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Hill Country YC Frost Bite Regatta Report

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/25/2004 : 19:51:41

The weather report called for thunderstorms and 20-30 mph winds with 65 degrees temp. We decided at the skippers meeting to go ahead with the race since the winds at the time were around 5 mph and overcast, no rain near Canyon Lake on the weather radar. Winds built 10-15 for the start at 1pm. The Non-spin fleet did not make (many did not show due to the weather report including my 3rd crewman) so we agreed to allow Derek on "This Side Up" to race in our 3 boat Cruiser fleet (my 250, a 28' O'Day, and a 32' Beneteau Oceanis) BUT Derek had to race with his really big Mylar Genoa only, no MAIN SAIL ALLOWED! And he was racing against himself. Derek has his trusty wife Judy as his crew. We Sailed 2 "I" courses. I had a late start for the 1st race but you know these 250's...do not worry we caught all of them including Derek. I was absoluty amazed on the down wind leg where we passed the Beneteau and caught up to Derek. Derek sailed at exactly the same speed but I had my full main and a 130% genoa poled out!, Derek pulled ahead on the final windward leg just ahead of us but I took 1st in the Cruser Fleet.
2nd race: We made 3 mistakes on this one, a bad start, and did not realize how far the wind had shifted and put the pole out on what should have been the downwind leg but was a broad to beam reach....finally got the pole down and we sailed hard to catch up Derek was way out in front with just that Mylar Jib!!! OK, we caught the Beneteau and passed them just befor the last mark, as we rounded the mark the Friggin EDSON Sterring cable system failed. We were a definite second for this race, The O'day finished first in race 2. We would have won the Cruiser fleet for the regatta...but NO..it had to fail on the last leg...well we were neat a lee shore and I immediately started the trusty Honda OB...then quickly put the emergency tiller on and disconnected the wheel steering ARM on the rudder. My Crew got he sails down and we motored in safely ..Derek beat everyone this time and he was already back in the Marina having his first beer. In retrospect:
1. Install the Pull Pull wheel steering upgrade prior to racing or sailing in heavy winds.
2. Invite 3 crew members in the event one does not show.
3. I was lucky my motored started easily and I know here the emergency tiller was and how to use it.
The committee chase boat was there immediately and offered assistence but since I was prepared I did not need the help but I was glad to see them there just in case. If you have the single cable system I would strongly advise upgrading, it just in not heavy enough to take the constant loads of racing or 15-20+ winds. I for one just emailed Arlyn Stewert to get his open cable kit and I hope to get it installed soon to get on with the Sail,
Steve Steakley
I will try to post some pics, I have not checked my camera to see what turned out and did not get many due to racing with the best on Canyon Lake

Hey You #4455 SRFK

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2004 : 20:36:16

Sounds like a fun time Steve, but I thought you bought a C28?

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2004 : 23:41:29

Well, my 250 is on the Market and I am shopping for a 28 but I am in no hurry as I really like my boat and who knows after I install Arlyn's upgrade for the wheel steering I might just keep her for a while...a few more races just to show what a boat she is,
Steve

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Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2004 : 23:52:49

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">quickly put the emergency tiller on and disconnected the wheel steering ARM on the rudder<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Well I guess the bright side is you won the 1st race and the only damage to the boat was the steering system. The deployment of the emergency tiller is something that would be good to practice incase the real thing happens.

Did you have any steering with the emergency tiller before you disconnected the steering arm from the rudder?

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2004 : 06:42:39

Let's see...."Frostbite" Series?........65 degrees???? San Antonio sounds pretty good right about now.....Last week I had one inch plus of ice on everything....I will be cleaning up broken branches and tops of trees until after it's 65 up here in Washington!

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2004 : 11:55:18

One of the joys of our Frostbite Regatta is the variety of weather at this time of year. The first year it was held, the temp. was 85 degrees...last year it was 41, raining and with a wind chill of 28 degrees...I much preferred this year! Judy and I had much fun racing with the Cruisers using a sizeable handicap (we weren't actually IN the Cruiser Fleet, just out enjoying a race!)
Derek

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2004 : 20:58:46

Bryan, I could not steer the boat at all with the emergancy tiller until I disconnected the ARM that controls the rudder from the wheel steering. I simply removed the ringding and the pin in the ARM and pulled the arm away from its housing. Since I personally installed the 3rd generation rudder myself I knew quickly how to disengage the wheel steering system and get the boat under control. Many sailors have told me that they plan to find their emergancy tiller and have it handy but they also need to know how to disengage the wheel steering system on their boat. All are not so lucky to have an outboard that has 180 degree turning radius as I have. Especially when the rudder is stuck all the way to the port side

Edited by - ssteakley on 01/26/2004 20:59:56

ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2004 : 21:07:09

OK, here is a pic of Derek way ahead running with just his Genoa the entire regatta! That is his wife Judy in the Yellow foul weather gear at the helm.

Steve

Edited by - ssteakley on 01/26/2004 21:08:35

ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2004 : 21:10:30

Ok, I have orderd Arlyn Stewart's solution for the Edson wheel steering and I can't wait to get it installed and back on the race course, I will report back all about it soon,
Steve

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