Cruiser Navigation Report By Cruiser Navigation Chair Dave Weimer
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ast month I described our September 28th contest, the last one of four off shore water contests. Our concerns were the predicted new moon influence on flood currents at our start, visibility for obtaining correct ranges to keep our vessels on course, and uncertainty about the timing of slack current when we would enter the channel and finish the contest. Once again, despite our preparations, Mother Nature served up a spicy dish that none of the navigators could handle with ease. Our initial prediction was an unusually strong flood current forecast in the channel during our starting legs. We forecasted 0.8 knot flood at red channel buoy “16” and as much as 1.8 knot current in the channel at red buoy “12.” What we experienced was a “red hot pepper” flood over one knot at the beginning, and considerably more in the middle of the channel. The current was so strong that I failed to arrive at the starting line to meet my predicted start time. My Grand Banks 36 at 10 knots max just could not make it in time. First time that has happened in 20 years of competition! Other concerns were managed, except for the returning currents in the channel. For my return, I predicted a slack at Ballast Point and a beginning ebb current at the finish at green buoy “15.” Upon my arrival in the channel, I found the slack current beginning at green buoy “9,” followed by an ebb at green buoy “11.” This early ebb, unexpected after the strong flood, affected my final course leg score and those of all the other nine contestants. When the scores were announced following lunch at SWYC, all were amazed that not one skipper managed to score an error lower than two percent. CYC’s Geoff Calabrese returned as the day’s top navigator, taking First Place with a score of 2.1 percent error! I managed to take Third place, with a 2.7 percent error, including a 0.5 percent penalty for starting five minutes late. Magnus was not far behind with a 3.8 percent error. Despite high error percentages, our CYC navigators combined to outscore all other clubs for the day! Congratulations Geoff! Our October 19 contest was much simpler, as we returned to the comfort and shelter of the bay waters. The course was basically a straightforward run from the bridge to the north bay and the Navy mooring buoy, N19, back south again all the way to the entrance to the Chula Vista harbor and Coronado Cays, and final legs north to finish at the bridge. There is always some on the water event that “spooks” our Skippers, and this day was no different. As we headed north on the first leg, we observed a large white Coast Guard cutter anchored to the mooring buoy, N19. As the buoy was the first timed “Mark” of the contest, this presented quite a challenge. Fortunately we were able to contact the vessel, alert them of our contest, and request permission to pass close by. Most Skippers were able to make it to the Mark without incident, except our Geoff Calabrese who was stopped by the Coasties only to tell him they were moving on in the next 30 minutes! When the scores were announced during lunch at Coronado Cays Yacht Club, our Club came through again, taking first, third and sixth place out of a total field of 11 contestants. I was lucky to be first, and despite having to take a “time out” to chat with the Coast Guard, Geoff took third place. A good showing for CYC. The October contest concludes the 2019 season to qualify for CYC’s Hamby-Lepman High Point Cruiser Navigation Trophy. I am pleased to announce that Geoff Calabrese was this year’s top scoring CYC Skipper and will be recognized with the trophy during CYC’s Trophy Dinner on Sunday, November 17. Congratulations Geoff! If you own and cruise a mid-sized power boat, consider learning about cruiser navigation contests by joining one of us on board for a “test” run. To get started, I will be more than willing to guide you step by step as you enter into this entertaining, challenging, and fascinating sport. Welcome Aboard!
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