M Squared

Sailboat racing is tons of fun... unless you don't have any wind. It's incredible how the anticipation of sailing, competition and comradery changes when everything shows up but the wind... The America's Cup has suffered from this problem and some have found creative ways to deal with the lack of wind and hence no racing... We didn't have this problem Thursday night. However, we didn't quite have enough wind... especially for Ol' No. 3 . It just doesn't get the boat up to hull speed in light air. So that puts us at a disadvantage which can be good. It gives us the opportunity to mix it up more with the fleet. We have to be more precise and mistake free in our maneuvers. We also need to make smarter decisions tactically because it's possible that other boats (with better speed) will also execute their jibes, mark roundings, etc. cleanly. Two mistakes cost us... probably a couple positions in this race. With a single triangle course, we approached the

We never break out the new hardware (aka sails) for Thursday nights. In fact, we don't always "upgrade" for every regatta. But typically, we're sailing older stuff than most. Here's our humble number 3 genny. There is a number 4... but we won't go there. This one has more sail repair tape than it should (weight aloft you know...). It's also quite a limp rag which is nice in light air (or is it "airs"?) as it just molds into shape. But this year, it's grown some additional character. When we came across the line winning the first race of the season , someone on race committee said, "Wow, how old is *that* sail?" Okay, so Gordon might have put Ol' No. 3 away a little wet last year. All I can say is mold is fast... Well okay, no one has ever claimed that mold is fast but this moldy oldie is 2-0 in the Spring series. Tonights course was a triangle (once around) with a tower finish (i.e. in front of the yacht club). With the wind o

Well, not exactly 15 mph... The fairly steady 10mph wind during the day dropped to around 5mph for the race... Bummer... we like big air. Still racing is better than not racing. The RC chose a short 7b course (triangle, once around). We had a decent start (top three) but not lights out in a small fleet of six. The first leg was a little fluky. The advantage we achieved off the line vanished an we saw ourselves rounding the first mark in third. However, with a late wind shift it became apparent the two boats in front of us could not fetch the mark on starboard. The first boat to the mark attempted to shoot it... and ultimately the shift cost both boats a couple extra tacks within two boat lengths of the mark... Hmm, things are looking up. The second boat to the mark made it around. As we approached, the first boat was parked and forced to give us room. After a little contact, we rounded the windward mark and hoisted to get out of Dodge . The contact was inconsequential but they spun a

These two natural "elements" come together on the bike as well as the boat. This time of year it's difficult to avoid either one in Oregon. As I've started bike commuting again, it occurred to me (...again) that wind is a problem for most sporting activities (as I rode into the wind). Not so with sailing! In fact, no wind is a big problem. As I pedaled into that head wind I thought this would be great... if I was sailing. When it comes to rain..., well I can usually do without the rain on bike and boat. The current situation, however, is a bit different. We sail on a flood control reservoir which is currently a bit low (compared to the ideal water control curve). I'm thankful to have to lake at all as it received a major repair over the summer of 2005. At the same time, I'm hoping for a wet spring even if it means riding (and sailing) in the rain. So, even though Brandon doesn't like the wind... I say let it blow... We're looking at about 15 mph o

The season for sailing and bicycling has returned. And that got me thinking in addition to getting ready. It occurred to me that one of the commonalities between sailing and bicycling that appeals to me is their mechanical nature. There are very little (if any) electronics involved. There are (generally) no motors involved. Virtually everything is mechanical. You have mechanical advantages all over the place: gears, levers, blocks (pulleys), etc. You have the use of friction in winches and brakes. You have to pick the ideal sail shape or gear to go where you want. And the other thing about all this is that you can see all of it.