by Marty Chrisman,
Rear Commodore for Sail

Safety is a number one concern whenever one of us takes our boat out on the water.  When racing, remember that Part 1 of The Rules of Sailing 2005-2008 starts with Safety.

A key element of safety is knowing when your boat has the right of way and when another boat has the right of way.  Rule 10 tells us that boats on starboard tack have the right of way.  And Rule 11 defines an overlapped condition in which the windward boat shall keep clear of the leeward boat.  What should happen when boats are on the same tack and not overlapped?  The boat in back and clear-astern should keep clear of the boat clear-ahead.

A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible.  A boat with the right of way, or one that is entitled to room at the mark does not need to avoid contact until is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving room.

Of course, there is no substitute for good judgment.  Regardless of which boat has right of way, it pays to avoid contact.

Another safety consideration is getting around on a sailboat.  I'm glad I heard Philip Austin tell me "keep one hand on the boat" and "use the other hand to do the task" (the old sailor’s admonition – “One hand for yourself and one for the boat).  I must say I make it a point to keep a hand on a lifeline or shroud or something solid on the boat when I'm moving about the deck. Share the rule with others who may be on your boat.

Lastly, I often remind people getting on and off my boat that it is best to put both feet on the toe rail when stepping on or off the boat so that both feet are on one side of toerail (and the lifelines).  Then it is okay to continue boarding the boat or exiting it.

Now a few words about the Fiesta Regatta: thanks to Charlie Teat, Michael Murphy & Jesse Murphy for chase boat duty; thanks too to Eve and Sam Fisher for loaning Carolina Babe II and their own time to the Race Committee. 

There were ten boats entered and raced in the five-race regatta that was held over Saturday and Sunday.  The wind held pretty steady on Saturday, and with the exception of about a 30-minute windless period, the wind on Sunday was good sailing weather.

Congratulations to Birch Smith who sailed Freedom to victory and to John Jenson who sailed Shamrock to second place in the Cruiser Fleet.

Congratulations to Jim Kizziar who sailed to Alibi III to victory and to Jeff Walne (who had our Commodore, John Larkin in his crew) took second place on Sail La Vie.

The next race is the Jamaican-Me-Crazy on May 24^th.  This race is typically one of our club's most “fun” races.  One of the requirements is to have an equal number of men and women on board each racing sailboat.   Ladies, here is your chance to crew and get a good taste of sailboat racing.  There will be other yet to be announced, fun elements included in the race.  Then, on Sunday, May 25^th, we'll have the annual Blessing Of The Fleet so mark you calendars.

See you at the Lake,

Marty Chrisman