I’ve crewed for others for years; Damn, I’m getting long in years! It will be 40 years sailing for me in 2009.
As your 2008-09 Race Chair I plan to continue SSSS’s history of tuning and tweaking our racing program to meet the changing times and the mix of of our boats being currently raced. I will endeavor to be available to you and/or your crew to assist in finding the best niche in our program to meet current and longer range needs.
All in all here it is. I’m committed to giving you a good racing program this year by doing the following:
1. Making the courses safer; by using temporary buoys to replace our hazardous practice of using the navigation dolphins as turning and starting marks; by getting the #1 temporarily buoy north enough to minimize Olympia Shoal as another hazard; by using a stake-boat for the Eagle Islands turn mark in lieu of the dolphin now used as marking the reef. This reef was previously marked by a green can replaced by the Coasties.
2. Making our commitment to windward /leeward buoy races a more attainable goal for the RC boats by simplifying
the courses and the colored flags denoting the courses.
3. Enhancing our improving start system by adding new larger class flags and flag staff holders.
4. Increasing our efforts to provide crew skill development and a better system to connect with racing boats seeking crew.
5. Devoting time, energy and resources to make SSSS more inclusive of its Members and potential Members with boats of 18' to 25' or so. I am sure this is an area we need to better serve and develop. I welcome any ideas and help with this seemingly forgotten yet tremendous assets. Call me, Please, on this one!
6. Readjusting the class breaks and the boats assigned to the classes to better reflect our current mix of boats racing.
Some adjustments and changes will create stress on us. The timing of the publishing schedule of the events calendar, the S-t-S, and the Handbook may make communications iffy at times. Please, hang in there, ask questions, add your input, read the notices at the on-line club house etc. Be safe out there!
Clark McPherson, McSwoosh
Since 1991, SSSS has supported a dinghy racing program in Olympia. It gives people in the community a chance to get out on the water and race in a friendly environment, very inexpensively. The racing is free and the crew that runs the races gets paid with the pleasure of watching people really enjoying themselves.
Most of the worlds best sailors came from a local dinghy program somewhere. Many sailors say that racing a dinghy is the best way to really learn the basics of sailboat racing. The results of your actions are immediate and obvious, be it sail trim, picking wind shifts, or any of the hundred other small details of racing. These same skills learned in dinghy racing translate very well to PHRF “big” boat racing.
The Portsmouth handicapping system is used so that any type of small boat that doesn’t have a heavily weighted keel or centerboard can race. Lasers, Lightnings, Pelicans, Thistles, C Larks, Lido 14s, Finns, Johnson 18s, Fireballs, Sol Cats, and more are all racing together over the mud flats north of KGY in Budd Inlet. We try to do three or more short races in an evening, which gives lots of practice at starts and mark roundings and if you mess up badly there’s usually another race, to redeem yourself.
For more information call me at (360) 273-5376 or email dinghy@ssssclub.com
Jim Findley, Skaga, Not Sirius
What is Portsmouth Racing?The Star Fleet has grown tremendously over the last few years to over 30 boats. We have gained fleet status with the Star Class Association registered as the Budd Inlet Fleet and have sent a fleet representative to two world championships. The racing program is ever expanding to include an annual Black Star Regatta to kick off the season at the end of April, followed by fleet racing every other Thursday and Monday throughout the spring and summer, with some match racing thrown in just for the fun of it.
The Budd Inlet Star Fleet is unique in the Star Class in that all the boats are older cast offs from other fleets along the west coast and elsewhere around the country. The Fleet bylaws are structured so that this spirit is maintained with a limit on how new the boat can be, and there is not the normal arms race that can occur as competitive sailors get ever increasingly expensive equipment and sails. This allows us to have fun, competitive sailing at a reasonable cost, making it an affordable family affair as husbands and wives, fathers, mothers and son or daughters race together. There are also boats that can be borrowed from fleet members if you are interested in trying out a Star to see how much fun they are to sail. We have had over 10 guest skippers join us for the racing in borrowed boats this last season. If you are interested in buying a Star, there are always boats that can be found to purchase and made race ready by our intrepid Fleet Captain, Bill Brosius.
This is your only opportunity to enjoy one design sailing in Budd Inlet. All the other races are handicapped so that you don’t know how you did until the times are corrected. When you cross the finish line in a Star race it is obvious how you did, there is no need for handicappers. Come out and join us, we leave the docks at West Bay Marina at 1730 and then stop by Tug Boat Annie’s after the races to tell lies about the night’s racing. All are welcome to try out this fantastic Olympic Class sailing machine. We are easy to find with the big star on the sail.
For more information or help finding a boat, call Bill Brosius at 357-6932 or e-mail him at stars@ssssclub.com
Norm Smit, Star 7094, Tantalus
PHRF Racing:
Free Races : The Jack & Jill Race, the Single-handed Race, and one trial race in any buoy race series : free for Sailing Society Members.
Otherwise, you must pay the race fee in advance to be scored in a race!
Annual Race Fee: $35.00.
Series Race Fee: $15.00
Portsmouth Racing:
Thursday Night Racing and the Fall Series are free; you do need to register with the RC.
The Regattas for boats under 30 feet have their own race fee collected before the races.
Star Races are free, except for the Black Star Regatta.
The Toliva Shoal Race has its own entry fee.
Contact the Race Chair or Assistant RC to volunteer for Race Committee duty. All boats that race are expected to be Race Committee boat for at least one race per season. This helps keep racing fees low.
Advice on being RC is included in this Handbook.
Whether you are experienced or novice, come participate in the South Sound Sailing Society race program. Even if your main interest is cruising, the experience you gain while racing will prove invaluable as will the friendships you make. The purpose of boat racing is to have fun and develop skills as a sailor.
The Sailing Society has five Classes in which to race. S, H, A, and B Classes use spinnakers, flying sails, and require a PHRF handicap. Your handicap and boat design determines which Class you are in. Lower handicaps are assigned to faster boats.
Any boat can race in D Class. D Class boats do not need to belong to PHRF. You cannot fly a spinnaker, though. If you have not raced much, D Class is a good place to start and learn the basics. You can sail conservatively, or competitively. Many experienced South Sound skippers prefer to race in D Class.
So you’ve joined South Sound Sailing Society, a PIYA-affiliated club. That’s your first step to club racing. Now what do you do?
Get a Handicap: Contact the club handicapper. To join PHRF, request an application form from the handicapper. Fill out the form and return it to the handicapper with the appropriate fee. You will be notified of your boat’s handicap. Once you’ve joined, annual renewal notices will be sent directly to you from PHRF Northwest.
If you want to race in D fleet, you can get an informal rating from the handicapper.
These handicaps may be used only on Sailing Society races in Class D.
Get Your Sail Numbers: These are required to race. Contact the PIYA Representative or the PHRF Handicapper for an application for numbers. Fill out, sign and submit the form to the PIYA secretary, along with the appropriate fee. This is a one-time charge. PIYA will notify you by mail of your sail number assignment. Affix the numbers on your mainsail and on all headsails of 130% or greater in accordance with RRS Appendix G and PIYA Special Regulation specifications. Self-sticking numbers are readily available from any sailmaker.
If you’ve purchased a boat with existing PIYA/USSA sail numbers, you must advise PIYA by mail or telephone to have the numbers registered in your name. PIYA will not register production or hull numbers except for yachts belonging to a one-design class accepted by PIYA. Contact the PIYA representative for further information.
Register to Race: All members of SSSS are eligible to race for an additional race fee. An annual fee entitles you to an entire year of club racing, from summer buoy races to long courses all over south Puget Sound. You can also pay for a single series. Contact the Secretary and pay the race fee prior to your first race. Then contact the Race Chair or scorer. Give them your name and your boat’s name, sail number, and rating. Not sure you’re really going to like racing? You can do a free trial race to see if it’s for you. Be sure to let the Race Chair or scorer know, though.
Volunteer for Race Committee: The SSSS race program is run by volunteers. Every race skipper is asked to volunteer for race committee duty once a year. This helps keep the cost of our program low. Special consideration is given to race committee boats in the series scoring process so you’re not penalized for this contribution to the program. All the equipment you need to run a race is provided. Complete information on how to run a race is included in this chapter. In addition, you can go out with another skipper serving as Race Committee before doing it yourself the first time. Serving as race committee boat is a great way of returning the favor to all the other skippers who do this important function. It’s also an excellent opportunity to take photos for the Ship-to-Shore!
Have your Safety Gear. PIYA Category III safety gear is required for the longer races. The exception to this requirement is a VHF radio. However, SSSS encourages all racers to carry a VHF radio or cell phone when racing, even if it is not required. Category III safety gear is common-sense gear, nothing exotic. You probably already have what you need on board. Prudent racers and cruisers know the value of basic safety gear. See the Race Instructions for more information. If required, you will need a copy of the PIYA Special Regulations, usually referred to as the Category Certificate, and have it on board.
Learn Basic Sailing First: You should know how to sail to weather and back, including how to tack and gybe.
Learn the Rules: The Racing Rules of Sailing guide and control the conduct of all participating yachts. It is important that each skipper know and understand the rules. Understanding the rules forms the basis for tactical decisions on the race course and helps reduce the occurrences of embarrassing and potentially dangerous situation. Rules enable a lot of boats to sail in close proximity in heavy wind and weather and to do it safely.
Pay particular attention to Part 2, When Boats Meet. It is only 10 pages and covers most of what you need to know to keep from hitting othe boats.
Don’t forget to read the Sailing Society Sailing Instructions which modify the rules somewhat for local racing.
Give way when in doubt. Crew and boat safety is the highest priority.
Build your own crew. Racing a sailboat is a team effort. If you’re serious about racing, it’s worth developing a regular crew to be the core of your team. Pick up crew are valuable, but it’s good to have some regular crew who know the workings of your boat and are committed to being a part of your long-term team.
1. Start crewing with an experienced skipper until you feel comfortable enough to try it yourself. Sign up on the "Wants to Crew" list with the Ship-to-Shore, or find a boat you’d like to crew on and ask if they need crew. Many skippers welcome the opportunity for an extra hand on board.
2. Attend SSSS Meetings. Our guest speaker program every month is a storehouse of information for new and experienced racers. Many of our guest speakers will help you unravel the mysteries of sail trim, tactics, weather, and racing rules. And SSSS Members love to talk to about sailing and racing.
3.Participate in the Performance Sailing Seminars. These monthly meetings are held at the home of Rod Tharp. It is an opportunity for Members to meet and share their experience and research on a variety of sailing topics. These seminars are less formal than the regular SSSS Meetings, with participants shaping the agendas and discussions. You’ll find information on each month’s Performance Sailing Seminar in the Ship-to-Shore.
4. Read one of the many fine books on racing and sailing. The Timberland Library System has an excellent collection of books on sailing. For example, Mr. Perry’s book on the Racing Rules of Sailing explains them with examples and commentary.
5. Check out our videos on racing and general sailing. The Timberland Library has videos, including some tapes from J-World Sailing School.
6. Ask other sailors. We learn from each other. We are all interested in getting you out on the water and participating in Sailing Society activities. Ask for help and/or advice and you’ll get it. Those with similar boats may prove the most helpful. If you don’t know who to ask, ask the Race Chair.
7. When you’re ready to race your boat, ask an experienced sailor to assist on your boat in the first few races. You’ll learn more quickly and become a more competitive racer sooner than if you learn by trial and error alone.
Learning to race is challenging and rewarding. There is a lot to learn: rules, currents, weather, tactics, the aerodynamics of sails, etc. Then you have to apply your knowledge, build a team that can actually sail the boat, and practice until you do it well. You’ll never learn it all. But if it were easy it wouldn’t be so satisfying and fun. See you on the water!