New Boat 4 Sled

[sleddog]

Welcome, CHAUTAUQUA!

A long lost friend from our days as kids sailing out of Balboa. CHAUTAUQUA's father, Hale Field, along with Lyle Hess, designed and built the Bristol Channel Cutter RENEGADE in 1950.

RENEGADE was 24.6 feet length on deck. Lin and Larry Pardey admired RENEGADE so much, they bought the plans, built their legendary SERAFFYN, and sailed the world, influencing a generation of cruisers.

RENEGADE, though based on the Itchen Ferry fishing smacks of the 19th century, had a real turn of speed. And Hale Field and family, when not cruising to Catalina, knew how to pile on a cloud of sail. RENEGADE went on to twice win the Ensenada Race overall, 1954 and 1957, much to the chagrin of the local hotshots.

Hale Field, an engineer and craftsman of the highest degree, designed and built other small craft. Including the beautiful little schooner HAWK. And with Bill Lapworth, Field built what would become the first Cal Cruising 46, FRAM. FRAM, in the mid -1970's, with Field's family and friends, completed a circuitous circumnavigation of Central and North America.

Hale Field's story was chronicled by Chris Caswell in Sea Magazine, 1976:
https://sites.google.com/site/katshegne/Home/zygote/halefieldandfram

CHAUTAUQUA, following in her father's footsteps, went on to build the beautiful Bristol Channel Cutter of the same name alongside the Pardey's TALIESIN. That's a story in itself, worthy of a book.

Here's a pic of RENEGADE under full sail from about 60 years ago. Sprits? We got sprit. Topsails? We got topsail. Waterline? We got waterline. And pretty? Not many small boats so beautiful grace my memory.

 

[BobJ]

SPRAY, a 26' (LOD) Bill Garden rendition of the Bristol Channel Cutter, captured our hearts when she was on the market in the mid 70's. Built in 1958-59 of traditional wood construction, she would have vacuumed large amounts of cash out of our wallets had we purchased her. I might have been okay with that - she was a special little boat:

https://sites.google.com/site/bjmifsud/

At that time Robert Whitney, a science professor at Cal State Hayward, taught a class called "The Art and Science of Sailing." I used SPRAY as the subject of my term paper. Prof. Whitney was strongly influenced by Garden and SPRAY, later selling his Ranger 29 and buying a Garden-designed cruising boat. I believe he raced his Ranger 29 in the first SHTP.

 

[sleddog]

Yes, RAGTIME, I briefly knew your science prof, Robert Whitney, from the first SHTP in '78. Small world.

Robert Whitney was then racing his Ranger 29 GYPSY. The gale of the first night broke off his windvane, damaged deck gear, and reportedly "filled the boat with water."

Whitney diverted downwind to Monterey to regroup. After repairs, a week later, he again set sail for Kauai, finishing at Hanalei in a respectable 16 days.

Singlehanding was just getting a name in those days, and shortly after we finished the first Singlehanded Transpac, Bjorn Borg was defeating Jimmy Connors at the Wimbledon "Mens Singlehanded Tennis Championships."

SPRAY, like RENEGADE and the Bristol Channel Cutters, is something special. Bill Garden knew how to draw a pretty boat. The photo of SPRAY sailing with a Christmas tree lashed to her masthead is a classic.

 

[chautauqua]

Thanks for the nice remembry of Dad and his yachts Skip. My earliest childhood rush was hanging by my knees off RENEGADE's bowsprit and dragging fingers in the sea foam.

 

[sleddog]

A deep low pressure just off Central California coast is generating big waves, some as high as 25'. At sunrise this morning there were swells breaking a mile out, near Mile Buoy, in 60' of water. Santa Cruz Harbor breakwater was in the shorebreak, with sets going over the breakwater, and breaking high against the lighthouse.

4 miles further east, at Capitola, breakers were damaging the Wharf and driving decking into the air. A lady sitting in her car on the Esplanade found herself being set afloat by a wave that broke over the seawall. A big cement bench, weighing several hundred pounds, was launched from the sidewalk onto the street. The police came to the rescue, and closed the Esplanade as water, sand, and kelp made things impassable except to a big dozer.

When last seen, Public Works had a large pump running, attempting to pump foot deep water from the street in front of El Toro Bravo

Exciting stuff for this small town that bills itself as "Capitola-By-The-Sea." Today, "In-The-Sea" would be a better moniker.

 

[skatzman]

Hi Skip, Great pix, really enjoyed seeing a huge storm swell. In my kid surfer days we were all in awe of the Newport Beach locals who lived near the Corona del Mar Jetty. Someone came up with the phrase "dreaded Corona del Mar Jetty" (DCDMJ) which lives in my mind always. Hence the dreaded Capitola shorebreak ( DCS)

 

[chautauqua]

We lived on the Balboa side of the Jetty. The noise of the waves pounding into the sand was punctuated by the ambulance sounds as surfers were carried away to mend. I can remember how stupid it was to body surf there, as the minute you caught a wave, you were looking down at sand and rock underneath you, with no way to go but be hammered into it. I believe it was considered some sort of "rite of passage" for most of us local kids to have survived it, during some of the more boisterous stormy seas.

 

[sleddog]

"The noise of the waves pounding into the sand was punctuated by the ambulance sounds as surfers were carried away to mend."

CHAUTAUQUA's recall of the danger of body surfing The Wedge is spot on.

The "Dirty Old Wedge," as it was affectionately known by locals, remains probably the knarliest body surfing site on the West Coast. First created in 1930 with the construction of the Newport Harbor breakwater, the Wedge is located at the extreme east end of the Newport Peninsula in Southern California, across the Newport Harbor entrance channel from Corona Del Mar.

During a summer south swell event, either from a Mexican hurricane or a Southern Hemisphere winter storm, the Wedge creates mutant waves 20 feet and greater in height at the "L" where the West breakwater and the sand beach come together.

Approaching southerly swells reflect off the jetty and combine with the following wave of the set to create a wave significantly larger than either of the two separate waves. These waves are steep, unpredictable, and result in a shore break awe inspiring to behold. Hordes of spectators gather to gawk as surfers flirt with catastrophe.

The backwash reflecting off the beach creates a third, outgoing wave. Strong riptides make it hard to swim to shore. Rescues often are called for inexperienced surfers as they become exhausted and swept to sea in the riptides.

Until the early 1960's, the Wedge was mostly a local happening. If you didn't know what you were doing, you stayed out of the water, leaving it to experienced watermen with their single blue and yellow Churchill swim fins. (Stand up surfboards didn't work at the Wedge, as the wave is too steep.)

Then came the Beach Boys in 1961. In 1963 Dick Dale and the Deltones celebrated surfing the Wedge in their surf genre instrumental guitar music. The Surfer Stomp was being danced at the Rendezvous Ball Room in Balboa, just up the boulevard from the Wedge.

In 1964 the classic surf film "The Endless Summer" had a cameo for the Wedge. It seemed everyone who didn't already know wanted to come see for themselves and body surf the Wedge for bragging rights back home.

It became a right of passage for macho visiting youth to attempt surfing the Wedge. Many were maimed when pile driven head first into the bottom. Deaths were not unknown when the inexperienced were pummeled, held under, or launched onto the jagged breakwater rocks.

By limiting parking and access, local residents, police, and city council tried to stop the crowds assembling. But to little avail, as the ocean was free, and you could enter the area by walking down the public beach.

In modern times, knee boarders compete with body surfers for room at the Wedge. The danger remains.

The Dirty Old Wedge. As kids we called it "Body Whomping." Not for everyone, Toto. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNH4lK6FArA

 

[Philpott]

I grew up in Orange County, and in the early 1970s we girls spent day after day during the summer laying on the beach watching the boys get crushed at the Wedge. A square of cocoa butter was 25 cents @ the surfboard shops on the boardwalk and bikinis were $15.

 

[H Spruit]

I started surfing in Santa Cruz in 1956 and became aware of the "Wedge" shortly there after. I always thought of the place as an IQ test, the higher your IQ the less likely you were to go out there!
I never did.

 

[BobJ]

Water weighs about eight pounds per gallon, and that's before the acceleration. I'm with you Howard.
.

 

[chautauqua]

I agree with Howard, on the IQ, but sometimes it was overcome by peer pressure to do it. The offset of course is the Darwin Principle. Some of us are lucky to be around to talk about it, eh?

 

[sleddog]

Hmmm. Howard doesn't like to take chances. Like surfing the Wedge. Yet here he is on his recent birthday, 8 feet in the air, surfing the sloped awning he built for the Harbor Cafe. Happy Birthday my friend!

For those who have not yet met Mr. Spruit, he is one of the original Santa Cruz surfers who rode waves at Steamer Lane in the 50's.

When the fancy schmancy Dream Inn was built above Cowells Beach, Howard and his surf crew were run off the beach as undesirables. Ironically, the same Howard Spruit has recently been immortalized in a large mural honoring the original surfers at the same place they were kicked out, now a "California Point of Historical Interest."

I'm sure I don't know the half of it.

 

[sleddog]

Half of any sailing race is getting to the start line. Half is sailing well and getting to the finish line. And half is reading the Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, Amendments, Official Interpretations, Sailing Rules (RRS,) Safety Regs, PHRF and other Rating Rules, Class Rules, Coast Guard Rules and requirements, Col Regs and charted Restricted Areas. And others.

Even the best can get it wrong. This weekend, in Newport Harbor Yacht Club's Islands Race, around Catalina and San Clemente, Roy P Disney's 68 foot sled PYEWACKET was the projected winner.

PYEWACKET was crewed by the best money can buy. Olympic Gold Medalists, America's Cup and All American sailors. Pros, all of the top caliber.

Unfortunately, PYEWACKET transgressed the Sailing Instructions. AIS transponders, with 15" tall masthead antennas, were required by the 2014 U.S. Sailing Equipment Requirements (USSER) for ocean races, including the Islands Race.

Equally unfortunate is US Sailing is remiss and does not specify that, although AIS Class B Transponders must be carried, that they must remain "ON", OR can be turned "OFF". It mattered for the Islands Race, because with AIS transponders "ON," boats astern could instantly track their competitors' position, course, and speed. And then sail around their competitors as they fell into wind holes in the dark night.

NHYC, possibly sensitive from a loss of boat and life in last year's Island's Race, amended the Sailing Instructions to require that the USSER required AIS transponders must remain "ON" (transmitting) from Start to Finish.

It was this amended Sailing Instructions requirement that PYEWACKET violated. Her AIS Class B Transmitter was inoperative for the entire race. (Not the receiver.) PYEWACKET's absence was observed by competitors, PYEWACKET was protested, and Disqualified.

Two other competitors also transgressed the Sailing Instructions notice of restricted area off the East End of San Clemente Island. (Naval bombardment was scheduled.) Their Yellow Brick Trackers showed them entering the Restricted Zone. VARUNA graciously withdrew, the proper action. TIME SHAVER was protested, and also DSQ. (I suspect these were unintentional incursions.)

The AIS transponder requirement does not apply to SHTP 2014. Only an AIS receiver or radar with perimeter alarm must be carried for SHTP. Either does not necessarily have to remain "ON." (Please note, I am not part of the SHTP Race Committee. This is my interpretation only.)

If you are racing the Pacific Cup, or some other ocean race under USSER Rules, you are on your own. (Carrying AIS is not required for Pac Cup.) But don't assume. Verify.

Reading and understanding all aspects of race requirements is just as important as the emergency rudder, the new downwind spinnaker, the routing under the Pacific High, and jibing in a midnight squall into a left hand shift for a 20 mile gain.

 

[BobJ]

AIS transponders, with 15" tall masthead antennas, were required by 2014 U.S Sailing Equipment Requirements (USSER) for ocean races.

Equally unfortunate is US Sailing is remiss and does not specify that, although AIS Class B Transponders must be carried, that they must remain "ON", OR can be turned "OFF". It mattered for the Islands Race, because with AIS transponders "ON," boats astern could instantly track their competitors position, course, and speed. And then sail around their competitors as they fell into wind holes in the dark night.

NHYC amended the Sailing Instructions to require that the USSER required AIS transponders must remain "ON" (transmitting) from Start to Finish.

PYEWACKET somehow missed this Sailing Instructions requirement, and left her AIS Class B Transponder "OFF" for the entire race. This was noticed by competitors, PYEWACKET was protested, and Disqualified.

Indeed, this was noticed by competitors who would use ill-advised equipment requirements to gain advantage over their competitors rather than sailing skill.

While a crew the caliber of Pye's should have known better, why on earth did the OA add that amendment? If NHYC does that again next year (or next ocean race), how many quality teams will go elsewhere? Local OA's, read and take note.

 

[Travieso]

Unfortunately, somebody aboard did not read the Sailing Instructions. AIS transponders, with 15" tall masthead antennas, were required by 2014 U.S Sailing Equipment Requirements (USSER) for ocean races.

When will this stop? How much more required equipment do we need to go racing. I know we don't adhere to USSER but the sole fact that it exists is upsetting.

Might be time to find a different sport.

 

[pogen]

NHYC, possibly sensitive from a loss of boat and life in last year's Island's Race, amended the Sailing Instructions to require that the USSER required AIS transponders must remain "ON" (transmitting) from Start to Finish.

As usual, the equipment-centric regulatory 'fix' to an accident has nothing whatsoever to do with the actual cause of the fatality, which was bad navigation and watchkeeping.

 

[DaveH]

Wrong incident, I think.
Uncontrollable Urge lost their rudder in the Channel Islands Race, upwind of a lee shore...

 

[sleddog]

As some may know, I grew up around schooners. My first boat, age 5, was a homemade, model, balsa schooner with sails cut from bed sheets, all 17 of them.

I'm excited to learn Beau and Stacey Vrolyk of Santa Cruz have just bought the beautiful and historical 1947 Alden schooner MAYAN from David Crosby. Congrats, Guys!

David Crosby owned and sailed MAYAN for more than 40 years. He loved her more than life itself. To say goodbye to MAYAN brought him to tears.

MAYAN, if you haven't already seen her in Santa Barbara, is 74' overall, and 59' on deck. She is centerboard, draws 5' with the board up, 10.5' board down, on a beam of 16.2'. Her displacement is 60,000 pounds.

As Beau reports, "there are plenty of strings to pull and there isn’t one piece of carbon fibre or advanced sail cloth aboard - she’s pretty much frozen in time in about the late ‘60s. Bronze non-self-tailing winches are the order of the day.

I suspect MAYAN will be on the racing circuit soon. The problem is no one currently knows exactly how to measure and rate a boat with two masts, three booms, and five working sails, never mind the gollywobbler, fisherman, and ballooner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3kImL2gDkI

 

[Jonathan Gutoff]

As some of you know, I grew up around schooners. In fact my first boat, age 6, was a homemade balsa schooner with bedsheet sails, all 17 of them.

I am excited to learn Beau and Stacey Vrolyk of Santa Cruz have bought the beautiful 1947 Alden schooner MAYAN from David Crosby. Congrats, Guys!

MAYAN, if you haven't already seen her in Santa Barbara, is 74' overall, and 59' on deck. She is centerboard, draws 5' with the board up, 10.5' board down, on a beam of 16.2'. Her displacement is 60,000 pounds.

As Beau reports, "there are plenty of strings to pull and there isn’t one piece of carbon fibre or advanced sail cloth aboard - she’s pretty much frozen in time in about the late ‘60s. Bronze non-self-tailing winches are the order of the day.

When can we go for a ride Beau?