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This weekends San Juan 21 Race in Elliot Bay ended up being more of an obstacle course than a sailboat race, and not all the boats came out unscathed.  The course featured a starting line with a heavily favored starboard pin just off the rocks, a weather mark protected by a giant bull Sea Lion, a dead zone ¾ of the way down the down wind run, and an imposing leeward mark surrounded by 3 foot seas and a crazy wind shift.  The only thing missing to make the vision of a visit to Camp Pendelton complete was Clint Eastwood firing an AK47 over our heads.  If you think I am succumbing to my tendencies for over-embellishment, just look at the photos of PGS Juan demasted while attempting to round the leeward mark on the final race of the day.  I am not kidding. . . it was so treacherous that Scout’s crew didn’t even take our their banjos. 

I was excited to have another race out of the Don Armini ramp in West Seattle, as I feel like it is my home water.  I also love the beautiful views of down town as a backdrop.  Add to that an unseasonably warm and dry day, and I think everyone was excited for a great day of sailing.  When we arrived at the ramp the water was flat and the wind was blowing 5-10kts.  However, throughout the morning the wind continued to build, and by race time it was 16kts with gusts to 22. 

The racing was fast and competitive with three different boats crossing the line first in four races.  Spinnakers were out of the question as after passing through a dead zone of insane fluky shifty wind just off of Duwamish point boats were required to sheet in sail and beat to the “leeward” mark (the Duwamish Head navigational marker).  However spinnakers were not necessary to get cruising down wind and the whole fleet was throwing big foamy wakes down the length on Elliot bay.  

Heading to windward was also an adventure as the gusts had a tendency to shift 20-30 degrees, and I for one was having trouble guessing which direction it would be.  The headers weren’t so bad, because they would just luff your sails.  But if you missed a big lift coming your way it put you on your ear in a hurry.  Stephen Jensen and his son told me that they even managed to perform a maneuver I have officially copyrighted the “Limpet Flip.”  This is a heavy wind maneuver I first perfected during the first day of the 2007 Norm Blanchard Regatta.  It consists of getting knocked down by a major gust so that water is pouring over the leeward rail while the crew on the high side of the boat hangs on for dear life.  The rudder becomes useless at 60 degrees of heel so the boat heads to wind.  Then the truly fun part is to leave the jib sheet cleated such that the sail backwinds and the boat is promptly knocked over on the opposite tack.  This allows water to pour in over the bodies of the hapless crew who are now on the low side of the boat and wondering why San Juan 21’s weren’t designed with life lines. 

The first race of the day was a tight battle with Charmed Juan winning the start and leading to the windward mark closely followed by Habagat & Limpet.  On the downwind run Limpet took a gamble and sailed a course much farther out into the bay.  The extra distance sailed was offset by less time in the Dead Zone, and Limpet was just ahead of Charmed Juan at the leeward mark.  However, a gutsy rounding by Charmed Juan leaving just feet between the boat and the pilings gave the advantage back to Charmed Juan who ran back to the finish on a Starboard tack without tacking.  Limpet was second, followed by Habagat, Rascal, PGS Juan, and Scout.

The second race was another great showing by Charmed Juan who lead start to finish.  Limpet crossed the line early by a good 5 seconds and was caught up in traffic waiting for the fleet to pass.   I luffed the sail until I could turn back and cross the line again.  After an eternity we got back on course in with significant ground to make back up to get into competition.  We set our sights on running down as many boats as we possibly could.  First was PGS Juan who tacked away from the fleet and lost ground on the starboard side of the course.  Near the Windward mark we passed Scout who had gotten knocked down several times.  At the leeward mark we caught & passed Rascal.  We were closing on Charmed Juan & Habagat when they crossed the line.  The moral of this race is “never stop racing.”  Final order was Charmed Juan, Habagat, Limet, Rascal, Scout, PGS Juan.

In the third race the fleet was joined by Mike Dukes sailing a boat which was not Great Excuse.  He has purchased a MKI and was testing out it’s capabilities. At the start I didn’t want to make the mistake of crossing early again, so I waited too long and again found myself chasing the pack by 5-10 boat lengths’…(not a quarter mile like race 2).  This was the race where the wind really got interesting with big wind shifts and some spectacular knock downs.  The course I steered this race took us a little to close to a large barge mooring float which was home to a family of Sea Lions.  The big male was easily twice the weight of my boat and he was not happy with us getting to close.  Habagat sailed a clean race and never gave anyone a chance to pass.  Limpet followed close on her heals.  Scout beat out Rascal and PGS Juan beat out Charmed Juan.  I think this was the race where Charmed Juan executed their “Limpet Flip.”  Mike Dukes was having a tough time of it single handing and took a DNF.

The final race was a great Limpet showing.  Again a little early Limpet executed a nice little tack & jibe to jump in just after Scout and right at the favored pin.  From there Limpet sailed a very clean race and quickly took the lead never to let it go.  Habagat, Scout, & Rascal then followed across the line.  Charmed Juan was a boat lengths from the finish when Stephen noticed that PGS Juan had been demasted at the leeward mark.  Stephen immediately abandoned the race and turned to help our good friend Gene.  Limpet and Habagat also fired up their outboards to be of assistance. 

Apparently as PGS Juan rounded the mark their jib sheet became entangled in a cleat.  Unable to be released the jib back winded and pushed the boat up against the pilings.  A shroud gave way and the mast soon followed.  Bent neatly in two like you might fold a beer can straight over the side.  Charmed Juan took a bow rope and began the long process of towing the injured vessel back to the dock.  Unfortunately with the wind and waves there wasn’t enough horsepower to get PGS Juan turned.  Limpet came in and took a bow line from Chamed Juan and we were now in a 3 boat tow line.  Eventually the crew of PGS Juan managed to haul the twisted mast & sail up onto the deck of the boat and the rescue process was significantly speeded.

Back on the hard, several members chipped in to help Gene detach the remaining hardward from his broken mast.  And if I know Gene it won’t be long before we see him back on the water.  I was sad that Gene had a bummer day, but I was reminded yet again that when you sail a San Juan 21 you are part of a great fraternity which will help you when your down.

Photos Curtesy of Fausto Deguzman Skipper of Habagat.  Thanks Fausto!

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