You can use your GPS to record your track while sailing and review/analyze it later. In this example the GPS was set to save the track at 15 second intervals.  After we arrived home, marks (waypoints) were inserted every two minutes after the start.  We try to do this as soon as possible while the details are still fresh in our minds.  This helps show what really happened as opposed to what we remember. It can show wind shifts, boat speed, VMG, tack angles, & more. Now that we've figured out how to do it, it takes about a half hour.  For directions click here. Click on the picture below to enlarge it.

The weather channel predicted a cold front  would pass through at just about start time. We're 4 1/2 miles from the starting area so we leave pretty early (compared to the other boats). We checked the radar loop on http://www.intellicast.com and saw there was hole in the weather that would, luckily, pass right over us. (If you look long/hard enough you will almost always find one.) There was just one small storm that might hit us. We arrived in the starting area about 20 minutes early.  The prediction turned out to be "right on" and we got drenched for 20 minutes or so as the storm passed through.

The start was postponed 15 minutes until the front moved through. It was relatively calm afterwards with winds about 10-12.  We were the 4th start and the wind had picked up again by the time we started. The race committee monitored the wind speed during the race and it peaked out 25-26 steady, with a few gusts to 35, and was around 18 when we finished.

We were pretty busy so it was difficult to monitor the wind direction around the course, but it seemed to be fairly constant.  The track bears this out. The variation on the first leg was more from "feathering" to maintain control (translation: almost out of control) than changing wind direction.

Here's the stats:

Race: 6 Statute(5.2 Nautical) Mile Equilateral Triangle

Race Summary

• Start: 23:35:35Z
• B: 23:53:14Z
• A: 00:28:27Z
• Finish: 00:43:20Z
• Winds were from the West shore with waves 1-2 feet, lots of chop from every direction.
• Elapsed Time: 1:07:45
• Average VMG: 5.31mph (4.61kts)
• Crew: 2, (skipper & 1 non-sailor) (approx. 450lbs total)

We sailed the entire race with a full main and 150.  Lots of Backstay, outhaul, main halyard and cunningham.  Didn't get the jib halyard as tight as we wanted, but decided to tough it out instead of taking the chance of losing control if we tried to tighten it. The wind eased off  after the front passed through so we moved the jib cars forward to get the top of the sail working and never thought to back them off to de-power as the wind picked up again.

1st leg

• Course: 30degrees
• Winds: Steady @ 20 building to 25 out of 275degrees
• Elapsed Time: 00:17:39
• Boat speed: ~ 6kts with some periods slightly above 7
• Average VMG: 6.80mph (5.89kts)

We hit the starting line on course at full speed about 2 seconds after the gun. The wind was on the beam and we had a little trouble at first getting the boat to sail down to the "B" mark.  Once we got things trimmed up the rest of the leg was uneventful.

2nd Leg

• Course: 270degrees
• Winds: Slightly variable @ 25 out of 275degrees with a few gusts to 35
• Elapsed Time: 00:35:13
• Boat speed: 5-5.25kts
• Average VMG: 3.41mph (2.95kts)

As we rounded the "B" mark the next leg was almost dead to windward. Keeping  the boat speed as fast as possible really helps to reduce leeway. We lost a lot of speed on the tack at 028 and had a trouble getting the boat speed back up to our target.  This caused the "Marks" from 028-034 to be closer together.  The tack at 038 was better and the tack near 046 was really great. It was starting to get dark and we couldn't see the "A" mark.  We were getting real close so we tacked where we thought it should be. Finally spotted it and discovered we had over sailed it a little. We sailed down toward it & lost it again so we headed up a little to be sure we could make it.

3rd leg

• Course: 150degrees
• Winds: Slightly Variable, gradually decreasing to 18-20 out of 275degrees
• Elapsed Time: 00:14:53
• Boat Speed: Mostly 7+kts
• Average VMG: 8.06mph (6.99kts)

As we rounded the mark the wind was far enough aft to set the pole and sail wing on wing.  We've got a good solid pole that can handle it, but the wind speed was a little high. Since we had plenty of boat speed and nobody was close behind, or in front, we decided not to set the pole and sailed on to the finish. Over all it was a hard work, but an uneventful and relaxed (mentally) race.

Life's a Breeze
Erv Zimmerman
Adventuring C-22 #1787