2016 Spring Race day 2 March 19

Spring series 2016  - Second Regatta

Boy, what a day for racing sailboats.  The second race series of the 2016 spring season was truly one to remember, a complete reversal of the light-to-no wind first regatta.  There was a large high pressure dome to our north in Illinois bumping into a low pressure trough to the east and the resulting compression and clockwise rotation of the high gave us a forecast of north winds at 10 mph in the bright, sunny afternoon with a high temperature in the mid 50’s.  As it played out the temperature forecast was on the button, but the wind forecast missed the reality on the water by about half: row upon row of white caped waves interlaced with dark, mean looking patches of knock-down-wind greeted the fleet of five sail powered boats as they motored out around noon. 

Eddie Zeiler and wife Wendy had gone out in their small (wet) fishing boat to set the course and it was a good one, with the starting line running east and west off the 7 South peninsula and the first mark to a windward buoy near the north shore.  The leeward mark was set all the way back near the island/shallow out from the marina.  It was going to be racing that included legs through “the slot” going out to the main channel, further adding to the challenge of the afternoon’s competition. 

Rendezvous, the 40’ sleek and quick Catalina was the largest in the pack with Barbara driving and husband Keith Sugg running the lines.  Rama, the veteran Newport 33 was second in water-line-length with John Bomar driving and sailmaker Dave Sample crewing.  The always quick and well sailed No Lizard, a Hunter 26’ was next in potential hull speed with “Captain Ron” Nash bravely single handing.  Bogey, a Hunter 22 and ZCat a Catalina 22 rounded out the fleet with commodore George Boger single handing and Eddie Zeiler, race committee chairman, having the help of his dad Frank on board.

The first race was a windward-leeward- windward back to the start line course.  Rendezvous and Rama fought for the pin end as the clock ticked down with ZCat and No Lizard down the line from them and Bogey starting slightly back.  There was a call from Rama for leeward rights and Rendezvous did acknowledge a bit of a barge to make it inside the pin, with an obligation for a penalty 360 turn.  The slog to the first mark was a balancing act as everyone tried to avoid getting knocked on their ear in the puffs, working to windward.  Rama rounded the mark first with Rendezvous close on her heels.  Then it was No Lizard and ZCat rounding, with Bogey further behind.  Downwind everyone was broad reaching on a real sleigh ride, probably going as fast as they ever had in a very long while.  Through the slot only sped up the wind and it was like getting shot through the neck of a bottle.  Rama again rounded first at the leeward mark, Rendezvous not far behind rounded second and took her penalty turn, then No Lizard, ZCat and Bogey rounded.   The last windward beat to the finish line saw Rama get some favorable shifts and she pulled away from Rendezvous to finish first for line honors.  The fleet finished in order of the last rounding:  Rama – Rendezvous – No Lizard – ZCat – Bogey.  And most important, everyone had finished without mishap or mayhem on board. 

The second race included two windward-back to the start line leeward legs which offered a leeward gate for port or starboard roundings, then downwind again to the island mark, then again through the slot upwind to the finish line.  Everyone was bunched at the line at the start, on starboard, with Rama getting the upwind position and slightly ahead at the start.  Then it happened --  ZCat’s rudder snapped in half under the load, rounding up violently and throwing Eddie and Frank around in the cockpit.  Their day of racing was over.   As they struggled to get the sails down and back in control the fleet once again marched off to windward; same conditions – average winds 15-17 mph with some gusts above 20.  After dukeing it out with Rendezvous in the upwind leg, Rama managed to again round first, then it was Rendezvous, No Lizard, and Bogey.  This order stayed the same rounding the start-line gates and back to the windward mark, as the wind and waves continued unabated.  The downwind run again saw some boats at or near hull speed and the line order stayed the same.  Rama hung on to the lead to round first at the leeward mark.  In the last windward beat she shortened sail on the roller furling and did not struggle as much through the slot, grabbing line honors for the second time.  Then it was Rendezvous, No Lizard, and Bogey. 

In between the second and third race the heavens heard a somewhat uncommon prayer from a few lake sailors on the water, “maybe a little less wind, Lord?” 

The last race saw Rama jump out to a huge lead as the other three boats got caught back downwind, especially Rendezvous who started more than two minutes behind the leader.  This course was a classic windward-off wind - windward triangle course with two reaching legs, the small island toward the state park lodge being the off wind mark.  Rama, getting such a lead at the start, again rounded the windward mark first but No Lizard and Rendezvous had eaten up some of her lead rounding second and third in that order, Bogey followed.  The reaching leg proved advantageous for Rendezvous and with great sailing skill and speed Barbara and Keith overtook No Lizard in the second leg and were nipping at the heels of Rama as they rounded the island.  About a quarter of the way toward the leeward  mark on a beam/broad reach Rendezvous passed to windward of Rama, overtaking, and leaving her in their dirty wind dust.  The leeward mark saw that order maintained:  Rendezvous, Rama, No Lizard and Bogey, with the big boat stretching out a bit and No Lizard making ground on Rama.  This time in the last windward beat it was Rendezvous who got the favorable shifts and cashed in on them and she enjoyed  the very well deserved line honors, especially considering her very disadvantaged start.  Sure enough,  No Lizard came on to challenge Rama in the heavy-air windward last beat, with one “too close” crossing lead for No Lizard who had starboard rights.  Rama dipped her stern at the last second and came back to take the lead again and finish across second with No Lizard very close behind.  Bogey followed. 

Everyone felt relieved and a bit beat up and tired after this day’s racing.  Surely also, it was a race day to remember.

As a side note:   The “too-close” crossing was due to lack of visibility (and proper look out) that can happen on sailboats with large fore-triangle  sails, and illustrates the need to regularly keep a good eye to leeward when close-hauled or reaching.  It also demonstrated the wisdom of hailing your position and claim to right-of-way when approaching another vessel.  “When in doubt, shout it out!” is a good axiom to keep in mind and avoid collision while on the water.


The clear winner of today's regatta was Rama.  They had her dialed in for eth conditions and worked hard for every boat length.  Good work John and Dave!