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Around the World of Sailing
23 May 2001
This weeks features:
Finish Line
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/my/0523/frw.htm
Brian Lambert and Jamie Livingston were the winning team in the
Worrell 1000 by 3 hours and 8 minutes.
Water Level Update
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/my/0523/frw.htm
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 17 April 2001 +3
Difference from 17 May 2000 -3
Difference from long-term Avg. -23
Difference from Record High -52
Difference from Record Low +8
Forecast for 18 June 2001 +2
Note: A recent spate of rain totaled 1.73 inches in Muskegon. This
week the report shows a difference of -3 from 2000 compared to -7 the
week before.
Rowing Reporter
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/my/0523/frw.htm
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.
**********
Fog-Redundancy and Lighthouses
Last Thursday saw me on Lake Michigan. This day also saw fog
on Lake Michigan. As I grabbed a pre trip weather briefing via
video/Weather Channel I noted visibility: .2 miles.
Later I found that the Sam Laud a commercial ship had delayed
entering Manistee due to fog. It was both a thick and far reaching
blanket.
None the less this is the era of GPS, DGPS and WAAS GPS.
Finding Holland harbor should not be trouble even in these conditions.
I was confident in my GPS waypoint and faithfully followed it.
As the distance digits clicked down, I saw a brief glimpse of sandy
yellow shore. This clearing- visibility of .75 miles!- was micro
lived. It was straight back to fog and this time the thickest yet.
The GPS I was using was a borrowed unit. No reason I shouldn't
trust it- yet I had some doubt. I determined the boat compass was 10°
off.
How to assure myself and take away my navigational willies?
The sometimes seen as redundant foghorn of the lighthouse. The light's
marking Holland have range up to 16 miles. The fog horn sounds every
30 seconds letting lose a 3-second blast. If it's not on turn your VHF
to Channel 79, key the mike 5 times and you have the foghorn.
As I got closer I listened for the foghorn. It sounded. I
had gone off GPS and onto sound navigation. Every 30 seconds I glanced
at the compass, and adjusted course accordingly.
Why this technique switch? Well, GPS is a new comer compared
to lighthouses which descend from guidance via on shore fires. After
a few cycles of the horn suddenly Holland Harbour emerged out of the
fog. I was just a touch off the north side of the channel. I looped
around and lined up on the channel.
What's not redundant here is the old fashioned light house and
fog horn. What should be redundant are your navigation systems, never
trust just one especially in a foggy and tight spot.
************
Volvo Ocean Race Navigation
The Volvo Ocean race starts in September. According to the
race rules Internet access will be limited. The rules read, "Each boat
may nominate ten sites that they wish to access... all sites will be
listed in the Leg Sailing Instructions...Sites maybe accessed via Race
Headquarters... Direct Internet access is not permitted."
If you found yourself in the role of Volvo Ocean Race navigator,
say as assistant to multi circumnavigator Grant Dalton, which weather
sites would you want to access? Or perhaps you are sailing one of the
Mac races, which sites would you want to be able to surf? Send your
answer to ike@torresen.com.
***********
Readers Write
This week I received an email asking "Would you be kind enough
to inform me when the Hunter Sailboat 260 was first made as well as
some of its amenities? I need this information for a novel that I'm
writing; the gift of the sailboat is given in October, 1994." I
emailed a brief answer saying that the 260 had the possibility of
sleeping 4. That is has water ballast tanks for stability and an
open transom for swimming and other activities.
Perhaps there are Hunter 260 owners out there who would like
to give an answer about their boat? Let your imagination go- what
types of novel scenes could occur? If you want to answer email
ike@torresen.com and I will provide contact information for the
'Hunter 260' novelist.
***********
Stars in Star Class
US Sailing's Olympic Sailing committee has recently named
5 teams to the US Sailing team in the Star Class, all of who are
sailing stars and sailors of Stars.
Vince Brun and Mike Dorgan Brun is an Etchells and Star World
Champion
Paul Cayard (Rolex Yachtsman of the Year/Whitbread Winner) and
Hal Haenel 1992 Star Gold Medallist
John Macausland and Sean Delaney 2001 Miami Olympic Class
regatta winner
Mark Reynolds and Magnus Liljerdahl 2000 Star Class Gold medal
winners
Terry Hutchinson and Andrew Scott. Hutchinson was a 2 time
College sailor of the year and J 24 world champion.