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SCUTTLEBUTT 3056 - Thursday, March 25, 2010Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt on Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Scuttlebutt on Facebook: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/facebook Today’s sponsors: Team One Newport and Ullman Sails. US SAILING PRESIDENT ENDEAVORS TO KEEP CLUBS THRIVING US SAILING President Gary Jobson was speaking recently at the Manasquan River Yacht Club (Brielle, New Jersey) to a gathering of representatives of clubs from around the region. His message was one of concern about the aging and declining participation in sailing but still upbeat on the future of the sport. Pricey development eating away at shoreline, the economy, environmental issues, insurance needs and litigation issues all conspire against waterfront access for the boater. A robust network of yacht clubs serves as a bulwark against these threats, he said. “These clubs are so precious ... we need to make sure they are viable at all times,” Jobson said. The term “yacht club” may sound pretentious and scare newcomers away. But a “yacht,” which can be loosely defined as a recreational craft, may be a very modest vessel. Certainly some clubs are fancier than others, but many are run with hands-on volunteer work by the down-to-earth membership. Often, yacht clubs are family-oriented, with grandparents, parents taking part. Jobson ticked off a list of points to help yacht clubs thrive: * Have a long-range plan for growth, drawing from what’s worked in the past. Update a mission statement periodically. * Communicate effectively with the membership and prospective members, whether via website or printed material -- probably both. Host a charity event, because “goodwill counts.” * Do what you can to bring people to the club. Make sure the club decor is attractive for when people do come. Refurbish buildings as resources permit. * Consider a fleet of club-owned boats, so members do not need to own their own. It will bring “super benefits,” Jobson said. * Above all, “go out and recruit, get young people,” he said. “Sailing is a beautiful way to connect the generations.” Complete story: http://tinyurl.com/yjzrovl MADE IN THE U.S.A. HANDICAPPING SYSTEM With the announcement in Scuttlebutt 3055 that the Offshore Racing Rule Owners Association (ORROA) was recently created to promote and encourage offshore racing under the Offshore Racing Rule (ORR), spokesman Frank Kern provides Scuttlebutt with additional background on this scientific, research-based, made in the U.S.A. handicapping system: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Because I race my sailboat in many offshore events, I have spoken to a number of other owners that were not happy with other rules. Certain rules are more biased by type form rather than using a tighter Velocity Based Program (VPP) based speed calculation. For instance, if you look at the finish results of the Chicago Race to Mackinac (which uses ORR), there tends to be a mixture of sizes and types of boats that finish in top places of the race. This shows that the results are more likely based on crew ability than size or type. ORR is more of a mathematical model rather than biases that can be injected into other rules. We felt to get ORR used more there needs to be an organization with a grass roots component to promote it for more events. There are other series such as the SORC that has improved attendance of the individual regattas in a series rather than by themselves. Here are some of the improvements to the old IMS model: 1. Revised aerodynamic model based on wind tunnel experiments of upwind sails. This will result in boat speed predictions that are more accurate and a better assessment of the effects of stability on performance. It was felt that some the old predicted speed numbers were inaccurate in 10% of the boats. These inaccuracies under IMS caused a lot of dissatisfaction. 2. Revised hydrodynamics of stern overhangs based on tow tank testing of large scale models. The tests included transoms that are immersed (wet) at typical sailing speeds and improved treatment of canting keel designs. 3. More accurate wave drag model. The testing program at the IOT tow tank facility in Newfoundland was completed for the evaluations of nine model series in length, beam and displacement variations. 4. Friction drag of appendages. The VPP is sensitive to the performance advantages of contemporary keel and rudder designs. 5. IOR hydrodynamics. Some of the performance effects of shape features exhibited by IOR hull designs have been assessed and incorporated into the VPP. 6. Heeled drag. Improvements have been incorporated in the predictions of drag when boats are heeled. 7. For certain events US SAILING is now accepting design drawings and specific boat class standard dimensions instead of wanding. (US SAILING administers ORR along with the Offshore Racing Association) We are starting with boat owners in the Great Lakes for 2010. We are going to offer this model to other areas that want to have ORR scoring for race series in future years. * ORROA announcement: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0323/ BOOTS? SNEAKERS? SOCKS? What choices we have to keep our feet dry, warm, comfortable, and - most importantly - on the boat!! Team One Newport can help you with your feet. Whether you are going offshore and need some Dubarry, Musto, Gill or Sperry boots, or racing your dinghy and want the Gill or Ronstan neoprene boot, or are the sneaker type and want the Harken, Slam, Sperry or Sebago sailing shoes, visit http://www.team1newport.com/departments.asp?dept=316 Don't forget the Rocky socks or seal skins to make your shoes waterproof! View it all online or call the experts at 800-VIP-GEAR (800-847-4327). VOLVO OCEAN RACE COMING TO MIAMI Miami will make a return to the Volvo Ocean Race by hosting the start of the transatlantic leg to Lisbon for the 2011-12 edition of the event. In the formal bidding process, Miami fought off tough competition from a number of North American rivals in its quest to win back the stopover previously staged in 2001-02. The fleet will arrive in Miami after their charge north from the Brazilian port of Itajaí. Florida has a long association with the Whitbread/Volvo - this will be the fifth time the sunshine state has welcomed the world's premier offshore race. Besides Miami, Fort Lauderdale played host in 1989-90, 1993-94 and 1997-98. The race village will be located at Bicentennial Park, on the Biscayne Bay, in the heart of downtown Miami. It is a 29-acre, open park which is suited for major events where the likes of Cirque Du Soleil has pitched its tent in the past. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/yedksjs Map of Bicentennial Park: http://tinyurl.com/Miami-VOR-Port MISSING PIECE(S) TO THE PUZZLE The route for the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race is nearly revealed, with the stopover announcements to be completed by the end of March. If the Scuttlebutt estimate is correct that the race will have nine legs, then there is only one leg that is missing a piece of the puzzle (though race officials say they still have ports [as in plural] to announce). Here is what has been revealed so far: Leg 1: Alicante, Spain to Cape Town, South Africa Leg 2: Cape Town, South Africa to Abu Dhabi, UAE Leg 3: Abu Dhabi, UAE to Sanya, China Leg 4: Sanya, China to ? Leg 5: ? to Itajai, Brasil Leg 6: Itajai, Brasil to Miami, USA Leg 7: Miami, USA to Lisbon, Portugal Leg 8: Lisbon, Portugal to Lorient, France Leg 9: Lorient, France to Galway, Ireland (last leg) The Itajai, Brasil announcement deliberately excluded information on where the start for the leg would occur, so it is believed to be a site other than Sanya, China. The 2008-9 race went from Qingdao, China to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which at 41 days was the longest leg of the race (and race history). It was also a hard leg to maintain media interest, so look for a shorter route from China, and with limited options, an Australian or New Zealand stop seem likely. -- http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9507#9507 COMING TO NORTH AMERICA The RC 44 Class Association has announced its project to expand to North America. Twenty-two One Design RC 44’s have been built to date. The latest one is currently being finalised, and will be shipped to Newport (Rhode Island) this spring, allowing pro sailors and potential owners to test-sail the boat. Dee Smith, a professional sailor and project manager involved in top level yacht racing events, has been named RC 44 agent for North America. The RC 44 is a light displacement high performance One Design sailing boat designed by four-time America’s Cup winner Russell Coutts, together with naval architect Andrej Justin. The current 2010 European program has six events, where each event has a fleet racing component with an amateur helm, a match racing component with a professional helm, and the combined score from the two components providing the overall score. However, the North American circuit schedule will be adapted to the owners’ desires. -- Full report: http://www.rc44.com/en/regattas/news/index.php?idContent=2294 LIGHTWEIGHT STRENGTH FROM ULLMAN SAILS The Ullman Sails FiberPath series combines the latest in production technology and design expertise to deliver the lightest, strongest string sails on the market. The Ullman Sails Design Team understands how to address the loads in your sail using fiber selection and layout. And with years of experience designing fast, efficient sail shape, you get optimized performance sails for racers and cruisers alike. So whether you’re rethinking your cruising inventory or preparing for this racing season, Ullman Sails will build sails to match your goals. For more information on FiberPath technology, contact a local Ullman Sails lofts and visit http://www.ullmansails.com SAILING SHORTS * Long Beach, CA (March 24, 2010) - Delays and confusion reigned over the second day of the 46th Congressional Cup, the only Grade 1 Open match racing event in the United States. While the standings were not updated at press time, it was known that defending champion Johnie Berntsson (SWE) remains undefeated, with Gavin Brady (NZL) in second, and Bill Hardesty (USA) in third. The first round robin has been completed, with the second round robin scheduled to be completed by Friday. The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals on Saturday. -- Event website: http://www.lbyc.org/html/content.cfm?CID=1170 * To help avoid problem boat sale transactions between private buyers and sellers, BoatUS has published seven tips to help boat buyers avoid most of the paperwork pitfalls when buying a pre-owned vessel: http://www.boatus.com/pressroom/release.asp?id=492 * (March 24, 2010) - Following the incident which took place on Sunday afternoon GMT in which the ‘California’ entry in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race was dismasted on the leg from Qingdao, China to San Francisco, the plan is to use several of the Clipper 68s as refueling vessels for ‘California’ to ensure they have enough to get them to San Francisco safely, more than 1,800 miles away. As of Wednesday morning, lead team ‘Cape Breton Island’ had 1,382 nm to go. -- Race website: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com * Several government associations and local businesses have announced joint plans to construct an industrial marine park outside of Conway, South Carolina. The alliance believes that the region is in an exceptional position to attract industry, and that by the time the park is ready for tenants, they will be able to attract boat builders, marine repair businesses, boat refurbishment companies and other marine service organizations. -- IBI Magazine, full report: http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20100224152229ibinews.html CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Is your event listed on the Scuttlebutt Event Calendar? This free, self-serve tool is the easiest way to communicate to both sailors and sailing media. These are some of the events listed on the calendar for this weekend: Mar 26-28 - International Rolex Regatta - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USA Mar 26-28 - Laser Midwinters West - Point Richmond, CA, USA Mar 27-Apr 2 - 41 Trofeo Sar Princesa Sofia - Palma de Mallorca, Spain Mar 30-Apr 3 - Fort Lauderdale to Charleston Race - Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Mar 30-Apr 5 - Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival - Road Town, Tortola, BVI View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS AND FORUM Please email your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’). Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). One letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Michael H. Koster: (re, story in Scuttlebutt 3054) Did Mr. Easom, et al, communicate with IRC raters prior to implementing their changes to see if the change(s) would result in a rating change? Our local PHRF rating committee encourages would be modifiers to run their ideas by the committee prior to making them to see if there will be a resulting rating change. Having been involved with PHRF ratings for a number of years, the one thing I have learned is that 99% of the time, designers/modifiers of boats do so to make the boat more efficient and faster. Did Mr. Easom declare the electric winches on the IRC rating form? From the Sbutt 6/20/2009, US-IRC Executive Director Luiz E. Kahl writes "...Throughout the years, the IRC certificate application has specifically asked questions so as to properly rate the yachts and their equipment. No rule can think of everything so some new developments may take a little time to be addressed but rest assured that they are addressed at the first opportunity available...rule 14.2 states that ‘Boats using stored power for the adjustment or operation of running rigging (eg backstays, runners, checkstays, sheets, guys, etc), but excluding the hoisting, reefing or furling of sails, shall declare this to the Rating Authority’ which means that every boat should have declared in their application the use of electrical power and their rating reflects that application to the best of our knowledge today." Seems quite simple - if declared, no penalty. The boat should have been rated with the electric winches. If not declared, it would appear the boat should be penalized. * From Chris Welsh, Ragtime: Scott Easom is upset that the "breakthrough" of powered winches is being penalized. They should be penalized, or better yet, should not exist. How about the sailors that put together serious efforts and competed against the powered winch Soozal for the last year at all of those events? How should they feel? Upset? A bit ripped off? Sailing performance has been limited by human factors forever. The rules prohibit stored energy; Soozal clearly was using stored energy, and they knew they were designing against that rule from the start. Racing is about humans, not voltage. Powered winches mean smaller, lighter crews. An unfair advantage. Not having to accommodate grinders means an unfair advantage in cockpit ergonomics. Allowing powered winches eliminates great moments in sailing: tacking duels up the City Front in SF, downwind endurance spin trimming in Transpac. Nothing makes me prouder of my crew in Transpac or Sydney-Hobart than when two guys are testing their limits on the grinder as we are surfing from 16-24 knots. I wouldn't be proud of them pushing a button enthusiastically. And I don't want to compete against another boat that is pushing a button. I don't respect it. Several years ago I attended a sailor's story about his Syd-Hobart experience; he recounted how his and another canting keel boat had a tacking duel, and the one with the faster keel motor won. My only thought that day was how unsatisfactory an outcome that was. Canting keels are interesting, but in my mind, should be tacked by human power. Put a hydraulic pump on the grinder and go to town. Powered winch/keel boats should only compete against themselves, where they belong. Or if powered winches and faster keel motors start determining outcomes, why don't we just engage the prop and see who really has the most voltage and horsepower. It's a dangerous slope. -- http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9513#9513 * From Steve Taft San Francisco, CA: To credit to Soozal's success to electric winches is to ignore the remarkable program that Dan Woolery and Scott Easom put together. The winches were but one aspect of a well prepared boat. Without them they still would have won but maybe by a little less. * From Jerry Manock, Burlington, Vermont: I read with interest Larry Ellison's recent ideas about the staging of AC 34 (in Scuttlebutt 3055). I completely agree with his desire to make it interesting for the younger generation. As per where to stage it, why choose either San Diego or San Francisco? Why not have two short races in San Francisco Bay, then a coastal race from San Francisco to San Diego, then finish up the "best of seven" with at least one short race in San Diego. The advantages include appealing to a wider geographic population as well as the implied design "rule" of needing a boat that would survive real world ocean conditions, a major criticism of the recent past AC's. And, to include Newport RI, why not have the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series there? * From Andrew Troup: (re, Larry Ellison interview in Scuttlebutt 3055) "If the kids want to watch multihulls because it's more exciting, we'll go multihulls", says Larry Ellison. The snowsports example Larry raises is the perfect counter to those who say IACC boats are too slow, or insufficiently edgy. It should be obvious that kids do not find downhill racing boring because it is slower or less edgy than snowboarding. It is neither of those things. They find it boring because adults do not. Should he fall into the contemporary trap of chasing the capricious rainbow of teen interest, he will abandon the finite pot of gold which the America's Cup tapped during the IACC era, in the quest for a seemingly limitless pot of gold, which, truth be told, actually isn't there. => Curmudgeon’s Comment: I am curious if Larry’s kids snowboard or ski, as we tend to get more excited about things we can relate to. As for my winter Olympic preferences, I watched whatever had action and/or drama, and I contend that is what will make this America’s Cup watchable too. * From Joe Hummel: (re, letters in Scuttlebutt 3055) Wow, it's been less than 24 hours since Clipper California was dismasted in the Pacific, the details are slim, and folks are already criticizing the skipper for *allegedly* setting off the EPIRB. Maybe you could actually wait to hear the facts before recommending he resign as skipper? Or perhaps from the comforts of your armchair in your glass boat, you prefer to throw stones? Btw, the Clipper boats carry their EPIRBs on the stern pulpit in an enclosed box (with hydrostatic release), and it may have simply activated during the roll. Yes, we are all aware of too many people setting off EPIRBs for non-emergency reasons. But equating this to "calling 911 because my car doesn't start" is an insult. Sailing, like life, is messy. And sailing, like life, often requires making difficult decisions in the presence of conflicting factors. A crew member was injured - are *you* sure the injury was not life-threatening? I am a crew member on Clipper California, I have sailed with Captain Pete Rollason, and Pete demonstrated at all times calm, thoughtfulness, and the highest integrity for the job. Until we hear otherwise, I think we should support a fellow skipper and assume he weighed the options and did what he thought was appropriate. DONATE YOUR USED SAILS John and Linda Dodge are into their second month with their Project Sails to Save Haiti, a donation program designed to get as many used sails (the bigger the better but we will take anything) as well as spinnaker poles, lines, and anything else one might think of to construct shelter to over 600,000 Haitians who have been left out in the exposure due to the January 12th earthquake that killed over 230,000. With the rain season now upon them, time is of the essence. Their focus in on the sailing community of the Chesapeake Bay and will pick up donations with just a phone call. All donations will be shipped to Haiti for distribution to the homeless. North Sails Chesapeake in Annapolis has also agreed to act as a drop off point for local sailors in that area. For more information email or call John at dodger8385@aol.com or 804-334-6950. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2010/03/donate-your-used-sails.html CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION “The two highest achievements of the human mind are the twin concepts of ‘loyalty’ and ‘duty’. Whenever these twin concepts fall into disrepute -- get out of there fast! You may possibly save yourself, but it is too late to save that society. It is doomed.” - Sayings of Lazarus Long, by Robert A. Heinlein Special thanks to Team One Newport and Ullman Sails. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
