PHRF Courses and Sailboat Design

Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) race courses have transitioned from traditional Olympic triangular patterns to windward-leeward designs, emphasizing tactical skills, boat speed, and positioning. Random Leg courses, which offer varied angles and conditions, provide more balanced competition for different boat types.

Naval architecture has evolved to optimize boats for specific conditions, creating designs specialized for particular race formats, often favoring performance over versatility. Cruiser-racers and traditional cruising designs may struggle to compete on modern windward-leeward courses, prompting new classifications.

Costa Mesa: A Silicon Valley Parallel

The year 1973 marked the zenith of Southern California’s boat building industry, with Costa Mesa standing as the unquestioned epicenter of fiberglass sailboat production. This maritime manufacturing powerhouse, with its tight concentration of innovative companies, specialized workforce, and entrepreneurial spirit, mirrored what would later become the defining characteristics of Silicon Valley’s technology ecosystem. Both represented…

Centerboard Slot, Gybing board, Forward Rudder and Canard

The nature of  the Murrelet centerboard is not well understood. MacGregor Yachts states in the cruiser’s brochure that A long, thin airfoil is far more efficient than a short, wide one. This is why racing sailboat keels are deep, and why sailplane wings are long and thin. The relationship between the fore and aft width of the board…

Costa Mesa, From Building Boats to Building Yacht Clubs

Costa Mesa’s boat building heritage continues to hold cultural significance even as the manufacturing base has largely disappeared. The description of Costa Mesa as remaining “a Mecca for boat owners” despite having lost most of its boat builders suggests that the industry created a lasting cultural impact beyond its economic presence.

This legacy lives on through the sailors who still enjoy vessels produced during that era, the yacht clubs that continue to promote sailing traditions, and the community’s recognition of Costa Mesa’s historical importance to recreational boating in Southern California.

Grand Tour

Tour of the Salish Sea in May of 2023. This page outlines key boating destinations and yacht club facilities across the Salish Sea, emphasizing recreational opportunities and amenities for visitors. Here’s a structured summary:

San Juan Islands (Washington)
• Roche Harbor: A picturesque destination on San Juan Island with a Seattle Yacht Club outstation (Henry Island), offering moorage, waterfront restaurants, a fuel dock, and a 19-acre sculpture park. Hosted the 2023 Grand Banks rendezvous.
• Friday Harbor: A hub in the archipelago with hiking, kayaking, and whale watching.
British Columbia Destinations
• Ganges (Salt Spring Island): A top boating destination with marinas, the Salt Spring Island Saturday Market, and proximity to artisanal shops. The Seattle Yacht Club’s Ganges outstation provides moorage.
• Desolation Sound: Features Cortes Bay, home to both Royal Vancouver and Seattle Yacht Club outstations, public moorage, and access to wilderness trails. Nearby Refuge Cove offers provisioning.
• Ladysmith (Vancouver Island): Known for its 5-mile harbor, Ladysmith Yacht Club, and annual events like the Heritage Boat Festival. Ovens Island (owned by the Seattle Yacht Club) allows seasonal public dock use.
• Garden Bay (Pender Harbour): Hosts outstations from both the Royal Vancouver and Seattle Yacht Clubs. The historic Garden Bay Bar and Restaurant, destroyed by a 2020 fire, remains a point of local contention due to redevelopment plans.
• Sydney (Saanich Peninsula): Home to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea aquarium and a full-service marina near attractions like the BC Aviation Museum.

Jamestown New York and Chautauqua Yacht Club

Topics related to Jamestown, New York, and the nearby Chautauqua Institution include:
1. Chautauqua Institution:
* A historic center for education, culture, and recreation
* Hosts summer lecture series featuring prominent speakers
* Home to the Athenaeum Hotel, a Victorian-era establishment
* Offers various activities including boating, arts, and religious programs
2. Jamestown Attractions:
* National Comedy Center
* Lucille Ball-related sites and her burial place at Lake View Cemetery
* Roger Tory Peterson Institute, dedicated to the renowned naturalist
3. Boating and Recreation:
* Chautauqua Lake offers various water activities
* Chautauqua Sports Club provides boat rentals and other recreational facilities
* Chautauqua Yacht Club hosts sailing events and social gatherings
4. Historical and Cultural Aspects:
* Jamestown’s history in furniture manufacturing, particularly Swedish-designed furniture
* The role of railroads in the city’s industrial development
* The city’s connection to famous figures like Lucille Ball and Roger Tory Peterson
5. Nature and Wildlife:
* Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge for birding and nature observation
* Roger Tory Peterson’s influence on birdwatching and nature studies
6. Educational Programs:
* Chautauqua Institution’s diverse lecture series and cultural programs
* Educational opportunities in various fields including arts, science, and religion
The rich cultural, historical, and recreational offerings of Jamestown and the Chautauqua area, appeal to a wide range of interests from engineering and architecture to wildlife and religious studies.

DOGE & Competing on Comanche Time

In 1994, at the age of 49, Jim Clark, owing to a company called Silicon Graphics, was one of the legends of the high-tech world. 20 years later, he became a legend in sailing (see Sailing World  28 October 2014.) Today we view him as a model of the American Dream. American Dream During the…

Trump, US Coast Guard, Seattle & Admiral Linda L. Fagan

The reality is that Fagan’s firing has nothing to do with bolstering national security. Just the opposite. It is part of a regressive social agenda to put women back in their place, misogyny being the glue that holds together the many racist, anti-immigration, LGBTQ+ and other hate groups that have been unleashed in America. Firing…

Yacht Design Future

There are several boat designs that can be expected as the move away from fossil fuels continues. These include: In summary, boat designs that can be expected given the move away from fossil fuels include solar-powered boats, hydrogen fuel cell technology, methanol and other fossil-fuel alternatives, wind-assisted propulsion, fuel cell propulsion, non-fossil paraffinic fuels and…

Seasickness

Seasickness is a condition caused by the confusion between different parts of the balance mechanism in the body. It occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the inner ear’s vestibular system, which senses motion and gravity, and other sensory inputs like vision. This sensory mismatch leads to symptoms such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue3. Seasickness is a common issue for individuals on boats due to the conflicting signals received by the brain when the body registers motion but the eyes perceive stability.