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Laying the windward mark
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    Posted: 01 Jul 10 at 7:38pm

Done Com boat at quite a few events now with some good Race officers. They always use the compass and cotton on a stick to take a bearing before laying the windward mark, All makes totall sense, it needs to be accurate.....

......anyway Question: Does anyone bother with all this for the standard club races or do you just stick a moist appendage in the air and use best judgement?

or other method?



Edited by GK.LaserII
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radixon View Drop Down
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Posts: 2407 		Post Options Post Options   Quote radixon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jul 10 at 9:50pm
We use set buoys and start line for club racing. For Events
it is a burgee on Committee boat and use that.

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Posts: 6644 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jul 10 at 10:13pm
I'm somewhat of a disbeliever when it comes to "perfect" beats: I'd rather the race crew just got on with the racing. On tidal courses any attempt to set a super accurate beat is surely doomed because of the tide, and inland 9 times out of 10 if you get the windward mark to within +- 5 degrees that's going to be less than the wind will swing about during the race anyway...

Here's a related question: would folks rather the race crews moved the windward mark on every lap so that the beats at least start true, or would they rather they left it so at least you have know exactly where it is and have a better idea of which side of the track is paying?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jul 10 at 11:26pm

Originally posted by JimC

I'm somewhat of a disbeliever when it comes to "perfect" beats: I'd rather the race crew just got on with the racing. On tidal courses any attempt to set a super accurate beat is surely doomed because of the tide, and inland 9 times out of 10 if you get the windward mark to within +- 5 degrees that's going to be less than the wind will swing about during the race anyway...

Agree, super accurate isn't possible although I think the attempt is worth it, particularly on the sea where it can remain steadyish for a while, at times, maybe, if you're lucky.

How do you establish the windward mark and what do you take into consideration?

Why do ROs at opens do it with a compass and indicator? Is is worth making a fuss?



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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jul 10 at 9:53am

.....OK, lets rephrase the question:

When not using a com boat our start line is sighted from the race office but sometimes the wind blows along the beach allowing us a good windward start. in fact we have that forecast for this weekend, SW.

Other times the windward leg has to be on another part of the course.

Lets assume that we're on the rib and we've got to do the work. What degree of bias would you be happy with in each situation? .......

.......just after a few personal opinions.
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Posts: 0 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Guest Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jul 10 at 10:03am

If it is roughly right then just get on with it ...

Championship course need to be close to square but club racing just get on with the show ....
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Posts: 1037 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gordon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jul 10 at 10:20am
A Race Officer on an anchored committee boat is measuring  the true wind. Boats in a current are feeling the result of the wind and the tide. In a strong cross current in a light wind there can be 15°s or more difference.

I set the line square to the wind measured by the RIB laying the pin end, and get the windward mark layer to set the mark where the Committee boat would be dead down wind. Rough and ready but it seems to work.

In a current it is probably preferable to have a true RUN rather than a true beat. The fleet should split down the run and spend roughly ame amount of time on each gybe.

Gordon
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jul 10 at 10:23am
Originally posted by Guest#260

If it is roughly right then just get on with it ...

Championship course need to be close to square but club racing just get on with the show ....

Thanks Rick, that's seriously all I was after.....

So in answer to the original question you advocate best judgement.

The reason for asking, My experience of club races have been entirely at one club..I have done opens / away events etc. So I have no idea what to think on this issue,  I'm just gauging others opinions.

When you say roughly right, would you be happy with a windward leg that could be sailed on one tack?
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Posts: 2899 		Post Options Post Options   Quote alstorer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jul 10 at 10:28am
No- that would be well out of line I reckon.
-_
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jul 10 at 10:37am

Originally posted by gordon

A Race Officer on an anchored committee boat is measuring  the true wind. Boats in a current are feeling the result of the wind and the tide. In a strong cross current in a light wind there can be 15°s or more difference.

Gordon

Absolutely....but there are ways of remaining reasonably stationary but probably not worth the hassle.
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