Notice of Race / Entry Form

Sailing Instructions (addendum)

Division Breaks

Results
(Multihull results page 5)

The multi-hull start was 1/2 hour after the fastest mono-hulls.  This was important as the current increased during that period and it was very difficult to get out the Gate and out of the current so that we could make our left turn towards Santa Cruz.  We went under the Gate, made a tack and found ourself back in the Bay again!  I would estimate that it took us about 4 to 5 hours to get past Pillar Point.  During this period we were trading the multihull lead with Humdinger.  Humdinger had the lead most of the time.

We talked to Gary Helms and Bob Naber on Saturday shortly after they arrived.  They reported that they just could not get through that area and sailed all night.

Shortly after Pillar Point we were able to set our spinnaker.  From then on the race was great.  The wind was light but picked up as we went down the course.  At no time did the wind appear to be more than 15 knots.  We started catching the rest of the fleet.  On port tack we could surf the waves.  It was incredible fun.  On one wave we got going 19.1 knots.  For about 2 hours we were consistently going between 12 and 16 knots.  The fast mono-hulls consisted of Santa Cruz 50's and 52's.  There was a Transpac 52 with a PHRF of -81.  We never saw it after the start.  We passed some Santa Cruz 50's and 52's.  I would estimate that we were going at least 5 knots faster than them.  We sailed into a hole which held us up for about 15 minutes.  We then got some wind and finished at 8:00 P.M.  Our elapsed time was about 10 hours.  The race was 67 miles.  We were about the 5th boat to finish.  There were 43 boats in the race.

We then went to the Santa Cruz Yacht Club and had some drinks.  They were going to serve chili to the racers.  We opted not to wait and went to a restaurant about 2 blocks away.

On Saturday they were serving breakfast at the Yacht Club.  We went to Aldo's at the Harbor.  I had been there previously and had great breakfasts.  The breakfast was great.

We had invited friends and relatives to come for a fun sail on Saturday.  There were about 6 adults and 7 kids.  I opted to stay on shore..  They went out and had an enjoyable 3 hour sail with sunny skies and winds of about 10 knots.

Saturday night was the Awards banquet.  Dinners cost $10.  Each entry got 2 dinner tickets.  The food was Mexican and was so-so.  After the awards they had a dance.  The band played music that was perfect for dancing.  We danced and closed the bar.

The manager of the Club was very friendly and accomodating.  He also made great drinks.  During the afternoon, the commodore asked me if Bob Neighbor could take some kidding.  I answered that he could.  They gave him prizes for being last to finish.  The next morning we left and motored most of the way home.

The Santa Cruz Yacht Club has a hoist.  I later phoned to see if we could use it.  I didn't get the manager.  I talked to a lady who said only Yacht Club members and people who rented space there could use it.  I know that the Stockton Yacht Club let's racer's use theirs.  I would suggest that we lobby them for use of the hoist which would make the race more attractive to trailable boats.

Mike Ropers
Cross 46R, Defiance