Goosebump Series Results

The series results are in and the Goosebump Race Committee apparently didn't penalize did-not-start (DNS) boats or did-not-finish (DNF) boats quite so much as in past years. Surt still took first place overall, which they certainly earned, while Typsy Gypsy is second despite one DNF and one DNS, and Anarchy is third despite skipping half the races (ouch!). Full Moon placed fourth, followed by Selchie, Distance, and Scat.

This begs the question of how Full Moon might have done in second start, given that we had that choice and that all but one of the first start boats rate considerably faster under PHRF-NW handicapping. Second start was much larger, making for more competition, but first place went to the San Juan 24 Cake or Death - a boat which is well-sailed but typically slower than Full Moon. Similarly, Full Moon frequently beats second-place Necessary Evil and third-place Ignitor in the summer Duck Dodge races.

It is the usual conundrum - sail with faster boats and get beat or sail with slower boats and win. In the end, it doesn't really matter so long as we're having fun!

Wild Ride!

Full Moon crew Randy “Bowrider” Olsen, Adam “Full Sail” Michalak, and skipper John “Spinnaker?” Mengedoht prepared for the final Goosebump race based on the forecast winds of around 10 knots. However, during the 10 minutes prior to the start, the wind quickly increased, requiring an unplanned change to the small “blade” jib. This took a bit of time, resulting in Full Moon being about two minutes late crossing the line, but was well worth it as the wind built into the low 20s, way too much wind for the genoa. Full Moon was still slightly overpowered upwind in the gusts but much more comfortable (and safe) to sail while managing good speed as well.

Full Moon zips along the leg from the Freeway buoy to the Aurora buoy.

Rounding the AGC buoy, Full Moon wasn’t too far behind speedy Scat, which had sailed the first leg under mainsail alone. Scat did hoist what looked like a #2 jib for the downwind leg, helping them to maintain a lead, though Full Moon was topping six knots in the puffs. Full Moon briefly considered hoisting the “small” ancient stock spinnaker as the wind eased a bit but the wind quickly came roaring back and the speed gain would not have been worth the effort of taking the thing back down shorthanded.

Even with a full crew, taking down a spinnaker can be a challenge! This is a Santana 20, Full Moon's little cousin.

The leg from the Freeway buoy to the Aurora buoy was a perfect beam reach with Full Moon hitting a sustained 7+ knots several times. Yee hah! Bashing back upwind, Scat dropped their jib again and the chase was on. Full Moon gained but couldn’t quite catch up, Scat apparently sailing pretty well with just a main.

Randy says "This is fun, right?"

The second downwind leg was similar to the first until Scat inexplicably headed off course to the northeast instead of rounding the Freeway buoy. In the end, Full Moon was happy to place fourth (out of seven boats) behind much larger Typsy Gypsy (33’), Surt (40’) and Distance (37’).

 

Cap'n John likes this stuff!

The series results aren’t officially posted quite yet but, with Typsy Gypsy and Selchie both having a DNF and a DNS each, Full Moon should be second overall with one second, two fourths, and an average finish of about fifth. Congratulations to Surt for taking first overall!

Never Seen That Before!

Scat and Surt before Surt came to an unexpected halt.

Full Moon crew Randy “Tunes” Olsen, Marcelle “Kraken” Van Houten, Adam “Newport” Michalak, Ashley “Muscles” Robinson, and skipper John “Baptiste” Mengedoht enjoyed a gorgeous sunny day with a decent breeze for Goosebump Race No. 5. Opting for a conservative starboard tack start, given the fairly short start line, Full Moon ended up about 30 seconds late, though still in fifth across the line. With wind out of the northwest, it was a straight shot to the Freeway buoy, which was positioned just east of the fixed Gasworks buoy. Three boats ahead then opted to harden their line, heading for Gasworks. Unfortunately, 40’ Surt went a bit too close to shore, coming to a quick halt as they ran aground! Since the crew appeared to be in no danger, Full Moon kept going, moving up to fourth place.

Crusin' on a fast beam reach.

After a couple of tacks, Full Moon rounded the Aurora buoy and soon launched the Equalizer for a thrilling beam reach. Typsy Gypsy had been in the lead but chose a course somewhat close to the Westlake shore. Scat and Selchie found more wind toward the middle of the lake to get by Typsy Gypsy before the AGC buoy while Full Moon was able to gain on all three.

Gaining on Typsy Gypsy...

The leg to the finish line was a straight romp on a tight reach but the Race Committee added a lap so Full Moon continued the chase to the Freeway buoy and on to the Aurora buoy. Under the Equalizer once again, Full Moon gained on Scat and Selchie, who were battling each other, but couldn’t catch up. In the end, Full Moon was fourth, our second-best finish of the series.

Adam and Randy enjoying the sun.

After a very pleasant post-race cruise in the glorious sunshine, Full Moon headed back to the dock. During the usual tidying up, skipper John ventured to the bow to secure a halyard when the boat rocked unexpectedly. With the forward lifelines down in “race” position, there was nothing to grab onto, with the result being in a very wet skipper! Thankfully, the sun was warm and marina manager Steve quickly rustled up a towel and change of clothes. Thanks, Steve!

Pregame Show

The Goosebump Race Committee provided a relatively short, one-lap course for Race No. 4, which was thoughtful given the Superbowl and the fairly light wind out of the southeast. Prior to the start, the wind clocked even more into the east and Full Moon crew Randy “Double Winch” Olsen, Marcelle “Poncho” Van Houten, Michael “HBR” Medina, and skipper John “Low Pole” Mengedoht set up for a port tack start near the starboard end of the line. Unfortunately, Full Moon was a bit late to the line but still third after 40’ Surt and 33’ Typsy Gypsy.

The Bumblebee Boys working hard.

Also unfortunately, the wind proved a bit stronger to the left, allowing the big boats to pull further ahead and for 37’ Distance to catch up and pass. Full Moon did hold off speedy Selchie (26’ Thunderbird) to remain in fourth to the AGC buoy.

Marcelle keeps nice and warm under the poncho.

After rounding, Full Moon held off launching the Equalizer for a while in light of the tight wind angle but then elected to give it a try with a very low pole to stretch the leading edge. This paid off in the puffs with nice bursts of speed but Full Moon could not hold a course to the Freeway buoy and eventually had to give up in favor of the jib. During the takedown, however, the spinnaker was briefly hung up at the top of the mast, creating a very functional air brake. By the time everything was down and cleared up, Selchie had pulled ahead to a comfortable lead.

Foul weather gear is good to have!

Naturally, the short leg from the Freeway buoy to the Aurora buoy would have been perfect for the spinnaker but there was no time to get it set up. In the end, Full Moon was fifth out of five in first start but still a contender for the series since only Surt has also finished each race – at least if the Committee is still counting the crazy first race…