THE SAILING BEAT

This Monday, July 30 marked the 14th race of the Dahlgren Yacht Club (DYC) racing season. Monday's race, #14, was the sixth PHRF Summer Low Point Series race. Conditions were partly sunny, at the start with a NE breeze at 5-7 knots. The 10 boats at the start were Dionysus, Melee, Frigate, Ol'Blue, G.W.T.W, Lively Lady, Honey Do, Radio Flyer, Blue Heaven, and Destiny. Most boats stayed close to the line as the wind speed began to drop off and the 1701 start kicked off with Night Moose performing Race Committee duty. Monday's racecourse was WD[2], a 4.36 nautical mile Windward - Leeward course consisting of 2 laps. The race started with all boats tacking into the winds heading towards the first mark "32". Tacking back and forth in the dying wind and opposing current was surely frustrating and some boats at times seemed to barely make headway. Frigate and G.W.T.W. gained substantially by staying in the shallows and heading upriver early. All of the remaining boats battled to make progress towards the mark as the wind completely dropped out. The racecourse was shortened by the race committee to one leg of the original course, a mere 2.18 nm. Of the 10 boats that started, 3 withdrew early on, 4 finished, 2 more withdrew when it was clear they wouldn't make it, and one boat waited until the 2030(8:30) summer time limit had elapsed which ended the race. The committee boat stayed on station until the very end and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. Of the four boats that finished, first over the line was Frigate, followed by Blue Heaven, Melee, and Ol'Blue. Overall a very frustrating race but it was still better than a good day at work!

This Monday, August 6 will be race #15 of the season and the 7th race of the PHRF Summer Low Point Series. Skippers or crew wishing to participate in the PHRF Monday Night series, or the daysail / centerboard series should contact the DYC for details. In addition to the PHRF and Centerboard series, DYC is hosting other events including the St. Clements Island Pursuit race on September 15-16, and the "Under the Guns Regatta" on October 7. Again, DYC is always looking for people willing to crew on several local and newly arrived boats so anyone interested in participating in any of these events should contact the DYC at dyc@nswc.navy.mil or contact the race committee.

This coming year will continue to be exciting so bring your boat out to race or just show up and crew. See you out on the water! Jibe Ho.

Josh Colwell, DYC Race Governor, skippers Night Moose berthed at Dahlgren Marine Works and is an Image Scientist with Boeing-Autometric. He can be reached at jcolwell@autometric.com

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