Monday, October 27, 2008

Beautiful fall weather at Lake Eustis

Beautiful fall weather at Lake Eustis this weekend, and more great racing.

I was unable to sail on Saturday and feel like I missed a raucous party. The breeze was strong enough to raise whitecaps on the lake. I was remiss in failing to get most of the details (including the names of everyone’s crew), but the boats racing included Ray Laguna on 5770, Dave Asaibene on 5179, Randy Boekema on 5697 and Francois Simon on 3362. In the first race, Dave grabbed his first bullet of the season, followed by Ray in second, Randy in third and Francois in fourth. In the second race, Ray reasserted his recent dominance and took first, with Randy in second, Dave in third and Francois fourth.

Sunday proved the wisdom of the aphorism that “no good deed goes unpunished.” The weather was again nice, although the wind went from strong and fairly consistent in the first race to patchy and fluky in the second.

Chris Erichsen and I were scheduled for chase boat duty and showed up planning not to race. In fact, Chris did not have his sails with him, or even a life vest. He did, however, come prepared with a stogie to fire up while we stood vigilant guard over the fleet. But, as we prepared to board the chase boat, Ray Laguna pointed out, very kindly (if you’re paying attention, that adverb – indicating a good deed – will prove significant), that a couple of other club members weren’t sailing and actually wanted to crew the chase boat, so Chris and I should sail. Ray even offered to lend us sails if we needed them. Chris and I declined the offer of sails, but gladly took Ray up on the suggestion to let others cover the chase boat. We scrounged the equipment we needed and, since my boat had its sails on board, put 5810 in the water.

So, four boats raced on Sunday: Ray sailing with Dean and Marie (a/k/a Renee) Grimes on 5770, Randy Boekema and Joe Lobato on 5697, Francois Simon and Tony Tussing on 3362, and Chris Erichsen and me on 5810. Dave Asaibene was there on 5179, but he didn’t compete.

The first race was two laps to an upwind finish. Ray, Dean and Marie jumped out to a lead which they held most of the race. However, late on the second downwind leg, the breeze filled in from behind and slightly to our left (the right side of the course) so that Chris and I were able to work our way behind them and park on their air, then pass to weather and sneak inside at the leeward mark. We rounded just in front and managed to hold them off the rest of the way to the finish, though we were glad the finish line was only half way up the final weather leg because Ray, Dean and Marie were fast upwind all day. Chris and I placed first on 5810. Ray, Dean and Marie were second on 5770. Randy and Joe were third on 5697 and Francois and Tony finished fourth on 3362.

The second race on Sunday was two laps from a mid-leg start to an upwind finish at the top mark, and it was all about sailing in the breeze. The wind shifted left after the first race and became patchy and variable. We all headed left after the start and almost immediately found ourselves near the port layline. As soon as we had any separation at all between boats we were each sailing in our own private wind. Chris and I were fortunate to find consistent pressure (due to Chris’s suggestions and our good luck), but I think we were unique. We rounded the top mark first and struggled to decide whether to reach downwind with the spinnaker or just the jib. We saw the rest of the fleet struggling with the same decision, hoisting and dropping their chutes. The only clear thing was that the left side was the place to be. The second weather leg was again a close reach, followed by another reaching, uncertain downwind leg. Chris and I kept lucking out and sailing in pressure (at least, more than the rest of the fleet), and finished first. On the final leg, we sailed within about fifty yards of Randy and Joe on 5697, who were trying to get downwind in their own little hole, and we heard them yell “We quit!” Ray, Dean and Marie on 5770 and Francois and Tony on 3362 fought until the end, with Ray, Dean and Marie leading but the patchy breeze creating opportunities for Francois and Tony who gained on them up the final leg. Then, just before the finish, and even though they were close together, Francois and Tony sailed into a hole and Ray, Dean and Marie caught a lift which carried them to second place. Francois and Tony finished third, and Randy and Joe were fourth with a DNF.

It was that sort of day. And Ray’s kind good deed in pointing out that Chris and I could sail rather than crew the chase boat did not go unpunished. We were just glad we didn’t borrow sails from him, too. We would really have felt guilty about that.

By the way, Chris also did good deeds on Sunday: he taught me a couple of things I plan to put to use at the first opportunity.

At this point, Chris and I owe one to Ray, and I owe one to Chris.

Finally, I have to share an e mail I received from Lori Lantzy after our racing two weeks ago. Lori sailed with Anne Ireland on Sunday. During the first race, they got caught by a puff while they were tacking and capsized. As a result, they did not finish that race and were unable to start the second race. Lori said:

Gee, DNS and DNF look so low-key compared to the actual happening. At least it wasn't a DNR, huh?

Our next race weekend will be November 8 and 9. That will begin our Hartge series. We’ll have results out shortly for the Keenan series, which ended this weekend.

Also, remember that on November 9 we’ll have a cook out and awards ceremony to celebrate the Keenan series. Chuck has sent information around previously. We hope everyone can make it. Dave Asaibene is going to cook, and he’s a professional!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

New Flying Scots On Sale NOW!

Now is your chance to save nearly $3,000 on a new Flying Scot!!

Flying Scot, Inc. is pleased to provide eleven new Flying Scots to the 2009 Adams Cup finals at Bay Waveland Yacht Club near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. These boats will not have been sailed prior to the event and could be picked up after the event on September 26, 2009. Ordering one of these boats now with a deposit makes it possible for you to get into a new Flying Scot at a great price. Place your order early to pick your colors and save on accessories. Boats will be assigned on a first come first served basis. These boats are race rigged and are complete with anchor, paddle and compass. They are also complete with main, jib and spinnaker sails, galvanized trailer and tie-down rig.

Delivery to other areas may be available at an additional cost. Details of how these boats will be rigged are as follows:

Flying Scot complete
Main, jib and spinnaker – sailmaker to be determined
Galvanized trailer and tie-down
Mast hinge
Jib sheet cleated on seat with Harken auto ratchet
2:1 jib sheet rig
360 swivel cleat for centerboard
Ronstan X-10 fixed h-o stick
Mainsheet – 5/16 polypro - rigged 3:1 with Harken Carbo blocks
Spinnaker rig and spinnaker pole
Two rings on mast for pole
Spinnaker halyard led aft with take-up reel
Spinnaker guy hooks on deck with cleats at chainplates
Spinnaker sheets – ¼” Ultra-lite - internal system with self-ratchet cheek blocks under seat
Spinnaker turtles on forward seat corners
Outhaul – 6:1 internal wire
Cunningham system led aft to console
Vang – 12:1 cascade purchase led aft to console cleat
Pole lift – 2:1 - led through deck to console cleat
Pole downhaul – shock cord through deck
Lifting bridle
Mast head fly
Break-away rudder blade hold down pin
Aquameter compass and mount
Safety equipment - anchor & line, paddle, cushion, whistle, bucket & chamois
Price complete $19,101.00
Less Adams 2009 discount – 15% - 2,865.15
$16,235.85
Class measurement certificates for hull and sails 85.00
Freight to Bay Waveland Yacht Club, Bay St. Louis, MS 500.00
Total price delivered $16,820.85

Deposit of approximately 50% ($8,400.00) due with the order and balance due on delivery following the 2009 Adams finals on September 26.

Order early and save!
We expect a price increase of at least 5% on January 1, 2009. In addition, an order and deposit placed by June 19, 2009 will receive up to $500 in free additional accessories. Order by July 17, 2009 and get up to $300 in free accessories. Order by August 14, 2009 and get the first $100 in accessories free.

Prices are subject to change without notice. Freight is approximate and subject to change with rising fuel prices.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Flying Scot Masters Championship - Sunday

Last Day:

53 degrees this morning, BRRRRRR - forecast has warming up to 77.
Wind forecast was NE 12 shifting to E at 9. But they were WRONG.

Sailed out in shorts and a long sleeve T-shirt. Bad Idea. Half way out to the course wind went right and built to 15. That first wave was no fun.

Race 3 WLWLW:
Dad had a great start. We looked good until the wind picked up just a little more, fast on starboard but slow slow slow on port. Watched Al, Ron, and the Blue boat cruise away. We were left to battle it out with the rest of the fleet. From our vantage point it look like those 3 had a great battle with Al coming out on top. Dad and I - not so good, finished 6th in the race.


Congrats to Al and Jeff.

One thing I forgot - our fleet managed to pound through about 10 dozen raw oysters one night. Love that native cuisine.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Flying Scot Masters Championship - Saturday

Two races today. A front went through with wind out of the north 12-15, with gusts up to 20.

Most of the days excitement was at the ramp. There is only enough dock space for 2 boats. Splash and Dash was the order for the day but it did not quite work out that way. Big THANK YOU to the RC for waiting for us all to get out to the course for the first start.

Race 1 WLWL:
Dad got a great start near the boat - sent the blue boat to the right. Wind blowing about 15. I played the main while Dad 2 handed the helm. Not much chop so you could pinch some. Blue boat we sent right - that launched him to 100 yard lead. Not much changing of places as we battled through some big gusts. Blue boat 1st, Ron 2nd, Al/Jeff 3rd and we were 4th. Judy and Dean did alright considering this was only the 2nd time she had been on a Flying Scot.

Race 2 WLWLW:
Wind settled down to 12. We had a bad start but were able to tack immediatly to the right. For a while it look like we were launched until a slight left shift came in, top 4 rounded close. Al, Ron, us, Blue. Blue boat wiped out jybing in a puff but did not tip over. Dad and I watched Al and Ron battle for the next few legs. Finish: Al, Ron, us , Blue boat was 5th.

Hung out at the boats and had a beverage or 2 talking about the days events. Dinner at the club then off to Al's hotel room to watch the Rays game. Dad and I left around 9:30 to go back to are room and bed - guess we made the right call.

One race planned for Sunday - cold 53 out, wind is supposed to be down around 9.
Good luck to the Flying Scots in the Dory Drake.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Flying Scot Masters Championship - Getting Ready

The Florida District has a number (the exact number I don't know) of skippers in attendance at the Masters Championship in Ft. Walton Beach, Oct. 18 and 19. As reports come in I will post them here.

Hi all, Mark Taylor here. Time for another series of my Scot junk mails.

Day 1 - Thusday.

Dad and I left around noon for Fort Walton Beach Fl. We decided to go up the Vetran's expressway and 19. Trip was easy, dad driving the entire trip while I worked in the car.

We arrived in Fort Walton around 7pm and dropped the boat at the club. We checked into the hotel and looked for a place to eat and watch the Rays game. Stopped at a dive bar "Crab Shack" Jan and Dean met us at the bar for a few drinks and the game. We ordered a Bucket of seafood - Oysters, King Crab, Dungeness Crab, mussels, shrimp and crawdaddies. Great night of food and drinks - end of the game was crap. We made up for it with oyster shooters and raw oysters - YUM!

Go Rays!



Day 2- Friday

Went to the club early to setup the boat and scrub the bottom. Helped Dean put new jib cleats on seat. Al, Jeff and Amy arrived and Judy (Dean's skipper) arrived 30 min later.

We all launched are boats and went for a sail. Breeze about 8-12 with flat water. Everyone had their moments, we all seem fast. When we hit the dock Ron Plesh had arrived from Sarasota.

Had a quick burger/dog dinner out on the point at the club - weather degrading as front gets closer. We all decide to go out for raw oysters. 10 dozen oysters downed by Judy, Jan, Dave, Mark, Tom, Al, Jeff and Amy - WOW those are good!

Headed back to rooms around 9 - hope it is not blowing Sat.

Go Rays!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

What a difference a breeze makes!

We had great weather and great racing at Lake Eustis this weekend. The wind was steady all Saturday and most of Sunday, growing shifty only during the second race on Sunday. That gave us close, exciting racing both days. Ray Laguna and Dean Grimes on 5770 clearly came out on top, finishing first in all four races, but I like to think we made them work for it.

On Saturday we had five Scots racing. In addition to Ray and Dean on 5770, they included Dave and Jay Asaibene on 5179, Chris Erichsen and Reinhard Schlip on 5339, Randy Boekema and Joe Lobato on 5697 and Todd Hunter with me on 5810.

Both races were tightly contested, with boats frequently side-by-side like NASCAR at Daytona. Ray and Dean were sometimes able to stretch things out a bit upwind only to find the fleet compressing on the downwind. And, in the first race, Ray and Dean bumped the weather mark on the first leg to give the rest of us the best chance we had all weekend to gain a lead over them. They sailed off to do their 360 while the rest of us chased each other down the course. Then, as we neared the leeward mark we found Ray and Dean blasting in on a higher angle from our left, having made up the ground they lost with their 360. Thus they recovered from hitting the mark and recaptured a lead which they held – with short exceptions – for the rest of the race, finishing first. Chris and Reinhard on 5339 came in second, followed by Todd and me on 5810 in third, Randy and Joe on 5697 in fourth and Dave and Jay on 5179 in fifth.

The second race on Saturday was much like the first, with close quarters racing both up and down, and just enough chance that the lead might change to keep Ray and Dean on their toes all the way to the upwind finish. Ray and Dean finished first. Todd and I managed to hold on for second. Chris and Reinhard came in third, with Randy and Joe fourth and Dave and Jay fifth.

Sunday was more of the glorious same, both with regard to the quality of the racing and the ultimate dominance by Ray and Dean. Six Scots raced, including the entire fleet from Saturday – with Ernie Tosi sailing with Chris Erichsen on 5339 and Tony Tussing with me on 5810 – and we were joined by Anne Ireland and Lori Lantzy on Anne’s 5366.

In the first race, Tony and I were over early at the start and had to bear off to round the pin before starting again. The error was mine entirely – I’m time and distance challenged – but I don’t entirely regret it since it was the only time all day when we were out in front of the fleet. We tacked to port after we restarted and headed right. Through clean living more than skill, our split to the right kept us with the fleet and we were able enjoy the tight racing in spite of my error at the start. The breeze was puffy and building all the way to the downwind finish. Anne and Lori got caught by a gust and capsized on the second weather leg. Ray and Dean crossed the finish line first. Chris and Ernie followed in second. Tony and I were third, with Randy and Joe beside us but just back in fourth. Dave and Jay were fifth, and Anne and Lori were unable to finish.

There was apparently another starting incident in the second race on Sunday. Tony and I did not see it, and no one was over early, but Chris Erichsen did ask me to note for the record that it was not Ernie’s fault (sounds like there’s a story there). However, Chris and Ernie recovered and sailed fully in the hunt the rest of the way. After more wonderful racing and in an increasingly shifty wind, the fleet finished upwind and close together. Ray and Dean, in a tiresome repeat of all the other races, were first. Randy and Joe crossed ahead of Tony and me, and frankly seemed to enjoy that fact all too much. Tony and I were third, just – and I mean just – in front of Chris and Ernie, who finished fourth.

Chris and Ernie were coming on so strong that Tony swears they would have had us if the finish line had been ten feet further away. I don’t know about that, but I do know all I could hear at the end of the race was Chris’s bow wave on our quarter. It sounded like a tsunami.

Dave and Jay finished fifth, and Anne and Lori were DNS because they were sorting things out from their capsize.

All in all, the racing this weekend was so much fun that you almost didn’t mind seeing transoms rather than bows. Almost. I wish everyone could have been there!

The next racing weekend is October 25 and 26. See you then!

George

Monday, October 13, 2008

Upcoming Races

This weekend is the Masters Championship in Ft Walton.

November 1-2, Team racing in Sarasota.

November 8-9, Florida District race in Sarasota.

November 29-30, DIYC Thanksgiving Regatta.

December 6-7, Florida District race in Jacksonville.

December 13th, Fleet 168 Fleet races and Christmas Party, Yea!!

As you can see the season is getting busy and our local fleet activity will slow down a bit, so lets grease
up our trailer bearings and roll!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Florida District Championship 2008 - 09 - Miami

This past weekend was the kick-off for the new Florida District Championship. Mark Taylor narrowly beat Ron Pletsch by just one point to win the regatta. I was unable to attend so the report has been provided by John Damagala. Thanks John!

Ten flying scots gathered at Coconut Grove Sailing Club last weekend for the annual CGSC one design regatta. Classes represented were; Sunfish, Laser, Lightning, Etchells and Flying Scots. Even with the light turnout for us the Scots had the largest fleet. After a shore delay, Saturday morning found Mark Taylor, Dean Bell, & Larry Whipple eager to head out with the race comittee (despite the thick rain accross the bay). After these three left the dock and with the bay dissappearing behind the latest rain band, the balance of the fleet headed for the club house for a self imposed postponment. The next clearing brought the remaining boats out to the course (less the Domagalas claiming a crew illness is a lousy mix for sailing in a downpour). The remaining boats arrived at the course to find the fleet several minutes up the course. Several followed in vain as there was a time limit for starting that had expired. Mark Taylor captured his first bullet of the weekend followed by Larry Whipple. The next two races went off despite the heavy rain that came and went. Ron Pletsch captured two bullets followed by Fred Strammer with two seconds and Mark Taylor with two thirds. The fleet received a good wash down Saturday night as the rain really started coming down.

By Sunday morning the weather had somewhat cleared and the fleet could head out expecting a dryer day. The first race started off in a nice 12-15 knot breeze. The well rested Domagalas took the first race from the first mark with Mark Taylor comfortably in second and Fred Strammer getting ahead of Ron Pletsch for third place. Things lightened up slightly for the 2nd Race of the morning. The fleet headed off for the last race of the series in a breeze that was getting shiftier. Mark Taylor continued to sail well and rounded the weather mark first, a position he would not give up. The Domagalas followed with Ron and Fred close by. The positions held through the downwind gate with Ron making a move on the beat to round the last mark in 2nd place. Ron and the Domagalas went back and forth on the run with Ron holding on to 2nd place and Fred coming in 4th.
With 5 races in, the throw out was in effect for Ron to drop his first (non)race. However, with Mark Taylor dropping only a 3rd he was one point out in front of Ron for the win. The Strammers and Dean Bell rounded out the top 4 for the weekend.


Once a glitsch is worked out the results will be posted on the Florida District website; www.fssa.com/fldist/

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Patience and Persistence in Eustis

In this life, patience and persistence are frequently rewarded in the end – whether it be in the stock market (at least one hopes), in watching Michigan’s struggling offence, or in waiting for wind at Lake Eustis. And so it was with our club racing this past weekend.

On Saturday, the lake was pure glass and racing was cancelled entirely. On Sunday, things looked more promising and six Scots departed from the dock only to see the ripples on the water grow flat and the breeze fade away. The Committee Boat set one mark but soon sounded its horn and flew first the postponement flag and then the N and H flags, signaling “Races are Abandoned; Further Signals Ashore.”

Patience and persistence paid off, though, when a light wind filled in and the Race Committee announced a 1:30 start for the races abandoned earlier in the day. Although several of us were unable to stay, three Scots sailed and completed two races. The first was favored with a steady light breeze but the second was sailed in a dying breeze. Both were sailed to a downwind finish with the Scots crossing the line in the same order each time: Chris Erichsen, sailing on 5339 with Jim McIntyre, finishing first, followed by Randy Boekema and Joe Lobato on Randy’s 5697 in second and Francois Simon flying solo aboard 3362 in third. Rounding out the results was Dave Asaibene who was awarded an automatic third place for handling chase boat duty instead of sailing.

Our next racing weekend is October 11 and 12, when we continue our Keenan series. The weather and breezes will keep getting better as we get into the fall (given some patience and persistence) and I predict great racing that weekend. Hope to see everyone there.



George