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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:SAILING
Notice:Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:UNIFIX::BERENS
Created:Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2299
Total number of notes:20724

849.0. "real sailors race" by MSCSSE::BERENS (Alan Berens) Fri May 27 1988 14:47

There is, I think, one minor problem with sailboat races as they are
conducted today. That is, they really only exercise a limited set of
sailing skills -- to wit, making a boat go fast. What is needed is a
race that requires a broader range of sailing skills to win. Therefore,
I'd like to propose a different race that might attract real sailors. 

                      A Race for Real Sailors

The Course: Provincetown Harbor to Buck Harbor in Penobscot Bay. This is 
approximately 150 miles. There are a number of routes from the entrance 
of Penobscot Bay to Buck Harbor. They vary in length and the fastest one 
depends on local wind and tide. 

Handicap: It is assumed that boats will sail at 90% of hull speed where 
hull speed is defined as 1.34*sqrt(waterline length). So a boat should
complete the race in 150/(0.9*hull speed) hours. The boat finishing
closest to its expected time is the winner. Fractional rigs will be
assessed a 30 minute penalty (unless the mast is wood). Fin keels with
an aspect ratio of greater than 3:1 will be assessed a 60 minute
penalty. Boats with baggywrinkle will receive a 5 minute credit. All
sails must be cotton canvas or dacron. No mylar, no kevlar, no spectra,
no spinnakers. 

Crew: The maximum crew size is four adults (age 12 or greater) or three 
adults and as many non-adults as the adults can cope with.

The Start: The starting line will be across the mouth of Provincetown
Harbor. Boats will be anchored in Provincetown Harbor at the location of
their choice. Minimum anchor size is 25 lbs for boats under 30' and 35
pounds for boats over 30'. Anchor rode must be either a mimimum of 20'
of chain and 250' nylon rope or 150' of chain. Sails must be furled and
all sail covers on. Boats must have a minimum of 25 gallons of engine 
fuel and 75 gallons of drinking water aboard. At the start, at least two
crew must be ashore with the ship's dinghy. At the starting gun, they
will load two bags of groceries (minimum weight 25 lbs each) and 50 lbs
of ice into the dinghy and row to their boat. Dinghies may be towed or
stowed on deck. Anchors must be recovered without the use of any engine.

The Finish: The finish line will be across the southern entrance to Buck
Harbor. Boats must anchor without the use of any engine. After
anchoring, two or more crew must row their dinghy to the committee boat
with a loaf of bread (must be baked aboard during the race), a hot,
boiled lobster (the lobster must be acquired legally after the start of
the race), and a cold six pack of beer or a cold bottle of white wine. A
two minute credit will be allowed if this is delivered in a wicker
basket with white linen napkins and an additional one minute credit if 
the wine is champagne.

I humbly submit that this race more truly tests the skills of a sailor 
than other races. Entries are now being accepted.

Alan
Race Committee Chairman
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
849.11 more thingRIVEST::TIERNEYa pirate, 200 years too late.Fri May 27 1988 16:329
    
    	At some point you should require someone to be hauled up the
    	mast in a boatswain's chair.  Maybe to affix a flag to the mast
    	at the end of the race.
    
	It sounds almost like a road rally on the water... :)
    
    	Tom--
849.2Hey, can I borrow a kid? Grandma can't make it!MIST::HAYSIt's only you fooling you, that's all it is. Phil Hays ZS01/209 Fri May 27 1988 21:4930
RE:.0 by MSCSSE::BERENS "Alan Berens"

> Crew: The maximum crew size is four adults (age 12 or greater) or three 
> adults and as many non-adults as the adults can cope with.

You are giving a credit for not taking the kids.  I don't like this rule
at all.

Proposed new crew rule:  The difference between the number of adults and
non-adults must be less than two.  Non adults include anyone age 65 or greater,
age 12 or less, or any age if blind or missing use of a limb.   Total number 
of adults must be less than four.  Total crew is limited to two more than 
the number of safe sea berths.  Minimum crew is two of any type.

> The Finish: ...a hot,  boiled lobster (the lobster must be acquired legally 
> after the start of the race), and a cold six pack of beer or a cold 
> bottle of white wine. 

I would allow a cold six pack of soda (some people can't/shouldn't drink) 
to subsitute for the beer or wine.  I would add a credit for hot butter 
with fresh lemon.

> I humbly submit that this race more truly tests the skills of a sailor 
> than other races. Entries are now being accepted.

I would love to Alan, but I am now on the 'left' coast.


Phil
849.33D::GINGERTue May 31 1988 13:0620
    I sailed a race once with a start and finish like this. It was
    sponsored by some group in Mattapoisett. We had to start on the
    porch of the local Inn, row a dinghy out, set sail, leave the dinghy
    on the mooring and sail the course. To finsh the boat had to be
    on the mooring, sails furled before the rower left with the dinghy,
    back to the Inn porch.
    
    It was a GREAT fun race, with the handicap worked into the start
    so we were all finishing together. I sailed it in my Folkboat. 
    
    Id love to race this one, but now I have a Lightnig which doesnt
    seem quite right for your proposal!
    
    Your race also needs some kind of seamanship requirement, like a
    sail repair, or something that needs a crew aloft. I dont believe
    anyone is a SAILOR until they have set a topsail from aloft, where
    aloft is greater than 50' off the deck.
849.4We don't have lobsters, but...DECWET::OMEARAWed Jun 01 1988 20:5812
    On Galveston Bay (Texas Gulf Coast) we used to have a Fourth of
    July watermelon race involving greased melons and board boats.
    Participants first rigged the boats, sailed out and tried to retrieve
    the slippery melons, sailed back, unstepped the mast, and (carrying
    the melon, of course) raced on foot across the finish line.  It
    was great fun for ALL ages...in fact, I even won the female version
    one year AFTER becoming a grandma!
    
    If you think that race didn't require seamanship, just try it!
    
    Grammy Marj
849.5LDYBUG::FACHONFri Jun 10 1988 12:388
    Require a log be submitted at the end of the race.
    
    
    Oak or pine will do.
    
    
    ;)
849.6CONSLT::MCBRIDEaspiring peasantTue Nov 29 1994 09:489
    RE: the beer/wine rule.  
    
    I believe the intent is to offer this to the race committee as a
    gesture for hosting the race.  I think we can safely surmise that the
    race committee is almost guaranteed to be able to enjoy a hot lobster
    with a chilled Chard or Sauvingnon Blac or maybe a nice cold ale. 
    Right Alan :-)?  
    
    Brian
849.7Royal suva Race in FijiDECC::CLAFLINDoug Claflin dtn 381-6355Tue Sep 24 1996 10:1222