FLEET 50 ARCHIVES FROM 2009

Last posted 01/08/2010

2009 Sydney-to-Hobart Regatta is now History!  There were no Lightnings registered for this harrowing 600 + mile race, but it is still a really big deal in yacht racing circles.  The handicap-scored winner was Two True, Andrew Saies’ newly launched Beneteau First 40 after a protest against him over an incident on Sydney Harbour soon after the start was dismissed by the five person international jury.   Details here.

The River was Roaring!  We don't usually track the river flow after the end of the fall season, but for some reason this year we decided to keep going to the end of the year.  The snowfall, snow melt, and rain in the Potomac River watershed in December this year was far above normal, as shown in these graphs.

Snow blankets WSM!  The "Blizzard of 2009" left 16.5 inches of accumulated snow as of Sunday Morning, 12/20/09,  at the airport,  and most likely also on our dry-slipped (and hopefully winterized) sailboats at the marina.  Pictures here (thanks, Scott Snyder!).

Check your Boats!  Joe Warren reports: "I went to the marina on Monday [December 21] pm to clear snow off my cover. There were some parking spaces available. I found that on the windward side (side facing the northeast) that there was no snow but the lee side had a huge pile that was very heavy.  It had pulled the whole cover over a bit despite several tie downs that were carefully attached. And, the snow was starting to turn to ice. I observed several other Lightnings and found similar or more buildup, and on both sides. Where there were only a few tie downs or when they weren't pulled snugly, large depressions were being formed in the covers. So, as the snow melts depressions will be filled with water. A trip to the marina will save a good cover [and your boat!]."

Fleet 50 2010 ILCA Yearbook Report submitted!  The Fleet 50 annual report first draft has been submitted to ILCA -- thanks to the excellent work of Bob Wilbur, our Fleet Secretary.  Still needed -- photos from the season's highlights.  If you have candidates, please let Bob know. 

Dixie District Fleet Captains' Meeting, Saturday,  December 5!  At Todd Johnson's house in Davidsonville.  Participants set the Dixie District Schedule for 2010 and voted on awards and policies.  Congratulations to Trevor Prior of Susquehanna for winning the Purnell Cup for 2009, and to Trevor and David Thompson for being named  as the 2009 Dixie District Road Warriors!  Minutes here..

With whom did you sail in 2009?   24 different Fleet 50 skippers and 94 different Fleet 50 crew sailed in at least 1 race day during the 2009 season.  8 Fleet 50 skippers and 24 crew sailed in out-of-town regattas this year.  Fleet 50 members served as PRSA PROs for 11 race days; RC drivers for 21 person-race days; and RC helpers for 51 person-race days.  You can check out the details in this Excel Workbook.  Please let us know of any needed updates.

The Truth about Cold Water!  Mario Vitonne, a U.S. Coast Guard Safety Specialist, recently published an interesting article in which he states that it is not so much hypothermia that kills sailors who find themselves dunked in cold water, but rather several other factors that kill first.  This is a very good argument for always wearing your PFD when on the water.  PS - yesterday's water temperature on the Potomac was 40 degrees.

Time to Winterize your Lightning?  Some savvy skippers, knowing that snow and ice can wreck havoc on their expensive summer mooring covers, have winterized their boats.  Check them out on Slip A-13 and farther down towards the south end of the A row at WSM.  David used a $60 12 X 20 12-mil tarp to provide water-tight and snow-tight protection, with the ends slightly open for ventilation.  The boom, resting on double boom crutches, provided a ridge pole.  David removed all boat contents -- sails, cushions, sheets, and spare lines, to reduce the likelihood of providing a mouse habitat. Jeff put on his one-piece travel cover and then set up a 10 x 18 blue tarp on top, using an old broken mast as a ridge pole.  Without winterizing, occasional heavy snow will accumulate on the mooring cover, melt, freeze, re-melt, refreeze, and eventually tear the cover and begin leaking water into the bilge.  When bilge water works into seams and then freezes, it can open up cracks.  Save yourself the hassle of dealing with that. Winterize!

PRSA Awards Banquet and Annual General Meeting, Saturday, Nov 14!   Last Saturday night 49 PRSA Skippers, crew, and guests came together at the Marina Towers for an evening of socializing, dinner, awards, and PRSA business. See details and  who attended.  Congratulations to Lighting skippers Nabeel Alsalam, Rick, Welch, and Pat McGee for their top 3 rankings in the Spring Series, and to Frank and Rick for their top 2 finishes in the Fall Series, and to Tom Berlin, for his first place award for the Albacore Fall Series.  Rick was given the Fleet Captain's Award for outstanding service as Race Committee Chair for Spring Series 8; Tom Berlin was awarded the Founder's Trophy for service above and  beyond the call of member duty, for his continued work , and success, all fall in getting the engine of the 16 skiff working again.  Officers elected to the board for 2010 were: Pat McGee, Commodore; David Thompson, Vice Commodore; Scott Snyder, Rear Commodore; Yates Dowell, Treasurer;  Robert Bennett, Secretary, and Jim Graham, Member-at-large.

Spring and Fall Cumulative and Championship Series Results are posted!   We did a number on ourselves at the March 9 All-fleet meeting, when we voted to approve changes to the Championship Series scoring rules without realizing that what we wanted to do could not be handled by the St. Pete Scoring system.  Nevertheless, Jeff, our dedicated and untiring scorer, figured out how to implement the rules manually, and the scores are now posted,  Congratulations to Nabeel;  Frank; Rick; Pat; Jeff; and Russ for your top finishes!

Hampton Fall Fling November 7/8!  We always enjoy traveling to Hampton, VA for our last regatta of the season, hosted by the Hampton YC.  We sail on the Hampton Flats, in view of the Norfolk Navy Yard, and frequently have very nice fall weather for the event. To top it off is the annual YC Oyster Roast, to which all participants are invited.  Even better, in an attempt to bring in more competitors this year, the organizers declared that the entry fee is $0!  Nada! Zip! We can't miss on a deal like that. Skippers Meeting at 11 AM on Saturday, first gun at Noon. Here is the NOR.  See who is coming. 12 signed up; 10 came and raced. The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) for the weekend for Hampton called for sunny skies, 7 -8 MPH winds, and highs in the 60s.  The skies were clear for the Saturday oyster roast.  We had two back-to-back magnificent sailing days on the Hampton Flats, under sunny skies, with temperatures reaching 60 degrees on Saturday and 70 degrees on Sunday.  Winds were excellent on Saturday, out of the south at 8 - 12 MPH, with gusts to 15, and we got in 4 races before calling it a day.  On Sunday the winds were lighter in the morning and petered completely out right after the end of the third race.  The Oyster Roast was, as usual, to die for.  Crews arriving on Friday and/or going to dinner after the Oyster Roast on Saturday found excellent seafood at Harpoon Larry's, just up the street on Armistead Ave.  Russ; Collin; Nabeel; and David and their crews made the trip.  Results here.

PRSA Fall Finale Regatta, Saturday, November 7!  Skippers Meeting at Noon; first warning at 12:40 PM; no races started after 3:40 PM.  Here are the SIs.  Frank Gallagher was PRO, with Brenna, Mladen, Barney, and Jill serving as RC.   The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change)  called for sunny skies, winds from the SSW at 7 - 8 MPH, and a high of 60 degrees.  The river flow was above normal, at 4,420 CFS (gage height 3.2 ft) and the water temperature was 49 degrees.  Wow, what a beautiful day for sailing!! Temps were in the 60F’s, winds were blowing straight out of the south at 8 to 12MPH, and the sun was shinning. We sailed out on the river down by the power plant. Got five windward/leeward races in on a fairly long course. Winds were unusually steady, with small waves coming up the river. We had ten Lasers, two Hobies and one Albacore on the course. We had awards, chili and apple cider/rum after racing. Results here.
 

PRSA Fall Series # 7, Sunday, November 1 -- Last Sunday Series Race for 2009!   Eric Johnson was PRO, with RC provided by Jim Graham, Steve Parsons, and Wilda Heiss.  We got an extra hour of sleep Saturday night, as we switched from Daylight Savings time back to Standard time, so we were rested and ready to compete.   The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change)  called for a partly sunny afternoon (with rain ending in the morning), a high of 53 degrees, and winds from the NNE at 10 - 9 MPH. High tide was at 6:48 AM; low tide at 1:05 PM (and high again at 6:59 PM)  Sunset was at 5:08 PM.  The river flow was above normal for this time of year, at 7,710 CFS (gage height 3.7 ft). The water temperature was a seasonal 57 degrees.   Five Lightnings came out, along with one Cat and one Laser.  The rain ended a little after one PM, and the wind picked up, making for good racing for those who came out and stayed out.  Results here.

PRSA Fall Series # 6, Sunday, October 25!   Eric Johnson was PRO, with RC provided by the Albacores and others.  The AccuWeather forecast  for Sunday called for mostly sunny skies, a high of 65 degrees, and northerly winds at 10 MPH.  The river flow was above normal,  at 5,360 CFS (gage height 3.4 ft).  The water temperature was a seasonal 58 degrees. Low tide was at 8:42 AM and high tide at 2:25 PM.  Winds were lighter than predicted, and it only made it to 61 degrees, but it was still an improvement over the previous weekend's weather. The Marine Corps Marathon was Sunday morning, so there were street closures in downtown DC, and a view of the runners on the road in East Potomac Park during the first race.  Six Lightings came out and got in two races before the winds died.  Stories and results here.

Pennsylvania Governor's Cup at Susquehanna YC, October 24/25!  18 boats were on the intent list.  Susquehanna YC hosts good regattas, and this one met that expectation. The weather on Saturday was challenging -- strong gusty winds for the first race; much lighter for the next 3 races, in very heavy rain and fog.  Sunday was a picture-perfect Sailing day.  Stories and results here.

PRSA Fall Series # 5, Sunday, October 18!   Bill Kleysteuber was PRO, with RC provided by Albacores.  The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) called for cloudy and breezy conditions with rain possible, a high of 43 degrees, and northerly winds at 21 - 22 MPH, with higher gusts.  High tide was  at 8:51 AM and low tide at 3:23 PM.  The river flow was  above normal for this time of year, at 4,290 CFS (gage height 3.3 ft), and was headed higher.  The river temperature was on a downward trend, at 48 degrees.  Actual winds were somewhat lighter than predicted, and the rain stopped by noon, making for some sailable conditions.  Four Lightning skippers came to the Skippers Meeting and decided not to go out; Erich Hesse was the lone Albacore sipper to appear.  Consequently there was no racing.  Results here.

Frigid Digit Regatta October 17/18 in Annapolis!  33 had signed up as of Friday (see the  Who is Coming list); 22 registered; 19 went out on Saturday and 10 on Sunday.  Saturday's Winds at Thomas Point Light report showed winds 20 - 23 kts, gusts to 25, rain all day, and a high temperature of 47 degrees. Sunday's NOAA forecast for the Chesapeake called for northerly winds at 20 - 25 kts. with gusts to 35, with rain possible, and a high temperature of 43 degrees.  There was a small craft advisory posted through Sunday afternoon.  Actual winds measured at Thomas Point on Sunday were a steady 18 - 21 kts from the north, with gusts to 24, and the high air temperature recorded was 52 degrees. Only one boat capsized.  Results here.
 

Seaworthy Tales - Muskrat Love Gone Bad (reprinted from the BoatUS Seaworthy magazine): 

As a BoatUS Member from Alexandria, Virginia was watching a yard worker power-spray the bottom of his boat prior to winter lay up, a family of four muskrats hopped out of his boat's exhaust and waddled indignantly across the parking lot and jumped into the water. It was quite a surprise for the Member and even more of a surprise for the yard worker, whose face was only inches away from the flying rodents. After making sure there were no more surprises, the Member peered into the exhaust and found grasses, oyster shells, assorted crab parts, and -- no one can explain this -- a Phillips head screwdriver. He also found a large hole had been chewed in the exhaust just above the waterline. The Member has since vowed to visit his boat more often.  Editor's note -- is this possibly a reason why the Bayliner will no longer get up on a plane?

PRSA Fall Series # 4, Sunday, October 11 -- Hobies 8; Lightnings 7!  What's with this??  The Hobies outnumbered the Lightnings on a beautiful fall 69-degree sunny day!  Not only that, five of the 7 Lightnings were short crew!  PRO  Nabeel Alsalam set a long leeward - windward course with the windward mark near the entrance to Roaches Run, and the leeward mark near the entrance to the Anacostia, and got off four races in quick succession.  The winds were in the range predicted (7 MPH) but were up and down, with some serious shifts. One gust knocked over a Hobie in the second race, but other than that the winds were gentle enough to allow double-handed spinnaker flying, some successful.  Low tide was at 9:14 AM and high tide at 2:32 PM.  The river flow was well below normal for this time of year, at 1,410 CFS (gage height 2.7 ft) and the water was a seasonal 64 degrees.  On the river, but not racing, were Patrick McKnight and family in 14366, and Bill and Chris Kozel in their recently-acquired String Theory, 14395.   Results here.   Here are pictures, taken by John Butler (Thanks, John).  Congratulations to Rick Welch, who took the day with 4 bullets, and to Collin Kirby, home from college on a break, who took second!