Powell River Yacht Club

Last Saturday's skipper's meeting at our new clubhouse in the tall white building in the South Harbour! Come join our club and have some fun!

It was a gorgeous morning out on the water... Here you see 8 boats minutes before the start. We normally start at 10 o'clock on Saturday mornings at Willingdon Beach or like last Saturday at the South Harbour mark. Come watch and cheer us on! (Thank you Susan for these great photos)

Jan. 6, 2018

Attention all sailors

       Happy New Year everyone!  Its time once again to shake out the sails and give them some serious air.  The 2018 Frostbite Series of keelboat races begins Saturday, Jan.13th.  Skippers wishing to race MUST REGISTER their boats with the Race Committee at one of these meetings where they will receive a copy of the Race Instructions.  Races will be held every Saturday as per usual with meetings scheduled for 9:00 am at the white tower (future clubhouse) on the seawall at the south end of the south boat harbor. We meet, discuss a course and start the race at 10:00 a.m. usually finishing  between noon and 1:00 pm.   All crew members must have an approved personal floatation device and all boats competing must meet club safety standards.  We will race every Saturday (weather permitting) for 7 consecutive Saturdays with the last race being on Feb. 24th. 

       Please direct any inquiries to myself, Lauritz Chambers, race coordinator.  604 483-3205. 

         2017 Shearwater Trophy Race

                                       Nov. 12, 2017

This years Shearwater Race began at Willingdon Beach and followed a clockwise direction around Harwood Island, through the Shearwater Passage and back through the start/finish line at Willingdon, a distance of some 16 nautical miles. Six hopeful keelboats and one trimaran entered the race with crews pumped for the chance of owning the prestigious trophy that’s been presented since 1975.

Predicted south-east winds of 15 to 20 knots for the late morning were to drop to 10 to 15 however there was little confidence in the forcast. Until the final leg home from the northern end of Harwood back to Willingdon, all boats were in contention for a win but as we rounded the Harwood spit and started the homeward beat, strong, gusty winds and pounding waves gave advantage to the bigger boats.  Congratulations to skipper Chris Coldham and crew of Betsy B. for a fine win, crossing the line in only 2 hours and 58 minutes. Our records indicate the corrected time of 189 minutes to be a new club record.

(Southerly winds were a bit stronger in 2016)

                                             Corr. Time         Corr. Time

Rank     Boat                      2017                          2016

   1       Betsy B                   189                            DNP

   2       Kindred Spirit        193                            222

   3       Una                         201                            204

   4       Séance                    205                            196

   5       Sailmates                229                            237

   6       Naimh                     262                            DNP

   7       Sovind                    268

                                    RACING UPDATE – FALL 2017!

Fellow keelboat racing enthusiasts:

Our fall racing series will commence Sept. 9th this year. We will race every Saturday weather permitting with the last in the series being held on Nov. 11. for a total of 9 races. . The prestigious Sheerwater race (around Harwood Island) will take place on Saturday Oct. 21st, which again is open to all club members. (The trophy goes back 40+ years). Come on out to share in the comradery and improve your sailing skills and perhaps even win some hardware for the mantle.

NEW DEVELOPMENT!! Instead of meeting in the Comox Ferry terminal this year we will instead be meeting in our new clubhouse – the lower floor of THE WHITE TOWER – on the path along the shore of the south boat harbor. Ample free parking is available in the old barge terminal at the south end of the south boat harbor. As per usual we will meet at 9:00 am sharp to discuss weather and choose a course. Just a reminder that all crew must have an approved personal floatation device and all boats competing must meet club safety standards

We especially welcome any new or old club members to come out and compete. As well as the camaraderie there is the huge bonus of being able to develop your sailing skills with all the accompanying support and friendly advice you could ask for.

If you have any thoughts or questions please call me at 604 483-3205 or e-mail me at lauritz@xplornet.com

See you Sept. 9th

Lauritz Chambers

Race director

FALL SERIES RESULTS

2017 Fall Series Results

It was an exciting and successful Fall racing series with 8 races completed out of a possible 9. The races were often faster than expected with boat speeds often exceeding 6 knots.   Although we allow a full 3 hours for the races, five of the eight races finished in well under 90 minutes. Una once again prevailed in this series however there are strong competitors fully capable of winning on any given day.

Boat                                                   Rank

Una                                                        1

Kindred Spirit                                       2

Sailmates                                               3

Naimh                                                    4

Betsy B                                                  5

Séance                                                   6

Blue Run                                               7                                          

Nov.4, 2017

Wind – Southeast 10 knots

Distance - 7 nautical miles

Boat                   time                   corrected                           Rank

Una                    77                                73                          1

Kindred Spirit   77                                76                          2

Sailmates           92                                92                          3

Oct. 21, 2017

Wind – Southeast 20 - 30 knots

Distance - 6.5 nautical miles

Boat                   time                   corrected                           Rank

Una                    68                                64                          1

Kindred Spirit   66                                65                          2

Oct. 14, 2017

Boat                   time                   corrected                           Rank

Sailmates           65                                61                          1

Kindred Spirit   62                                61                          1

Oct.7, 2017

Boat                   time                   corrected                           Rank

Una                    120                    113                             1

Kindred Spirit   125                    123                             2

Naïve                 138                    134                             3

Sept. 30, 2017

Boat                   time                   corrected                           Rank

Sailmates           53                       49.47                          1

Kindred Spirit   52                       51.34                          2

Séance               55                       59.05                          3

Summer Wind  70                       64.9                             4

3.RACE

Sept 23, 2017

Wind – Southeast 5 - 10 knots

Distance - 3 nautical miles

Boat                   time                   corrected                           Rank

Una                    53                                50                          1

Naïve                 62                                60                          2

Kindred Spirit   62                                61                       3

Summer Wind  69                                64                       4

Blue Run           67                                68                       5

Séance               67                                72                       6

2. RACE

Sept. 16, 2017

Wind – West 5 – 10 knots.

Boat                   time                   corrected                           Rank

Una                    91                                86                                         1

Betsy B              95                                101                                       2

Naieve               112                             109                                        3      

 1. RACE

Sept 9, 2017

Wind – South-east 10 - 30 knots

Boat                   time                   corrected                           Rank

Betsy B              109                             115                                        1

Una                    137                             129                                        2

Kindred Spirit   DNF                                                      

Séance               DNF                                                      

Blue Run           DNF

Spring Series Results

Boat                      Points         Rank

Una                              7                    1

Kindred Spirit          12                   2

Séance                       26                   3

Sail Mates                28                    4

June 10, 2017

Our spring series wrapped up last Saturday with a race to Vananda in a healthy 10 knot north-west breeze. 5 boats participated in a close match followed by picnic on the Vananda dock.  It was great to have Naïeve and Summer Wind join in for the final.  The results had Kindred Spirit crossing the finish line first with Una just seconds behind and claiming first place in corrected time.  The results however were somewhat misleading.  Una was the only boat to fly her spinnaker, giving her a significant advantage.  Otherwise in corrected time she would likely have come in dead last.  As well after crossing Malaspina Strait the winds in Sturt Bay suddenly veered causing everyone a bit of grief with resulting changes in placement. The close finishing times show everyone had a reasonable chance of winning the race. We can look forward to great competition in the coming fall series.

Boat Time Corrected Rank

Una 58 55 1

Kindred Spirit 58 57 2

Summer Wind 63 58 3

Sail Mates 63 59 4

Niamh 63 63 5

Algerine 2017

 Due to the lack of wind the race start line was moved to Cyril rock outside of Blubber Bay.  Thank-you Kim Brown for using Kindred Spirit for the committee boat and Ray Hogan for helping with the start flags.   A gentle westerly began to build at the start and held for the majority of the race allowing the early finishers to complete in just over 5 hours.  The chosen course was to take Vivian Island to port and finish in Comox harbor, a distance of 23 nautical miles sailed in mostly 10knot winds.  Four boats from Comox, one from Deep Bay and 3 from Powell River were entered.  It was an awesome and entertaining race between totally engaged, competitive crews.  A great meal in a Toscano’s restaurant in Comox followed.  Tom Gornall, skippering his J24, Nyyak in excellent form received both the Algerine trophy for the win as well as the 1st across the line Credit Union trophy.  Una, placed a respectable second with Tenacious in third.

Results

Start 9:40 am.

Boat phrf Finish elapsed Corrected Rank Club

Nyyak 186 14:46:20 5:06:20 4:04:20 1 CSC

Una 191 14:53:34 5:13:34 4:09:24 2 PRYC

Tenacious 228 15:12:53 5:32:53 4:16:53 3 CSC

Laser 135 14:57:13 5:17:13 4:32:13 4 CSC

Hakuma Matata 118 15:03:04 5:23:04 4:44:04 5 DBSC

Séance 102 15:04:00 5:24:00 4:50:00 6 PRYC

Roberts 144 17:17:00 7:37:00 6:49:00 7 CSC

Sail Mates 180 DNF PRYC

June 3, 2017

Wind – South-east 5 – 10 knots

Boat time corrected Rank

Una 103 97 1

Kindred Spirit 115 113 2

Séance 110 118 3

Summer Wind 134 124 4

Sail Mates 134 125 5

Sovind DNF

May 27, 2017

Wind – North west 5 – 10 knots.

Boat time corrected Rank

Una 146 138 1

Kindred Spirit 164 162 2

Séance 153 164 3

Hi Powell River!! Please cheer us on! Sunday 9 am south of the South Harbour the annual Algerine Race will start. 3 boats from Powell River and 7 from Comox will take part in this years regatta over to Comox. It will be fun to watch for sure!!

RACING UPDATE 2017!

Fellow keelboat racing enthusiasts:

Our spring racing series will commence April 22 this year.  We will race every Saturday weather permitting with the last in the series being on June 10th.  for a total of 7 races.   The one exception will be the May long weekend (May 20 – 22) during which the annual Algerine race will take place on Sunday, 21st. pitting the Comox club against our Powell River club. 

As per usual we will meet in the Comox ferry terminal just above the North boat harbor at 9:00 am sharp to discuss weather and choose a course.  Just a reminder that all crew must have an approved personal floatation device and all boats competing must meet club safety standards

We especially welcome any new or old club members to come out and compete.  As well as the camaraderie there is the huge bonus of being able to develop your sailing skills with all the accompanying support and friendly advice you could ask for.  

If you have any thoughts or questions please call me at 604 483-3205 or e-mail me at lauritz@xplornet.com

See you April 22nd.

Lauritz Chambers

Race director

May 13, 2017

Southeast winds of around 10 knots kept us moving quickly around a challenging course of 5 short legs totaling about 6 nautical miles.  Una led for the first leg but then it was Kindred Spirit out in front for the rest of the race taking line honors and the race in corrected time. 

Handicap time/ corrected rank

Kindred Spirit 159 88 / 87 1

Una 191 85 / 80 2

Summer Wind 205 112 / 104 3

May 6, 2017

Every race gives a lesson and last Saturday’s was no exception.  If you think you can depend on a westerly to remain somewhat constant you’re fooling yourself.  Beating into a north-west 5 knot breeze we headed to the mill mark.  Rounding the mark we prepared the spinnaker for a long downwind run but just as we were about to raise the big sail the wind veered and came out of the west at 15 – 20 knots.  Instantly the apparent wind was from ahead and we were quite happy the spinnaker was still bagged.  Una led for 3 legs only to have Kindred Spirit pass on a sprint to the finish to take line honors. 

                               Handicap    time/ corrected      rank 

Una                                  191       87 / 82                       1

Kindred Spirit               159      87 / 86                        2

Sailmates 200              200     106 / 99                       3   

April 29, 2017

With southeast winds gusting to 30 knots we had an exhilarating  race covering a 9.5 nautical mile course in 1 ¼ hours.

Congratulations to Séance as she got off to a good start and led to the finish for line honors and the win in corrected time.

                        Handicap         time/ corrected       rank                                        Séance                    102             70 / 75                        1

Una                          191             85 / 80                        2

Kindred Spirit       159            88 / 87                         3

Sovind                     207                                               DNF               

April 22, 2017

Course: Grief Pt. – South mid-channel – South mark – South Boat Harbor.

A glorious start to our Spring series.  A 5 – 10 knot westerly breeze had the fleet of five complete the 5 ½ nautical mile course in 2 ½ hours while the rain held off.   Una got off to a good start and managed to lead the fleet without being seriously challenged.  It’ll likely be a different story next week.  Stay tuned.

                                     Handicap time/ corrected     rank

Una                                 191         129 / 122                    1

Sail Mates                      200      140 / 131                     2

Kindred Spirit               159     140 / 138                      3

Sovind                            207    153 / 141                        4

Séance                           102    141 / 151                          5