Saturday, December 31, 2011
COMMODORE'S BALL
For details of this event and to make your reservation, click here to go the website's Event Registration page.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Friday POTLUCK & Cruiser's Planning Event
All are welcome and ALL are encouraged to come!!! There's a lot of great ideas floating around out there...this is your chance to help bring them together!!!!
Friday, December 09, 2011
2012 Racing Calendar
You will notice several important changes:
- We have incorporated a couple more family fun races into the schedule in order to better serve the needs of those with children, or those new to the racing scene.
- We are slightly reduced the number of distance races with the goal of increasing participation, plus we have introduced a new event -- the Guemes, Cypress & Sinclair circumnavigation. Also the fall distance races will be starting on Sunday in order to accommodate those among us who follow college football!
- We are also planning two pre-season events at the club -- one will be a new-racer orientation designed for the general public and existing club members who would like to get into racing. The second will be for current racers and will review the rules of the road, the duties of the race committee, and the logistics associated with serving food after the races on Wednesday night. Stay tuned for more information as we will be announcing the dates before the year end!
- As an added benefit, we are also going to add some more variety into the after racing meals so that we can attract more members.
I
Monday, December 05, 2011
Winter Time at the AYC
Monday, November 14, 2011
Round the County Roundup!
The winds were Southerly and boats headed North to Patos with all the laundry flying. A headsail reach to Turn Point and short beat to the finish and most boats were done in time to catch the WSU game. Sunday the start line and RC work made for lively conditions. A reach to Lime Kiln and a run to Davidson followed by a broad reach back to Lydia Shoal start/ finish line and one boat was on the trailer before the Seahawks hung on for a victory.
Icon finished the 60 odd miles in less tha 7hrs for a third in Div X. In Div II Pangaea beat Passepartout by by 12 minutes for an 11th and 13th respectively. In Division III where Schooner Martha beat the next monohull by nearly an hour the Celebration crew placed 4th, followed by Soulfood in 7th and The Wild Rumpus in 12 and 60th overall out of 73 despite losing their rudder near James Island.
Thanks especially to all the volunteers that made Friday night memorable including bartenders Pam Edwards, Walt Meagher, and Jerry Reilly. Money counters Tod and Alyssa Osbourne. Kevin Welch handled the wind and current breifing. Stephanie put together a slide show and cracked the whip in the kitchen over volunteers led by Lori Gillmer. Bill Bowman took charge of cheerleading and arm twisting prospective new members. Racing for 2011 is officially in the record books!
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
AYC hosts RTC Sailors!
Doors open @ 4:30, lasagna dinner ($5) @ 6, wind and weather breifing @ 7 hosted by last year's overall winner Kevin Welch skipper of The Big Blue Show.
In addition AYC unofficial cheerleader Stephanie Schwenk, skippers of last year's division III winner the The Little Yellow Show, (also featured in this month's Sailing World magazine on your local newstand now) has decorated the club and put together sailor music and a slideshow to add to the party atmosphere. Of course there will be the usual opportunities in the galley and after we chase the sailors out to put away a few chairs and such. This is a chance to showcase our club and we will have flyers out promoting the Tulip Cup, Windermere, and Northern Century Regattas. Rain or shine this is the place to be Friday night.
P.S. - For those scoring@ home Big Blue Show=ICON, Little Yellow Show=Wild Rumpus
Saturday, November 05, 2011
Annual General Meeting THANK YOU!!!!
Markay Neuman, Deanna Emsley join Roger Jewett on the Board, Sean Kelly is your Rear, Steve Orsini is your Vice and Mac Madenwald gets to wear the Commodore's cap.
THANK YOU very much for the most informative Program, Kevin Welch and Dave Thomson and THANK YOU very much Wendy Gray with help from Terri and Dave Bawden in the galley and Jamie Riggs and Joan Mickelson as 'Dessert Divas'. And of course kudos also to Bob Neuman, Joan and Cal Mickelson for setting up all the tables, Mark Novak for taking your money, the 'Trash Kings' Madelyn Case, Tom and Anita Nute cleaning up. And, as always, Bill Bowman was there to haul the garbage to the dumpster!
Get your dues in, upgrade your profile (you now know how!), Rd da County party Friday the 11th, next meeting December 9 (Jennifer Bowman is the Program) and the Commodore's Ball January 14th.
Monday, October 31, 2011
From MEXICO to HAM SPECIAL!!
This Friday, November 4th, it'll be a HAM SPECIAL (ham, scalloped potatoes, veggies, rolls, dessert) by Wendy Gray and her crew for the AYC Annual Meeting...election results for 2012 officers, a call for volunteers to help next year's Committee Chairs and Kevin Welch giving a program: NAVIGATING the WONDERS of the AYC WEBSITE!!
So register on line please, bring your $12, bring your laptop, participate and enjoy!!!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
The Ultimate in CRAB CAKES!!
Helen Prier’s Crab Cakes
Original Recipe – Mark Bittman’s Very Crabby Crab Cakes
from “I Love Crab Cakes” by Tom Douglas
1 Pound crab meat
2 large eggs *
1/4 cup minced red pepper
1/4 cup minced green onions *
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 Tab Dijon mustard
Kosher Salt
freshly Ground Pepper
1 Tab minced garlic *
2 Tabs Dried Breadcrumbs
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tabs curry powder *
Olive Oil or vegetable oil
2 Tabs butter
In large bowl mix together crabmeat, eggs, bell peppers, green onions, mayo, mustard, garlic, bread crumbs. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the bowl and chill for 30 minutes.
When you are ready to cook the crab cakes, put the flour in a shallow container and season with salt, pepper and curry powder. Shape the crab mixture into cakes. If the mixture does not stick together add more bread crumbs. Coat the cakes in the flour mixture. Cook in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place oil and butter in the pan and cook cakes until golden brown on both sides. (about 4-5 minutes per side).
Notes:
Experiment with the curry powder, some can be quite hot. You do not want to drown out the taste of the crab.
I added garlic to the recipe and an extra egg.
Add more mustard to taste.
Have fun!!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
AYC....50 Years Ago...TURKEY SHOOT by LIONS
Oct. 1, 1961
Mayor 'Bud Strom' okays a Lions TURKEY SHOOT at the ANACORTES YACHT CLUB!!!
Should we try a repeat? Any suggestions? Any turkeys to spare??
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Crown dem Kings!
Crabfeed/Racer Volunteers...THANK YOU !!!
P.S. If you missed the opportunity to volunteer this weekend, there'll be more in the future...check the sign up sheet on the bar!!!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Phun with Phil!!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
WONDERFULLY BUSY WEEKEND at AYC
Monday, October 10, 2011
Fall Racing Update
In other racing news the OIYC sponsored the Benson Cup Race 'round Waldron Island starting just North of Jones. Nearly the entire fleet was swept over early but were able to battle back and chase the ones that weren't, like Cookie Monster for example. Chuck Tidrington and his crew of 1000's placed 5th, Stephanie and the Rumpians were 7th. After the race a potluck and campfire was enjoyed by all @ Jones Island and Night Runner made a celebrity appearance. As I write this I'm thinkinghow often I hear about a boat trying to procure crew and the fact that Chuck has always had a boatload, in the White Lightning days it was rediculous! Maybe Chuck could host a seminar this off season for skippers looking for crew....
Tune in later this fall for Seattle Yacht Club's Gran Prix and the ever popular OIYC 'Round da County!
Sunday, October 02, 2011
Year End Awards/ Fun with Phil!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
ANACORTES SMALL BOAT CENTER DINNER MEETING!!! YA'ALL COME!!!!
Come join us to celebrate a great year of accomplishments in getting local small boats access to Fidalgo Bay. Not only is the P/Q Dock hoist operational but we now have a mast up storage yard as a neighbor to AYC. Seafarer’s Park opened in May of this year and small boating… sailboats, rowing gigs and kayaks are all benefiting from the work of many.
We are growing and appreciate all the support Anacortes Yacht Club has provided. To continue to support this energy in Anacortes, we encourage all AYC members to join the Anacortes Small Boat Center for a mere $15 per year. Not only does it show your support but with membership you have full access to the P/Q Dock hoist.
For details about the Annual Meetinga and Potluck, click here.
For the ASBC Application Form, click here.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
On-Line Reference to Canadian Current Atlas
You can find these at http://www.anacortesyachtclub.com/cruising/current-atlas-reference/
Use the HTML link to view online, and the PDF link for a printable version.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
AYC On-Line Forum Change...
Why you ask did we make the change -- first the old forum was not being used very much (two posts thus far in September); and despite not being publicized the AYC Facebook page was receiving numerous hits and a stead stream of posts.
Our old forum is still available (www.anacortesyachtclub.com/forum) so you can go back and review past posts, etc. Also, in the members only section of our website there is a private forum accessible only to members where you can review club records and privately discuss club business.
One final comment - we can always go back to our old on-line forum should we want to. Stay tuned and for now please use our AYC Facebook page!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
THANK YOU, GENERAL MEETING VOLUNTEERS
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
THIS WEEK AT AYC!!!!
AND Friday Night is the First General Meeting of the Fall...SALMON BBQ ala Walt Meagher!!! Program by Kevin Welch!! Make reservations and pay at the door..$12/per.....Bar Opens at 1730, dinner an hour later!!!!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
WEDNESDAY NITE FUN RACE 31 AUGUST
It's Hawaiian Night and the start time is one half hour earlier....1800!!!!
EMOYENI is listed start boat and LIMEY BASTARD is cookin'!!!
BE THERE!!!!!!
Monday, August 29, 2011
N100 - All Boats Home & Safe...
MONO-HULL DOUBLE HANDED
Division #1
1st - Really Crazy! - Chris White
2nd - Surfin' Bird - Eric Beemer
3rd - LimeLight - Martin Vachon
Division #2
1st - Emma - Eric Jespersen
2nd - Madrona - Jamie Buchan
3rd - Idefix - Adrian Johnson
MONO-HULL FULLY CREWED
Division #1
1st - Blackfoot - Mick Corcoran
2nd - Wild Rumpus - Stephanie Schwenk
3rd - COHO - George Mundell
Division #2
1st - Garyloo - Eric Nelson
2nd - White Cloud - Steve Johnson
3rd - String Theory - Bob King
MULTI-HULL DOUBLE HANDED
1st - Alii Kai - Doug Barlow
2nd - Blue Steel - Nigel Oswald
You can check out the fullresults HERE. Pictures and stories are starting to emerge, so check out the AYC facebook page or the N100 Sailing Anarchy forum!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
2011 Northern Century Still Running...
With numerous fits and starts the wind eventually built near Lummi Island for those were lucky enough to get that far. One brave boat went inside Lummi and did well. After rounding the Point Roberts mark the courses tended to diverge with most taking the traditional route down Boundary Pass and Haro Strait, although a few took the inside route which resulted in sailing in the fog out through Cattle Pass -- now how is that for a challenge!
Preliminary results are available on the club website, plus there is a post-race party at the AYC clubhouse starting around 18:00...
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Various N100 Routes |
Friday, August 26, 2011
Tonight, the 26th and tomorrow night!!!
TONIGHT...Bar open....Northern Century Racers gather, eat and start!!!
TOMORROW Night...$5 Night (what was Three dollar night, is now Five buck night!!!) with beef stroganoff (Del Fox's prime rib from the B'day party!!) prepared and served by Ed and Mellie!!!
And then during the day tomorrow, the Port of Anacortes Work Boat Races on Guemes Channel!!!
ALL ARE WELCOME !! Come and enjoy the waning days of summer!!!!!
Monday, August 22, 2011
40 and Counting...
N100 Registered Boats - As of August 22, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Why SPOT?
The way the system works is as follows:
- GPS satellites provide signals
- SPOT messenger's onboard GPS chip determines your GPS location and sends your location, speed and direction to communication satellites
- Communication satellites relay your message to the SPOT central data servers
- The AYC SPOT tracking page downloads this information in real-time and displays the position of each vessel on a chart
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SPOT Coverage Map |
Then there were 35...
We now have 35 boats registered for the 2011 Northern Century - you can download the latest registration list here. Note that we still have room for more boats, so if you are thinking about entering now is the time. Remember that included with your race fee is dinner for you & your entire crew Friday night, plus a SPOT transceiver rental which enables your family & friends to see where you are throughout the race!
We also need some more volunteers to help out with the festivities -- we will be meeting Monday night August 22 at the AYC clubhouse at 6:00pm for an organizational meeting. If you can help please stop by...
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This could be you! |
Sunday, August 14, 2011
2011 Shaw Island Classic
Fast and slow were well represented with Joss @ PHRF -33 a Macgregor 65/70 and Ichiban a Mariner H-28 @ PHRF 348 as the bookends. This year it was good to be slow and also comfortable being in shallow water as the first start boats turned left and began working West along the rocky shore of San Juan Island fighting a fading outgoing tide.Generally the slow boats jammed all the lanes and the fast boats battled for clear air or were faced with sailing in deeper water against stronger current. Wild Rumpus and Lynn Adkin's new J-111 led the charge across San Juan Channel and entered Wasp Passage about the same time as the Hobie 18.
Meanwhile for those choosing the counter clockwise option Norn led the way only to be slowly ground down by perennial favorites Grafix and Crazy Ivan this year also joined by local sailing Olympic medalist Carl Buchan in Madrona. In the great reckoning in Harney Channel the competitors met and you could have thrown a blanket over 75% of the fleet as chutes were hoisted and dropped, and boats jibed and tacked to avoid one another, dodge ferries, slog through power boat wakes and will their vessel from one zephyr to another.The wind filled in Upright Channel and the clockwise boats reached home less than an hour later, Wasp Passage went completely greasy calm and it was game over for the CCW crowd. The SJIYC went all out with a delecious meal, great service, and awards for several classes.
When the cheering died down it was Lloydd Bacon with a beautiful set of Ulman Sails powering his Laser 28 to the podium standing with the biggest smile and a nice shout out for his crew. As the sun set and the stories grew there were many recollections of previous feats and plans to get it right next year Go to sjiyc.com for complete results.
Friday, August 12, 2011
N100 - 24 boats registered & counting...
We could still use some more AYC boats in this event, so if you are sitting on the fence this is your chance! It is looking like there will be two divisions in both the double-handed and fully-crewed races, plus with a little luck we should be able to exceed the number of boats registered last year...
Stay tuned...
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Then there were 15...
We really need some more multi-hulls or Son of Raven will win it all like last year!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Carnage at the Gorge...
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Northern Century Coming up Fast...
Monday, July 25, 2011
Don't try this at home...
Saturday, July 23, 2011
AYC @ Adult Summer Camp!
Starting at the top, Teddy Bear was third in P0 fleet. It appeared the usual cadre of family and friends lining the rail with a new mainsail providing horsepower. Kevin Welch's Mikey earned a third in P3 with fellow AYC member Ian Sloan on the stick. These boats are easily the most physically challenging class and Kevin still had energy to sail Soulfood Wednesday night.
In P4 the Santa Cruz 27's competed in their 35th annual class championship. Wild Rumpus with Stephanie Schwenk on the helm battled to 3rd and Cookie Monster with former Commodore Chuck Tidrington held on for 11th.
Crazy Ivan skippered by Dr. Chris White still flying the scarlet letter by way of Orcas Island was the sole winner for AYC in P6. Rear Commodore Steve Orsini drove his new Viper 640 Kaa to 6th in P7 after placing his Lido 14 2nd in the preamble DWI. (Dinghy'sWhidbey Island, Ian Sloan also placed second in his Hobie F-18)
Finally Captain Brad Blymyer earned a 6th in P11 aboard Alert. This regatta provided terrific racing, great food and music, easy camping, decent trophies and freebies, excellent support from OHYC and I'm guessing those that came will be back as well as a few more.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
BYC PITCH Regatta...
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
2011 Northern Century Registration Now Open...
NORTHERN CENTURY WEB SITE
PS - registration is $50.00 per boat by August 15, $75.00 thereafter. With this you get race entry, a free meal for you and your crew Friday evening, plus the use of a SPOT transceiver for the event. We also have some cool event shirts for $20.00 each (you can order these on-line during registration).
Friday, July 01, 2011
Colin Orsini TransAtlantic Update
The team on Vanquish was put together by three non-profit sailing foundations to give young American sailors the chance to compete in long distance ocean racing. One of the foundations, Kings Point Maritime, donated the use of Vanquish. Oakcliff, headed by America's Cup veteran, Dawn Riley, stepped up to add major funding to get the boat ready for this season. Colin Orsini from Anacortes is on board as grinder, trimmer- one of 18 chosen from over 250 applicants, all under the age of 30. When Germany entered a youth team, and realizing that offshore sailing is dominated by teams from New Zealand, the UK and Australia, the foundations realized that something had to be done to give young American sailors more opportunity to compete in long distance ocean events.
The OAAO Team has already completed the Block Island and Annapolis-Newport, RI races in preparation for this TransAlantic. Go to their website, http://www.oakcliffsailing.org/offshore/ and their Facebook site, http://www.facebook.com/pages/All-American-Offshore-Team/141371945922677 to find some great video as they went offshore to get deep water experience. A 38 knot blow found them and gave them all they had asked for. Colin is writing blog updates for the team which are carried on http://www.sailingworld.com under their Blog tab. All the boats in the 2011 TransAtlantic Race will have GPS tracking, so you can follow along to see how the team is doing crossing The Pond. Once across with some days to recoup, the team will compete, starting August 14th, in the famous Fastnet Race from Cowes,UK around the Fastnet Rock on the southern tip of Ireland. Enjoy and cheer for the home team while eating that July 4th hotdog!!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Pirate Camp is Coming!!
Go to the website's Event Registration page for a printable registration form.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Wally's Tours on Wednesday
Monday, June 20, 2011
Solitary Sunday
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Fast Women=No Cookies!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Women on the Water!
Please print out and or bring the following info to the skipper's meeting @ the club Saturday @ 10:am!
Get Out the Boat! (g.o.t.b.)Regatta
Girls on the Boat/ Get off the Boat (singlehanded) Weekend
Skipper _______________________________________________________
Address/phone: ________________________________________________
Boat name: ___________________________________________________
Boat type: ____________________________ Sail Number ______________
PHRF rating: ____________________
Entry fee: $20
I am registering for:
Girls (Saturday) 10 am- 3 pm
Singlehanded (Sunday) 10 am until finished
Payment:
Cash
Check
I am in compliance with Coast Guard and PIYA category IV safety regulations and hold AYC harmless for any activities associated with this regatta.
Signature: _________________________________________
Crew: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Girls on Boats/ Everyone Singlehanded!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Windermere Regatta Wrap
Sunday, June 12, 2011
WOW!!!! Wonderful Windermere!!!!
We had lots of boats out, from far and near, and all had a fabulous time. And, in their honor, we present this short tribute....
LITTLE ANNIE was playing GO FISH with her TEDDY BEAR in a peaceful state of KINETIC KI in the land of PANGAEA. Suddenly a BARREL OF MONKEYS descended, some of whom were SURFIN' BIRD, HRAVEN (with his SON OF RAVEN) and a Russian called CRAZY IVAN. Together they formed a SYNDICAT to win her AMORE! So, they kidnapped LITTLE ANNIE and took her on a JOY RIDE which soon became an EXTREME, EXCITABLE, WILD RUMPUS!! While everyone was shouting "YEAH DOG" and "go LUCKY DUCK", HANDYMAN undid his ZIPPER and with a SWISH his OLE YELLER, SKYE ROCKETED causing quite a KYMODOCE! With this distraction going on an old HOERNDAG with a BLACKFOOT chased, with great VITESSE, back to the AYC, where after a GARGLE BLASTER he wined and dined her with HASSENPFEFFER (rabbit stew to those in the know), TIRAMASU and a MONSTER COOKIE. But seeing this CELEBRATION happening, EMOYEMI was so jealous he swept in on a DRAGONFLY, going "KAA, KAA" and took her off to UNCLE PERVY'S SANCTUARY (a cheap motel) where in FEARFUL SYMMETRY he had his wicked way with her while all the time she prayed to SHEVA!!!
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Local Sailors SHINE!!!!
The latter took first in Division and 6th Overall in the Delta Ditch Run in San Francisco Bay and read on about SteveO and Ginger in Vancouver:
Ginger and Steve sailed their Lido 14, sail number 6310, at the 42 Annual Vancouver Lake Sailing Club Regatta, on Vancouver Lake, near Vancouver, Washington on June 4th and 5th. They were a bit rusty not having sailed the boat since last fall. The first race did not go well as they came in 5th in the 8 boat Lido fleet. The bad part was that they were beaten not only by 6131, the first 6000 series boat that they owned, but by sail number 2953, their original "Pig in a Poke" boat from the founding of the Anacortes Fleet. That did it, they re-adjusted sail settings, got to roll tacking the boat and ran off a series of 4 first place finishes. By the next day, they had won the Lido 14 Division for the 2011 Regatta.
Now's the chance for all us to challenge them at WINDERMERE REGATTA this weekend!!!
Monday, May 30, 2011
AYC Takes 1st & 3rd in Swiftsure!
Doug Fryer's Night Runner and Kevin Welch's Icon took 1st & 3rd respectively in the 2011 Swiftsure, with Icon also winning the City of Victoria trophy for the first to finish! The race started in light winds and adverse current, with most boats footing off for Albert Head to avoid the strong flood at Race Passage. Icon was the first to reach Race Passage followed by the rest of the big boat fleet. Most boats, including Night Runner elected to work the Canadian shore, with Icon switching over to the US short near Sooke.
Icon worked up the US shore steadily putting time on the fleet, Night Runner stayed on the Canadian shore until punching out into the middle mid-strait. Icon rounded Swiftsure Bank around midnight in lumpy seas and moderate swells. Night Runner rounded about 8 hours later early in the morning. Both Icon and Night Runner stayed in the middle of the Strait throughout the night.
On the way home Night Runner managed to stay ahead of many of the big sleds until the winds built. Icon on the other hand, being so far ahead had extremely light winds until shortly before Race Passage when they built to a maximum of 18 knots. The winds continued to build for the later boats, hitting 35-40 knots late in the afternoon.
In the end Icon took line honors by about 3 hours over Strum, Rage and Neptunes Car (taking 1st in Division One & the City of Victoria trophy for first-to-finish in the process), but not enough to correct over Night Runner who finished first overall and first in Division Two!
A great (and long) couple of days on the water for AYC boats -- congratulations to all for a job well done!
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Night Runner shortly after starting |
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Icon transiting Race Passage against the current |
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Race Track - Icon in Red, Night Runner in Orange |
Friday, May 27, 2011
Have a GREAT MEMORIAL DAY weekend
Monday, May 23, 2011
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Fun Race....& evening!!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
May 18 Race Results - Read and Weep...
You can get your results HERE...
Sunday, May 15, 2011
AYC Racers - Start/Finish Line Rules Change
REVISED SECTION 12 --Start Line Restriction
After completing the first leg of the course, a boat shall not cross the starting line. A boat shall not cross the finish line until she is completing the last leg of the course and finishes. A boat that breaks this rule shall not correct her error as per Rule 28.1. However she will be exonerated if she takes a Two-Turns Penalty as per Rule 44.2. This changes Rule 28.1.
The start finish line (the boats or buoys that define it) ranks as an obstruction on upwind and downwind legs. Before finishing, boats may therefore leave the start finish line either to port or starboard. As an obstruction, Rules 19 and 20 may apply between boats as they approach and pass it..
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
FRIDAY THE 13th GENERAL MEETING!!!!
This Friday, 13 May is the General Meeting. Bruce Bottolfson of the Coast Guard Auxiliary will give an approximate 30 minute presentation explaining the role of the CG Aux and an update of Coast Guard rules and regs, etc followed by a question and answer period. It should be a very valuable program and update for all boaters, cruisers and racers!!!!
And the meal is another gem from Wendy Gray et al....Asian Pork Tenderloin, Wild Rice, Vegetables, Salad and a Scrumptious Dessert....$12/ Bar Open 1730, Dinner about 1830 followed by program.
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Mildly Wild at Double Bluff
What makes this event a little more interesting is that it is exclusively for double-handed or single-handed racers. On Saturday the event got started with a brisk southerly and things got a little out of hand at Double Bluff with a certain AYC boat.
Exactly what was going on we don't know, but we will leave that up to you to speculate -- one thing for certain, it wasn't t-shirt and shorts weather:
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Courtesy Jan's Marine Photography |
Friday, May 06, 2011
Port of Anacortes - Opening Day Festivities
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Attention Racers -- Race Packet Change
NEW SECTION 12 --Start Line Restriction
After starting and completing the first leg of the course a boat shall not cross the starting line. A boat shall not cross the finish line until she completes the last leg of the course and finishes. A boat that breaks this rule shall not correct her error as per Rule 28.1. However she will be exonerated if she takes a Two-Turns Penalty as per Rule 44.2. This changes Rule 28.1.
The start or finish lines (and the boats or buoys that define it) shall be considered as an obstruction while racing. Boats may therefore leave the start or finish lines either to port or starboard. As an obstruction, Rules 19 and 20 may apply between boats as they approach and pass it.
Don't go in there.....
Monday, May 02, 2011
Thank Heavens Racing and Spring are Here!
On the homefront the bad boys on Emoyeni were the victors/only boat to finish the weekend race to Sucia. I watched the start and although my face shield was dusted with bottom paint it looked like a nice day for waterskiing or bowling, not a bad effort for a comfy 30' cruiser. In any case many reports of good times around the campfire and people sleeping in!
The Big Blue Show extended her winning streak with a victory in the Seattle Yacht Club's Protection Island Race. With the fleet grouped up off .Wilson she was able to leg out to an 8 minute winning margin and finish before midnight. You can get pictures & the story here...
This Wednesday features everyones favorite chef Walt Meagher and Scott Soes on RC duty. There was certain new boat out on the water Sunday - better have a snake bite kit aboard. Split Arrow should have her mast in a vertical position today, Heron is sporting new rags, Grafix and Mikey are due to continue where they left off last fall, Handyman has work to do to renew her "Pride of the Elks" title, Kymodoce is airing out the 180, D fleet is due for the first competitor.
(NOTE: D fleet is open to all comers, need not be a AYC member for first year. Simply show us your insurance and sign a waiver. Call Andy for details 360 770 7035)
Sail fast, live slow.....
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Apriluary in Anacortes
In a heavyweight grudge match Pangaea led the way across the line with Kinetic Ki driving hard not far behind. While his first wife was cooking up the finest chili this side of the Skagit river Jim Bottles blasted the Celebration across the line threading the needle on port tack through a rapidly closing space to add B fleet highlights. In C fleet John Gunn annihilated the fleet on the first beat only to be swallowed up by those cool cats on Syndicat. In the end Pangaea, our newest member Eric Beemer surfing to victory on the Surfin Bird and Syndicat took home the gold.
After people wrung out their long johns and enjoyed the talents of Jerry Reilly behind the bar Colin Orsini put on a terrific presentation of RC 44 action from Austria to Dubai to Miami to places I can't pronounce. Check it all out @ www.oracleracingmedia.com.
Also note we have "D" class which does not require a rating. Simply purchase a race packet, sign a waiver, and show us an insurance cert. and you can come out and play. A long form birth certificate is not required.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday Night Racing Starts Tonight...
We just checked with the weatherman (yes, we know he can't be trusted but who else can you go to), and he says that we will have clear skies, 75 degrees with a 10-15 knot consistent westerly wind.
So there you have it...
Sunday, April 24, 2011
One for Four
The start includes a brass band, a visit by the Easter bunny, a whole bunch of current and very interestingly the RC reporting over early boats via VHF even before the start. Of course they were Canadian boats, but I digress. The Passepartout boys took one look at the flat water and bleak forecast, fired up the iron genoa and headed South for Anacortes. Icon, Night Runner were in the first start and beat out of Burrard Inlet under light Westerlies and sunny skies. Wild Rumpus with Andy driving for once cleared the line on port tack, had one starboard tack boat dip under us(did you just read that right?, yes that is what happened) then got buried by a wall of starboard tackers. To say we took a flyer maybe accurate but we were following Icon now barely visible on the horizon. We checked and rechecked the GPS and stayed on a lifting starboard tack providing overwhelmingly better VMG. (look it up) The first mark for us was Entrance Island and by 6pm we had only made 15 outa 25 miles. A small conference was held and soon we were underway, under power arriving back at WVYC just at sunset.
A great feature of this race is you can visit www.southernstraits.ca and follow each boat via a transponder. They had a bigscreen set up in the club and we watched as Icon and Night Runner battled into the night. Proving that it is never over until it is over Icon went from the penthouse to the outhouse and back several times but they were ahead by over nearly and hour when it mattered at the finish, that is the way to start the season. Night Runner hung it out into Saturday night but eventually gave it up, did I say it was light? It was...
Wednesday starts rain or shine @ 1830 call Andy 360 770 7035 with any questions!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
It's all about current...
One of the problems with this book is that it is keyed off the tides at Point Atkinson (near Vancouver) and in order to use it correctly you have to figure this out, adjust for daylight savings time (if active) and then determine the correct page of the book - all time consuming and prone to errors.
In order to overcome this several enterprising people have pre-computed a set of tables such that all you have to do is lookup the date & time in question and it will give you the page number to look up in the Current Atlas -- how easy is that! The two most popular tables are Washburn's Tables and Murray's Tables. Washburn's Tables can be purchased at most marine supply stores in Anacortes, while Murray's tables is a little harder to find being published in Canada.
Of the two, Murray's tables is the preferred one as it handles the exchanges better with the semi-diurnal tides that we experience.
There is however an ALTERNATIVE -- and best yet, it if FREE and available on-line. You can find them HERE. Note that there are both HTML and PDF versions, so if needed you can print them up and keep it on the boat for reference.
PS - don't forget the buoy racing season kickoff meeting and barbeque on Wednesday night, April 20 at 6:30pm at the AYC clubhouse.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Let's go Sailing!
6:30 Take your boat out and take a friend or neighbor. The idea is to introduce the wonders of Wednesday night sailing to some folks that might be interested. If it's still pouring rain or you don't have a boat you can goto the club where Andy Schwenk will be hosting a presentation on what you need to do to become a successful PHRF racer. With wins @ Swiftsure, Whidbey race week, and PITCH to his credit Andy will answer questions and offer "go fast" tips for the rookie or sailors that haven't raced in a while.
7:30 Strap on the food bag while we fire up the BBQ, burgers with all the fixins....
While you're munching away Steph will do a quick presentation on how to handle cooking duties when it is your turn and Andy will do the same for RC duties.
Come on out one and all join the fun!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tulip Regatta Wrap-Up...
You can check it out here...
PRESSURE DROP ARTICLE
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tulip Update
Friday, April 08, 2011
Tulip Regatta -- There is time to register...
Tempted -- all you have to do is have a PHRF certificate and follow this linky, and then you will be registered for the fun as well...
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Team Emoyeni - Hein Bank ReCap
Sunday, April 03, 2011
It's a Wrap -- 2011 Hein Bank Race...
C Fleet - Emoyeni
Fun day, weather was better than advertised I thought. Nightrunner was hailed by the RC as being OCS a number of times. Too bad they didn't hear it. Emoyeni's crew of 5 had a great ride, stayed towards lopez, rounded the salmon bank buoy just because it made a great layline for hein, maybe 20-25 min behind the hobie. With two on the boat a bit motion sick and the other C fleet yachts retired we sailed a bit conservatively, soaked up the sun, and put some newbies on the helm for some hot surfing action... very brief kite hoist in rosario, saw 10.5 on the fun meter before the westerly kicked up hard and made for a bit of a lively douse. Finished just after 5pm.
B Fleet - Celebration
Celebration had a great day too. Only 4 on board. Jimmy, Arty, Gord and me. With the exception of me, no one over 165 lbs. Perfect day. Wind dies off Washington park and the Hobie 33 that we saw appear on the horizon from behind ended up passing us. Icon finished about 4 hours so 1"30pm. Night Runner, Pangaea, Hobie 33 and Celebration all crossed a little after 4pm. Perfect day.
A Fleet - Icon
A little lumpy on the way out to the bank near Davidson -- steep seas with a short period making for a bumpy ride. The wind diminished a little at the bank and the ebb turned to a flood knocking things down a little -- managed to do some surfing on the way home hitting 16-17 knots at times. Only saw 4 boats on the way home - don't know what happened to the others, perhaps they bailed given the conditions? We managed to ride the A2 all the way from the bank to the finish with an elapsed time of approximately 4 hours -- not too bad given the bumps on the way out... A fun day but could have been a little warmer!
For those of you that wished you could have been there -- here is a great video taken by Emoyeni that gives you a little idea what the seas were like...
APRIL GENERAL MEETING REMINDER !!!
Chuck Rust has arranged the program....Travis Smith explaining and discussing 'Predicted Log Racing'. Wendy and I, with helpers, are planning a "Ham Extravaganza" meal. Please make reservations...the usual $12/
Tri-Straits II Smith Island Recap - Team Emoyeni
Single digit breeze from the SE with a significant ebb push extended the starting box to nearly the Guemes island ferry landing, racers knowing once they turned down the acceleration would be tremendous and an OCS start would be an easy way to ruin a chance at placing. Wild Rumpus provided the start for 12 sun seeking boats, remarking after the prep flag went down that you’d usually see boats a little closer than a mile away from the line at this time, think there might be some current out here?
All late, but clear, Emoyeni was hanging at the rear of the fleet looking to put a kite up and make up lost ground. We must have forgotten to say our pledge of allegiance that morning given we hoisted a flagging spinnaker; the shackle on the spin sheet still hanging on the upper lifeline. Felt like our best impression of a Cougar football running play, “NO GAIN.”
I’d venture a guess that most boats were taken a bit by surprise when the winds came on above 15kn to a pretty steady 20. Washing machine chaos, flogging mains, bareheaded boats, salty beer, and a retirement by Kinetic Ki ensued. Boats who didn’t hitch south early (Emoyeni & Kymodoce) got a big time west flush, compliments of Deception Pass, another reason it pays to not sleep through geography class. 2 of our crew on the rail had fun punching through the confused seas for about 30 minutes and then realized why cotton is a poor choice for sea fairing attire. Walt Meagher, channeling his inner Dos Equis’ guy from the commercials, conned Jerry into cheerfully driving Syndicat upwind as the lumps got bigger.
Approaching Smith Island we managed to pass Kymodoce, couldn’t find the rest of our fleet or figure out who was doing what… At the rounding we realized were quite a distance behind the Beneteau’s, Syndicat was running down B fleeters, and Kymodoce just off our stern. We cracked off, shook out the reefs, and took a moment or two to collect ourselves. Our strategy, sort-of, was reel in bene’s, sail faster than Kymodoce, and hope that Syndicat had forgotten her chute in the back of someone’s car. Pressure was still pretty strong, flood was kicking in, and with no other C fleet boats under kites it was time for a bold move. Clean hoist, holding steady, grins all around, screaming along at 9kn, yeah baby! The Beneteau’s turned up to avoid being weather rolled while Syndicat and Kymodoce scrambled to hoist their own downwind laundry. By Lawson Reef we were passing Lil’ Annie & Hasenpfeffer and it was clear we had boat speed on the Catalina. At R2 off Green Pt, Syndicat caught a wild shift and had to turn towards Cypress. We decided to douse early and stay closer to fidalgo, sailing a close reach to the finish. Syndicat appeared to be struggling mightily to get to weather of G3 while we were easily on course to the middle of the line. It got really close but we couldn’t catch them, giving us a second 2nd for the series.
What a gorgeous and surprisingly physical day on the water where lots of boats seemed short handed. Fisch, Rich, and Chris managed the headsail trim and reef work, Fisch also moonlighting as the pointy end guru, Kyle kept dry trimming main and kite, while Deano spun the wheel a bunch and pointed us mostly in the right directions. Lots learned, like Fisch and Rich both need better foul weather gear, and Fisch in particular needs a sippy cup.