2000 NAI Results

Sponsored by Predicted Log Racing Association of Northern California, this year’s NAI was held on San Francisco Bay, August 12, 2000. Contestant boats were berthed close to Oakland Yacht Club, the event Host. 

Wednesday and Thursday were devoted to meetings and tours. Thursday evening, Haluk Akol produced a boat drawing that is indelibly etched in the annals of NAI events. Fourteen contestants drew from boats loaned by members of Diablo Power Squadron, Grand Banks Cruising Club, Oakland Yacht Club, and PLRA. The contest fleet ranged from 38 to 53’, with most boats in the 42-45’ range. Time trials were Friday morning on the Oakland Inner Harbor Channel measured mile. Friday afternoon was devoted to contest planning and refinement. 

Saturday the NAI 2000 was run on a 31.14nm course designed by Bill English of PLRA. The Start was at the Bay Bridge, east of Yerba Buena Island, north along the east side of Treasure Island, northeasterly to the Berkeley Pier, then northwesterly to Check Point #1 at Southampton Shoal light. Most contestants seem to have over-estimated the flood; the flood tends to run further east of TI than the course line. The current direction and velocity between Berkeley pier and Southampton is always a guess, locally the area is known as “no man’s water”. 4.93nm: Early 0, Late 14, high error 223 sec, average error 105, Low error 6 sec by Bill Stewart, WLECA.

To Checkpoint #2, contestants took the East Channel of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to San Pablo Bay buoy #2 at 100 yds STBD. A little tricky here: the flood is weaker behind Angel Island, then comes on strong across from Raccoon Strait, then tends to follow Southampton Channel toward the Bridge. The current choked and increased between Point San Pablo and East Brothers Island, just a few yards short of Checkpoint #2. 5.43nm: Early 7, late 7, high 94, average 32, low 4 seconds by Bob VanLandingham, SPYC.

From #2, we headed southwest to North Ship Channel light #17, marking the entrance to the San Rafel Channel, and in only 10’ water, then to the “Outfall” buoy in only 8’, then to Checkpoint #3 at the West channel of the Bridge. Another tricky course: swirls and eddies behind Brothers Islands, deep water until just before the turn at #17, then shallow water past the “Outfall”, then deeper water to the bridge. The Other Factor: the flood tends to run on the Richmond side, and the ebb on the Marin side. The current meters are mostly in the middle, so adjustment must be made for either side; more flood east, less flood west. 3.06nm: Early 0, Late 14, high 126, average 56, low 3 seconds by Bill Doherty, SDCA.

From the Bridge we traveled southwest to Corte Madera Creek light #2, then south to Checkpoint #4 at Point Chauncey. Cross current work to Corte Madera light, then current on the nose to the Checkpoint. Fairly straightforward, if we remember the meters are in the channel and we are west. Also, the flood runs to the east where we were not. 3.35nm: 9 Early, 5 Late, High127, average 42, Low 3 seconds by Team Lisa Gaston/Tom Tyrcha, CYC.

To checkpoint #5 we ran south, along the west edge of the North Ship Channel to a range where we turned to a course that took us down the center of Raccoon Strait to Raccoon Strait buoy #3, then southwest to a beam bearing on Yellow Bluff light, just inside and north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The course from CP#4 to #5 proved to be the doing or undoing for most contestants. Between Point Chauncey and Raccoon Strait there were drifting fish boats and several war canoes. Most contestants did not realize there is a counter-current north of Raccoon Strait on the flood. The errors on this checkpoint indicate most contestants got some help, rather than hinder, to Raccoon Strait. The eddy at Raccoon buoy #3 did not help either. 4.85nm, Early 13, Late 1, high 243 sec, average 174 seconds, low 45 sec by Bill Stewart, WLECA.

Leg 6 took us from Yellow Bluff east to North Ship Channel buoy #1, then to CP# 6 at the San Francisco Bay Bridge span just west of Yerba Buena Island. At this point another vessel joined the contest, a fully laden 1200’ Maersk container vessel. A little radio work and we learned he was headed for anchorage nine, just below the course to our finish. He learned what we intended and stayed west of our course line and slowed to nearly our speed so we didn’t have wake problems. Hats off to a considerate pilot (Unit #18) and an understanding owner. 5.32mn: 11 Early, 3 Late, high 99, average 31, low 1 second by Patrick Frampton, IPBA-G.

The final leg went from the Bridge to Anchorage nine buoy #1, we turned east toward the Alameda Naval Air Station Carrier basin, and the Maersk ship went to her anchorage. 4.47nm, 11 early, 3 late, high 240, average 46, low 1 second by Bob Van Landingham, SPYC.

Just south of the finish line, KINLOCH (Dick Smith, DPS) provided VIP’s and guests a close-up view of the Finish and the turn to home. Contestants formed an on-the-spot parade up the Estuary. Contest boats were easily identified by the “NAI 2000” flag at the bow staff and bright yellow and black PLRA racing banners port and starboard.

Saturday evening started with cocktails followed by an Awards/Installation banquet at Oakland Yacht Club. After dinner, Bill English (GBCC, PLRA) and Jack Hicks (DPS, PLRA) presented the Peel-off. Bill and Jack seemed to fumble and bumble through the procedure like they had no idea what they were doing. Surprise! They knew, we didn’t! The apparent random peel-off of various legs left the contest results in doubt to the last minute. It was not until the last contestant was revealed in the last leg to be peeled away that we knew the winner. 

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