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Around the World of Sailing
4 July 2001
This weeks features:
Finish Line
Monday note in Muskegon: Wind Chill readings
Thursday Transpac Press Release: Shanakee ii first in luxury - and looking to finish first
Water Level Update
Here is an informative feature that used to appear
in the Friday edition of Sailing Daily. Below you'll
find water level info that pertains to Lake Michigan
and Huron. For information on other lakes see:
http://huron.lre.usace.army.mil/levels/weekly.html
Reference Point Inches below Chart Datum +3
Difference From 29 May 2001 +3
Difference from 29 June 2000 -2
Difference from long-term Avg. -20
Difference from Record High -49
Difference from Record Low +13
Forecast for 29 July 2001 +1
Rowing Reporter
The Rowing Reporter is a weekly column of commentary
and observations by Ike Stephenson, Marine
Informationist. It concentrates on the home waters
of Around the World of Sailing, Lake Michigan and
Muskegon Lake.
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Lake Huron Doublehaded Challenge
This weekend was the Lake Huron double handed challenge. It was
scheduled to sail from Sarnia Ontario to Rogers City, Michigan. 36 boats/2 crew per began the 196 mile course, but only 1 finished. Sadly one of the boats that did not finish also saw it's 2 person crew killed. Shelly Hind and Guy Hornet were found beneath their catamaran, Great White, still in their harnesses.
Sunday morning the fleet was hit by weather that was ultimately a
life taker. Winds built suddenly from 5 knot zephyr's to 30 knots plus for 20 hours. Along with the wind came waves which quickly built from under 1 foot to 7 to 9 feet. Waves were over 7 feet for a full day.
Eventually Great White was spotted 15 miles west of Point Clark
Ontario at mid day on Monday. No distress calls were received from Great White. Rescue vessels and helicopters searched for 5 hours. Eventually a diver found the two crew underneath the catamaran.
How Great White got turned over and the crew killed may never be
known. The most likely way was via pitch poling. This is when a catamaran turns end over end and eventually is inverted in the water. This inland seas incident does bring to mind a pair of open ocean incidents where more is known.
In October 1999 the Open 60 trimaran Group Andre was sailing the
Jacques Vabre transat. The fleet had started concurrent with Hurricane Irene. While sailing in 50 knot winds with 8 to 10 meter waves Group Andre capsized. Skipper Paul Vatine was at the helm when the capsizing occurred. Despite wearing a life jacket equipped with a safety harness, distress beacon and flares, he was never found.
In this same race the 60 foot trimaran Broceliande capsized and was
dismasted. After spending the nite in the hull the two man crew of Alain Gautier and Michel Desjoyeaux were saved and the boat towed in.
Such incidents are why when you read the multi hull regulations for
the Mackinac races they mention immersion suits. They could be needed.
This horrific incident is a timely reminder for all sailors
participating in the upcoming Mackinac races. Although you may not be a boat owner the equipment regulations do give each sailor personal responsibility. Section 5 of the ORC rules describes personal equipment. Included is a life jacket with a whistle, reflective tape and a safety harness with a 2 meter tether with snap hooks on each end. Whether provided by the boat or brought in your own gear bag these items should be fully inspected and readied as they could absolutely be needed.
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Queens Cup Perspective
Once again the Queens Cup was won by an older traditionally designed
hull. The Sparkman and Stephens drafted hull beat some of the faster modern types including the Bill Lee fast is fun Santa Cruz 70 and the made to circle the globe Open 50.
Regardless of their other merits it seems the designers and builders
of these older boats knew how to produce a reaching boat. Modern boats are faster sailing upwind and downwind, but with the wind on the beam the oldsters are highly competitive.
However, here is a contradiction I see. It's been my understanding
that one way to gain superior reaching performance is through greater waterline length. Typically a 40 footer designed 20 to 30 years ago will have significant waterline length reducing overhangs, while a modern snub bowed 40 footer will be almost all waterline. Which is the better reaching boat and why?
It's clear these boats were designed in a different era. Early in
the 20th century sailing ships still plied the trade routes. These often featured favorable winds and plenty of freed up sailing. The tradition of these designs translated into the reaching boats that win the Queens Cup.
The S.S. Badger which is a coal fired ferry crosses the lake in 4.5
hours. Nice Pair the catamaran that had the fastest Queens Cup time took just under 5.5 hours. Holua the Santa Cruz 70 was .25 hours behind the catamaran.
How might these numbers affect the ongoing cross lake ferry debate?
Use an old ferry like the Badger? Or perhaps a faster catamaran styled boat? Heck maybe save us all some money and build a big sailing catamaran ferry!