Balmain Regatta

Last Sunday some of us sailed in the Balmain Regatta, a huge annual event. We didn't do very well - maybe because of this:


Actually I blame the dirty bottom on our lovely Cheshire Cat.

It was fun if a little nerve wracking starting with 24 other boats instead of alone. But we started well if at the wrong end of the line. And we had a few challenging tacks, judging the moment when we a) wouldn't run into the shore or moored boats and b) would miss our competitors. In fact another boat, much faster than us, heading towards us at great speed on starboard kindly called to say they would go behind us which meant going in front of another boat with about a yard to spare on each side. very impressive!

We sailed to Goat Island back to near Cockatoo Island, back to Goat and then around Cockatoo to two marks near Spectacle and Snapper Islands before finishing near the Balmain Sailing Club. The weather was cool but mostly sunny so we had a great day out. A few new crew to the Cat in Roger, Dave and Steve. Steve in particular worked very hard on the winches. Along with Julie and Dayna. But we couldn't keep up and were even passed by a Hood 23 - not a good look at all!

We specially like the tender service the club runs on race days. Dropped off and picked up from the mooring so no rowing and no dragging the dinghy around. Not that we can any more since it got stolen from the Club even though it was locked up. I am rather cranky about it as it was a nice, stable and sizeable dinghy if a little in need of tlc.

At the club there were bars, a band and a big prizegiving. We came last so didn't win anything, not even an oily oar. Unfortunatly the sausage sizzle had run out of sausages so we had a few beers and went home, tired but happy after a lovely day. I will post more photos if Roger sends them to me.

A Perfect Day - well almost

The fourth ASCC Spring race day turned out to be rather fine. After a cloudy start and some strongish gusts we decided to start with a full headsail and one reef in th main. We crossed close to the start time again. Still not close enough but not too bad. The reach to Shark island was uneventful and alone again. Mercedes and Alcyone were getting set up to start at 12.30.

Once we rounded the island, on John's suggestion, we shook out the reef and had a lovely run to Grotto Point. The big winds from Saturday had left a bit of swell acoss the Heads but nothing good old Cheshire Cat can't handle. Skipper error saw us re-rounding the Grotto Point mark. Beating back to East Channel had the gunnels in the water and the odd grumble about the winches. New crew member Cat (well named for us) worked hard but isn't yet used to the brute arm strength we use.

By the East Channel mark Mercedes had caught up to us and we rounded just ahead as they overshot. Then they cruised past and left us in their wake across to Chowder Bay. With their better pointing ability both the big boats passed us by the Rose Bay buoy as we had to put in more tacks. While Mercedes increased her big lead we kept reasonably close to Alcyone finishing a few minutes later.

The sun was shining but it was still pretty cold with the maximum for the day only 18 degreees. After yet another delicious lunch (thanks Julie) moored off Darling Point we motored home giving Cat a go at the wheel on the way.

Still no results so we have no idea where we stand but know we are at least third in the Spring series. No pics as noone had a camera.

The Weather Bureau Got It Right!

As predicted the wind swung round to the south and blasted over 30 knots pretty much right on time! Stronger than predicted though. In fact we saw gusts of 37 knots on our apparent wind gauge and Nic on Mercedes recorded gusts to 47 knots.



This graph is from www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/nsw.asp after the event. If you click on it you can see it better without the black.

Dayna rang the weather number and reported a predicted 20-25 knot Southerly change at midday. So we reefed the main - one reef - and prepared to reef the jib as the wind picked up. At seconds after midday we slipped across the line with a gentle following wind of about 5 knots. I sensibly resisted the temptation to unreef the main and did not ask the crew (Julie, Terina and Dayna) to use the spinnaker pole to goose-wing the jib.

At ten past twelve, as we were about half way from Clark Island to Shark Island, the wind started to swing to the south and I got the crew to gybe the main. And then wham 25 knots of wind smacked us on starboard. No gradual increase, no time to get accustomed to increased wind strength. We started to reef the jib and then as the wind continued to gust higher and higher tried to hide behind Shark Island while the crew struggled to furl the jib completely and drop the main. Which they managed in record time bless them. And we beat a tactical retreat. It was a slow motor home. On the way we saw lots of waterways and police boats standing by to rescue people but there was surprisingly little carnage. Probably because most people were too sensible to go out in the first place. We were all wet from the waves washing over our port side - or half wet anyway - and we were glad to get to Balmain where the mooring was nice and protected from the worst of the wind..

We later heard that Mercedes did complete the course with very little sail up. But then she is 40 something feet long. Alcyone wasn't racing because Jenny is away.

As we rounded Yuralbin Point and into the relief of calmer waters we passed a double reefed yacht, 25 or so foot heading out towards the main harbour. It made me think of the C J Dennis poem The Traveller in A Book For kids:

As I rode homeward, full of doubt,
I met a stranger riding out:
A foolish man he seemed to me;
But, "Nay, I am yourself," said he,
"Just as you were when you rode out."
So I rode homeward, free of doubt.