Down The Sound Race 6-7 Aug 2011

This weekend was the second running of the Down The Sound Race. This is a singlehanded(one person) or doublehanded(two people) race. The course is from Shilshole Marina to Gig Harbor on Saturday and return on Sunday. An overnight stay at Arabella's Landing was planned along with a dinner and first day awards ceremony. I opted to race in the singlehanded with spinnaker division. About 45 boats were signed up for the race.

I got underway from Brownsville at 0715 for the motor to Shilshole Marina. The starts are staggered with the handicaps applied at the start. My start was at 1007.

The wind was very light from the north and I got a good start at my time. Up went the spinnaker and away we went chasing the boats that started ahead. At first it looked like the wind would fill near the eastern shore, and I gained a lot on the boats farther offshore. But then the wind shut off halfway to West Point. The boats nearer to West Point seemed to do well and that was my plan. But I could not get there! It was so light that I spent 1/2 hour within a boat length of a crab trap buoy. I was afraid that I would snag it.

Eventually the wind filled in some, first offshore and then near West Point. It never got above 5 knots. I sailed around West Point and along the outer reaches of Elliot Bay. I started gaining on the fleet ahead and as we neared Blake Island, I was back up with the pack. I could see "Lady Bug" (well sailed Peterson 30) along the east shore of Blake Island. I know of the current relief there and the possibility of some stronger local winds and I tried to go there too. BUT, "Rev" (Thunderbird 26) one of the boats in my division was farther to the east. So I jibed toward the east only to stay in front of the other boat. Sure enough the wind filled in from the east and I had a nice run to the "short course option" at the north end of Vashon Island. "Strider" (Nelson Marek 55) passed me just before I reached the short course point and "Dacha"(C&C 115) took the long route around Blake Island and also arrived just before me. I was fourth boat there. I took my time at 1706 and motored the rest of the way to Gig Harbor.

The dinner and party that night was good. When awards were handed out, I received a great award for first in my division, a haulout at CSR Marine! Very cool. I was also placed fourth for the day and only one other boat finished behind me.

On Sunday, the wind was from the south and again light. I again got a nice start and the fleet sailed up Colvos Pass. It was really a good sail. There was one hole a couple of mile up the course. I was able to sail around a large group of boats. I really never stopped moving. The wind increased as we sailed up the pass. Near Southworth, I again took my time at the short course point. The wind came more out of the north east and I had to change to the jib. I sailed higher than the boats ahead and gained and passed a few. As on Saturday, I sailed into Elliott Bay. There was good east to southeast winds and favorable current. I passed the boats to the west. Near Magnolia, the wind died. Fortunately it also died for the other boats to the west. I drifted along the Magnolia shore for hours, or so it seemed. It was so hot and there was no way to get out of the sun. My harness hardware was so hot that you could not touch it. People don't understand how hot it can be on the water with no wind and clear skies. It was also tiring trying to get the boat moving and all the effort foiled by the wakes of the passing boats and ships.

Eventually puffs of wind brought the rest of the boats together off West Point. One final good puff sent a large group of boats around the point and then left them there. I could see a north wind filling in, so I headed more NW. I gained onthe group of parked boats to the east, but I could not get to the new wind. I could see "Lady Bug" sailing in the new wind, but the convergence zone wouldn't collapse for the new wind to fill in. A few times I could get the sails to fill on port tack, but the windex and AWI both showed the wind off the starboard beam.

Eventually about six boats finished. When the time limit of 1900 arrived, I was still about a half mile away. Since nobody in my division finished, I will be scored at the short course location where I took my time. The boats in the doublehanded divisions that did not cross the finish line, unfortunately will be scored DNF because at least one boat finished from their division.

It was a good weekend for the race. More wind would have helped, but this is often the way with summer racing in Puget Sound. Results will be posted here when they are finalized: Sloop Tavern Yacht Club

Arabella's Landing where we spent the night.

Arabella's Landing where we spent the night.

Chasing the earlier starters up Colvos Pass on Sunday.

Chasing the earlier starters up Colvos Pass on Sunday.

Sealions lounging on the midchannel buoy.

My track on Saturday. I crossed the short course line at the north end of Vashon Island and motored the rest of the way to Gig Harbor.

My track on Sunday. I sailed within a half mile of the finish at Shilshole when the time limit expired. My time will be taken to the short course line at Southworth.