Oct 20 2007
Magnuson Park Blowout
200 years from now scientists will invent a translator capable of speaking with seagulls. Behavioral psychologists will have discovered that seagulls are some of the planets most brilliant creatures with advanced forms of communication, art, and complex socio-political structures. Seagulls (being very benevolent creatures) will be extremely excited to enlighten us on ways to correct our sadistic, malevolent, violant, and generally destructive tendencies. They will send a delegation to open comunication with the scientists. Unfortunately, the seagull delegation will stare at each other with despondent, unbelieving, and unblinking eyes, when the first question from the scientist is “So how many words do you guys have for WIND anyway.” After an awkward silence a seagull will reluctantly step forward and say “ a… well… I guess about 78.” Things will go down hill from there.
Saturdays San Juan 21 race at Magnuson Park would likely have covered at least 42 of those 78.
When the boats arrived it was howling. 20-25Knots reported on the 520 bridge, with higher gusts. By the end of the day we were gently breezing along in 5-10Knots. Regardless of conditions the day belonged to Habagat who seemed to be in the lead or chasing the lead in most of the races. Charmed Juan had a perfect day in the spinnaker class as well (of course he was racing by him self much of the day). 5 more First place finishes will make it hard for anyone to catch him in the Fall Series Standings
The race had a good showing with 7 boats braving the biting winds to get down to the water. Habagat, Scout, Rascal, Limpet, Compass Rose, Charmed Juan, and PSG Juan were represented. Compass Rose decided this might not be the best day to start racing and instead jumped a rid with another boat. Everybody but Scout had at least one reef in the main, and everyone had their lifejackets on and companionway boards in. I particularly enjoyed watching Charmed Juan bury her bow into every third wave as she set the marks. Buckle your seatbelts everyone it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
I was taking my friend Nick out for his very first sail ever, what a day to get initiated into the sailing brotherhood. The whole time we were rigging the boat I kept thinking I am not so sure this is a good idea. Oh well what is the worst that can happen? When we got out on the water I realized that I didn’t have my countdown timer, and would have no way of timing the start. Oh well, survival was going to be the challenge of the day not racing.
The first race started with Limpet and PSG Juan electing to sail under a reefed main only. This was not a bad choice on the beat to weather. Boats with jibs were going faster but seemed to spend lots of time on their ear getting blown down wind. The difference in speed with a jib or pointing without a jib seemed to be a toss-up. However on the downwind run the jib boats quickly ran away from Limpet & PSG Juan. Forced to run up sail or be completely uncompetitive Limpet & PSG Juan threw up the canvas and hung on tight. After a couple races getting knocked around PSG Juan decided to call it a Day, which left Charmed Juan to dominate the Spinnaker boats.
As if 20+ kts is not enough to keep things interesting the starting line and first beat to weather were made more hectic by the sailboards and kite boarders flying back and forth on a beam reach through the fleet.
Scout seemed to be completely unfazed by the wind and headed out with 3 crew members and a full main (no reef). They absolutely flew on the down wind legs, and seemed oblivious to the sheets of lake water which sprayed over the deck while pounding into the waves. At one point I actually saw one of the crew had a banjo out and was picking a song to race by. Now that is confidence in your skipper. And the confidence paid off. Scout had a great showing with four seconds and one first in the working sales category.
By the third race the wind had begun to subside and boats began to shake out their reefs. The starts got more competitive, and the tactics got more cut throat. I found myself over early and/or doing penalty turns several times. I tacked onto a lee bow position against Charmed Juan, and got myself run well past the lay line and sailed away from for my efforts. Habagat continued her winning ways regardless of the conditions, hitting her starts and making lots of smart choices.
By the final race all the boats had full sail up and were hunting for puffs and wind shifts. Scout ran a flawless race and claimed a first place preventing Habagat from running the table. I had a horrible start where I first crossed early, then in turning back to cross again I made Scout alter course while she was on a starboard tack. I did my penalty turns and finally got racing. I was a little embarrassed.
In the end I had a perfect day, crossing the line in next to last every single race. However the only boat I beat in the first race was PSG Juan, so I was dead last in the working sails class. Every other race I was next to dead last.
It should be noted that no spinnakers flew at this race so everyjuan was equal both up wind and downwind.