(As of Sunday,10/25) Eric Johnson is PRO, with RC provided by the Albacores and others (Helper slots are still available). The weather will be much better than it was last weekend. Today’s AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) .calls for mostly sunny skies, a high of 65 degrees, and . winds from the NNW at 12 – 8 MPH. The river flow is above normal, after yesterday’s rains, at 5,360 CFS (gage height 3.4 ft). The water temperature is a seasonal 57 degrees. Low tide will be at 8:42 AM and high tide at 2:25 PM. Round up crew and come on down! NOTE: The Marine Corps Marathon is on Sunday morning — look for street closures in downtown DC and plan your trip to the marina accordingly!
Tag Archives: Sailboats
PRSA Fall Series # 5 – Sunday, October 18.
The RC (PRO Bill Kleysteuber; drivers Scott Snyder and Robert Bennett; and Helpers Jason Desjardins and Dan Miller) nearly outnumbered the skippers at the Skippers Meeting (4 Lightning skippers and one Albacore skipper). The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) called for cloudy and breezy conditions with rain possible, a high of 43 degrees, and northerly winds at 21 – 22 MPH, with higher gusts. High tide was at 8:51 AM and low tide at 3:23 PM. The river flow was above normal for this time of year, at 4,290 CFS (gage height 3.3 ft), and was headed higher. The river temperature was on a downward trend, at 48 degrees. The skippers voted to stay ashore, so there was no racing. It turned out that actual winds were somewhat lighter than predicted, and the rain stopped by noon, making for some sailable conditions.
UPDATED! PRSA Fall Series # 5, Sunday October 18!
(As of Sunday, 10/18) Bill Kleysteuber is PRO, with RC provided by Albacores. Today’s AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) calls for mostly cloudy, breezy, and cold conditions with rain possible, a high of 43 degrees, and northerly winds 21 – 22 MPH, with higher gusts. High tide will be at 8:51 AM and low tide at 3:23 PM. The river flow is currently above normal for this time of year, at 4,290 CFS (gage height 3.1 ft), and is headed up. The river temperature is on a downward trend, currently at 48 degrees.
PRSA Fall Series # 4 Sunday, Oct 11!
(This post is superseded by one posted October 7) Nabeel Alsalam is PRO, with RC provided by the Lightnings and others. Today’s long-range AccuWeather forecast for Sunday calls for times of clouds and sun, a high temperature of 67 degrees, and northeasterly winds at 8 MPH. Low tide will be at 9:14 AM and high tide at 2:32 PM. The river flow is below normal for this time of year, at 1770 CFS (gage height 2.8 ft) and the water is a seasonal 64 degrees. Round up crew, and come on down!
How to recover a Lightning from a Capsize!
Jeff Storck had the unfortunate experience on October 4 of catching a strong gust as he was tacking, with his centerboard temporarily on the river bottom, and quickly found his boat capsized and his crew in the water. He was asked how he recovered; his story is listed below, along with the subsequent comments that were exchanged in the email dialog.
One point not made in the dialog is that if there is ever any possibility of a capsize, you must put on your PFDs before you leave the dock, and keep them on until after your return. Also, pay attention to the water temperature and be aware of the effects of hypothermia and how quickly it can slow down your mental processes — which is why it is very important, when the water is 64 degrees, as it was yesterday, to have crash boats on the race course when capsizes are possible — to rescue CREW — not boats.
PRSA Fall Series # 3, Sunday, October 4!
(As of Monday, 10/5/09) Yates Dowell was PRO, with RC provided by the Cats. The brisk, refreshing days of October have arrived, promising dry sunny days and good winds. The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) called for mostly sunny skies, winds from the NW at 8 – 14 MPH, and a high temperature of 74 degrees. The river flow was slightly below normal for this time of year, at 2,070 CFS (gage height 2.8 ft), and the water had cooled to 64 degrees. High tide was at 8:59 AM and low tide at 3:23 PM. Gusts to 25 from 10 AM to 1 PM made for challenging conditions, causing multiple boats to capsize, and sending some competitors back to the dock early.
PRSA Fall Series # 3, Sunday October 4!
(This post is superseded by one added on October 1) Yates Dowell is PRO, with RC provided by the Cats. The brisk, refreshing days of October are around the corner, promising dry sunny days and good winds. Today’s AccuWeather long-range forecast (always subject to change) for Sunday calls for partly sunny skies, winds from the northwest at 10 MPH, and a high temperature of 73 degrees. The river flow is near normal for this time of year, at 1,850 CFS (gage height 2.8 ft). High tide will be at 8:59 AM and low tide at 3:23 PM. Round up crew, and come on down!
PRSA Fall Series # 2, Sunday September 27!
(Posted 9/28/09) David Thompson was PRO, with RC provided by Lightnings. The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) called for cloudy skies in the morning, clearing in the afternoon, with a possible morning shower, and a high temperature of 76 degrees. Winds were forecasted to be from the west at 8 – 12 MPH, with higher gusts. Low tide was at 10:21 AM and high tide at 4:06 PM. The river flow was currently near normal for this time of year, at 2,120 CFS (gage height 2.9 ft) and the water temperature had cooled to 69 degrees. 10 Lightnings came out, along with 5 Albacores, on a mostly sunny day with westerly winds 6 – 10 MPH. RC set a triangular course with the windward mark near the airport’s radar tower (the one on stilts) and the leeward mark to the east, at the edge of the navigable channel, and started the first race promptly at 11:30. Winds did change direction and intensity over the course of the afternoon, fading to almost nothing at the end of the third race, before David decided to call it a day and head home. We had most boats put away by 4 PM when an intense, but short rain squall hit, soaking all those who were still securing their craft. Scores to be posted soon.
TEAM SPOT (BARNEY HARRIS AND DAVID BYRON) WINS 2009 CANADIAN NATIONALS COMPETING IN A FORTY FIVE ALBACORE FLEET!
Canadians report day 3
Sailed out in drifting conditions with a light to no wind forecast – but at 1100 or so the breeze filled in from the east – the best wind so far this week end. probably 10-12 kts. after initially botching the line and first leg length the RC fortunately called a general recall, lenghtened the wwd leg (to greater than the start line length) and set a line that one could at least cross on both tacks. we nailed the pin end, with us at 20 sec 3 BL off the pin and right on the cut off. boats below could not lay the pin and those above were held stopped until we pulled the trigger at about 12 seconds. our bow was at the pin right as the horn blew, fully hiked and at full speed. we sailed for 100 feet, tacked and crossed the fleet, laying the first mark. break away bullet. boom shakalaka!
Passing it on to the next generation
Last night I had the pleasure of taking my 7 year old nephew Spencer out for his first sail.