Whidbey Island Race Week 2013-aka Adult Summer Camp

Whidbey Island Race Week(WIRW) is the third week of July and is five days of sailboat racing, partying, pranks and silliness. It has also been referred to as "Adult Summer Camp".  With a history of 30 years, it is one of the last race "weeks" that still exists in the country. Many "race weeks" have been shortened to a long weekend.

I was invited aboard a J105 named "Dulcinea" owned by Matthew. This boat is from my yacht club and is one of my primary competitors in the West Sound. My WIRW started on Sunday. The boat was already in Oak Harbor and I made my way there for a day of practice and to set up my camp in "tent city". We sailed out into Penn Cove and sailed through some maneuvers. I was a bit unfamiliar with the J105 so this was a good time to learn the timing needed for jibes and tacks. My job was mainsail trimming.

The first day of racing was Monday with the first warning to occur at 1200. The committee boat anchored near the entrance of Penn Cove instead of the normal position inside Penn Cove. Winds were up with velocity in the 10-16 knot range. The race committee(RC) managed to get off three races. The wind was oscillating wildly along the courses. We struggled some and had placings of 4, 5 and 4th. Not a great showing, but not last either. The weather was great with the sun out and the day warm.

Tuesday we had a guest aboard. Dan Kaesler from the Seattle Quantum loft came with us. He provided some input into how we trimmed the sails, but more important he helped the skipper with tactics at the start and up the course. The RC moved the start line up into the normal position in Penn Cove.  The winds were lighter this day at 8-12 knots. We raced two races and placed 2nd and 3rd. These were great placings and we were very happy. Of course the other J105's said "sure, you had the sailmaker onboard".

Wednesday had some unsettled weather. The wind was blowing out of the south and the sky was overcast. The RC moved the line out into Saratoga pass where it was blowing 14-18 knots with lumpy seas. The sailmaker was not onboard, so we needed to show what we had. We had good starts, but our upwind speed seemed to suffer some. Even though, all six J105's usually rounded the weather mark nose to tail with little distance between them. Our downwind speed was great and we seemed to be able to soak lower than some of the other boats and gain on them. Our crew work was great and our bow people, Melissa and Tessa pulled off flawless jibes. We gave them a bit of a workout when we overcooked a leeward mark rounding and ended up going to weather with the spinnaker plastered in the rigging and over the bow. One race had a very exciting finish where we caught "Allegro Vivace" and nearly finishing ahead of them for third. The official results said that we were five seconds behind them, but it seemed to be more like five inches! And the second place boat "Last Tango" finished only 19 seconds ahead. After two races, the wind shifted suddenly to the west and the RC called it a day. Our showing for the day was a 4th and a 5th which still left us in a tie for 3rd overall.

Thursday we were back in Penn Cove. The winds were down some and we saw 8-12 knots through the day. The RC managed to get off three races during a longer day of racing. This day we dispelled the "sailmaker on board" rumor. We showed great starts, speed and tactics and several times found ourselves ahead of the eventual winner "Delerium".  Racing was extremely close with only a few seconds between us and other boats at the finish. Our placings for the day was 2nd, 2nd and 3rd. We were "over the moon" with excitement and proved that as a team we could make the boat perform well. These results put us in a solid position for 3rd overall for the week.

Friday was the last day. Again, we were in Penn Cove. The wind was back up to 12 to 16 knots and had a bit of a right hand shift as we beat up the cove. The RC intended to run two races so that boats could pack up and head home early. We had good starts and squeezed "Last Tango" over the line early in one start. The current was pushing boats toward the line making the starts critical to not being early. Our pace was a bit off going to weather, but we showed good tactics and were usually in the hunt at the weather mark. Again, our downwind speed was good and we could soak down nicely in the puffs and pass boats. Our final placings for the day were two 4th's and we placed ahead of "Allegro Vivace" to firmly secure our 3rd place overall.

Results can be found here: WIRW 2013 Results

WIRW was a lot of fun for me. The racing was some of the most intense racing I have ever done. We seemed to do better in the lighter winds and not quite as good when the wind was stronger. Our foredeck crew of Tessa and Melissa were awesome. The cockpit crew of Mike and I did everything we needed to do to keep up with the Matthew. The shoreside activities were interesting and just like the expression "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", some things are best left in Oak Harbor. Matthew runs a great program and arranged good logistics. Mike had his cruising boat moored alongside "Dulcinea" and made us breakfast each day and provided a place for evening meals. My camp in "tent city" was a comfortable and free place to stay. Maybe I will go back next year....

 Resting on they way to the starting area on Monday.

 Tessa trimming the spinnaker. 

 Spinnakers in Saratoga Passage.

 After the winds shifted to the west in Saratoga Passage. No more spinnakers.

 Chasing down "Last Tango". I don't know how Jim can sail while looking back at us.

 Tent city.

 "Dulcinea" renamed "Awesome".

 Boats moored at Oak Harbor.

 The crew of "Dulcinea".

 "Usawi".

Inside the part area after the days races. 

 "Dulcinea" hot on the tail of "Delirium".

 "Dulcinea" hot on the tail of "Delirium".

One of Wednesdays races where we finished overlapped with "Allegro Vivace"(ITA 89). Not in the picture was "Last Tango" who was in second and only 19 seconds ahead.

The Pony Car Project-Sharing The Wealth

The Pony Car Project has involved a lot of parts purchases. I find parts and services in a lot of places and spread a lot of money around.

 

Last week I was looking through Ebay and found a console armrest with a nice "buy me now" price as well as a "or best offer" option. I had been looking at these for some time. It may have been an option for the Mustangs or the one for my car was just removed and replaced with a fitted plastic "armrest delete" piece. Most of the armrests seemed like they were a lot of money and the last one I found was about half the price and appeared to be in good shape. But the seller would not negotiate much. So I gave up for a week and tried again. He finally moved $10 so I bought it. It arrived today and I installed it. It will need to be painted black. More about that later.

 

While negotiating on the armrest, I noticed that the seller also had a set of dash speakers. But again he would not move much on the "best offer" price. So, I gave up and took a trip to Best Buy where I found a set of 4" automotive speakers for only a couple of dollars more(with tax) than his "best offer" price plus shipping. I bought them and within a few hours had them fitted into the dash to replace the missing and damaged speakers. I have good tunes now♫ ♫.

 

One of my primary sources for Mustang parts is Late Model Restoration (LMR). They are a Texas company that specializes in 1979 and newer Mustangs. They have many interior parts, carpets, exterior trim pieces as well as engine and drivetrain parts. Many parts are reproductions, but they also stock a lot of Ford Racing parts. Their prices are usually cheaper than other places and they also offer free shipping! I currently have an order for console parts on it's way this week. The shift lever lower rubber boot is gone and the upper shift boot bezel is broken. Additionally they have a replacement seal for the emergency brake lever. Another useful product that LMR stocks is black vinyl paint that matches the interior components for the year of Mustang that I have. It will coat plastic and soft parts like the armrest that I bought(it is grey) and a passenger door armrest that is also grey. Some of the interior was previously painted but the original color can be seen through the paint. I plan on repainting some of those parts.

 

And finally last week, Les Schwab got some of my money. I always wanted to rule out tire imbalance as part of the vibration of the Mustang. I also recently noticed the left rear tire was losing air. And finally I could tell that the front end alignment was out of spec. One wheel had excessive camber and the front wheels were noticeably toed out. So on Friday I took the Mustang to Les Schwab. They fixed the flat for FREE since it was one of their tires, balanced all four tires and aligned the front end to the proper specs. The Mustang drives much better now and I really do think a lot of the vibration is gone. Money well spent!



 The console armrest unit I found on Ebay.

 The armrest bolts onto the back of the console and is quite solid when bolted in. Obviously the color does not match, but when the next order comes in from LMR it contains black vinyl paint that matches the Mustang interior.

 The armrest fits nicely between the seats and is available for both the driver and passenger. In addition to being an armrest, it is also a storage unit and has racks to hold audio media. Unfortunately the racks fit cassette tapes and not CD's! I was a bit concerned that I would hit it with my elbow when I shifted gears, but it has just enough clearance. It will also tilt up out of the way.

 I bought some smoked fog lamps from LMR. They were made to spec for the Mustang and nicely fill the holes in the spoiler.

Now that Les Schwab aligned the front end, the steering wheel is level when I am driving down the road. Now I can see the windshield wiper switch on the end of the turn signal stalk and know when it is off. That was something that was hard to determine before.

Brownsville Race-Wearing The Big Target

Saturday was the last race of the seven race West Sound Sailing Association(WSSA) series. This race was at Brownsville and listed as the "Brownsville Race", no invitational or benefit or any other catchy phrase. This race starts at Brownsville, goes north to Mark "6 at Pt Bolin, to a temporary mark at University Point, and then returns to Brownsville. At Brownsville, the fleet is to continue for a second lap to Battle Pt, University Pt, and again to Brownsville where lap three begins. Lap three is the same as lap two. This course provides many ways to shorten the course in time for the post race party.

Through the week, the weather forecast was for sunny hot weather into the 80's. Along with that, came light variable winds to 5 knots. Note the variable part. Sailing in Port Orchard on a hot day often variable winds with many convergence zones. To make matters worse, I had been fighting a nasty head cold for three days and with the congestion, headache and hot weather, I really thought about staying home.

After about an hour delay, a light breeze filled in from the NE and the race was started. We got an OK start near the outboard end of the line and as soon as we could, we tacked for the Bainbridge Island shore. As we neared the shore, we tacked on the lee bow of our only competitor ahead of us at the time. We sailed into clear air and worked the right side of the course getting good shifts and favorable current. As we neared the first mark near Pt. Bolin, the wind had increased to around 5 knots. We rounded the mark first, had a great spinnaker set and headed toward the next mark at University Pt. But I could feel the target on my back and as we rounded Battle Pt, we could see trouble ahead. The wind had died ahead and we came to a stop and set the jib. Some other boats behind found good wind waaaay to the right and sailed around us. By the time we reached University Pt.. we had lost several places. We chased light variable winds back to the start/finish line and started lap 2.

Lap 2 started out well with better. steady winds. We passed a couple of boats, had a good bear away set at the Battle Pt,, jibed shortly after and headed toward University Pt. At first it looked like good winds all the way to the point, but it soon started evaporating again. This time we headed right and gained on boats ahead. We had a hectic take down and jibe around the mark and found ourselves in a better position. But like before, the winds were very spotty on the beat back to the finish. We passed another boat and then had two scream by us before the wind filled in and we passed one of the two boats that passed us and ran into a hole. We finally had a decent wind to the finish where the course was shortened to 11.4 mile.

This race was very tiring. With the warm temps, being ill and the light winds it was very trying. On the other hand, the competition was close and it was not raining. Since this race was the last race of the 7 race WSSA series, the overall winner of the series will be determined as well as the class winners. Results will be posted here: Brownsville Race and Overall Results

Thanks to my crew of Jim, Rainer and Kathleen for staying focused.

Now I think I will go downstairs to the home theater where it is cooler and relax, cool off and watch a movie!

Our route for the day. The red track is lap 1 and the green track is lap 2.

Blake Island Race, WSSA #6-It Does Not Get Much Better Than This!

Last Saturday was the Blake Island Race. It was the sixth race of the seven race WSSA(West Sound Sailing Association series. This race starts near Pt Herron, goes through through Rich Passage, around Blake Island(either direction), leaves Bainbridge Reef Buoy #4 to port and finishes off the Port Orchard marina. This race is sponsored by Bremerton Yacht Club and has a history of at least 40 years.

The weather forecast was really looking good. The temperature was predicted to climb into the upper 70's or low 80's and all the wind models indicated good winds in the low teens. One negative was that the current would be near slack at the start and would be ebbing against us when we sailed back into Rich Passage on the return.

At our 1045 start, the weather predictions were right on. It was sunny with warm temperatures and winds from the north at 10-12 knots. As we lined up for the start, I was a bit early and had to slow the boat. I was a bit slow at getting the boat up to speed, but we owned the pin end. A couple of boats snuck through below us. We sailed to weather of a string of port tack boats and tacked to port above them. We had clear air until one boat pinched up and went real slow. We had good speed, so we sailed under them and into clear air for the rest of the day.

As we beat up toward Rich Passage, we took a different approach than usual when the current is already ebbing strongly. We worked some toward the left side of the pass and then tacked to port when we could clear Pt Glover. When the current is ebbing fast, there is a boat trapping eddy at Pt Glover, but since the current was very light when we got there, the eddy did not exist, so we cut the corner and saved some distance to the next mark.

After Pt Glover we were able to reach up high enough to pass between Orchard Rocks and Bainbridge Island and then jib reached toward Blake Island. A small hole developed south of Beans Pt and we lost a little distance to the boats behind before we got into the good winds again. Fortunately, the boats behind also struggled in the hole.

As we neared Blake Island, we set the spinnaker and had a short run down the east side of Blake Island. At the southeast point we shifted back to the No.1 genoa when the wind came ahead and reached with favorable current along the south shore of Blake Island. After clearing the west end of the island, we were lifted up nicely to buoy No. 4. After rounding buoy No. 4, we had a decision to make. We often reach over to the south shore for current relief when the current is ebbing. But on this day, we entered the pass before the current was maximum. We elected to take the route back between Orchard Rocks and Bainbridge Island. After clearing the rocks, we jib reached to the now fully developed favorable back eddy at Pt Glover where we set the spinnaker. We headed across the current flow toward the Bainbridge Island shore where the wind got very light. A couple of boats caught up to us and tried the south shore and at first it looked like that might work for them. But the wind died for them too and they were soon drifting east. So, we stuck to the plan and stayed on the north shore. The wind died and then came ahead so we set the jib again and sailed slowly closehauled with favorable current. When we got into really shallow water, we had to tack away onto starboard tack and head away from shore. The current was still carrying us toward the outlet of the pass. The wind then filled in from the northwest and we got a huge lift and sailed away from the pass into the open waters of Port Orchard. The other boats were left in the still increasing ebb current with light winds.

With the strange wind direction, we jib reached until we neared the East Bremerton shore. We set the spinnaker, sailed in toward the Bremerton Marina, got a favorable current boost from Port Washington narrows, jibed and sailed direct to the finish at the Port Orchard marina where we finished first at approximately 14:10:30. It was a fast race!

Based on the times the other boats finished, it looked like one Division II boat escaped Rich Passage and finished close enough to us to save their time and win first overall. We could have second overall and first in class. This should move us ahead in points for the series and with one race left in the series, it puts us in a good position to possibly win the series. Results can be found here when they are posted: Blake Island Race Results

It was a fantastic day for a race and even the struggle through Rich Passage was a fun challenge. We had great boatspeed all day. Thanks to my crew of Jim, Walter and Ranier for all the great help at keeping the boat moving fast.

 Looking ahead as we sail along the East Bremerton shore towards the finish.

And looking back from the same place at Rich Passage with the rest of the fleet still stuck.

The Pony Car Project-Hooray! The Light Is Out! Part 2

Several weeks ago, I smugly wrote a post about working on the Mustang and solving a problem with the Electronic Engine Control(EEC) system(The Pony Car Project Hooray The Light Is Out). The issue had to do with the Check Engine Light (CEL) on the dash that indicates an error with the engine. After writing that post, the  CEL would still illuminate after driving a few miles. Furthermore, when I ran a scan on the engine, I would get a Code 91. This indicates an error with the left side oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor is a probe that goes in the exhaust pipe to measure the "quality" of the exhaust leaving the engine. The Mustang has two, one in each exhaust pipe. The oxygen sensors provide feedback to the computer that manages the fuel system to ensure that the engine is running properly, getting good economy and meeting proper pollution standards. But just because the scan indicated Code 91, it is always possible that some other error was causing the Code or once Code 91 was cleared than some other code could show up.

Today after I arrived home from Seattle, my order for Mustang parts arrived a day early. One of the items was a new oxygen sensor. I drove the Mustang up onto the ramps, crawled under the car and changed the sensor. It only took a few minutes. Then I went for a drive. And the CEL did not illuminate! I drove at least three times as far as I have been able to without the light coming on. After I got home, I ran another scan with the analyzer and I did not get Code 91. The only errors that showed up were "non fatal" codes that are related to equipment that is missing and not necessary for performance of the engine. Later in the evening I drove to Silverdale and back without the CEL light coming on. It seems to be running better and stronger too!

Maybe I have it fixed now!

 The faulty oxygen sensor. I do not know the brand, but was different than the Motorcraft item I bought. The various forums that talk about oxygen have recommended the Motorcraft ones.

Part of my Mustang parts order. The new oxygen sensor has already been installed. The fan is to replace the cracked one in the car. The metal parts don't look like much, but they are formed sheetmetal parts that rivet to the body and retain the plastic ground effect fairings. I also ordered new fog lights (to replace the missing ones), but they were back ordered and probably won't show up until the end of the month.

Bicycles Are Beasts Of Burden Too

In my household, everything has to work. There is no free ride...well maybe the cat doesn't have to work! My truck takes me camping and hauls larger loads. The Bronco excels in the snow and can also haul a lot of gear and with the roof rack works great for hauling the bicycles. The Mustang is a project and is fun to drive, but it also is used for shopping and hauled all of my monthly shopping items from Costco last week. My bicycles get into the act too. A couple are light and are fun to ride fast. The mountain bikes work really well off road. And a couple of the bicycles are set up for hauling loads including unsupported touring. I have toured thousands of miles and camped out many nights on one of them.  I even have a tandem bicycle to ride with friends, it doesn't have very many miles on it. As a single guy, there are times when I have to leave a vehicle or the boat somewhere and return home on one of the bicycles.

 

So today, I went to Seattle to buy some boat supplies. The place where I shop is at the north end of Lake Union near Gasworks Park. Seattle has a great bicycle path system that I can ride from the ferry terminal to the store with very little riding on the streets. So, I have become used to doing as much shopping as possible with one of my bicycles. It works really good. The cost for the ferry is about 1/3 the cost of taking a vehicle. I usually catch the 0720 ferry and can get to the store before they open at 0900. Usually I can get my shopping done, take the long way back over the Ballard Locks and back to the ferry terminal to catch the 1110 ferry and back to my house by 1230. The total distance is 25 miles.

 

So, why do I do this? It is cheaper, gives me some good exercise and is just fun to have the adventure of riding away from my home and being self sufficient! 

 Waiting at the Seattle Ferry dock waiting to board. This is actually a small load, on other trips I have carried a lot more boat stuff back from Seattle.

On the ferry approaching Bremerton. This bicycle was actually my "all weather" commuter bicycle when I worked.

Lock Me Up!

Today I helped a friend take his boat to Seattle. Since we had to go into the Lake Washington ship canal, we had to negotiate the Ballard Locks, officially known as the Hiram M. Chittenden (Hiram Chittenden Locks website ). These locks allow boats to safely traverse from sea level up about 22 feet to the freshwater of Lake Union and Lake Washington. Many Seattle boaters negotiate the locks often. I have not been through the locks in several years.

 

Since this was the last day of a three day weekend, there were a lot of boats waiting to enter the locks. Fortunately, we arrived ahead of a lot of them.

Approaching the locks from Puget Sound,  the first obstacle is the railroad bridge. It needs to be up for us to pass through. We had to wait for a while until a train passed.

Approaching the "small" locks. The "large" locks are out of sight to the left. The dam that controls the level of the lakes is to the right.

Into the lock chamber. We were the first boat in.

In the end of the lock. The lake is on the other side of the gates.

The lock chamber is filled with boats ready to be flooded.

The lock chamber is almost full and I can see the lake over the top of the gate.

Leaving the lock. Now about 22 feet higher than where we started.