Re: [Cal_Boats] RE: Frostbite

Sent from Huawei Mobile "Husar, Charlie [USA] (ASE)" <hu… [at] bah.com> wrote: >Paul has it just about right from his source. Here is one of my usual long-winded descriptions. > > > >By the way, we had the Frostbite races cancelled last Sunday before we went out. Gale warning from NOAA and low water. We at the bar were happy. Of course there were those who complained that the RC had gone soft due to old age. But deep down inside... > > > >There are no established metrics to race or not race. It is strictly up to the AYC Special Events Race Committee chairman (and of course, the skippers of the boats who ultimately decide whether to race or to continue racing). > > > >The reasons we would not race are: > >- No wind > >- Excessive wind (over 25 knots steady would typically do it) - see special case below > >- Ice in the harbor or river (it has frozen across the river in the past) > >- Fog or snow so hard that visibility is seriously impaired > >- Ultra low water (usually caused by strong N or NW wind that can put the level more than 2 feet below mean low). > > > >[cid:image001.jpg@01CEEAF3.95B8ECC0] > > > >The ultra low water can cause some of the boats to be stuck in their slips or prevent the launching of smaller boats because of the depth at the AYC crane area. > > > >Air temperature is not a consideration. We have raced in sub 20 degrees before. Gets interesting if it is blowing because the spray then freezes on the deck (and people's beards) making for an interesting sail douse at the end. > > > >For me 20 degrees and snowing is much better than 35 degrees and raining. Once one gets wet, it is truly miserable. Incidentall,y midday today was 35 degrees and raining in Annapolis > > > >One time they cancelled in a hard snow, and we grabbed 6 boats for our own little regatta. Sailing in the snow is eerie and exhilarating. On downside is that the snow builds up in the foot of the main, and then it dumps down your neck when you tack. The snow dulls sounds and also lets you see the wind curling off the sails. Kinda neat. > > > >Special case of wind is that a N or NW is funneled by the high banks of the Severn River. There could be up to 5 knots of extra air in that area. The water can get down to 31 degrees before freezing since the Bay is slightly brackish. > > > >There are about 100 boats registered in 7 or 8 classes. The CAL 25s get their own one design start. Courses run from 2 to 5 miles with 2 races scheduled per Sunday. Season is 14 Sundays in Nov-Dec- Feb-Mar. January is off because the AYC clubhouse is closed on Sundays for that month. AYC has a buffet at halftime with boats rafted of the docks all over the place. Other people go to EYC or to some nearby bars. > > > >Frostbite has some special rules > >- if someone goes over the side, the race is cancelled for that class so everyone/anyone can render assistance > >- No one on the foredeck while racing (and obviously no spinnakers) > >- At least 3 people of at least 100lbs > > > >The RC starts races from the shore at the Naval Academy. This effectively removes half the starting area (can get interesting). > >There are two possible starting lines. One has a seawall at the end, and the other has large rock rip=rap at the end. (Oh, well.) The RC always has two safety boats in the water running around. > > > >There are also shallows in some areas and areas that are very tight, areas with seawalls, docks, and obstructions. The course goes all the way into the harbor. Imagine that with about 100 boats running around. Probably why the event is so popular > > > >We finish in front of the AYC clubhouse about 75 yards from the Spa Creek drawbridge. Leads to some interesting maneuvers and spin-outs when a stack of boats finish near the same time. > > > >Sorry to run on, but I've been doing this for 40 years straight, and it is still exciting. > > > >Cheers > >Charlie > > > >[cid:image002.jpg@01CEEAF8.3DAD0020] > >