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Crew of 2 Around Catalina Race - photos added

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/25/2006 : 15:04:14

Alternate Titles

225 miles in 4 Days

Tough boat - weak crew

How to survive an offshore thunderstorm at night

Click here to see all the photos...

http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/crewoftwo.html


Well, here is my story. This started out with a 47 mile solo run to weather to get up to Dana Point. I left at 5 AM. This ended up taking 11.5 hours with 4 hours of pure sailing. The last 10 miles were directly into 20 knot headwinds and huge seas at very short intervals. I had little choice but to motorsail. My new XXL shaft Tohatsu worked great the whole trip. When I finally got in the harbor my jib was flapping around on the bow and I had to get the main down, fenders deployed, dock lines ready. The autopilot just could not handle the big winds. I got it all done and almost hit a Catalina 30 or something. Close but no contact.

My friend met me and we drove up for the skippers meeting. I was surprised that there were only 20 boats in the race and 3 in my class. A Catalina 27, Catalina 30, Ericson 31 and me. I was the only one who came from any distance to do the race. The Catalina 30 did not start. I also learned that I could not fly my spinnaker. No spins, asyms, or gennakers in the crusing class. Oh well. I was excited, but worried. The forecast called for NW winds 10 to 15 going west and becoming 15 to 20 at night. 20 knots of wind is a lot at night 30 miles from land in a C25.

OK so Saturday dawned clear, hot, humid and very calm. We motored 13 miles to the start line with 0 wind and flat seas. About noon the wind started coming up. Soon we were on starboard tack heading for the start line with the other 2 boats. I stayed on this tack all the way to the island (31 miles). Since the forecast was for strong winds, I decided to fly my #2 jib, the 135 laminate. That was a very good choice for the afternoon. The C27 had racing mylar sails and was flying a 155. I don't think the main had any reef points. The Ericson 31 outpointed us and was lost to sight early. But I stayed on the C27s tail, slowly working to windward. I was outpointing him and just as fast.

By midafternoon the winds and seas were building. We threw in a reef in the main. I was watching the C27 completely rounding up. We were heeled to 35 degrees but stable. My co-skipper took the helm and slowly lost our position to windward, so we ducked the 27 and went low. We were much faster than him in the rough conditions, and beat them to the island by 1/2 a mile or so. The trouble was we both came in around Avalon, 10 miles downwind of Ship Rock, our windward mark. So we started a tacking duel up the coast.

My strategy was to tack in towards the island, trying to stay in the lee and out of the 4 foot waves at 4 seconds that were outside. We'd tack out as soon as we felt the wind drop and tack back as soon as the seas became too rough. The C27 went way inside one time and caught a great lift right along the cliffs. On the next tack he passed in front of us - we had lost our 1/2 mile lead.

Then we got a wind shift. 180 degrees. We were gybing downwind directly towards Ship Rock at 6 knots. The C27 elected to pole out the jib and run wing-n-wing. We were gybing, running faster but longer. Eventually they gybed out, and we went in. I thought I'd run right into Two Harbors, knowing that wind whistled through there and we could probably reach for Ship Rock. We called Starboard and crossed tacks with guess who? The Ericson 31. Both he and the 27 were going outside when I was going in. About that time I wondered why we got such a wind shift in the first place.

While my co-skipper Mike took the helm I ate some food, drank a beer and looked around. There was a sea of whitecaps behind us. A large thunderstorm was approaching from the rear. Lightening was forking down. It hit the island and started a brush fire. It hit the water around us. It was striking all over Catalina Island.

We got the wind shift I predicted and reached directly towards ship rock, rounding first, just after sundown around 9 PM. It got dark fast but there was still plenty of light from lightening. The storm was right on top of us.

I set course for the mainland under single reefed main. Lightening struck the water within 1/4 mile. We were making 5 knots in 25 knots of wind and 5 foot breaking seas (at night). I was sailing northwards, the other boats southwards. We soon lost them. We got some huge wind shifts. One second running downwind, the next upwind. The boat was heeling and rocking. We decided to seek shelter.

Running back for 2 Harbors, the storm abated. I could see stars. The winds dropped. I put us back on course for Newport. We got the jib up. I told Mike to take a break. We were on autopilot. The seas were still rough and we were rolling like crazy, but it seemed safe. I told Mike we wouldn't change course for 2 hours or so, take a break.

We got hit by a huge 180 degree wind shift. The wind was hot. There was more lightening. The main was backwinded against the preventer. I had to send him up to get the jib down for the 2nd time in 2 hours. That was it. We were only 5 miles from shelter. We motorsailed in. Got the anchor down in 70 feet. Hit the sack around 1 AM. It blew 20 knots until 4 AM.

By 6 I was up, getting the weather. It was hot, calm, and the sea was flat as a table. We motored all the way back to Dana Point, 50 miles, never saw over 1 knot of wind. We were both really happy to get into the shower, then get some food and coffee. It was hot and humid.

Monday I motored all the way back, solo, Dana to Mission Bay. 47 miles, this time in 8 hours. I had following winds and currents, got over 20 mpg, and read a book on the trip home.

Photos to come tomorrow.

Click here to see all the photos...

http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/crewoftwo.html

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - JimB517 on 07/25/2006 23:56:51

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 15:18:33

Hi Jim, sounds like a ball. Thanks for the blow by blow. Maybe I missed something, but who won? Also, when I motor in seas greater than two.5 to 3 my prop is constantly popping out of the water and high reving. It is a long shaft. Did you have that problem in the seas you sailed? Cheers.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 15:18:46

Wow. Look forward to seeing pics.

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 17:51:43

Dang Jim! You're about due for an easy sail aren't you? I'm sure pushihg through that storm in the dark was the icing on the cake. I guess any sail you make without damage or injury is a good sail but this pushes the limits. Glad you made it back in one piece. Even gladder I wasn't there!

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 18:19:15

My new 25 inch shaft tohatsu 9.8 motor saved the day and never pulled out of the water once.

It does have a little trouble when locked in the full up position when the boat heels over to 40 degrees or so it tends to lift it up and release the lock. Then it drops down.

Who won? I have no idea. We dropped out and came home.

Cruise B ScoreMethod=PHRF (Time on distance)
Date: 07/22/06 StartTime: 12:20:00 Distance: 63.0 nm
Pos Order Sail Boat PHRF Type Finish Elapsed Corrected
1 3 97990 Aris 167 ERC 32 1|01:22:15 13:02:15 10:06:54
2 2 57741 Bedlam 222 CAT 27 1|02:47:20 14:27:20 10:34:14
3 1 56314 Incommunicado 209 CAT30 1|03:27:00 15:07:00 11:27:33
DNF 4 97992 Indisipline 247 CAT25
Speed as VMG of winning boat: 4.8 knots

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 18:20:06

You know I never saw that Cat 30 at the start, they must have been way late.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 18:48:37

Sounds like a piece of cake--no fires onboard or nuthin'!

(Note to audience: He had one when I went sailing with him...

)

Actually, I like your prudent decision--you can always race another day. And you gave 'em all a scare for a while! And think about how many boats didn't even try!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/25/2006 18:49:44

AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 19:21:44

"...when the boat heels over to 40 degrees or so."
Jim, per "conventional wisdom", 250's shouldn't heel more than 15 degrees, n'est pas? Wouldn't 40 be two clicks from a slap down?

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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1180 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 20:53:36

Absolutely Amazing Jim.

I hope I get to the west coast and sail with you someday.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 23:55:21

Frank a C25 fin keel standard rig is just getting in the groove at 20 degrees, feels good up to 30, and gets reefed above that. You can see in the photo I was at 45, smiling, and no weather helm.

I'll tell you why I was first to round. In my opinion, as the weather got worse, it became a race of seamanship not mylar sails. I could reef and had a #2 jib on. Those other boats were rounding up with full mains and 155 genoas. I was still sailing under control.

I should have got my 110 up before dark or even the storm jib.

That said, I still think it was better seamanship to seek shelter in a major thunderstorm than continue the race. I have a responsibility to my crew, my boat, and my family.

Racing does not seem to be for me.

Edited by - on

saribella
Captain

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USA
286 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 00:17:09

This is the reason Jim is Commodore people. We can all aspire to achieve if we would only take the risks and opportunities presented.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 04:36:56

I wish I could have made it a crew of three.

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Turk
Admiral

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USA
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Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 07:11:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by FARMHAND
 "...when the boat heels over to 40 degrees or so."
Jim, per "conventional wisdom", 250's shouldn't heel more than 15 degrees, n'est pas? Wouldn't 40 be two clicks from a slap down?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Farmhand

Don't mean to highjack this thread but I sail a 250WK 135 jib every monday night in our monday night race series, and believe me, flat may seem faster in lighter winds, but 45 degree of heal in heavier wind 10-20 is a must to keep the speed up. In heavy weather I've reefed the main as suggested here and lost so much time we had to take the reef out and let her heel more and got much more speed. I too have read here in this forum that the 250 runs faster when flatter. I have not found that to be true at all. We now have 4 firsts and one second. Last race we got knocked down avoiding another boat who rounded up in front of us and we had to react quickly. Almost launched the crew over the side! 35 mph gust. Exciting stuff!

Edited by - Turk on 07/26/2006 07:13:26

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 07:29:44

No weather helm in the pic? Then you're either turning to port or need a front end alignment -- your tiller is certainly not neutral. And the heel is closer to 30 than 45 (I don't have my protractor handy, but used a 45 degree triangle). But hey, who's quibbling?

It's still a great story, Jim.

Brooke

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 07:31:09

Great stuff Jim! Thanks for sharing!

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 09:18:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Brooke Willson
 ...And the heel is closer to 30 than 45 (I don't have my protractor handy, but used a 45 degree triangle)...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
If you extrapolate the full length of the traveler (why is it centered, Jim?) and draw a line from the high end parallel to the horizon and then vertical to the imaginary low end of the traveler, I think you'll agree it's close to a 45 deg. triangle.

BTW, I probably know the answer to my own question--it isn't really enough of a traveler to fuss with.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
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Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 09:51:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 I wish I could have made it a crew of three.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Or four with your 82-yr old mom.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 10:03:14

I agree with Jim and Turk. My wing keel needs 20+ degrees of heel to bite the water and point high with speed. In light air I often have my crew, if any, sit on the leeward side to get as much heel as I can. The balanced rudder helps tremendously to keep the boat running straight and under control.

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 10:08:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimB517
That said, I still think it was better seamanship to seek shelter in a major thunderstorm than continue the race. I have a responsibility to my crew, my boat, and my family.

Racing does not seem to be for me.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Now you are either being modest or self-deprecating (is that the same thing?). In reading all your adventures, not once did I ever think "he cut and run". It was more that you tried and hung on way past what most of us would endure. We seldom regret things we did. You "did race" and you "did call a safety turn-around". The only "did"s I ever regretted in doing dangerous things were when I "did not call a safety turn-around" and people go into trouble.

So if by "race" you mean all-capital-letters and hang on until you capsize, well maybe it ain't for you. I know it ain't for me.

PS: looks like 45deg and no weather helm to me (I call it weather-helm when one has a death-grip and/or two hands on the tiller, not a small rudder correction). I mean, the man is smiling

Edited by - on

Champipple
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Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 13:46:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Racing does not seem to be for me.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Jim – based on multitudes of your posts over the past few years you know that isn’t the case and I think the rest of us do too. You weren’t racing; you were navigating and forecasting weather.

99% of the Races in this world are less than 4-6 miles and are held in a 2 mile diameter circle or less. Are you biting off more than you can chew? Walk before run etc? I wouldn’t be able to do a Gemini race like that and I know the c-25 wasn’t made for that kind of stuff . Don’t you have a trailer? 11 hours is a long “day before”

How far were you from the shore when you turned around?

dw

ps - 40 degrees may feel good - but it cannot possibly be efficient!

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 19:57:51

[url="http://www.volvoextreme40.org/mediax.asp?StreamPath=/vid/GPPort_day2_400.wmv&StreamReso=md"]sailing on the edge - or over it[/url]
Not monohulls but plenty of grist for the "heeling" mill.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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1561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 21:57:48

That looks like a ball. Thanks for the link Steve. Cheers.

Edited by - on

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