[Public-List] Fwd: Two days sailing...leaving the helm to make adjustments at the mast.

Wed Jun 13 13:44:46 PDT 2018

*Luddite: *"One who opposes technical or technological change."

Sailing boats that are 50+ years old and built with designs developed over
the 150 years prior to that is in opposition to technological change.

Therefore Alberg owners are luddite by definition.

Zach

On Wed, Jun 13, 2018 at 2:40 PM, Gordon Laco via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> Negative, that mate.
>
> Gordon Laco
> www.gordonlaco.com
> 426 Surprise
>
>
>
> > On Jun 13, 2018, at 4:38 PM, Zachary Smith via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >
> > Sailing an Alberg design marks you as a luddite.
> >
> > Zach
> >
> > On Wed, Jun 13, 2018 at 2:37 PM, Michael Grosh via Public-List <
> > public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >
> >> I guess just jamming a telescoping hiking stick into the cushions marks
> me
> >> as a Luddite.
> >> Michael Grosh
> >> #220
> >>
> >> On Jun 13, 2018 2:14 PM, "Hernán Scarnichia via Public-List" <
> >> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> I used to run a line from the tiller to a block on the cockpit coaming,
> >> then forward to a block near the bow and back again on the other side
> to a
> >> block on the other side of the cockpit and back to the tiller. That way
> I
> >> had a loop of line all around the boat and could steer from anywhere,
> >> either at the mast or on the foredeck when changing jibs. sometimes I
> would
> >> also add a bungee cord to counter the weather helm. Now I have a tiller
> >> pilot that works great.
> >>
> >> On Tue, Jun 12, 2018 at 7:50 PM Zachary Smith via Public-List <
> >> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I almost exclusively single hand my boats. The routine for me depends
> on
> >>> situation, but here are the common cases:
> >>>
> >>> 1) Marina.
> >>> Exit marina under aux power. Point into wind, adjust engine speed to
> push
> >>> the boat forward at 1-2 knots. Bungee tiller to neutral. Go to mast and
> >>> hoist. Don't forget to keep an eye on watercraft around you.
> >>>
> >>> 2) Switch Jib/Genoa Underway.
> >>> Maneuver to reach. Balance the sails. Tiller free. Free the jib sheet.
> Go
> >>> forward drop genny/jib. Boat will will round up to to heave. Raise the
> >> new
> >>> jenny/jib. Go back and start turning back onto a reach. The boat may
> not
> >> be
> >>> on the same tack you left her on at this point. Sheet in the jib/jenny
> >>> before she makes the reach. You can steer the tiller with your butt
> while
> >>> you sheet in.
> >>>
> >>> 3). Holy Crap Situation.
> >>> Turn the boat into the wind. Let the tiller free. Get that jenny/jib
> down
> >>> before she bears off. Now you're heaved and you can address the
> problem.
> >> I
> >>> use hank-ons for a lot of reasons; if you use a furler you can't run a
> >>> downhaul on the forestay (or could you? never tried). But I run
> downhauls
> >>> on my foresails so I can get them down fast without transiting all the
> >> way
> >>> to the foredeck (safe!).
> >>>
> >>> The thing about the A30 is, with just the main up you can leave the
> >> tiller
> >>> free and she'll heave. This is your primary tool in lieu of a
> complicated
> >>> mechanism like a tiller pilot or a wench.
> >>>
> >>> Zach
> >>>
> >>> On Tue, Jun 12, 2018 at 9:28 PM, Michael Connolly <crufone at comcast.net
> >
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Zach,
> >>>> By hand downwind? Would you explain?
> >>>>
> >>>> I was suggesting how to safely leave the helm for let's say 30 sec to
> >>> make
> >>>> an adjustment at the mast and then head back to the helm. All this
> with
> >>> out
> >>>> any sophisticated gadget on board. For someone who single hands this
> >>> would
> >>>> be handy information.
> >>>>
> >>>> Let me add that the sea state is reasonable, wind not too heavy or
> >> gusty
> >>>> and no specific current.
> >>>> Michael
> >>>>
> >>>> ------------------------------
> >>>> *From: *"Zachary Smith" <zacharysmith.us at gmail.com>
> >>>> *To: *"Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <
> >>>> public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> >>>> *Cc: *"Michael Connolly" <crufone at comcast.net>
> >>>> *Sent: *Tuesday, June 12, 2018 10:53:41 PM
> >>>> *Subject: *Re: [Public-List] Two days sailing...
> >>>>
> >>>> Balance the sails on a reach, jib sheet to tiller hard on, by hand
> >>>> downwind.
> >>>>
> >>>> Zach
> >>>>
> >>>> On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, Michael Connolly via Public-List <
> >>>> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Gord,
> >>>>> Now that I know you don't have a tiller. What simple system would you
> >>> use
> >>>>> if you had a tiller? What would be simple and reliable to jaunt up to
> >>> the
> >>>>> mast loosen the halyard and jaunt back to the cockpit?
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>>>>
> >>>>> From: "Michael Connolly" <crufone at comcast.net>
> >>>>> To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all"
> >>> <public-list at lists.alberg30.or
> >>>>> g>
> >>>>> Sent: Monday, June 11, 2018 5:35:47 PM
> >>>>> Subject: Re: [Public-List] Two days sailing...
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Gord,
> >>>>> What do you use to handle the tiller whilst you go forward to the
> mast
> >>> to
> >>>>> adjust halyards, etc.? Bungee cords? Auto helm? Tiller tamer?
> >>>>> Michael
> >>>>>
> >>>>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>>>>
> >>>>> From: "Gordon Laco via Public-List" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> >>>>> To: "public Alberg 30 List -- open to all"
> >>> <public-list at lists.alberg30.or
> >>>>> g>
> >>>>> Cc: "Gordon Laco" <mainstay at csolve.net>
> >>>>> Sent: Monday, June 11, 2018 9:15:22 AM
> >>>>> Subject: [Public-List] Two days sailing...
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Hello gang…
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Well I got out on the water both days this past weekend… they were
> >> very
> >>>>> different days sailing…
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On Saturday I had intended to work on my MG, which is undergoing what
> >>> has
> >>>>> become a massive rebuild. Well I should say I was going to hold tools
> >>> and
> >>>>> watch while my friend did the work, but he had to cancel so I sat
> here
> >>>>> wondering what to do with an unexpected day with no obligations… then
> >> I
> >>>>> remembered that Saturday is the day our Club was running its annual
> >>> Single
> >>>>> Handed Race. I gulped my coffee and made it to the club just as the
> >>>>> skipper’s meeting was ending, and got my name on the list. When asked
> >>> if I
> >>>>> was wanted to be rated flying sails or white sails, I first said
> ‘naw,
> >>>>> white sails only, I don’t feel very energetic.’
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Then I looked out the clubhouse windows at the glassy water, slack
> >> flags
> >>>>> and masthead wind indicators pointing all different directions and
> >>> thought
> >>>>> about the misery of the downwind leg back from Flat Point… and said
> >> ‘Oh,
> >>>>> can I change that… flying sails please’. They changed it.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> As usual for a weekend race, the fleet was much diminished, being
> >>>>> composed of myself in SURPRISE, two Express 30’s, a CS27, three
> >> Sharks,
> >>> the
> >>>>> deadly fast VOODOO DANCER, a well sailed Viking 28, and my friend and
> >>> arch
> >>>>> rival Matt in his Pearson 27. Matt and I chatted bit on the wharf
> >>> catching
> >>>>> up… but suddenly I saw the committee boat shooting out of the club…
> >>> crap,
> >>>>> we’re late, better get out there for the start.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> So out SURPRISE and I hummed, when out at Midland Shoal buoy I shut
> >> down
> >>>>> the mill and hoisted sail. Looking back over my shoulder I saw Matt
> in
> >>>>> SUNDANCER hoisting sail right at the club’s breakwater… hmmm, he’s
> got
> >> a
> >>>>> long way to beat to get to the start, I thought, and joined in the to
> >>> and
> >>>>> fro swinging. Before the start.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> No sooner had I got into the fray but the air started filling in.
> East
> >>>>> with a bit of north in it… could this be? Yup… Like a slow motion
> >> movie
> >>>>> being sped up to normal speed, all the yachts began showing bow
> waves,
> >>> then
> >>>>> heeling over as the breeze built. The five minute horn went, I caught
> >>> it on
> >>>>> my stopwatch… down came the sequence and as the last seconds counted
> >>> down
> >>>>> here comes the herd all on starboard tack jostling each other up to
> >> the
> >>>>> line. Were was I? On port tack of course, reaching along at 5 knots.
> I
> >>> let
> >>>>> them all cross our bow and the line… then hardened up my sheets and
> >>> crossed
> >>>>> alone in clear air at speed. The rest of the fleet all ran a few
> >> hundred
> >>>>> meters on starboard then one after the other tacked onto port and
> >>> started
> >>>>> down the course.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I should describe the course… the Single Handed is a ‘distance race’,
> >>>>> normally running east to Flat Point off Port McNichol, then north and
> >> a
> >>> bit
> >>>>> west up to Ross Shoal, then back round Midland Point to a finish off
> >> the
> >>>>> Club’s breakwater. Because the air looked so light, the course was
> >>>>> shortened to just Flat Point and back…. and it was looking like I
> >> could
> >>> lay
> >>>>> it in one long close reach. Could this be? Oh yes.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> The wind steadily built, and backed a little more to the north so
> >> after
> >>>>> the first fifteen minutes we found ourselves bounding along at 6.4
> >> knots
> >>>>> with sheets cracked a little, heeling about fifteen degrees… in first
> >>>>> place.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Several miles later, I knew we were nearing the red pin off Flat
> >> Point,
> >>>>> but as usual I couldn’t see it against the trees behind it. I swear
> >> it’s
> >>>>> one of those pins that is mischievously moved by the CCG just to
> annoy
> >>>>> people trying to find it… then I saw it… a few degrees to leeward.
> The
> >>>>> leaders of the pack were now about even with me but several hundreds
> >> of
> >>>>> yards to windward… and clearly they hadn’t seen it yet and were still
> >>>>> sailing the higher course. They were VOODOO DANCER and two of the
> >>> Sharks.
> >>>>> haha.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Then the air got softer, SURPRISE slowed dramatically to 4.1 knots. I
> >>>>> dashed up to the mast and eased my halyards, eased the outhaul, then
> >>> jumped
> >>>>> back to the tiller. As I returned I saw my foes had finally seen the
> >>> mark
> >>>>> and were coming down, carrying a renewed breeze with them…. They got
> >> by
> >>> me,
> >>>>> one of the Sharks blanketing me a bit but we all rounded together…
> >>>>> SURPRISE’s bow nearly overhanging VOODOO’s transom. One of the
> Sharks,
> >>>>> VOODOO and SURPRISE started back to Midland… the new breeze making
> the
> >>>>> return again a close reach. At first the Shark and VOODOO stayed in
> >>> close
> >>>>> company… but as the wind built again I could not only keep up but
> felt
> >>> like
> >>>>> overtaking. The Shark took a shot upwind with tight sheets…. I was in
> >>> about
> >>>>> a boat length behind VOODOO. I could see him continually glancing at
> >>> me… I
> >>>>> guess he could hear my bow wave and this was annoying him. I feigned
> a
> >>> shot
> >>>>> to windward myself as it I were going to try to drive over him but as
> >>> soon
> >>>>> as I saw him tightening his sheets to climb himself in order to block
> >>> me, I
> >>>>> eased sheets and dove to leeward. VOODOO didn’t look back for a fatal
> >>> four
> >>>>> or five minutes during which I got far enough to leeward that I could
> >>> drive
> >>>>> through below him out of his wind shadow… and got by.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> By this time VOODOO was far enough up that he was feeling the
> nearness
> >>> of
> >>>>> the Shark, and for the rest of the race the two of them jostled each
> >>> other,
> >>>>> the Shark trying to get by, VOODOO trying to defend his lead. I left
> >>> them
> >>>>> to it, and concentrated on getting the most out of the building air.
> I
> >>> was
> >>>>> up to the mast and back several times tuning for the increasing
> breeze
> >>> that
> >>>>> was romping us along at 6.1 knots. We passed Midland Shoal buoy, one
> >>> mile
> >>>>> from the finish… when VOODOO saw that we were going to beat him to
> the
> >>>>> finish. He finally stopped fighting with the Shark and eased sheets a
> >>>>> little in order to use his windward position to come down and catch
> >> us.
> >>> It
> >>>>> didn’t happen.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> So SURPRISE, a full keeled yacht heavily laden with cruising gear
> that
> >> I
> >>>>> can’t be bothered to unload despite the fact that we race every week…
> >>> won
> >>>>> on real time, then was catapulted ahead by our PHRF rating. What a
> >> great
> >>>>> race. I think what saved us was the fact that the shortened course
> >>> didn’t
> >>>>> have any hard beating to windward, just close reaching both ways
> which
> >>> of
> >>>>> course is our best point of sail. Wahoo.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> But what happened to Matt in SUNDANCER? He was very late to the
> start…
> >>> so
> >>>>> didn’t do the race. I don’t know what happened to him, but hope
> >> nothing
> >>>>> broke.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Sunday, I went for a sail out of Toronto with my good friend Janice
> in
> >>>>> her A30 LITTLE WINGS. Down in the city it was blowing 20 - 25kts or
> >> so,
> >>>>> whipping white caps in the harbour and sending Albacore dinghies
> >> planing
> >>>>> back and forth as we took the tender over to the island. We tucked a
> >>> reef
> >>>>> in the main, but ended up sailing under genny alone all day and that
> >> was
> >>>>> plenty of sail for a pleasure jaunt. Out past the East Headland, the
> >>> east
> >>>>> wind was sending waves down the length of Lake Ontario, so the waves
> >>> were
> >>>>> nice mature 5-6 footers with an occasional breaking crest. We bounded
> >>> away
> >>>>> south for a while, then tacked and bounded back to the city.
> Wonderful
> >>>>> sailing in really exhilarating conditions.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> A fellow in a trimaran paced the racers on Saturday and took a series
> >> of
> >>>>> nice photographs of some of the boats in the Single Handed Race on
> >>> Saturday
> >>>>> (two of the Sharks, the CS27, an Express 30 and ourselves) I’ll
> >> forward
> >>>>> them if anyone wants to see them.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Nice weekend.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Gordon Laco
> >>>>> www.gordonlaco.com
> >>>>> #426 Surprise
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> _______________________________________________
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> >>>>>
> >>>>>
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> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
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