the Weekly Whiffle
Wayfarer news of all kinds that's crossed Uncle Al's desk this week
Monday, November 19th, 2007
....
this Week in Wayfarers: 
* Ken Jensen still extending the W sailing season in Norway
* Ken's sailing report leads to trysail exchange
* a question of pointing - from Lake Eustis
* a late-season spinnaker experience with Pat Baldwin (W3473) in Kansas
* Nick Parker (W982) submits 2007 Fleet Report for the West Coast
* Ontario North Fleet Report follows from Dave Hansman (W282)
*
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Subject: Ken Jensen still extending the W sailing season in Norway
----- Original Message -----
From: KEN/K.H.Jensen
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 12:02 PM
Subject: Privileged. W-solo-sailor!

Hi Al,
 
Thanks a lot for your mail, which is a marvellous help for me to give a proper briefing on our meeting here 20/11-07.
 
I have never noticed/recorded a period where you where NOT  very busy doing all the work you do!  Again today I went out and have just written the report below for the locals, who all - luckily - read English!
 
Best and k-W-rgds 

Ken t.o.
 
2nd day for a privileged W-solo-sailor.
 
Coming down to the harbour with no cold feet at all today. The wind was perfect for W-solo-sailing, and fishing if so desired, but a shower of snow greeted me a little unexpectedly; ambient temp. was +2° Celsius, wind 8 knots from N - NW.  The light snow shower was of short duration and thus there was good visibility under grey clouds. Somewhat later, a *butter-cup*-colored round hole melted through the grey cloud layer like an 'eye' watching me.  About that time, I lost the only fish that went for the lure today, and then an under engine power  ~46footer Ocean Cruiser came past, having a BIG Stars and Stripes flying aft. Having spent quite a few months in their USAF, I waved enthusiastically, but the guy at the steering wheel did not respond except for looking.  Could it be he sensed I am not in favour of his president Mr. Bush?!?  Then the lady sitting close by him said something to him, so he took the order and lifted an arm in greeting.  I never knew Americans to be shy - and maybe it wasn't the case, could be he didn't have a proper sea-sight - poor chap!
 
Poor fishing, wind dropping made me start to worry about having to row back in, so I hoisted  full sails, arranged line-steering, where you often make your W. go the wrong way,  since pulling the line for steering is the opposite direction of moving the tiller!  Fishing  my way back in gave - as hinted - no catch, but now the sun had dropped below the clouds, shining rather low from behind the Western hills - the closest of them looking very dark shaded, nice shapes, some hinting female curvatures, those further out more greyish, shaded with a lovely, actually air-tempering sun, behind.
 
Reached W1348's berth as a dead calm became a fact.  Wonderful, sun still there, so I went, snaking between winter-stored/packed boats to the car to pick up tools and do some repair work while drinking nice warm coffee!   Lovely, doing the most sensible thing next to sailing, and have luck to finish as the sun disappeared at 15:58 local time, astronomically stated and officially given for this lat. + long.
 
Ken, W1348 "Maitken".
..
Subject: Ken's sailing report leads to trysail exchange
----- Original Message -----
To: KEN/K.H.Jensen
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 12:42 PM
Subject: Privileged, etc.

Hi, Ken:
 
I love to read about your sailing at this time of year - lets me enjoy it without actually having to get cold! Any hopes of getting a picture or two? I bet the atmosphere would be marvellous. Will save this tale for next week!
 
Oh, almost forgot: I bought two old suits of sails for $50 (!!!!) and will convert one genoa to a trysail in time for the Chesapeake Cruise at the end of May 2008. Haven't really studied your trysail article(s) lately but will do so. I gather I'll want a slide sewn to the top of the luff - would two or three be even better?? I'll be interested to see how the spi pole works as a boom. And I have yet to figure out where/how I will sheet and cleat the little dear. Anyway, I'm looking forward to having North America's first W trysail!!!
 
Vi ses,
 
Uncle Al (W3854)
 
----- Original Message -----
From: KEN/K.H.Jensen
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 1:47 PM
Subject: W-trysail pics.

Congratulations - but sorry, my friend, a US-American tried out a jib as well as a genoa, and  mailed me some years back after having seen your:
 
 
He was very satisfied with his test results and wrote to me about it.



 
The W-trysail shown here is a special one made by McNamara,  and it will slide into the mast groove, and the foot is slightly shorter than the full Genoa, thus fits the spinnaker pole.
 
This medium-Genoa  is originally a type that Poul Ammentorp had made, and as a W-trysail, it allows the use of an ordinary spinnaker pole, which will be too short for an ordinary Genoa sailfoot!  I believe I saw Poul's  Medium Genoa about 5-6 years ago.  Well, you can use 1 - 2 - 3 at choice and  you can either use NO spinnaker boom, like I originally did - or make a small/short extension that you slide on - maybe via a plastic tube - to lengthen your ordinary spinnaker pole.
 
Sorry about photos - I do not have a DIGI-camera, but definitely should have had today.  Maybe later - get a crew with one!  But people - most of them are *softies* when it comes to low temp and sailing.  No problem in a W. if you got wind, and if no wind, you start rowing to keep warm !
 
All the best *vi ses* - cheers, *chock dee* (Thai = best of luck!).   

Ken t.o.
----- Original Message -----
To: KEN/K.H.Jensen
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 10:36 AM.

Hi, Ken:
 
Thanks for the trysail info. I think that perhaps I'll get Heider Funck to re-cut one of the genoas in the spring and get him to put a bolt-rope into the luff so that the trysail luff can go into the mast groove. After that, I'll play with sheeting and halyard-cleating arrangements, I guess. Will send you pictures when the time comes - perhaps add to the W-trysail on-line presentation!
 
Must rush - emails to answer!!!
 
Talk to you soon!!
 
Uncle Al (W3854)
...
Subject: a question of pointing - from Lake Eustis
----- Original Message -----
From: McIntyre, James
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 5:54 PM
Subject: Pointing

HELP! I can’t point!  Al, I finally got #1629 in Lake Eustis and have been making steady progress. But this last weekend, we noticed (the other Jim McIntyre) that we were giving up as much as 5 degrees to some of the other guys, in particular Mike Murto who was killing us.  10 knots plus or minus, no Cunningham, ok on the jib tension , light out haul (Quest Main, shelf foot) jib fair leads set per Uncle Al Wayfarer Institute. We were flatter than the others because we were 2, all else had to singlehand. Light vang. What should I be doing to get back those 5 degrees?  See you in Feb.

 

Jim McIntyre


----- Original Message -----
To: McIntyre, James
Cc: Colin Junkin (CL1820)
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 11:52 AM

Hi, Jim #2, if I may call you that, referring to the chronological order in which I became acquainted with you. Once the Midwinters arrive, I'll even be able to say I've met you!! Have added you and W1629 to the list of those likely to participate in the Mids. Is there a crew name I can add?
 
Now to the heart of the matter: I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out why you wouldn't be pointing. Given the way you were trimming your sails, there's nothing obvious that springs to mind. The one thing that many overlook is the importance of main leech tension to distance made good to windward: while it is important not to over sheet the main in the lighter airs, it is equally important not to undersheet in all but drifters. I have finally found the two pictures I wanted to use to illustrate the effects of an even slightly undersheeted main - pictures I've been meaning to draw Colin's attention to, so I have copied him to save time. In the two photos below Colin is the right-hand boat:
 
Note the excellent start Colin (r) has gotten, but you can see that his main is not sheeted/vanged nearly as tight as Uncle Al's (2nd from right) or Marc Bennett's (3rd from right in W3854). What Colin needs to do here is to crank the mainsheet in and hike as hard as is reasonably possible. If reasonable hiking won't keep the boat reasonably flat, then it's time to crank on vang which flattens the main and reduces heeling moment. Further, when you ease a vanged main, you still have leech tension which is crucial to pointing. Letting the top twist off like Colin is doing here, kills your distance made good to windward - as you can see in the very ...       
 
... next photo where Colin has fallen right down into Al. Could something like this be the cause, Jim??
 
Beyond that, I can only suggest the following:
  • most people (incl. me) often feel that other boats are outpointing them when that is not really the case. So it is good to have outside confirmation that you are indeed getting out-pointed
  • are you sure both boats were getting the same wind?
  • ask Mike if he is noticing anything about your trim that would account for your poor pointing
  • trade boats for a bit and find out whether it's your boat/sails that are the problem, or the sailors??
I trust you've had a look at my Upwind Sail Tuning Made Easy guide, long though it may be???
 
Hope this helps! Both Colin and I will be at the Mids, so we'll look forward to having a beer with you there.
 
Best wishes for happy sailing,
 
Uncle Al (W3854)
...
Subject: a late-season spinnaker experience with Pat Baldwin (W3473) in Kansas
----- Original Message -----
From: Pat Baldwin (W3473)
To: "Al Schonborn" <uncle-al3854@cogeco.ca>
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 2:26 PM
Subject: spinnaker

Uncle Al,

I'm really excited about trying spinnaker sailing next season!  I have ordered a pole and other rigging paraphernalia  and have thoroughly studied the WIT info and reviewed the tapes I copied from yours last year (if you remember, you lent them to me)!  Our last Spin sail got somewhat wet, but was still fun - and we really went fast on our Commodore's Sweet 16!  The spi on it is considerably larger than on a Wayfarer - I think he said 225 sq. ft.?





I recounted the tale for our Johnson County Sailing Society newsletter, The Telltale:

dateline: Olathe Lake, Olathe, KS 10/14/07
Intrepid sailors Commodore Rojohn & Mate Baldwin braved 50 knot winds and 12-ft. seas (well, I guess they'd really be called "lakes" rather than "seas", wouldn't they?) ... well and maybe it was really 15 knots and 12-inch "lakes"?  to fly the spinnaker on the Sweet 16, this past Sunday.  They made 1 1/2 fine runs thru the dangerous and foreboding white-capped seas, with several landlubbers exclaiming, "Wow, you were really going fast!"; and "Aren't the winds and waves too high?".  Disregarding life and limb as well as small boat advisories, they chimed in unison: "Conditions are never too rough for good sailors!" And while that may be true.....on they continued...until Captain Rojohn felt the inside of his boat needed a thorough cleaning!  Upon that command, the Sweet promptly went over, scattering the survivors hither and yon into the shark- (well, maybe..bass & catfish?) infested, and sub-freezing waters (well, it was really cold, anyway) and they both then very narrowly escaped a permanent visit to... Davey.....Jones.....Locker, had it not been for their quick thinking.  Mate Baldwin climbed onto the centerboard (well, not so much to right the boat, but mainly to escape the frozen waters and the "spaghetti" of rigging he thought might "keel haul" him as they righted the ship - or perhaps that may have been a giant squid or other unknown "Loch" Olathe Monster that was trying to ensnarl him??) and asked: "Ed, have you ever righted this boat before?"  to which Captain Rojohn replied, "No, I never needed to till now!"  So, while Baldwin remained upon the board to prevent a turtle, Rojohn swam 'round to take the boat to wind and also to retrieve the life jackets which had been so conveniently, carefully (and irresponsibly?) stowed away (by the captain, as further investigation has uncovered) in the bulkhead lockers.  Baldwin's legal counsel, Lynn (Ed Rojohn's wife), later noted: "Ed, just like the owner of a car is responsible for ensuring all passengers have their seatbelts on, so does the boat owner have a responsibility that all are wearing life jackets---HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU THAT BEFORE????"  Of course, there may have been subsequent further private discussions between them regarding this matter as well as between Baldwin and his entire legal team!  In any case, Rojohn found the life jackets and threw one over the boat to Baldwin, but it quickly drifted away. Luckily, he found another and so soon both were then well protected with nothing left to do but get the ship upright and bailed before Lynn showed up - a fear inspiring them both to speed the process post haste!!  In any case, all hands survived and with the help of some friendly people, they were back at the dock with the boat bailed out just before Lynn showed up. I suggested we not tell her, but Ed is too honest I suppose ... plus there were those pesky witnesses who might have "ratted" us out anyway!

As they say, "All's well that ends well". However, after hearing the harrowing tale, Lynn may be somewhat reluctant to fly a spinnaker anytime soon upon hearing that 2 of the finest sailors of the Seven Seas (or couple of lakes anyway) had encountered slight trouble.  The three of us did have a fun cruise later, in the thoroughly cleaned boat, but .... under only jib and main, and with the kite stowed safely away ... and perhaps for a very long time to come!

Pat Baldwin Vice Commodore, roving correspondent and adventurer

Of course, no photos survive of the fateful trip, but above are shots from the preceding week's somewhat more successful spinnaker voyage!

Thought you might enjoy a little laugh at our misfortune!!

Pat Baldwin W-3473


----- Original Message -----
From: "Al Schonborn" <uncle-al3854@cogeco.ca>
To: "pbaldwin"
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 8:06 PM

Hey, Pat:

I love your write-up - and your enthusiasm! Still, it's pretty scary to get dumped into cold waters, isn't it? Especially without one's PFD. And those rigging tangles are no fun, either! Perhaps now is the time for me to recommend "Helping Yourself and Others" in the intricate labyrinth that is the WIT, more specifically "Self-Rescue After a Capsize"  - which your tale caused me to re-examine and to add the bit about accessible PFD's - thanks! You'll note that I am not in favour of swimming the boat head to wind - in my opinion for good reason!!

Anyway, I'm glad you had fun and enjoyed the whole experience, one that will let you appreciate just how proud my crew and I were when the Goldis turned up with footage of a hairy spi run on Fanshawe Lake (London, ON) where after many, many capsizes over the years, we actually had the perfectly measured response to nasty gusts coming over the cliff on which the photographer and his $20,000 tripod were standing - unbeknownst to us!! I just recently added  a section to my web site front page directory (near the top) called "the W on video" - if you haven't seen the 2nd item on the index of videos, you should. I guarantee you'll like it. It's very well, and professionally, done. Our little ride to the edge of fear is just over three minutes into the five-and-a-half minute clip - and to think that it only took me 40 years of trying to finally look/be cool, calm and collected under such conditions!! The other videos, BTW, are also worth a look!!

Must rush - captions to be done for the North Bay Wayfarer Weekend! Your tale - I love your way with words - will go into the 19 Nov 07 Weekly Whiffle.

Best regards,

Uncle Al (W3854)
...
Subject: Nick Parker (W982) submits 2007 Fleet Report for the West Coast
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 10:43 AM
Subject: West Coast Report

Hi Al,
 
Thought I would send along some news from the West Coast.
 
As you know things out here in Lotus land have been rather quiet over the last decade or so, with respect to the Wayfarer. The craft basically languishes in the back corners of sailing clubs, giving credence to the notion of a dead class amidst the vapour trail machines of 29ers, the Voodoo and the PT15.  Not only are the Wayfarers hard to spot, finding the owners is even more challenging!
 
However, with some sleuthing, creative advertising, and the network game, the number of Wayfarers on the Coast has dramatically increased as the following list attests:
 
 
    Nick Parker                982               North Vancouver                Hollyburn Sailing Club                                Interested
    David Simpson          4596               West Vancouver                Hollyburn Sailing Club                                Interested
    Tom Archer               3927               Vancouver                         Hollyburn Sailing Club                                unknown
    Saul Schneider          7313               Vancouver                         Jericho Sailing Club                                   Interested
    Andrew Parish           8017               Vancouver                          Jericho Sailing Club                                  interested
    Murray Naiberg                                Vancouver                          Jericho Sailing Club                                  interested
    Colin Miles                                      Vancouver                          Jericho Sailing Club                                unknown
    Harry Bohan              6738               Surrey                                Surrey Sailing Club                                  Interested
    Jan Sabine                 616                Gabriola Isl.                                                                                      Interested
    Scotty Sabine                                   Gabriola Isl.                                                                                     Interested
    Richard Graves         7702                Parksville                                                                                          Interested
    Gerry Warren                                   Sidney                                                                                             unknown
    Dean Chalmer            3988               Summerland                        South Okanagan Sailing Association        Interested
    Ross McDonald          9645               Salmon Arm                                                                                     Interested
    Graham White            2968               Seattle, USA                                                                                    Interested
    James Gordon           9666               Seattle, USA                                                                                     Interested
    Tim Koontz                 2253               Seattle, Usa                                                                                     Interested
    Stephen Epstein        2695                Seattle, USA                                                                                    unknown
 
Needless to say, there are significant distances between the group and hence, chances of gathering in its entirety maybe slim. The unknown classification is because there has been no response to communication sent. There are also a few more Wayfarers known to be on the coast but as of yet, I have no contact information other than a community.
 
To date there is a mixture of racers and cruisers, with some willing to just get together. There is a healthy smattering of new owners as the "elders" ease out of their boats and pass them along to the next generation.  Some of the inactivity of the boats is due to their size and weight in relation to the owners and their physical capacities. 
 
If all goes according to plan, there should be at least two events next summer. A gathering is being tentatively planned for Summerland on the Okanagan to gather with the interior sailors. It has been suggested that a Western Regional Championship could be planned or simply a "Wind and Wine" Rally or perhaps both, depending on the time available.  The second event would be on the Coast with perhaps a race and or a cruise to Jedidiah Island, or up the coast to Princess Louisa Inlet and Chatterbox Falls.  Dates have not yet been established.
 
Recognizing the towing distances involved, I have wondered whether there would be any interest from out East of having loaner boats available for either of the events?  If you are interested in a West Coast experience, let me know at njparker@shaw.ca
 
All of this is tentative at this point, as I am trying to establish an active group of Wayfarers on the Coast.  Please be patient, as this is a first for me, and likely for most of the Wayfarers in the area, who are gingerly testing the waters.  Like our weather, there are no guarantees!
 
Cheers,
 
Nick Parker (W982)
To: Nick Parker (W982)
Cc: CWA Fleet Captains
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 4:06 PM


Hi, Nick:
 
Splendid - will see what I can google up re: "Jedidiah Island, or up the coast to Princess Louisa Inlet and Chatterbox Falls." since I (and likely most other W's reading this) have no idea what/where these are. Or perhaps you could briefly describe each one so that we readers can visualize just a bit?
 
Will copy this to the updated list of all Fleet Captains, hereby inviting them, too, to put together a brief 2007 report for our Yearbook DVD which I hope to put together by month's end or mid-December?
 
Thanks again for the great work you're doing out west, Nick.
 
Best regards,
 
Uncle Al (W3854)
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Nick Parker (W982)
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 10:11 PM

Al,
 
Here is a little bit about each place and the journey to get there.
 
Princess Louisa Inlet, with Chatterbox Falls, is renowned as a place of warmth and sunshine,  not to mention 8,000 ft mountains, stunning scenery, narrows with current running at up to 9 knots all encased in splendid isolation after a 50 -60 km sail from Edgemont on the Sunshine Coast.  Many people say that it is one of their favorite spots on the coast.  One could sail up from Vancouver, probably three days to the start from Edgemont.  The more practical option is to drive to Edgemont via BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale/Gibsons and then up the Sunshine Coast. The whole trip including the drive would be likely a six to seven day journey - truly spectacular.
 
 

Jedediah is closer to Vancouver but in the Middle of the Strait of Georgia, opposite Secret Cove on the Sunshine Coast. One could drive, launch and sail to the Island from Vancouver in the same day.  Once on the Island there is wonderful camping, great exploring and wild sheep, not to mention the old homestead and all the old rare varieties of fruit trees .  Unfortunately, Willy the old horse, who use to welcome the boaters upon their arrival died two winters ago after spending a lifetime on the Island with its pioneering family.  It is a wonderful place of magic with stunning sailing in and amongst, the smaller and larger Islands that bracket it and provide relief in the strait for those crossing at its widest girth. I would suggest it be a four to five day trip although you could do it over a weekend if everything went well.  I have done it in two days but that is pushing it.
 
Doing either trip is a win/win proposition with all kinds of side trips possible for unlimited cruising.  I started sailing the coast in 1969 and it never ceases to amaze me!
 
Nick


----- Original Message -----
To: Nick Parker (W982)
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 10:45 PM

Perfect, Nick! Sounds enticing and should get you one or two eastern takers - not me at this time though; I have enough on my plate, both sailing and budget-wise. Will get back to you. Captions to do right now as I hope to finish the North Bay Wayfarer Weekend tonight!
 
Uncle Al (W3854)
...
Subject: Ontario North Fleet Report follows from Dave Hansman (W282)
----- Original Message -----
From: Hansman, Dave
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 12:07 PM
Subject: Ask and ye shall receive........

<<Ontario North Fleet Report 2007.pdf>>


 
----- Original Message -----
To: Hansman, Dave
Cc: CWA Fleet Captains
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2007 6:49 PM

Hi, Dave:
 
Finally made the time to have a look at your 2007 Fleet Report which I plan to put into the Weekly Whiffle tonight - and of course into the 2007 CWA Yearbook. It is just great! Have re-attached and copied our Fleet Captains in hopes that this will inspire the others to send me something for the YB within the next week or so. We now have two very nice Fleet Reports, this one plus a fine report from Nick Parker, our new Fleet Captain that former black hole of W news, the West Coast. Have not attached Nick's report but it will appear in the Weekly Whiffle some time tonight!!
 
Thanks, Dave (and Nick!), and I hope to be thanking the rest of you soon!!!
 
Best regards,
 
Uncle Al (W3854)
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