R10: Chocolate Moose on the Waitemata

A lovely evening on the Waitemata, with a bit more breeze than last week.

The Crew

John (Captain), Nicola, Dave, Tim and Ian.

Course 8

To Rough Rock, Bean Rock, Resolution, and home, shortened to Bean Rock. We had a lovely sail back after the shortened course, hitting 8 knots (with the help of the incoming tide!).

The Start

We were good on our start again tonight, with the charge to the line starting 3 minutes before the gun, in the light airs.

Progress

We stayed city-side tonight, after having failed to make great progress against the tide going to the Devonport side of the course. This was a good move, however Nicola did start suggesting that we have a beer a bit earlier than usual - meaning we had plenty of time in the light wind to think of other things! Thinking of beer of course, is second only to thinking about trimming sails.

The Result

Not our finest hour on the race track - but in the clubrooms a different story! I got a Mariner Insurance discount voucher, and Dave picked up a few beers.

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Beer Review: BRB Chocolate Moose

A bit different - mmm very nice and chocolaty - lets see how it fares in the voting ;-)

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cheers, johnhs

Race 9: Sailing Backwards at 1.4 Knots

Yes it was a bit light out on the Waitemata Harbour last night... so much so that we had time to practice our Man-Over-Board drill - with Ian (of course) providing the wet part.

The Crew

John (Captain) Nicola, Dave, Mark and Ian. Nearly a full crew - just as well Tim didn't come - we only had 5 beers to try ;-) and a very nice and exotic brew it was!

Course 5

To Rough Rock, Orakei, Resolution, Bayswater and home. It would have been quite a good course if the wind had of stayed with us - but alas - at least we made the first mark before cut-off.

The Start

The team pulled a great start out - we were first across the line - and with the full fleet stampeding behind - we were absolutely swamped (almost to the point of being run over!) a metre or so after the line. A bit scary - I used some sailor talk I think...

Progress

What a lovely evening - for swimming and fishing... not sailing anywhere fast. We went as high as we could to get out of the big tide and at times was doing very well against those who had strayed down the centre. But... just passed Devonport we stopped. Actually, we were sailing backwards at over a knot according to the GPS. We decided it might be time to practice MOB, have a beer, and discuss whether it would be OK to start fishing so early in the race ;-)

The Result

4 boats in our division DNF.


Result from trailing a lure down the harbour on the way back = 0   

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Beer Review: Flensburger Winterbock

Nice bottle. Actually a nice beer too ;-) it was a departure from our usual IPA style and was very pleasant on a Wednesday evening.

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cheers, johnhs

2013: Race 8 Pipped by 2 seconds

With the threat of rain, we headed out onto the Waitemata Harbour to do our Wednesday night battle.

The Crew

John (Captain) Nicola, Dave, and Ian. THere was a bit of a worry in the ranks when Ian arrived a little late - they thought they would have to work hard like the 'action-man' does it. Go Ian ;-)

Course 8

To Rough Rock, Bean Rock, Resolution, and home. A nice loop in winds that seemed like they might die.

The Start

Well everyone seems to be back - the start box was busy. We trolled along the line on starboard (grins) but then Pott Black trolled us ;-) We got away well though and looked to drop down to the Devonport side as much as possible without losing speed.

Progress

We got out of the tide and cruised down the left of the course towards North Head. Our tactic kept us with the fleet and ahead of the Davidson, however we were looking for the early goose-wing passed North Head to Rough Rock, and the wind kinda followed us around - meaning we had to go a bit higher to get the angle. We thought we had the right decision, but at the mark we rounded in last place (on line).

The Result

4th by 2 seconds.


  

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Beer Review: Hancock and Co Pale Ale

Interesting - but not Earth-shattering - well... maybe just OK. Lets see how it does in the voting.

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cheers, johnhs

2013 Race 7: Riiiipppppp

Hmmm, another DNF on our report card - this time due to a rip in the headsail as we gybed at Orakei.

The Crew

John (Captain) Nicola, Dave, Ian and Tim, and Charlotte (Ian's daughter) who was along to help us in the galley and on the rail.

Course

To Rough Rock, Orakei, Resolution, Bayswater and home. We didn't get to rough Rock.

The Start

A strong tide coming up the harbour, and an easterly wind, meant that the pin end was the go, and from there heading across and out of the tide. We started well on the line with speed.

Progress

We wanted to get out of the tide, but were in the fleet and couldn't tack across. We tried to escape the clutches of our closest rivals, and finally made the break across towards Stanley Pt and the better side of the harbour. As the wind was also on the nose we found it quite difficult to get where we wanted to go (out of the strong tide). Eventually we let ourselves go for the best speed to get down the harbour and be able to tack to go around North Head, and to Rough Rock. That was when we ripped the headsail. So, we radioed Channel 77 and let them know we were withdrawing, pulled down the sail, go out the chocolate and cold beer, and headed home. And why not.... we got out the fishing rods! Part of the reason we were having difficulty getting a good track was the number of fishing boats forming a blockade across the harbour, and us having to pick our way through them.

The Result

DNF. We went early to the clubhouse and had dinner and a beer, and went home. Thanks Nicola for dropping the sail off, Rick Royden has it now.

  

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Beer Review: Tuatara Pale Ale

Interesting - we had just had some chocolate and it made the Tuatara taste quite long and citrussy. This phenomenon had to be tested against an Epic (which I just happened to have cold in the fridge). The Epic shone. Still the Tuatara was very nice.

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cheers, johnhs

2013: First race, first place

Wind, there will be wind! And maybe some rain - but... whatever - we are up to it! Bring it on and such-like... I had my "Get Down" T-shirt on ;-)

The Crew

John (Captain) Dave, Ian and Tim - who brought us along a very nice beverage indeed. Welcome back on-board!

Course 1

First time for everything... this is quite an interesting course - down to Torpedo, Orakei, Rough Rock (which always seems so far away), Bean Rock, Resolution, Bayswater and home. Two downwinds and the rest close reach to hard on.

The Start

The wind was up, and boats were not crowding in the start box - all races seemed to start with a dive to the box and then a dash over the line. We were in with 4 minutes to start, loitered and then set forth, crossing at 4th over.

Progress

The wind was a broadish reach, but with the tide rushing in, we made for the Stanley Point side, and so goose-winged our way across. THe wind was a bit more westerly then, and we alternated a goose-wing or reach to suit the minute, gybing the headsail over half a dozen times. But it was a good strategy, and we rounded Rough Rock with Capricho and U-choose well back. We had made a good decision. It was then slogging out the race. With the wind up, the Lotus healed over, we hung on well, even looked to be catching the Townsons Pott Black and Takahoa who were duelling the whole way. The wind lightened a bit, and also went hard on the nose up to Resolution. This gave the Farr 9.2 Capricho an edge, and they reeled us in, finally crossing officially 27 seconds ahead.

The Result

We were first on handicap!

And Dave picked up a beer prize as crew.
And I had a flat battery - yep, left the key, on, in the bike, at the clubhouse, for 3 hours while out sailing. The headlight was on, the battery was flat. It was lucky for me that Ian had jumper-leads and his beastie to get me going. The bike must have plenty of amp-pull on the battery though, we had to rev the Surf and we certainly heated up those leads!

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Beer Review: 8 Wired - Tall Poppy

This India Red Ale was very nice indeed! and as it said on the bottle "Big, yet refreshing. Bold but balanced..." Worth a try.

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cheers, johnhs

2012: Late Wind = Podium Finish

The start was agonisingly slow, although we started nicely - but then there was some wind... and the last boat actually sailed happily home - to the shortened course finish.

The Crew

John (Captain) Nicola, Mark and Ian - and introducing... Mr Andy Mena as guest crew and passionate sailor. Being the last race before Christmas also meant the there were Christmas mince pies on board, beer, and bubbles!

Course 4

A bit longer tonight, although the wind was not looking good - a very slow start to Resolution, then down to Northern Leading, up to Rough Rock, back to Orakei (the shortened finish), and would have been Bayswater and home. As the evening went on the wind rose - a much better situation for us.

The Start

We came out just in time to dodge this:

...still, as that breeze ducked and dived, we made our way to the box, and started well about third across the line.

Progress

The wind was dropping and we were staying in the tide, holding on well. Then it started to get very light, and we changed from our slow goose-wing to a braod reach back into the tide, and looking for wind. Well it certainly didn't hurt, and I think we probably gained on where we would have been at Resolution. Northern leading was our next mark and we got back into what tide there was still running out of the harbour, and made for the buoy. After Rough Rock it was Orakei, and the keen sighted amongst us noted the committee boat was flying a pennant. Shortened course - so we got very focused to the best course between the mark and the finish boat. By this time the wind was rising well and we enjoyed a lovely sail back up the harbour to the clubhouse.

The Result

We were 2nd on handicap - due the the fact that we hadn't been left out in the usual dying evening breeze. Can't wait for next year went we should expect more wind at the end of our races - and hopefully some more good results.

Series Standing

And this week also spelled the end of the prize-giving drought - with a skippers prize of a lift-out and clean on the floating dock!

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Beer Review: Yeastie Boys - Pot Kettle Black

Nicola supplied us with a very nice black IPA - I first wondered if it was a Porter, as it had that malty feel in the mouth - but with a few more hops than the usual dark beer in the finish.

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Merry Christmas!!

cheers, johnhs

2012: 888 Shades Of Carbon

Why do we do it? Just look at this picture as we sail back up the Auckland Harbour on a balmy Wednesday night in November!
Not just the beer, obviously ;-)

This week we had the pleasure of finishing the entire course, which was touch and go at times, with the GPS reporting an 8:45 finish or maybe 11:37... no wait... its 9:15, now 8:56 - maybe we'll make the cutoff (of 9:00PM).

The Crew

John (Captain) Nicola, Dave and Ian. Crew back from holiday, focused, ready for some wind...

Course 7

Good old course 7 - has us going down the harbour and doing two legs from North Head to Bean Rock - always good as we are sailing in the fleet more... with no shortened course at Resolution this week.

The Start

We came out in time to see the multi's getting a rough start with Vodafone squeezed out and needing to do a 360 at the pin end - only to be seriously close to running into the next start fleet, some of whom were too early into the box. Could have been very expensive. We kept well clear over at Bayswater and ended up with a good start, near the front of the fleet. We stayed in the channel as the tide was still going out.

Progress

Down the harbour hitting over 8 knots at times, and successfully staying ahead of a Davidson 28 U-choose. Up to North Head for the first time, judged well with course and tide, we rounded and started down to Bean Rock. We were on port and noticed 888 bearing down - at some considerable speed. Seems they extracted yet another 360 - this time from us as we gave way - and in so doing gave up our place in our little battle with the Davidson. And down-hill in light air, they were able to pull away. We battled on however, with Ian taking on headsail trimmer, dropping to outboard sheeting, and me trying to find a way to some wind - 5 knots would be good even... We watched the GPS and looked for breeze, finally arriving at the finish line with 2 and a half minutes to spare.

The Result

We were 8th on handicap this week, not completely beaten by the dying evening breeze - but close.

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Beer Review: Stoke IPA

Dave brought this fine drop along for tasting as we made our way up to Resolution and beyond. A fresh tasting IPA, starts well, not huge depth for an IPA IMHO, nice drop though!

Stoke IPA poster boy - he looks happy with the choice of beer this week!.

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cheers, johnhs

2012 R3: A Hole at Resolution

Breeze, no breeze. Well the start looked dodgy but in the end the wind came up for us, unlike some previous starts just 10 minutes before. However the wind was to play its hand once more as we found a hole 200m before the finish.

Ian on deck looking for Rough Rock Bouy

The Crew

John (Captain) Ian, and Mark. Ian was pretty sick but cam out anyway - that's the spirit! Actually the spirit was 12yr old Bruichladdich - but that's another story...

Course 6

We were so focused on our start we forgot to check the course number! Ian grabbed the binoculars and could just make out the number as we fought our way through the start. Deja vu - course 6 is the loop around Rough Rock, Orakei Buoy, Resolution and home, which was shortened to Resolution, with a windless hole right at the finish line.

The Start

We watched some of the other starts, where the boats were just drifting over the line, and then 10 m on they rocketed away. We were fortunate that the wind had moved to cover the starting box, so we hit the line with speed on.

Progress

We sailed well down the harbour, actually passing Pot Black at one stage, before they picked up the pace and left us with Takahoa and Crazy Legs. It was a light breeze, good sailing up wind but a little light for the gull-wing against the tide down to the Orakei bouy. We stayed in touch and gained back a bit before sudden-death 200m from the line. Absolutely nothing - the tide was going out and we were drifting on a back eddy up towards Resolution and the committee boat - agonising.Did I mention deja vu? The hooter went and 10m later we were back from .9 of knot to 5 knots.

The Result

We were 6th on handicap this week, and disappointed that the wind caught us out, as we had sailed well.

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Beer Review: Boundary Road - Bouncing Czech

There were only two of us to test the beer this week, and it was a pilsner from Boundary Road Breweries utilising NZ Cascade and Pacifica hops to give the hoppy/lager taste. That brew was followed up with a 12yr old single malt from the Bruichladdich distillery on Islay. And everyone lived happily ever after.

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Thanks Ian for putting your body on-the-line for the team! cheers, johnhs

2012 R2: Trappist at Resolution

After last weeks defeat at the hands of the wind, we were hoping for a better breeze. It was there at the start but agonising at the shortened Resolution finish.

Ian on deck

The Crew

John (Captain) Ian, Dave and welcome back - Nicola! Nicola has been on sailing maternity leave over the past year, so great to have her back, and hopefully as regular crew.

Course 8

The loop around Rough Rock, Bean Rock, Resolution and home. The course was shortened to Resolution as the wind died away at sunset, but we made it.

The Start

The wind was there at around 10 knots, so we were hoping for a good race. We entered the box on time and were 2nd over the line.

Progress

Salt services had done the deed, and Kerkira's bottom was clean and slippery. We stuck with the field as we hit 8 knots down the harbour, with favourable wind direction and an outgoing tide. We tightened up around North Head and had a good high line as we made our way across to the channel for the tack up to Rough Rock. We could only go as far as the boats coming down would allow, but that was fine. We passed our Farr 9.2 friends and headed for the slow down-wind leg to Bean Rock. We almost caught another Farr - a 1020 as the airs went very quiet. We rounded Bean Rock and headed up to Resolution - we could already see that the boats ahead had dropped spinnakers after Resolution indicating the end of the race. We crept in finally goose-winged as the light air swirled around every direction.

The Result

We were 7th on handicap and not last over the line - well technically we were as the Farr 9.2 we passed earlier pulled out as the wind fell right away.

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Beer Review: La Trappe Blond

This week was Ian's beer review: La Trappe Blond. 6.5% abv from the Netherlands of the Northern Hemisphere to NZ's nether land somewhere near Hamilton, and thence by providence to us here on the Waitemata Harbour aboard Kerkira. A trappist beer with a fruity citrus quality and sweet honey notes that linger on the palate.

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cheers, johnhs

2012:R1 Long Dark Tea-time

Our first race of the 2012-2013 Wednesday Night Summer Series at Richmond Yacht Club.

A beautiful (and calm) evening on the Waitemata

The Crew

John (Captain) Ian, Tim, and Mark and Dave.

Course 6

The loop around Rough Rock, Orakei Buoy, Resolution and home.

The Start

We were out early and so had the chance to brush up with a couple of tacks and gybes before the start-box was ours. Our new start is 1820 and we were right there on the line as the gun went.

Progress

OK, we had a dirty bottom... Ian was quick to point out after I suggested he wasn't allowed onboard without his life-jacket and swimming togs. We were not sliding all that well, although we were hitting 6 knots as we headed down the harbour towards North Head. By Devonport we had slid to our usual last place, even with Dave's constant attention to the headsail trimming. There was a light breeze coming from the north, and with our progress down the harbour, that was making it quite tight although we wanted to stay in the outgoing tide. The wind went a bit to the west, however it was dying. Then... it died completely - the harbour was glass, and I made the comment that it almost looked liquid. We decided at 8:20 when we were still at Orakei that we would withdraw and motor home - so we could at least make the prize-giving - and maybe get some dinner at the clubhouse.

The Result

We did make dinner, but no prizes, no cigar... no free hull clean either ;-(

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Beer Review

So we decided - seeing as we had plenty of time... that we would review a new beer every race - the first being bought by Mark: Epic Lager. I have put a poll on the right for voting. Next race it is Ian's turn to 'turn-us-on' to a new brew.

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cheers, johnhs

Richmond Summer Series Starts 10 October

That's right, time to brush off those sailing clothes and get down to Westhaven on a Wednesday night.