10-29-11 RACING

by Pam

All the interruptions in our regular sailing routine and the weather change made for a light turnout with only a handful of sailors making it out.

The day started off with very little wind so while in a holding pattern, a few took the time to discuss sailing angles and rules.  It figures that those few would be the better sailors learning how to just get smarter and faster.

Doug and Luigi had duty and got in three quick back to back races with some good competition that provided some good video footage for this masterpiece instructional and promotional video that Doug keeps claiming to be working on.

Two Lasers showed up to sail and Doug found himself doing a double take thinking they didn't look like Lasers at all due to the way they were set up.  When he sees a Laser set up wrong, it's almost like watching a friend being abused.  He just can't not say something.  So he made a suggestion and was asked if there was anything else he saw that needed adjustment and he mentioned a couple of things but didn't have time in the middle of a start to elaborate.  In essence, a Laser has 6 controls and both boats had 5 of the 6 incorrect. 

For yardstick purposes, if a Laser sails with a Butterfly and starts a minute ahead of them, by the end of the typical Butterfly course, the Laser should be at least one leg ahead if not close to lapping the Butterfly.  Doug will be sailing Lasers on Sunday afternoon for anyone wanting to learn how to properly set up and sail their boat.  And that goes for Butterflyers too.  Although the Butterfly and Sunfish have made Doug a better Laser sailor, the Laser has something to teach the Butterflyers and Fish as well and Doug has an extra boat for any Butterflyers that want to give it a go.