Ahoy!
It has been brought to my attention that some HHSA skippers may be unaware of some of the basic rules for sailing or not familiar with the courtesies used on the race course to avoid conflicts and possible collisions. I hope this quick review will help those unclear on at least the basic port starboard rule and how it can play out at a windward mark requiring a starboard rounding which several of our HHSA courses require. Typically courses are laid out using port roundings and many seasoned sailors may not be used to the HHSA starboard roundings.
First of all, a boat on starboard tack has right of way over a boat on port tack. When boats on opposite tacks meet, the port boat must take whatever action is necessary to avoid a collision. The port boat should do so in a timely manner so the starboard boat does not have to be concerned that he will need to maneuver to avoid contact. Although not required by the rules to alert the port tack boat of a possible conflict, I would recommend that if the starboard tacker is at all concerned, especially that the port skipper does not see the starboard boat, the starboard skipper vocally alert the port tacker…and so the shouts of “Starboard” are often heard on the race course.
Approaching a windward mark that requires a starboard rounding on starboard tack gives that boat rights over any boat approaching on port tack, regardless of who gets there first. However, the starboard boat will need to tack to port tack to round the mark and may become burdened by other starboard boats approaching the mark. Hopefully any boat approaching the mark on port tack will have left plenty of room for starboard boats to make their tack to port, but it is up to the starboard boat to determine when to make that tack and how much room he needs to do it. For that reason, I suggest the port tackers choose their layline to the mark conservatively allowing space to dodge the starboard boats. Again, as a courtesy, the starboard tackers could alert the port tackers of their intentions to help the port boats become aware of their burdens or not. Port tack boats on the optimal layline to the mark will have a very hard time making the mark should they have to duck a starboard tacker near the mark.
Because of the inherent differences in boat designs of the HHSA member’s vessels, there are two obvious factors that generally have reduced the conflict between the boats but also figure into how potential conflicts are to be viewed.
1. The boats, during the race tend to space themselves out as the race progresses and the intrinsic speeds of the boats shows as time goes by. Conflicts between two boats early in the race will end up hurting both boats, to neither’s advantage, while the rest of the fleet continues to beat their usual times.
2. The HHSA racer needs to constantly consider the handling abilities of each other’s boat. The boat’s maneuverability is not just based on size, but also design and skipper’s abilities.
As the sailing instructions state, “There is no stigma in protesting…..” but if you do, there is a procedure that must be followed. It will involve people spending the time and energy to resolve any disputed issues etc. It could be that more would be achieved if the aggrieved party approached the other skipper and an understanding of what happened could be agreed upon and both parties take the incident as a learning lesson. Remember, HHSA racing is for fun. No one is going to prove that they are the best sailor around by winning HHSA races. We are all just trying to do our best, maybe improving our skills, but mainly just wanting to have a good time sailing around in our little boats together.
Here is a copy of the Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028. Also, there are many discussions available on the internet that will help in your understanding of the Rules. https://www.sailing.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2025-2028-RRS-with-Changes-and-Corrections.pdfAll the best, Roger.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
HHSA: Reminder of the importance of heeding the Racing Rules of Sailing
Thursday, June 25, 2026
HHSA: Thursday's results
Ahoy!
15 boats raced the triangle with a windward starting leg in 10 knots of breeze on smooth waters. The rising tide helped from West Chop to East but hit the boats rounding 23a with a foul current flowing out of the harbor. Diminishing winds made for a long close-to-the-wind beat back to the finish at N6, but a lot of the boats made it on one tack. Both Sonars sailed by VHYC sailors performed better than usual and finished 1st and 2nd. Maitland was 3rd. A good attendance at the post race gathering and dinner at the VHYC snack bar made for a chance to review the race and prospects for the season.
Light winds are predicted for Sunday's 2 PM race, but mostly, the winds this June have been plentiful.
Note that the results are slightly different than those announced at the club because I forgot the 1/2 mile windward starting leg when entering the race mileage.
All the best, Roger.
Sunday, June 21, 2026
HHSA: Sunday's results
Ahoy!
Today's race was all about a lot of wind, start to finish. Whitecaps all across the sound whipped up by a wind in the high teens, at least. There were 11 boats out to start but 3 decided against it...each with their own story, I'm sure. The Course was #5 in reverse which required a brisk dash on a screaming reach to Falmouth R16, then to Green pond R14 and back to VH harbor. Tide was flooding all afternoon and was maybe a detriment as the fleet beat their way back. Although miles ahead, Apres won the cup by just 50 seconds over Silhouette after calculating the ratings effect. Liberty, having only raced 4 in-season races, is undergoing re-evaluation and her rating is in flux until more data is obtained. Hopefully she will become a regular attender and some consistency will ensue.
Next race is Thursday, 5:00 PM Warning.
Sunday, June 14, 2026
HHSA Results Tune-up 2026
HHSA
File: HHSA 2026 ALL RACES
2025 All Races
Class: 2026 Pre Season. PHRF (Time on distance)
Tune-Up 6.9 !RW: Wind Speed 13: Direction SSW
Start Time: Sunday, June 14, 2026 14:05:00: Distance 6.9
| Pos | Boat | Skipper | PHRF | Type | Finish | Elapsed | Corrected | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LIBERTY | MAXWELL,DOMINIC | 162 | MORRIS 36 | 15:27:41 | 01:22:41 | 01:04:03 | 7 |
| 2 | ARTFUL DODGER | POWERS,MIKE | 36 | TARTAN 3500 | 15:18:58 | 01:13:58 | 01:09:50 | 6 |
| 3 | GLORIA | BECKER,ROGER | 131 | C&C 24 | 15:30:25 | 01:25:25 | 01:10:21 | 5 |
| 4 | SILHOUETTE | COLSON,BECK | 23 | ALERION 33 | 15:18:44 | 01:13:44 | 01:11:05 | 4 |
| 5 | TAMU | WESCOTT,TOM | 43 | ALERION 28 | 15:22:52 | 01:17:52 | 01:12:55 | 3 |
| 6 | EASY RIDER | SIMONS,ROBERT | 40 | J9 | 15:23:37 | 01:18:37 | 01:14:01 | 2 |
| 7 | BANDIT | HALE,PHIL | 26 | J7 | 15:26:30 | 01:21:30 | 01:18:31 | 1 |
Speed as VMG of winning boat: 5.0 knots
Race Officer: RGBecker
Created on 06/14/26 20:16:15 Scoring program: RaceSail (1.2.42)
HHSA: Results for the 2026 Tune-up Race
Ahoy!
7 boats raced course #1 with a windward starting leg in reverse. 13 knots and fair currents made for some fast times and the fleet finished in good order without any breakdowns. The leg from West Chop to Nun 6 which was dead on the wind gave opportunities to the boats that know the drill. No one was complaining about the conditions which were bright and sunny, blue water and skies with room temperatures over the entire course.
Liberty won the cup. Dominic Maxwell has been putting in some time on the Morris 36 and the improving results are now beginning to show.
Kick off pot luck is 6:00 PM at the VHYC and the season's opener is Thursday, 5:00 PM warning.
Rawson Clough, our man on the committee boat, writes:
Ahoy Roger!
It was great to be back out on the water with everyone this afternoon for a beautiful day of racing. We had some sporty conditions- winds were around 13 kts with gusts into the low 20s out of the SSW. Seven boats made their way to the line for a 2PM start and we ran Course 1 in reverse with an upwind start to Buoy A. It was a perfect day for tuning up and working out some early-season kinks (my apologies for the confusion at the first Buoy A rounding, and thanks for everyone’s patience!) The results were as follows:
Silhouette - 3:18:44
Artful Dodger - 3:18:58
Tamu - 3:22:52
Easy Rider - 3:23:37
Bandit - 3:26:30
Liberty - 3:27:41
Gloria - 3:30:25
Thanks everyone for a great afternoon on the water- looking forward to seeing you all and hopefully some more boats out for the next one!
Take care,
Rawson
Friday, June 12, 2026
HHSA Annual TUNE-UP RACE is this Sunday, June 14th!
AHOY!
Just a reminder that the first chance to win a HHSA first place cup in 2026 is this Sunday, June 14th. The usual 2:00 PM warning signal will be sounded by the Vigilant crew for a course chosen based on wind conditions. Current forecast is for a SW wind at 10 knots, expected to build so anything is on the table. Bring along a copy of the sailing instructions, available on the Holmeshole.org website, to avoid wrong way roundings which confounded the fleet last year. If you have a cell phone, the site can be accessed and course diagrams are available there.
The race is not included in Seasonal standings, but will give you a chance to make sure your boat is set up for the summer. The first 2026 season race is Thursday, June 18th, 5:00 PM warning. The winner of Sunday's race will have an option to choose the newly designed first place cup or the tradition cup.
Potluck dinner and gathering of the membership and friends will be Tuesday, June 16th, 6:00 PM at the VHYC as previously announced.
See you on the water!
Roger.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time to register your boat for the 2026 season. Preseason racing on May 31 and June 7th.
TUNE-UP Race is June 14th, 2:00 PM Warning signal. Course dependent on weather conditions.
This dues is set at $200 for more than 20 races....best Yacht Racing deal in New England.
Click this link to sign up now. You will not be scored until all fees are paid!
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