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Singlehanded Racing -

D

drivn2ironman

New member
Good morning All,
It appears that everything singlehanded is located up north around SF. Is there anything located in the Southern California area? I'm a long time single hander sailor, and would love to start participating in races, but down here, it's either with a crew and or double handed. Don't have anyone else wanting to sail shorthanded. Thanks.
 
Drivn: I feel your pain. I was a longtime SSS member, but when I retired I moved to Borrego Springs and moved my boat to Oceanside, chosen because it's the shortest drive from home. I joined PSSA, but I didn't manage to make any of their races last year and got to exactly one this year, thanks largely to a series of engine problems. And once, too much wind - can you believe it?

It's something like 70 miles from Oceanside to Marina del Rey where PSSA operates, so it takes a certain amount of dedication and time to get to their races. And their summer races are so short - 15 to 20 miles - that I won't even bother.

Where are you located? I've talked with a couple of other racers in Oceanside who are interested in singlehanding. Maybe we should all try to cook something up together. I've even thought of contacting the PSSA board to see if they would be willing to have a Southern Division under their auspices.

Max
 
Critter said:
I've even thought of contacting the PSSA board to see if they would be willing to have a Southern Division under their auspices.

Max
Click to expand...

Why not a Southern Division under the auspices of the SSS? Just out of San Diego itself there are three of us from the 2018 SHTP, plus other locals with several SHTP's in their wakes.
 
On Saturday, August 3, there is a singlehanded/doublehanded pursuit race in San Diego. Don't need your own PHRF certificate to enter, a PHRF rating for a sister ship will suffice (or maybe a friendly note to the RC). This helps keep the cost low for the infrequent racer.

http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/17876#_home

Last year 13 boats entered. Would be great to have more participation.
 
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DLC99 said:
On Saturday, August 3, there is a singlehanded/doublehanded pursuit race in San Diego.
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Hey, that's right. I knew about that one, but I didn't pay a lot of attention because there's a charity regatta in Oceanside that weekend. Maybe I'll scoot down to SD instead.
 
Critter said:
Hey, that's right. I knew about that one, but I didn't pay a lot of attention because there's a charity regatta in Oceanside that weekend. Maybe I'll scoot down to SD instead.
Click to expand...

Who was the guy with the mini 6.5 that tried to start up a So Cal run to Hawaii two years ago. Was that Jerome Sammarcelli?..Shaka Challenge? I bet he'd be interested.
 
AlanH said:
Who was the guy with the mini 6.5 that tried to start up a So Cal run to Hawaii two years ago. Was that Jerome Sammarcelli?..Shaka Challenge? I bet he'd be interested.
Click to expand...

Jerome actually pulled it off, and it appears it will go again in 2020.
 
He tried to call it the Mini Transpac, but got shot down by the TPYC's very aggressive IP lawyers. I can't remember what they called it. They had 2 or 3 starters? There is sailboat crazy, and then there is Mini sailboat crazy. :)
 
pogen said:
He tried to call it the Mini Transpac, but got shot down by the TPYC's very aggressive IP lawyers. I can't remember what they called it. They had 2 or 3 starters? There is sailboat crazy, and then there is Mini sailboat crazy. :)
Click to expand...



It is the Shaka Challenge .
 
DaveH said:
yes, there is! - you should check out PSSA aka the Pacific Singlehanded Sailing Association.
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I raced several PSSA events as crew for my Dad on his boats. The rabbit starts are a lot of fun, particularly when you are the rabbit; having the entire fleet out in front of you then gives you something to aim for. A good group, we did the Dan Byrne series (Dan was a founding member of the PSSA, did the 1980 Singlehanded TransPac, and the 1982 BOC race). Count on the wind to die at night...

I'd recommend the PSSA if racing out of Santa Monica Bay works for you.

- rob
 
tiger beetle said:
The rabbit starts are a lot of fun, particularly when you are the rabbit; having the entire fleet out in front of you then gives you something to aim for. - rob
Click to expand...

A "rabbit start" is a fun alternative way to start a race, used exclusively here for Santa Cruz Wed, night races with a fleet of diverse size and speed. No RC necessary

A boat volunteers ahead of time to be the Rabbit, usually one of mid-fleet speed, not too fast or slow. Flying a distinguishing flag from the backstay is a good designation for the Rabbit.

A warning horn is sounded by the Rabbit 5, or 3 minutes, before the Rabbit starts its run. Another horn is sounded at the start when the Rabbit starts its "run," close-hauled, on port tack. You then have 5, or 3 minutes to start by crossing behind the Rabbit on starboard tack. In effect, this is a moving gate. When all have started, the Rabbit is "released", tacks to starboard, and the race is underway to the first (windward) mark.

The 505 Class uses the Rabbit start for all their races, even in the big fleets of their Worlds Championship.

One local variation is for the Rabbit to tow a rubber duckie 1-2 lengths astern. This helps prevent close encounters between any anxious starters and the vulnerable Rabbit. Another variation is for the Rabbit to start its run on starboard tack, and the starters cross astern on port tack.

Recommend giving it a try. Works even when 2 boats are "playing" together. Wouldn't work if starting classes at different times is desired.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7_MrijLSuE
 
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sleddog said:
A "rabbit start" is a fun alternative way to start a race, used exclusively here for Santa Cruz Wed, night races with a fleet of diverse size and speed. No RC necessary

A boat volunteers ahead of time to be the Rabbit, usually one of mid-fleet speed, not too fast or slow. Flying a distinguishing flag from the backstay is a good designation for the Rabbit.

A warning horn is sounded by the Rabbit 5, or 3 minutes, before the Rabbit starts its run. Another horn is sounded at the start when the Rabbit starts its "run," close-hauled, on port tack. You then have 5, or 3 minutes to start by crossing behind the Rabbit on starboard tack. In effect, this is a moving gate. When all have started, the Rabbit is "released", tacks to starboard, and the race is underway to the first (windward) mark.

The 505 Class uses the Rabbit start for all their races, even in the big fleets of their Worlds Championship.

One local variation is for the Rabbit to tow a rubber duckie 1-2 lengths astern. This helps prevent close encounters between any anxious starters and the vulnerable Rabbit. Another variation is for the Rabbit to start its run on starboard tack, and the starters cross astern on port tack.

Recommend giving it a try. Works even when 2 boats are "playing" together. Wouldn't work if starting classes at different times is desired.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7_MrijLSuE
Click to expand...

Is there any disadvantage for Rabbit start? I wonder why this start is not more popular? More conflict between boats?

Todd
 
todd22123 said:
Is there any disadvantage for Rabbit start? I wonder why this start is not more popular? More conflict between boats?

Todd
Click to expand...

There is a limitation to the rabbit start - it works when there is one and only one start for the fleet - e.g., all boats start astern of the rabbit and everyone is out onto the race course. If your fleet has two starts (or more) then the rabbit won't work.

- rob
 
DLC99 said:
On Saturday, August 3, there is a singlehanded/doublehanded pursuit race in San Diego.
Click to expand...
Iniscaw is Inisconced at SWYC, ready to go tomorrow. Only 3 singlehanders entered, unfortunately.
20190802_182511.jpg
See you out there, David!
Max
 
Wylieguy said:
I hope it was a good one for you Max. Let us now. Pat Broderick
Click to expand...
Thanks Pat. It was a 14+ mile pursuit race with 8-10 knots at the start. David on Passages lost his crew, so there were four of us singlehanders. At PHRF 129 I was the first SH starter, but the Alerion Express 38 was absolutely flying and soon got past me. David and I had a good dice on the long close reach to the finish as the wind dropped, and I edged him out for 3rd. It was good to shake out the singlehanding cobwebs!
 
Max, Tell me about Alerion 38s and their rating! But it is good to shake out the cobwebs even as you watch the boat and its rating flash by. At the moment I'm grounded with a month-old retina surgery (detached/hole in retina due to old age, blah, blah) and won't be sailing for another month or so, depending on how quickly the gas bubble in my eye that's holding the retina together while it heals dissipates. I am able to get some work done on the boat as long as I don't crawl around under things on my back, so "NANCY" is sitting with plywood patches on the open window openings while TapPlastic fabricates the new ones (I expect to hear from the marina management). Next is some rewiring. I forget it's 25-years old. How many human years is that? Sailing is more fun! Keep us up on your sailing activities; those of us who miss you like to know what you're dong. -- Pat
 
That Alerion 38-2 is the newer design, like Cinde Lou's Another Girl, so 107 sounds about right for a So-Cal rating. Did it have a spinnaker?

Max, at least you weren't racing against a WylieCat 30. Singlehanded, those are unbeatable on rating. :cool:
 
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