West Coast Sailing Grand Prix

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I have an observation that may help some people. My vantage point was from the Windward Mark at the Elvstrom RC boat on Saturday. When we set the windward mark (about a half hour before a 4.7 max flood, probably a half mile out from Anita Rock, I was expecting flood tide, but there was none, it was actually flowing VERY slightly from the buoy to the north tower. Right then I told my boat partner that the fleet was going to over stand, especially the first beat (there was flood showing at the StFYC markers then). Richard Leland was the only one who made it up to the mark before the start.

Sure enough, about 80% of the fleet over stood, some by a lot.

The lesson? Be sure to look around, don't sail with blinders on....especially on the first beat if you are behind, be really observant of the guys ahead, you know that if you take another tack in, you will be hopelessly behind them.

When you are going up the beach and take little port tacks out (well before the layline), don't forget to take a range on something, if you are close to the layline, don't tack back, stay there a while and see how you are doing, you might get one of those nice port tack lifts when the southerly puffs come down. If you find you are not making it, unless you are in danger of crossing a big tideline, wait for a little shift o go back.

There are always opportunities to catch up, just keep your eyes open. If you are sailing directly behind somebody and they are not sliding up or down relative to your course, there is not that much current differential, so do make a decision based upon a tide assumption that in not valid.