Cruising lessons from ocean racers

Great article from our partner from the World Cruising Club, Andy Schell.  For more entertaining, intelligently written articles follow Andy’s Blog at 59 North.

59 North

Newport-Bermuda Race 2014: Cruising lessons from ocean racers

 

350 NW of Bermuda…

‘Sleijride’ is nearly halfway back to Newport on the return delivery following the Bermuda Race last week. We’re in cruising mode again, down to four crew (from six), and enjoying single-handed watches steered by autopilot, 9 hours of rest, reading (!), and motor sailing through the calms.

Yesterday we had a very close encounter with a sperm whale that breached not 100 yards off our port bow, then proceeded to meander across the bow and dive off to starboard, showing us his big tail on the way down. Today we’re sailing fast off the wind, fair weather cumulus clouds dotting the blue sky and the hot sun baking the decks. Aside from the relentless heat, this is ocean sailing at its finest.

Participating in the Bermuda Race last week (my first), got me thinking about the differences between ocean racing and ocean cruising, and what the former can teach us about the latter. I’m primarily an ocean cruiser (though prefer the term ‘sailor’, as cruising has an air of laziness to it that doesn’t suit me), but having done two long ocean races now (Annapolis-Newport in 2013) has altered my perspective on some points. I’m admittedly no authority on the subject of ocean racing, but I’ve jotted some ideas down here, with a few anecdotes from our experiences to elaborate. Here goes…
Read more

Local Weather Prediction

Wunder

I was having a conversation with two long time clients, Dan and Lynn last Thursday about local weather prediction and the variety of websites and apps available.  I have been an avid user of Wundermap by Weather Underground for years.  With a little tweaking you can get the radar not only to show you direction but an incredibly accurate timing prediction.  The storm tracking cones are divided into twenty minute segments making it very easy to make an accurate ETA of a storm.  They also support the site with some good explanations and definitions (ask Channing about the importance of the vil numbers).  I had been under the impression the Weather Underground did not have an app yet and had been using a very good radar app called Raindar, it had all of the features of the Wundermap.  Much to my pleasure, Kristen informed me that not only has Weather Underground produced the app but it is fantastic, I couldn’t agree more.  It is available for free or for $1.99 without adds.  It is worth checking all the settings, it is very customizable and very functional.  I have included a link to the app for Android and will add the itunes link.  If you have an app or website you are particularly fond of please let us know below.

google-play-badge@2x

 

Weather Routing

In preparing for the 2014 Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race I came across this great article by Wally Cross of Quantum Sails.  Wally is a veteran of both Mackinac races.  Find the article here: Read Article

Here is a little history about the 90 year old race.  The inaugural race course was 235 statute miles (378 km) up the Michigan shore line south of Bois Blanc. Originally it was started at the same time as the Chicago Race to Mackinac with the yachts crossing the finish line from two different directions. In 1935, the course was lengthened to 290 miles (470 km) and required participants to round Cove Island Buoy just south of Canada’s Georgian Bay. Fog created confusion and the longer course was abandoned as dangerous and slow in 1936. In 1940 the race rounded the Six Fathoms Shoal buoy for that year only. The following year the race went back to shore course but left Bois Blanc to port. In 1972 the 290-mile (470 km) Cove Island course was restored. Twenty years later, participating yachts were divided into two separate fleets, with one heading east to round Cove Island and the other following the original shore course. After the Canadian government’s decision to decommission the Cove Island buoy in 2000, the longer course was replaced with the Southampton Course in which sailors are directed towardSouthampton, Ontario and then to the finish line at Mackinac Island.

port_huron_to_mackinac_20100713201750_640_480

Bermuda Ocean Race Update

DSC_1626
Brad Cole’s team of Midshipmen, set the chute and set sail for Bermuda

When Brad Cole is coaching sailing with J World Annapolis, he works with the Varsity Offshore Racing Team (VOST) at the US Naval Academy.  Brad, set sail Friday in the Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race aboard the Navy 44 and has been posting some news and photos as they race down the bay.  You can track the race HERE to follow their progress.

The race has been structured to provide a combination of inshore and offshore racing previously not available. Divisions are established to insure fair matching for both cruising and racing boats.  A major objective is to enhance the art of navigation for more sailors. This includes piloting through the 125 miles of Chesapeake Bay coastal waters and navigation of the 628 mile offshore leg. A2B provides these challenges within a framework designed for safe offshore sailing. It enables many sailors to fulfill a lifelong ambition: a blue water passage to an island of coral with white sandy beaches and hospitable people.

The first Annapolis To Bermuda Race was established in 1979 with seven yachts that competed informally. The organizers determined there was sufficient interest for this type of race and it became an accepted biennial event starting in 1980. Since then the fleet has grown and now attracts both racing and cruising boats. The fleet is limited to 50 entries. This allows the committee and host clubs to be responsive to the needs of each entrant–a major objective of the race organizers.

Read more

J World to enter the 34th Solomons Island Invitational Race

Racing down the bay, it's a beautiful thing.
Racing down the bay, it’s a beautiful thing.

Almost nothing gets the staff of J World Annapolis more excited than acquiring new boats and getting to test them out.  As you may have heard we have acquired the J 120, Euro Trash Girl.  Though she has done the race many times, never with J World.  The race offers some great competition, night sailing and legendary morning pool party.

ARC Bahamas IS BACK!

ARCbahamaslogo_MED_RGB

Did you know that J World Annapolis is now the official training partner of the World Cruising Club?  Did you know we are planning special training sessions for ARC Caribbean 1500 and ARC Bahamas participants?  Did you know J World Annapolis planning to sail the ARC Bahamas this fall and you are invited to join us?  Well its true!  Four berths remain for this “bucket list” offshore passage that departs from historic Portsmouth, VA and ends at the sunny Bluff ouse Marina on Green Turtle Cay.

Sailing with J World Annapolis and the ARC Bahamas is best way to get to the Bahamas this winter!

What’s in a name?  The Bahamas Class has been renamed ARC Bahamas, to give the fleet their own identity within the Caribbean 1500 rally.

Read more

Euro Trash Girl Goes Cruising

At anchor in Weems Creek - day one was all about systems, boat handling and provisioning.
At anchor in Weems Creek – day one was all about systems, boat handling and provisioning.

J World Annapolis’ J/120 – EuroTrashGirl – is the perfect performance cruising machine.  With great sailing characteristics and a sea-kindly manner she is the ideal platform for learning the skills to cruise in comfort and style.  This week ETG is on patrol with skipper/coach Brad Cole cruising the middle Chesapeake Bay from Annapolis to St. Michaels and many gunk holes in between.  Look for her in Shaw Bay, at the Chesapeake Maritime Museum in St. Michaels and the creeks of Annapolis between now and Sunday.   Check out the flickr album here! Read more

Skip to toolbar