Everyone was a bit late to arrive (except the skipper). I had the boat prepped for launch and even got the bilge pumped. Unfortunately I had forgotten about the lost shackle for the boomvang. We rearranged some shackles and eventually got things sorted. Given all this we were too late for a practice with the chute.
Dragon Lady was back in service. The start line was nicely set. There was an east wind at about 15 knots. Great seeing whisky back on the RC yardarm.
Unfortunately on the way out we noticed a hole in the genoa. I had not put the sail tape on board. There was no work around as there was with the shackle. A bit embarrassing; the boat seemed to handle OK.
We had a good start. There were boats to windward and we had to wait to tack back. That really wasn't a problem as there was a lift as we approached Ontario Place. We were first to the mark. We went deep downwind waiting for the others in our division to round the mark and commit to going on port or starboard gybe. I think this was a mistake; the boat was too slow sailing deep. Windburn caught up to us. We gybed south and crossed clear ahead; but had lost a lot. We gained some as we rounded the leeward mark; once again first.
On the second upwind leg we initially covered the J 22. They tacked to go on port but we elected to break cover and go on starboard. This was a good idea. We rounded the wind mark once again ahead. We gained a lot on the J 22. On the downwind leg we gybed sooner and kept a hotter angle than on the first leg. Windburn may have made back some of what it lost on the 2nd upwind. We lead the fleet around the course; none of the later starters were able to catch up.
We finished as we should i e lowest PHRF boat first, but was it enough. We timed Windburn's finish and I wasn't optimistic (but still hopeful). Given the PHRFs we were either 1st or 5th. It was 2nd (but Sirus wasn't scored).
I was happy that we handled the boat well. Helm needs to avoid the 5 degree lapses. We could do be closer to the start. I think we had good mark roundings, hoists, and douses. Some more thought has to be given to downwind tactics. All in all a very enjoyable day.
After hauling out I found the sail tape. A holely sail is still a good sail with a good crew.
Dragon Lady was back in service. The start line was nicely set. There was an east wind at about 15 knots. Great seeing whisky back on the RC yardarm.
Unfortunately on the way out we noticed a hole in the genoa. I had not put the sail tape on board. There was no work around as there was with the shackle. A bit embarrassing; the boat seemed to handle OK.
We had a good start. There were boats to windward and we had to wait to tack back. That really wasn't a problem as there was a lift as we approached Ontario Place. We were first to the mark. We went deep downwind waiting for the others in our division to round the mark and commit to going on port or starboard gybe. I think this was a mistake; the boat was too slow sailing deep. Windburn caught up to us. We gybed south and crossed clear ahead; but had lost a lot. We gained some as we rounded the leeward mark; once again first.
On the second upwind leg we initially covered the J 22. They tacked to go on port but we elected to break cover and go on starboard. This was a good idea. We rounded the wind mark once again ahead. We gained a lot on the J 22. On the downwind leg we gybed sooner and kept a hotter angle than on the first leg. Windburn may have made back some of what it lost on the 2nd upwind. We lead the fleet around the course; none of the later starters were able to catch up.
We finished as we should i e lowest PHRF boat first, but was it enough. We timed Windburn's finish and I wasn't optimistic (but still hopeful). Given the PHRFs we were either 1st or 5th. It was 2nd (but Sirus wasn't scored).
I was happy that we handled the boat well. Helm needs to avoid the 5 degree lapses. We could do be closer to the start. I think we had good mark roundings, hoists, and douses. Some more thought has to be given to downwind tactics. All in all a very enjoyable day.
After hauling out I found the sail tape. A holely sail is still a good sail with a good crew.
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