specifications:

"Boom vang (must have bridle attached to tabernacle and no swivel cleating devices)"

mmmmmm - does not impact me but I am going to ask for clarification on that one.

Snafu of the day:

Dad and I went to dinner (he had seared tuna 1 inch thick, I had a salad). We read some of info packed before the meal. Went back to hotel and realized I left the packet on the table - duh!

Dave here, the Vang rule does seem interesting, the following text is cut and pasted from the FSSA rules:

f. Boom Vang - Shall be adjusted by means of a simple
tackle. The upper (boom) end of the vang shall be attached
to a slide on the boom track, a keyhole plate, or to a boom
bale ( and must be easily detachable from the boom without
tools) and the lower end to a block riding on a bridle rigged
to the tabernacle. Only rope is permitted in the system, with
the exception of a short piece (approximately three (3)
inches) of metal cable to attach the upper block to the
boom. Lead and cleat locations are optional, except that the
cleat shall not be located at the boom end of the tackle. No
fairleads are permitted after a cleat. (See also CMR #76)

76. The boom vang can be of any purchase and cleated at any
location provided that there is no fairlead after the cleat. (July
1999)

I did not read the entire document to see if there is some swivel prohibition for the vang, but its not in the section pertaining to the vang.

Flying Scot NAC - Day 2 - Travel

Posted by Mark Taylor, FS4321

Well we are now in Norfolk Va. for the night. Yes, we deviated from the plan and took a "short cut". Dad made the executive call to bypass Washington and use the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Should be fun! Tried to book a ferry from Lewes Deleware to Cape May NJ but the time table did not work out for us. So tomorrow we will drive up Deleware and try to skirt Philly. Should be at the club early afternoon (knock on wood).

Traffic has been light with off and on rain. Got a feeling the stupid low (also known as Christobal) is going to be around all week playing with us.

Tonight we had a WTF moment. We checked into a marginal hotel, maybe at 50% capacity. An hour after settling in we got a call. They asked us to move our boat, we had to "make arrangements" for it elseware. Now I am well aware that trailors are not popular. I try to park at the end of the lot and take as few spots as I can. I believe we had 2 spots used. Most of the boat over grass. Soooo after a little banter we checked out of the hotel (full refund) and drove 3 miles down the road to a MUCH BETTER hotel. WTF??? I think they did us a big favor.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Flying Scot - North American Championship 2008

The Flying Scot North American Championship is almost upon us, racing starts Monday July 21, 2008. This blog kind of got it's start about this time last year when Kim and I detailed our trip to the 2007 NAC in Deltaville Va. We aren't attending this year but Mark and Tom Taylor from the Davis Island fleet in Tampa are and will be sending daily updates. In case you don't know the Taylors, Tom is Mark's dad and is very supportive of our fleet. Tom has done RC more than his fair share and has hosted the Lake Hollingsworth International Regatta (or something like that) and associated party the last two years. Mark was the first "Lightning guy" at DIYC to get a Scot, he bought #4321 Blast Off about 3 or 4 years ago. Since then fellow Lightning sailers; Andy Hayward (Fleet Captain) and Jeff Linton have also picked up Scots, Jeff continues to seriously campaign the Lightning, as well. We have become accustomed to seeing Mark sailing with some combination of his own kids; Stew, Drew or Lily.


Here is Mark and Tom in action. How about those cool one-of-a-kind graphics.

Hers is Mark's first report:

WE ARE OFF!

Well, we are on the road. I left for Lakeland after the rain finally quit on Thursday, about 4:30. Looked like the rain had sucked all the wind out for sailing ;-}. Had dinner with mom and dad and we packed dad's car.

Snafoo #1. Some of you may have noticed I check my lightbar on dad's car last weekend. Everything worked great - until now. We checked the lights before leaving and only had right side. After fooling with the plugs and crap, looks like issue between trailor plug and car plug. Fun Fun. We tried putting a 1 foot extension between the 2 plugs and BINGO! Lights - go figure.

Took off from Lakeland around 7pm. Traffic was light with a slight off and on drizzle. We made it to just north of Jacksonville at 11pm and called it a night.

Left Jacksonville around 9:30am in Georga now. Dad is driving, I'm searching the internet for cheap gas - exit 29 $3.91, not bad. Looks like we are going to run into the backside of that low again. More rain in our future.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Flying Scot Fleet Race July 12

Here is Andy's post race commentary:

Ah summer sailing in Florida!

Even with a later start time we again struggled with unreliable breeze this Saturday. (One of these days we will have a nice ripping sea breeze, I'm sure of it!) Nice turnout of 9 boats! Andy Hayward and Tina Tenret, # 38, Al Thompson and Cameron Salmon, $650, Nate and Melissa Vilardebo, # 2007, Dave Clement and Joe Blouin, # 2339, Bill Adikes and crew, # 3998, Dave Bell and Susan Cintron, # 4156, Mark and Tom Taylor, # 4321, Paul Slivernail and Leslie Fisher, # 4925, and Ed and Penny Ruark, # 5477.

Big thanks to Dave and Kim Thinel, Dean Bell, and Lisa, Drew and Abby Hayward for their hard work running the races!

Race # 1 Teased us again into thinking we were going to have a full day of racing with about 5-7 from a weird summer direction, North West. Dave Clement with sharp eyed Joe Blouin connected the puffs nicely for the win followed by Taylor and Taylor.

Race # 2 was in fading breeze With a 30 degree right shift. Don't ask me how Paul and Leslie (1st) or Dave and Joe (2nd) got it done because # 38 and # 4321 where speed testing in the far left corner, (this is becoming a regular thing for us two, that is our story anyhow!)Here is a video of the start:


The low light of this race for # 38 was passing four boats on the run only to snag the RC boat's anchor line right at the finish UGH! Race # 3 was not to be as the wind totally shut off 3/4 the way up the beat. Nobody second guessed that decision!!

Results: Crew/boat R1 R2 Tot Dave Clement, Joe Blouin # 2339 1 2 3 Paul Silvernail, Leslie Fisher # 4925 5 1 6 Dave Bell, Susan Cintron # 4156 4 4 8 Nate and Melissa Vilardebo # 2007 3 6 9 Mark and Tom Taylor # 4321 2 8 10 Al Thompson, Cameron Salmon, $650 7 3 10 Ed and Penny Ruark # 5477 8 5 13 Andy Hayward, Tina Tenret # 38 6 dnf 16 Bill Adikes and Crew # 3998 10 7 17

Note our next races are on August 16th, THIS IS A DATE CHANGE. 1500 start.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Flying Scot Centerboard Repair - Part 2

In this second of a three part series I will continue using photos and some comments to describe the process. It seems to me the photos are worth more than endless typing, if you haven't seem part one click Centerboard Repair


The picture above is where we left off last time. The glass has been epoxied back on the lead and is clamped and weighted with lead dive weights, waiting for it to cure.



The weights and clamps removed after curing. The thickened epoxy is the white stuff that is visable where it oozed out and cured




Here we are with the new glass wetted out with epoxy and laid in place. I should have taken a picture before this point, but forgot. Before glassing, I sanded a bevel into the board where it had been cut. The areas that are glassed appear brownish which is where the sanding/beveling was done.



This shows another angle of the glass lay up and is more or less similar on both sides. This glass work will reinforce the areas where it was cut out especially the fore and aft cut in the middle of the board. The leading edge is also being built up since it had been worn away by repeated groundings.




The new wet glass has been covered with wax paper and squeegeed to remove excess air and produce a smoother result. We will let that cure and continue the repair with Centerboard Repair Part Three

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Flying Scots Fleet Race in Tampa

Rain Rain Go Away!

Despite some rather bold predictions the weather was, rather crummy, but the wind was, rather crummy!
The Race Committee was, rather...

Take the weather into account, and the eight boat turn out was rather good! We had Nate and Melissa Vilardebo, FS #2007, Matt Dalton and Dawn Narramore, FS #2622, Dave Bell and Susan Cintron, #4156,
Mark and Tom Taylor, FS #4321, Jeff and Amy Linton, FS #4925, Paul Silvernail and Leslie Fisher, FS #5026, Al Thompson and Cameron Salmon, FS #5447, and Dave Clement and Cory Thompson, FS #5477, Whew!

Light rain and a spotty Easterly was the flavor of the day, YUCK! Race # 1 had the most breeze, say 5-7 (at times). Dave and Susan brought the "A" game, went 2nd row at the start to dig into the right, and liked what they found! OooLaLa! The Lintons closed the gap, but #4156 held them back for the win.
Race #2 started in a tad less wind and was dying. Matt and Dawn worked the left for a nice lead, but as the wind faded they watched as the boats brought breeze up on their hip.
Another race wasn't meant to be and the stellar Race Committee sent the fleet in. (Please note: the Race Committee's engine sucked up a piece of plastic and was overheating, hence the no tow in!)

Once ashore and dried off a large group invaded Tate's for pizza, beer, truths and some lies!

Results:

Boat R1 R2 Tot

Linton #4925 2 1 3
Thompson/Salmon #5447 3 3 6
Bell/Cintron #4156 1 6 7
Silvernail/Fisher #5026 5 2 7
Clement/Thompson #5477 7 4 11
Vilardebo #2007 4 8 12
Dalton/Narramore #2622 8 5 13
Taylor #4321 6 7 13

Our next fleet race is July 12th @ 1500. and our August race is on the 9th.