In Praise of Club Racing

Casual club racing brings an alternative style to the normally very competitive and very challenging high-profile sailing events found on San Francisco Bay. These events usually operate quietly in the background of the YRA season, the OYRA season, Rolex Big Boat Series, Etchells Worlds, Express 27 Nationals and an endless number of other events vying to attract significant fleets.

The eclectic collection of boats that hit the starting line in a club race means it’s really hard for any rating rule to come close to the precision desired in more competitive arenas. Who cares? Club racing has a higher purpose. It’s meant to get owners out on the water and create some camaraderie with a friendly competition among club members, yet allow winners to emerge with bragging rights.

The recently completed five-race Corinthian YC club series is a case in point.  The boats on the starting line for last Saturday’s Ross Wood figure-eight course either way around Angel and Alcatraz was a rating-rule brainiac’s nightmare. The boats on the line included a Cal 20, Pearson 10M, Melges 32, Cal 33, Melges 20, K6 sportboat, Express 27, our Ranger 33, Catalina 34, Hunter 380, J/105 and a Beneteau 10R. Probably an unsolvable riddle for ratings geeks and not even worth the time to try to figure it out. PHRF is close enough.

The main point is have some fun and get back to the club to curse the winner. If you don’t like the tension of a crowded start line then just hold back and start a little later. If you fall so far behind you might miss the awards ceremony, then turn on the engine and get back to the club. And, if you do it enough, you’ll probably get better at racing and sailing while having a good time with your friends.

We had a great time sailing our Ranger 33 Summer Sailstice, though we know we would have won if our rating against eventual series winner, the Melges 32 Kuai, had been better. Can anyone with an HP Scientific Calculator help?