What did you do to your sailing boat today ?

Hi Shaggy

If you were racing against other boats that draw less than 2.2 meters you have not gained an advantage over them because they could have gone over the top as well so in my opinion what you did was ok

Regards Don

Thanks guys for the feedback. Some answers below.
FR, It wasn't a premeditated or a conscious decision to use the keel to shorten the course, it was more one of those "oh **, where did that come from?" But yes, we definitely had time to tack out of it mate and go around, hence the moral dilemma, were my actions fair? This doesn't feel fair to me, but I couldn't find a ruling or regulation pertaining to it.

Donk, this was part of it in a way, as we were dutifully following a section of the fleet who were all on the same course. There were bigger boats than us ahead on our line as well as sports boats, ts and cats, and the whole pack of them simply sailed straight through. This was part of our quandary and cause of debate amongst the crew, none of the boats ahead were avoiding it or altering course, so we were questioning our charts. In hindsight, they all obviously drew less than us, even a Benny 50 that was right on our nose.

EC, thanks for the references, that's what I was looking for. The race SI's do allow for the engine on and the prop engaged to remove yourself from a grounding without a DSQ, you cannot gain an advantage by your actions though.
I am unsure if this relaxation applies to lifting a keel, the intent of this, for me at least, is for allowing a boat to reverse off a sandbank if they're grounded.
I will send a letter off to the sailing committee. I'd rather DSQ myself than cheat, have too much respect for the other competitors.

Appreciate the opinions gents, thanks.

If everyone abided by the rules, and questioned their actions when unsure as you have done, then the racing scene would be a much better place.

Paul Elvstrom once wrote that "You haven't won the race, if in winning the race you have lost the respect of your competitors."

Tips me lid....

If you use the electric winch for the halyard before the prep flag, then no. But during a race, especially to change a head sail, my reading of the rule would be to say yes. Also would exclude an autopilot during a race.
There must be something in the SI for S2H that allows them to use hydraulic power to cant the keel.

Shaggy,
Where were you there is a rise off Green Is but at it still has 3m over it at Low tide.
There is a spot I use to fish closer to the red off green but it's not marked as a rise, but I note someone on navionics have marked it as the Green Bump

Hi Shaggy

Have you had a look at the keel to see if you have done any damage or are you confident it is ok

Regards Don

I'm gunna need a bigger truck, to make my visit to whitworths.
Finally got down to the little Sonata after over a weeks absence to find an inch of fresh water lapping around in the cabin so after mopping it all
out took an inventory of all that needed replacing, resealing or repairing.
Oh my goodness I know by all accounts the family who owned her previously had some great times sailing and holidaying on her but I really wish they had put a dollar into her upkeep more regularly. But there again the price reflected it. Attached the new vang I had put together and decided I had to try it out and since I had not had a close look at the mainsail since washing it in nappy san ran it up the mast and cast off. Gee it felt good to be under sail again even if only the main in 15/20 knot wind. Alas it had long lost its shape . Oh well what's the cost of a new main between friends ( me and my wallet). Booked her at Horizon Shores for next week for a two pack /antifoul . You know she was built in 1985 from all documentation sighted and yet has never had a name. She will soon .

G'day SirG,
No probs mate, and I agree with you, too many suss reports coming out about Navionics now, it all seemed to get a lot worse from this managed service implementation model they've adopted.

I did see it on my Nav software before we hit (I run CMAP charts on Adrena), that's how I managed to mitigate the damage, I had a few minutes to warn the crew and get the keel prepped for a quick lift.
At the dock we had a look at one of the guys older Navionics on an Ipad, and it didn't show it, that's the reference I made to Navionics.

My point exactly!

I never seen such warning on an official chart. (yes, l know, official charts are having incorrect data sometimes, yeeees) but still...The decision is yours.

I usually run two separate systems while on passage, one on my chart plotter in the cockpit with CMap and the second on my tablet below with MemoryMap.
Both of those programs are electronic versions of the official vector charts.
Plot my position on the paper chart hourly, or so.
I got two chartplotters, one in the cockpit and one below at the chart table beside the tablet.
If needed, l could turn on my phone with GPS and MemoryMap as well, any time.

But l would never navigate with navionics or it's ilk.

Yes it might, if one zooms in enough.
But if not? Crunch!

Look at your zooming level indicator on the bottom right hand corner.
At the 372 feet 'level' does not show the depth.


Vital information should not depend on the zooming level.
It should show at all levels, using mutually agreed measurements, permanently!

That chart looks like a toy with the ducks and drakes on it! Sorry, what a joke it is!

Not much sailing lately but I spent a couple of hours this morning cleaning. I intended to take her for a run but I got onboard and found dust everywhere. Wiped the cockpit down and rinsed with sea water. Having got some momentum I then went through the cabin cleaning dirt and some mould off bits everywhere.
How many nooks and crannies can you fit into 34'. Lots.
Anyway Morning Bird is looking much better for it.
She is booked into Gladesville Bridge marina for an anti foul on 4 Dec.
I'd like to take her to Broughton Is before Christmas. Maybe a bit of time back in Broken Bay, or maybe Lake Macquarie, would be good too.