Race #4, July 8th:
Race Committee: Encinal Yacht Club Warning Gun 1225 Location South Bay
Charles Hodgkins Primary Race Officer, Rear Commodore Tony Shaffer Boat Owner (Gracious Host Not Aboard), Vice Commodore Line Sighter Flags Spot and Camera Start, Sounder @ Finish Sounder / Start Slackwater_SF Line Sighter
Race Committee Notes
Charles Hodgkins, Rear Commodore, Encinal Yacht Club, hosted the Race Committee on "Ohana" for Race #4. We took some time for the wind to settle down, or develop some type of pattern. We drifted and waited, anchor up and down once or twice. The course selection focused on the wind on the eastern shore of South San Francisco Bay. Winds stayed relatively light for most of day, under 10 knots. Non-Spinnaker boats had a challenge running against an ebb tide.
The Catalina 34 Fleet had two (2) boats sail through the start / finish line on the downwind leg. The start / finish line is restricted in the sailing instructions. A protest intent was heard by the Race Committee from one of the competitors over the VHF radio, later rescinded after on-the-water arbitration within the Catalina 34 Fleet. Arbitration items, trade-offs included beer among competitors, supposed a case of beer for the Race Committee and somebody getting a new jib that was in use on another boat. Race Committee never got the beer, not that it would have been put to use on the water.
Catalina 34 Fleet negotiated settlement "on-the-water" was relayed by email prior to posting the race results, deferring the protest. Four (4) of six (6) boats racing received a manual points adjustment.
"Ohana" performed good service for the Race Committee, with a little help on engine temperature. We found the engine ran a little hot on the way out to the starting line. We talked to Encinal Yacht Club's Vice Commodore by cell phone for advice and counsel. The solution was to add bottled water from the ice chest to the cooling system; it was down a few quarts. The alternative of adding diet sodas to the cooling system was deferred.
slackwater_sf @ hotmail.com