Just a recap of events. Mark Hergan and crew took the night off and
Peter Harsh showed sans crew to work on boat leaving 3 boats to duel
for 3 races in med to light winds (10 mph dying to 4-5mph). The
Compton boat with Tony helming, Tom middle and Mel foredeck set a once
round course from G to C marks. After a fairly even start by all, the
Compton boat caught a nice lift/breeze further West which put them
well ahead of boat Phelan (Patrick helming, Don middle, Jason Phelan
foredeck) and boat Maygar (Mike helming, Amber middle?, Bob
Foredeck?). The Maygar boat did a nice job of breathing down the neck
of the Phelan boat. I have decided Mike learned too much sailing with
me @ the Doc Gilbert!

2nd and 3rd races were short course races of 4 legs closer to shore in
the dying breeze. Starts were key and Team Phelan put it together in
both of them on the short line. The current was moderately strong so
facing upriver and being close to the line was key.

The weather was very nice, and we enjoyed the usual good beer, food
and company afterwards. Look forward to seeing all next week.

Oh yes, official finishes were:
Compton 1-2-2
Maygar 3-3-3
Phelan 2-1-1

Patrick Phelan 15131

After reviewing the responses to last week’s email about switching to a High Point Scoring System, I have updated the 2008 Sailing Instructions to reflect the new scoring process. The High Point Scoring formula is very simple, but I need a spreedsheet to assist with the math. I think the formula is similar to CBYRA’s High Point system from 10+ years ago when I was sailing Marmalade my Kiwi 30 in PHRFC.

Here is what I came up with based on my previous experience:

15 SCORING

15.1 Series will be scored in accordance with the following High Point System; a boat earns one point for starting, one point for finishing and one point for every boat beaten. The High Point Score for a boat competing in a race is determined by dividing the total number of points earned by the number of boats starting plus two. One race may be discarded from the records in which a yacht has been recorded for at least six (6) races. Two (2) races may be discarded from the records in which a yacht has been recorded for at least twelve (12) races. Three (3) races may be discarded from the records in which a yacht has been recorded for eighteen (18 ) or more races. One (1) race may be discarded in which the yacht was scored ‘DSQ’ by the Race Committee for the final standing in that event unless the DSQ was for “significant damage”. Races scored DNE (Disqualified, Non-Excludable) by the Race Committee, or a Protest Committee under RRS 69.1(b)(2) will not be discarded. The High Point Recorder will automatically discard events for the owner to achieve the highest possible score.

15.2 A minimum of two boats appearing at the start makes a race.

15.3 The overall season’s score for each boat will be calculated on the basis of its positions in the four series. Prizes for overall performance will be awarded on a per-boat basis using a low point scoring system where the finishing place in each series is treated as a single race. Ties will be broken in accordance with Appendix A8.

15.4 If one of the skippers of a boat that is assigned to staff a Race Committee assignment does not fulfill the boat’s assignment and does not arrange for a substitute skipper or similarly qualified person, the boat will be assigned a scoring penalty of DNF for the first race of that day.

15.5 HDGYC awards - Series 1 and 2 will be combined for the Spring Series Award and Series 3 and 4 will be combined for the Summer Series.

Comments welcome.

Two of five race nights for the Mallard Trophy are complete and the sailing has been exciting and challenging.  Three boats were on the line, Tom, Mike and Mark where able to sail with Pete and Pat unalble to get out of work. 

The weather was a little unusual with a front moving throught during the second race.  Winds 4 to 7 mph shifted between NW - WNW and going North as the sun set. The starting line was set between HDGYC finish mark Z and HDGYC mark D

Race 1 - Windward Leeward to HDGYC mark A, finish -  The race was a little crazy with unexpected finish results.  14366 won the start and had 14629 in a controling position to leeward.  We were on starboard and heading to Tidewater when we tacked and headed out in the river looking at and sailing in more wind.  14629 went to the bulkhead at Tidewater, tacked and was lifted to the mark out of the current and easily lead to the windward mark by 100 yards.  But there was still one more leg to sail and 14629 was practicing gybes downwind when they sailed right by the finish line without crossing it.  That was just enough to let 14366 cross ahead while they were trying to sail against the current to get above the line. 10302 was late for the start but joined in on the windward leg

Race 2 - Windward Leeward Windward - HDGC mark A, D, Finish - The start looked like everyone was late and it was going to be uneventful until 14629 tacked onto port but could not clear a very late 14366 on starboard.  14629 tacked but her transom swung through on her attemp to leebow and hit 14366’s port bow.  Protest was hailed and 14629 accepted her penalty and did a 720 - 360 more then necessary based on our SI’s.  

Race 3 - Windward Leeward Windward  - A last minute wind shift forced a change in course and starting line.  The windward mark was the 6mph mark (SSW of mark Z by a few yards), G, Finish.  - Looked like a good start for everyone until 14629 sailed over the the pin and hooked it.  After unhooking from the mark they took off and were first to the windward mark but needed to complete a 360.  14366 ran into a bizarre windshift on the way to the windward mark, just after tacking on to starboard we sailed into what seemed to be the biggest hole ever.  After rounding the windard mark 14366 went middle, 14629 left and 10302 right.  For some time the right was looking good but the current was sending them away from the mark. The hole 14366 sailed into on the first leg turned out to be a hugh wind sheer which 14629 sailed into on the last leg and allowed 10302 to sail into a solid 2nd.  The wind at the top of the mast on the last leg was 15 to 30 degrees to the right of the wind on the water.   

Race 4 - started but abandonded - time limit expired and the wind died. 10302 was out in front and looking good.

The evening ended with a beautiful sunset as 10302 sailed in and the others were towed in by the Grady White. Again we had a nice social after the races with burgers and chips.

Race Results:

• 10302 - DNS - 3 - 2
• 14366 - 1 - 1 - 1
• 14629 - 2 - 2 - 3

Photos from the Quest for the Mallard can be found at:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/lightningfleet192/pool/  

Go to page 81 of the May 2008 issue of SpinSheet and you will find this photo of my son Alex at the 2007 North Americans at SSA.  SpinSheet published my first ever submission to them about our fleet.  I will submit another article about the Quest for the Mallard this week. 

The Mallard Trophy - No one has every won it. Four boats accepted the challenge to win the Mallard and there is hope that a fifth will join the hunt soon. 

It was a great night for sailing on the Susquehanna River.  Winds were gusty and out of the Northwest at 10 to 15mph and died as the sun set. The current was flowing quickly down the middle of the course and as always it was a challenge to pick the starboard layline at the windward mark.

The evening started with a lot of practice.  Tom, Mike and my boats were on the water with plenty of time to make the 1800 first horn.  The west side of the river had less wind and was quite shifty. The east side had more wind and some good puffs rolling down the river.  I was a little nervous in the puffs, it was only our second night out on the water in 5 or 6 months and I was praying we would not flip. 

Finaly, at 1815 the race committe boat was spotted coming out of the marina.  However, it was not setting a course and Pat was still no where to be found.  I sailed over and assisted Don with setting the starting line just east of D “N18″ and at about 1830 Pat finally arrived on the course.  It turned out he left his rudder at home and had to borrow Pete’s rudder.  The rudder fit but the tube that the tiller slides into was significantly larger then his tiller.  I understand Ruben suggested a simple solution - shove some driftwood in the gap and duct tape it together.  Just another reason to never leave home with out a roll of duct tape.

Once all four boats made it to the starting area we were able to get off three progressively longer races in a dying breeze. We could of raced four, but someone forgot his rudder

Race One

Windward leeward around the HDGYC Mark Z “Finish Mark”.  It was a short race but challenging in the shifty winds.  With the Race Committee Boat set up on the left side of the line and a wind shift making it close to impossible to cross on starboard, the starting line was a little exciting if you were running down the line.

Race Two

Windward leeward  around HDYC Mark C “CAN SR”.  The Race committe boat made the start real exciting as I was running out of line and Tom was on my stern.  Tom decided to duck the transom and I tacked at the starting horn with inches to spare from hitting the RC Boat.

Race Three

Windward Leeward Windward  - Start - HDGYC Mark C - HCGYC Mark G - Finish.  Steve Eller took over driving 14366 did a nice job driving. He was first to the windward mark but Tom passed him just before the leeward mark.  Steve was able to get inside him at the leeward mark with an early take down and was able to sail over top of him.  The last leg was exciting with Pat playing the shifts and passing Tom but he ran out of race course and Steve held on to finish First.

As the Sun set it was a beautiful opportunity to take some pictures as I brought the RC boat back to the marina. Be sure to check out the Flickr site, I uploaded about 60 photos of the evenings activities.

Once onshore, Mel set up her Gorge Forman Grill while everyone put away the their boats.  Pat proceeded to take his rig down and get his boat ready to travel to VA this weekend for the Doc Gilbert sponsored by Lightning Fleet 50 PRSA.  It was a great learning experience for all our new crew members.

Mel did a great job at the after race cookout and everyone contributed to the beverages and food.  Thanks.  I also announced that in response to my email about changing the fleet name, the members of the fleet selected to replace Lower Susquehanna with Havre de Grace.

Race Results

• 14366 - 1 - 1 - 1
• 15131 - 2 - 2 - 2
• 14629 - 3 - 3 - 3
• 10302 - 4 - 4 - 4

Photos from the Quest for the Mallard can be found at:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/lightningfleet192/pool/