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

Thu Jun 14 07:57:42 PDT 2018

Let us know how it goes!

Zach

On Thursday, June 14, 2018, Michael Connolly via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> OK, I'll try it some time in moderate air and lots of sea space.
> Michael
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: "Zachary Smith via Public-List" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
>
> Cc: "Zachary Smith" <zacharysmith.us at gmail.com>
> Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2018 10:38:28 AM
> Subject: Re: [Public-List] Two days sailing...leaving the helm to make
> adjustments at the mast.
>
> Try it. She'll gently swing tack to tack, making little/no ground.
>
> Zach
>
> On Thursday, June 14, 2018, Gordon Laco via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>
> > The Alberg 30 cannot heave to under main alone, particularly with the
> > tiller free. Our boats will heave to under bare pole, but key to the
> > procedure is clamping or otherwise fixing the helm down.
> >
> > Gordon Laco
> > www.gordonlaco.com
> > #426 Surprise
> >
> >
> >
> > > On Jun 14, 2018, at 10:21 AM, Michael Connolly via Public-List <
> > public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> > >
> > > Zach & Gord,
> > > It was news to me that the A 30 will heave to with only the main
> hoisted
> > and the tiller free? Is that true? What have other owners experienced? I
> > heave to so I can take down the main at my leisure, sail to the dock and
> > douse the jib with a downhaul. In other words, I have heaved to with
> only
> > the jib but not only the main. I expected that she would sail around in
> > circles with only the main up and the tiller free. What position is the
> > main only in heave to configuration, boom on centerline? Good to learn
> of
> > new techniques.
> > > I thought that Gord while racing and going up to the mast was also
> > attempting to maintain his desired course while making adjustments at
> the
> > mast. Gord, is that true, or did you alter to a more stable (balanced)
> > point of sail while going to the mast?
> > >
> > > I expect that heaving to for the sailor is like hoisting the AP flag
> for
> > a PRO.
> > >
> > > Thanks for all the tips.
> > > Michael
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > >
> > > From: "Zachary Smith via Public-List" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
>
> > > To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <
> > public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> > > Cc: "Zachary Smith" <zacharysmith.us at gmail.com>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2018 11:50:36 PM
> > > Subject: [Public-List] Fwd: Two days sailing...leaving the helm to
> make
> > adjustments at the mast.
> > >
> > > 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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