The first of the Moonlit Frostbite races was held on Thursday, October 5, but there was no risk of frostbite. Sailors on 8 boats from NSC and BYC enjoyed 25°C temperatures and a moderate wind out of the south, on what was almost certainly the last day of summer weather for 2023. The windward-leeward course from Q to P was shortened to 5 legs, and all boats finished in the dark by 1935.
Come join us October 12 & 19 for the next races. If intending to participate and unable to attend the skipper’s meeting, please email Hugh Morrin. The rabbit for October 12 will be C&C 27 Windscot, #74169.
The original announcement and “sailing instructions” are below. Results
Not yet ready to end your season and call it quits? Then come join the Thursday evening Moonlit Frostbite series, running October 5, 12 and 19. This series is open to any keelboat from any club, PHRF or JAM, that is registered for our Interclub race program. Skippers, or their representatives, should meet under the blue tent at NSC at 1700 for a quick briefing on the course and the plan for the evening. However, boats that cannot attend the briefing (e.g. those from BYC or CVGR) will be advised of the course on VHF channel 72.
We will plan a windward-leeward type course using our permanent marks. Starts will be done using “rabbit starts”; more on that below. On October 5, sunset is at 1835, and on October 19, it’s at 1810, so this will involve sailing in the dark. This probably is not for the faint of heart, but a great excuse to get out and extend the season in the company of other boats. More details below.
Questions or comments? Contact Hugh Morrin.
Course:
Two marks will be chosen as our start/leeward mark, and windward mark, from our Race Marks, and KNB and K3. All marks will be left to port. The course will likely be twice around, but will be confirmed at the skippers meeting and on VHF channel 72.
Start:
See this basic primer on rabbit starts. C&C 27 Xel-Ha, #64077, will be the rabbit for the first night. The rabbit for subsequent nights will be announced at the skippers meeting. The warning signal will be deemed to happen at 1750; there will be no horns, though general announcements will be made on VHF channel 72. At 1750, the rabbit should proceed on a starboard-tack beam reach for at least 2 minutes, and shall then gybe or tack on to port tack, to arrive as close to 1755 as possible, at the start/leeward mark. The rabbit shall leave to port the start mark, and shall then proceed on port tack, close-hauled, for one minute. As soon as the rabbit has rounded the start/leeward mark, boats may start by crossing the rabbit’s stern, on starboard tack, leaving the start mark to port. The rabbit shall continue on port tack for one minute after passing the start/leeward mark, at which time she shall tack onto starboard. Until such time as she tacks, all other boats shall keep clear of her. No other boats shall tack after starting, until the rabbit has tacked onto starboard.
Finish Line:
The finish line is perpendicular to the course from last mark, extending 5 boat lengths from the port finish mark; in the absence of other boats finishing at the same time, boats are expected to finish right next to the mark. Boats shall record their own finish time as they pass the mark, preferably by taking a photo of the mark with their smart phone.
Scoring:
Boats should submit their finish times using the same process as is used for up-river races. The web form works well.
Prizes:
Nothing but bragging rights. :)
Post-race debrief:
In the NSC bar!
Updated 2023-10-06.
