DF 65 2021

We have finally got around to scoring the DF65 Fall Series. Belated Congratulations to our winner Bob Lewis. For those of you that can't remember that far back, the DF65 fleet sailed on five Sundays after Labour Day, with our final event on November 28. Not surprising considering the wet fall weather we enjoyed, turnout for the series was spotty, ranging from just 3 boats on October 24, to a high of 9 boats on September 12, with a total of 13 boats participating in at least one race.

A number of options were available for scoring the series (I tried 3 or 4 and they all resulted in Bob Lewis winning, so I'm not entertaining any appeals!). The scoring system finally adopted was to take the aggregate of each boats nett score from each race day, with one discard, and the final race day counting double. DNC's for each race day were scored as the aggregate score of the last place boat in that days racing, plus 1.

Strategies for victory included modest placings but excellent attendance (Al Oliver); modest attendance but excellent placings (Blair V) and Bob's winning combination of both good placings and good attendance.

Bob's prize of a manually operated custom beverage containment/dispensing device (aka a ceramic mug) will be presented at a later date.

Stay tuned for 2022. Hopefully we can put Covid in the discard column and enjoy a full season of RC sailing.

Colin Huggett

DF65 Assistant Fleet Captain

Fall Series Results

Nov 28 Results (Final Event)

A strong Southeast wind and heavy rain greeted the five boats that showed up for the final event of the season. After some initial indecision, a windward/leeward course was set and the racing got underway with all boats using A+ rigs. The rain soon abated to a light drizzle and we had ideal conditions for the first hour or so. However, as the wind abated, the ebb current strengthened and by the last race it was a real ordeal getting around the weather mark and once around you were half way to the finish before the next boat rounded.

Blair didn't seem to have much trouble with the conditions but the rest of us found it tough going and in the end the decision was made to retire early to O'hara's pub for the end of season get together.

Although the formal racing season is over, there was general agreement amongst those present that sailing would continue informally every other Sunday throughout the winter. So mark your calendars and don't forget to log in on the SignUp.com site so others will know you're planning to attend.

Congratulations to Blair and thanks to Bud, with help from Al G., for looking after the PRO duties.

Nov 14 Results

Oct 24 Results

Sept 26 Results

Sep 12 Results

Nine boats enjoyed ideal conditions and some very competitive racing at both ends of the fleet. Sunny and warm with a brisk southwesterly gusting at the top end of the A+ rig. The course was set up on the east side of the pier which sheltered the course from the stronger (probably B rig conditions) on the west side of the pier, but resulted in more shifts, gusts and holes in the wind than the west side would have. This made for some real tactical racing with no lead safe, especially with an ever present risk of a submarining broach on the downwind leg. Congratulations to the winner and many thanks to Mike Kidd who assumed PRO duties after his rudder servo died in the third race.

August 22 Results

August 08 Results

Fun and challenging day of sailing! We had to delay the day as the wind was trying to figure out whether it wanted to come in from the North, East, and Northwest. We set a course with a west end start and ended the day with an eastside start. The wind started to fill in from the west at about race 4 and from there we were able to knock off seven races from there. The swirling wind made for some challenging racing. All skippers had to guess which "lane" would give them the best lift. And at times, it seemed going to starboard meant you were traversing and even floating leeward.... one racer actually elected to over sail the finish line, just so he could go to starboard and hook the finish line. Next race DF65 race day is Aug. 22.

July 25 Results

DF65 Race #4 of the series provided a beautiful 28 deg sunny day. Winds were SE at about 5 knots, with a dropping tide. It was a challenging day as skippers had to contend with a strong current, low-tide, and shifty wind. The tide was so low it created a shallow sand bar mid-span towards windward. This created some interesting calls for room as it was hard to see the "obstruction(s)". Eventually Races 9-12 happened on the east side of the dock to allow enough depth to sail in. Michael won the day by 1 point over Al. Some close racing and very good sportsmanship. Race #5 happens on Sunday, Aug. 8

July 11 2021

Race day #3! Today was high overcast with a steady 27 degrees. We had a nice 6 knots easterly to start the day and by race 3 it shifted to a shifty 6 knots westerly. CAN 05 won the day with his A+ rigged boat. We raced with new skippers - welcome Ian (CAN 178), Reigh (CAN 54), Pat (CAN 233), and Andrew (CAN 261). Some nice tight racing again and everyone had their rockstar moment. Next race day will be Sunday, July 25.

Cheers,

Wilson

June 27 2021

I would like to go on record to say Today was the hottest race day I've ever experienced. Myself and 7 others took a chance to sail all hoping for a nice breeze. And our Steveston location provided a steady 8-10 knots, definitely perfect A+ conditions. Although Blaire (#05) took the day with using just his A rig! We had raced on the west side of the pier and had a shorter course as tide was rolling out. There were single windward and leeward marks, with the start/finish mid-course. Each race was 2 laps. The day would have been a perfect photography day as the fleet was quite tight and each skipper really didn't give much up. Throughout the day we would take water breaks and give each skipper a chance tune-up for the next set of races. Great day racing! "