We’re not sure if it’s somehow related to the free-falling economy or if the Three Bridge Fiasco would have been on the upswing anyway, but an astounding number of boats have signed up for the Singlehanded Sailing Society’s first race of the season. As of tonight, Sunday the 25th, they had  319 entries. Rumor has it they expect as much as 350 by the January 28 cutoff, making this oddball event the largest race in Northern California.

The biggest one design fleets are the Moore 24s and Express 27s. The Ultimate 24s hit five boats and so get their own division. The Santa Cruz 27s currently have four boats registered; they need one more. The Olson 34s and Express 34s combine to form a division.

The SSS website says it’s a ‘fiasco’ because, “We allow starting and finishing from EITHER direction across the start-finish line. We allow rounding the marks either to Port or Starboard. January winds on the Bay are shifty and unpredictable. SF Bay currents around the Golden Gate, Red Rock and Treasure Island test the most skilled Bay sailors.” Add to that construction barges in the way at the eastern span of the Bay Bridge, and 320-350 boats on the same, fixed-length starting line! Plus it’s a pursuit race, with each boat’s start time figured out in advance, and the only starting signals will be at 0920, 0925 and 0930. And just one or two sailors can be aboard each boat.

Wednesday’s skippers’ meeting at Oakland Yacht Club was jam-packed, with standing-room only, and covered the following topics.

One of the singlehanded sailors asked that the doublehanders remember that they are not competing against each other, neither for the race nor the series, and there’s no point in messing with them. “Also realize that the singlehanders need more room to maneuver - such as jibing around a mark - as an autopilot can’t finesse the helm the way a human can.”

Race Chair Max Crittenden reminded the racers of the importance of notifying the RC if they’re dropping out of the race. “The Coast Guard wants to be notified of any no-shows. The penalty for not calling in a DNF is not racing with the SSS again until you serve on a race committee.” If you drop out the RC prefers that you hail them on VHF channel 69. Second best would be to leave a message at (866) SAIL-SSS.

Besides checking out if you don’t finish, you must check in before the race. Even sail-numbered boats should check in on VHF channel 68, and odd sail-numbered boats should check in on 69. After the start, the RC will use only 69. They’ll give time checks on the hour, and ask that racers do not call in for time checks.

“Stay away from the start until you are preparing to start,” said Max. “If you cross the start line in either direction within five minutes before your start you are OCS [over early - ‘On Course Side’], but will not be given a signal, as there are no restarts, just a 20 minute penalty.” Two video cameras will be aimed at the starting line, so your start will be recorded.

The previously-mentioned construction barge is under the new G-H span of the Bay Bridge. If it looks hairy, sailors should use the temporary mark channel two spans to the east. The work schedule lightens up on Saturdays, but the barges are left in place, and the water may be shallow near the anchor wires.

The time limit is 1900 hours. If you’re still on the course at that time, call in so the RC knows you’re safe. The sun will set at 1732 and navigation lights must be on at sunset. Boats less than seven meters (23.1 feet) long are allowed to use a 360-degree white light instead of running lights. If you finish after dark, the RC asks that you shine a spotlight or flashlight on your sail numbers, and if no other competitors are nearby when you finish that you call in to alert the RC in case they’re on a snack break.

The finish line is not restricted, but if you sail through when you are not finishing (ie: Treasure Island to Blackaller), call in to let the RC know that you’re not finishing yet.

Restricted areas include Anita Rock Buoy and the H-beam off Crissy Field, the South Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, Pt. Belvedere Buoy, Little Alcatraz Buoy, Pt. Blunt Buoy off the SE tip of Angel Island, the gaps in the Berkeley Pier, Castro Rocks Buoy, and 100 yards away from Richmond Long Pier or any ship tied up to same. (A hint for judging 100 yards, for those of us who don’t play football: it’s a third the length of the tanker docked at the pier.)

Blackaller Buoy (one of the marks) is now a yellow foam column - that old ball had to be put out of its misery.

Following the skippers’ briefing, Kame Richards of Pineapple Sails gave a ‘chalk talk’. He said that max ebb will be at 0730 and there should be a little tiny flood along shore by the starting time, so it may be easiest to start toward Treasure Island (west to east). Some of nuggets of wisdom: “Winning is controlled by wind, not current. In the last five minutes before I started last time, I changed my mind five times. If it’s raining, expect a southerly breeze. This race has been won by sailing the most idiotic directions. Never quit because you never can tell. If you’re near dirt there will be current relief. Don’t plan your route on anything you know today. Communicate early over right-of-way issues with your competitors - get eye contact. In ten races clockwise wins six of them.”

Other SSS business taken care of at the meeting included the presentation of the First to Finish Displacement Monohull trophy to Jim Fair of Chesapeake for the Singlehanded TransPac. The trophies were carried to Hawaii onboard the raceboats, and the one carrying that particular trophy had to turn back, so it missed the awards ceremony in Hawaii.

The trophy for first overall SSS TransPac finisher was damaged when its winner, Skip Allan, evacuated his Wildflower to climb aboard the ship which rescued him on his ill-fated return trip. So it has been replaced with a gorgeous new one, featuring a Pacific Triton Trumpet conch shell for that Hawaiian flavor, and the plaques of all the past recipients (see photo at top of page).