KSC Catamaran Regatta, Sat Aug 10

I was hesitatant to post speak too loudly about this based on the lack-of-wind we’ve been having this year, but it looks like the KSC Catamaran Regatta can take place, Sat Aug 10! Let’s hope the forecast doens’t change too much, and we’ll see how many races we can get in. No entry fee,

Schedule:

9:30-10:00 – Come to club, grab a boat, start rigging up
10:00 – Skipper’s meeting on deck
10:30 – First warning signal (3-min start sequence)
Around 12:00 – break for lunch (BYO sandwiches, snacks, etc)
Around 12:30 – resume racing
1:30 – latest possible time for a new start sequnce to begin
Around 2:00 – done racing, head back to KSC and de-rig
3:00 – results announced

This is a chance for all you multi-hull fans to go head-to-head with your fellow cat sailors. Those who normally come out to our weekly races will notice a slight change in the course (although it might look familiar to anyone watching the Olympics this year).

Boats like cats and skiffs generally sail much faster downwind on a broad reach than going directly downwind. As such, windward-leeward courses are typically used for these boats. We’ll use a 2-lap course for the regatta.

  • cross start line
  • first upwind leg (round mark to port)
  • first downwind leg
  • pass through gate – round either the mark to starboard, or the comittee boat to port
  • second upwind leg (round mark to port)
  • second downwind leg (finish through gate)
2-Lap Windward-Leeward course

Why a Windward-Leeward course? The short answer is because it allows more chances for tactical decisions. Boats like cats sail faster downwind on a broad reach than pointed directly downwind. This means on a leeward leg, you’re probably going to be reaching. If we used a triangular course and a gybe mark, then it forces everyone to reach in the same direction, and the race becomes somewhat processional. By using a windward-leeward course, it give you the option to reach to either side of the course – good sailors will be able to make decisions about which side has the better wind speed/direction/etc, and can take advantage of their skills to perhaps pass boats which made the wrong choice. Similarly, having a gate at the bottom of the course allows a boat to come in on either tack and round in the direction of their choice, to better put themself in contention. Port/starboard rules still apply though, so beware if you’re the port-tack boat screaming into the gate šŸ™‚