FEBRUARY 2019 - SAILING WEEK - OCC RESULTS AND PICTURES BOB MCDAVITT - HOW TO UNDERSTAND YOUR BAROMETER DAWN BATES LOOKS BACK ON HER YEAR THAT ...
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PL
FRSE TA
EA
E E KE O
! N
E
February 2019
Sailing Week - OCC results and Pictures
Bob McDavitt - How to understand your Barometer
Dawn Bates looks back on her year that started with us
2 | Tell Tales
IN THIS ISSUE...
Commodore’s Report..........................3
Nautical Quiz......................................5
Bob McDavitt’s Weather Corner..........6
Film night - Vaka..................................9
Dawn Bates - ‘What a Year!’...............10
Full February Calendar of Events.......16
On the cover: ‘California Kiwi rounds the Nine-
pin’ © Richard Milner | ARGMM | BOISW
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Tell Tales | 3
COMMODORE’S REPORT Cam Murray
Hello February!!
Well, we have had an exciting January with the Brampton Blast, Tall Ships, and Bay Week.
OCC did quite well in Bay Week with Kia Kaha, Black Magic, 4Fox Sake, and Weatherly,
all taking Podium positions. Well Done Opua!! And lets also not forget Weatherly also win-
ning the Tall Ships!! Another, congratulations to the Kiff family. Our other Local Boats also
did quite well so good job guys. Full results can be found at http://www.topyacht.net.au/
results/2019/boisw/
This season we have a new sponsor Total Yacht Care Summer Series to run on the alternate
Friday’s of our Kiwi Sheds Rum Race. Thanks, Mike, for your support and taking this on.
We still have our regular Wednesday Night racing and this month we have our new sponsor,
North Sails for the Inter Club with Russell Boating Club followed by the rekindled Epiglass
Series between the 4 clubs here in the Bay. So, come on Opua lets get out there and see if we
can get these Trophies back where they belong over our Bar!!
Last month, I made a brief mention of Anchoring and the good rule of thumb of a 5:1 ratio,
even if it means having to anchor a little further out. Seems that for the most part, most
of the boats did this quite well with very little reports of people dragging into others. This
month however with all the on the water activities some basic rules of the road need to be
refreshed, mainly Tacking too close and basic Port and Starboard. There were a couple of
incidents that I am aware of. Fortunately, no one was hurt and the main thing to remember
if there is such an incident people’s lives take precedence over who is right or wrong at the
time. It’s a lot easier to fix boats than it is to fix body parts. Also remember to report any
such situation. Maritime New Zealand Collision Prevention Rules can be found here https://
www.maritimenz.govt.nz/rules/part-22/Part22-maritime-rule.pdf International Col Regs can
be found here http://www.imo.org/en/about/conventions/listofconventions/pages/colreg.aspx
and Yachting New Zealand here https://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/racing/rules-and-appeals
Lastly, this month we also have a BBQ Cruise on Feb 17th and a presentation on Vaka and
some of the history about these voyaging canoes came across the Pacific. This is on Feb 7th
and more information can be found on the later in this issue.
I hope that everyone has a great February, as the Calendar is pretty full, with a bit of every-
thing for everyone. Till next month... Cam
4 | Tell Tales
SHIVER ME
Please support our sponsors TIMBERS .. at Bay
of Islands ITM
Without the kind support of all we KNOW THE
our advertisers and sponsors, the ROPES to make all
OCC simply wouldn’t be able to your building projects
produce this magazine.
So please show your support in PLAIN SAILING
return, and use the products and “We’ll see you right”
services advertised in Tell Tales
whenever possible.
• New Racing & Cruising Sails • Repairs, Recuts & Alterations
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Tell Tales | 5
Nautical Nowledge QUIZ #6
Test
your
crew!!
Test
yourself
with
these
five
quick
questions.
1.
Which
side
of
a
narrow
channel
should
you
use?
a.
Your
port
b.
Middle
of
the
channel
so
there
is
room
either
side
for
other
boats.
c.
Doesn’t
matter
just
avoid
a
collision
d.
Your
starboard.
2.
When
anchored
how
do
you
ensure
you
are
not
drifting?
…
a.
Choose
two
fixed
landmarks
on
the
horizon
and
occasionally
check
your
position
in
relation
to
the
landmarks.
b.
Keep
a
check
on
the
compass
direction.
c.
Make
sure
the
stern
is
facing
the
wind.
d.
None
of
the
above
3.
A
stateroom
on
a
vessel
is
the
a.
Bedroom
b.
Bathroom
c.
Dining
area
d.
Area
for
chartwork?
4.
If
your
vessel
capsizes
it
is
better
to
stay
with
the
vessel
and
try
to
climb
on
top
of
it
than
to
swim
far
away.
a.
True
b.
False
5.
What
are
the
regulations
around
speed
and
distance
when
you
see
(Code
Flag
A)
on
a
boat,
shore
or
structure?
a.
Speed
must
not
exceed
10
knots
within
500m
b.
Speed
must
not
exceed
5
knots
within
50m
c.
Speed
must
not
exceed
5
knots
within
200m
d.
Slow
down
approach
slowly
and
ask
for
a
feed
If
you
struggled
with
any
of
the
questions
or
you
want
to
expand
your
knowledge
of
sailing
theory
take
the
free
eLearning
courses
at
International
Yacht
Training.
https://www.iytworld.com/courses/course-‐types/elearning/
Answers on page 15
6 | Tell Tales
RACING - BOISW
Results in BOI Sailing Week for OCC Boats
A Division Kia Kaha 1st PHRF
Sports Boats Angry Dragon 1st General Handicap
Island Racing C Division Kantime 2nd PHRF
Island Racing D Division (Non Spinnaker) Gambler 1st
Island Racing F Division
Black Magic 1st PHRF and 3rd General Handicap
4FoxSake 1st General Handicap
Wetherly 2nd General Handicap
Nexus 4th General Handicap
Also racing for OCC - Mr Wolf, California Kiwi, Salt Shaker, Sensation, Morning Star, Obi
Wan and Cadillac. thanks to Cam Murray for the Start Boat and thanks to our many helpers.
BOISW Pictures courtesy of www.lissaphotography.co.nz
Tell Tales | 7
RACING - CLUB RACES Pictures courtesy of Vera
North Sails
Bay of Islands
Proud sponsors of the Opua Cruising Club/ Russell Boating Club
Inter Club Challenge.
RACE 2 February 10th OCC start
For all your
*New sails,*Sail repairs
*Sail covers /Stack paks
Touch base with Roger Hall at the North
Sails loft in Opua.
Free assessment of your current sails. Get
the best out of your current inventory with a
recut and tune up service by one of the most
experienced sailmakers in the industry.
Rogers’ 32 years sailmaking experience will
help you get the best out of your sails
Look out for the prizes at the regatta
including service vouchers and gear bags
8 | Tell Tales
BOB MCDAVITT’S WEATHER CORNER
HOW TO READ A BAROMETER
That barometer you got last Christmas can be put to use as a weather forecaster.
OK, all it does is read air pressure, or the weight per unit area of the column of air above it. But
by following these readings you can tune into the vibrations of the weather pattern as it changes.
Like whiskers on a cat.
Pressure. Why is it so important? Because imbalances in air pressure cause wind and weather.
You want to know about wind and rain, but weather forecasters talk about isobars and fronts.
This is because isobars and fronts have a pattern that is easier to draw and follow. Isobars are
those lines on a weather map joining together places with the same surface pressure. The shape
of the isobars describes the weather pattern, so changes in the weather can be forecast by
tracking the changing isobar pattern or by observing pressure change.
Pascals Most barometers measure pressure in hectoPascals (hPa). These are the same as what
used to be called millibars. A hectoPascal is one hundred Pascals, and a Pascal is the standard
metric unit for pressure,
Other common pressure units are inches and millimetres of mercury. They refer to the height of a
column of mercury which can be supported by the air pressure.
Types: Your barometer is most likely an aneroid (= without fluid) or digital (using a pressure
transducer) type.
Aneroid Barometers
Inside there is a metal cell only partially filled with air. The
size of this airtight cell varies with changes in the surrounding
air pressure, and these variations are passed on to an indicator
needle by a series of levers. It is all mechanical, so no
batteries are needed. If the metal chamber cracks then the
barometer will no longer work.
These barometers usually have words such as “Stormy” for
low pressures (980 to 1000 hPa) and “Dry” for high pressures
(1020 to1030 hPa). These words are at best only a first guide
to the weather and date back to Vice-Admiral (Royal Navy)
Robert Fitzroy (1805-65)
Digital Barometers
Digital barometers have the advantage that they can display a graph of recent pressure change
and the disadvantage that they require batteries. Some use the
pressure (and temperature) reading to produce an image that
forecasts the weather for the next day or so. For a yacht, a digital
barometer is better than an aneroid barometer so long as it has a
display of recent pressure change.
Will it rain? It is OK to tap the outer glass of an aneroid
barometer (just enough to see a change). By so doing you shift
any recent pressure change stored in the mechanical linkage to
the measuring needle. The resulting slight movement indicates
whether the pressure is rising, steady, or falling. If the measuring needle goes to the left then
there has been a drop in pressure recently. Most digital barometers also indicate if the pressure is
rising or falling.
What causes pressure to fall?
Several things can cause this.
Tell Tales | 9
HOW TO READ A BAROMETER ‘MetBob’ McDavitt
• maybe there is an approaching low-pressure system (marked as an L on a weather map).
• maybe the air is getting warmer (and less dense)
• maybe there has been an increase in the moisture or cloudiness in the air (YES- damp air
weighs less than dry air)
Cricket players know that a passing cloud increases humidity and reduces air pressure allowing
the cricket ball to spin better. Watch a spinner bowler what for a passing cloud next time you
watch a game of cricket, sure to be an “out!”.
• maybe there has been a decrease in the amount of air above (this happens when rising air is
removed by strong winds aloft faster than it can be replaced. increasing the speed of the rising
air).
• maybe it is just the time of the day. There is a twice-daily roller coaster as shown here from
windy.com, looking 9 days of pressure changes at Cairns (early January 2019)
This is due to a solar-induced atmospheric tide and called the
“diurnal pressure change”. Pressure rises between about 5 to 9
local am or pm and falls between 11 and 3 local am or
pm. Daylight saving alters this.
The amount of this diurnal change is more in the tropics (about 3
hPa per tide) than over New Zealand (about 1 hPa). The easiest way
to remove diurnal change from your calculations is to read your
barometer at the SAME TIME of the day, preferably with the “flat
tops” at about 10am (and maybe10pm).
As a rule of thumb, a sustained DROP in pressure is a sign of more chance of rain, a sustained
RISE in pressure is a sign of less chance of rain
Where to put it?
Anywhere that is most convenient. But when deciding where to put your barometer there are
places that you should avoid.
• Avoid placing a barometer in draughty places such as near a door. In such places the air
pressure is too variable.
• Avoid direct sunlight on a barometer. This will warm and expand
the metal cell causing a false recording of falling pressure. For the
same reason, do NOT position your barometer near a heater.
• Avoid placing a barometer in a well-sealed or air-conditioned
room. Such places do not respond well to changes in pressure.
SO, whether in your house or an your yacht, the best place is on an
interior wall.
Setting a Barometer
The main use for a barometer is not so much to read pressure, but to
measure CHANGES in pressure over time. Digital barometers
usually display this as an arrow or as a bar graph. In an aneroid
10 | Tell Tales
HOW TO READ A BAROMETER ‘MetBob’ McDavitt
barometer there are normally two needles. The needle connected to the insides of the barometer
is called the measuring hand. The second needle is a movable pointer (sometimes called the
setting hand) which is free to be moved around by means of twirling a knob at the centre of the
glass. When you arrange it so the setting hand is directly over the measuring hand you have set
your barometer. The idea is that you set your barometer early in the day. Then, later, you need
only glance at your barometer to see how far the measuring hand has moved. If it has moved to
the left (of the setting hand) then pressures are falling.
If the pressure is changing rapidly this suggests that an approaching weather system is moving
quickly or becoming more intense. In this case isobars are moving quickly across your area and
are possibly getting closer together. This usually results in strong winds, and can be taken as a
STRONG WIND WARNING. But sometimes the isobars in your area may not change position
much even though they are getting closer together, in which case you may have strong winds and
only small pressure changes.
Getting it adjusted (calibrated)
This only needs to be done if you want to compare your readings with others or with the weather
map. To do this, adjust your barometer so that it reads Mean Sea Level (MSL) pressure. Mean
Sea Level is the standard datum level to which all barometers should be adjusted. This
adjustment will automatically apply a correction to your barometer that takes into account its
height above sea level. Pressure near the ground drops off at the rate of about 3hPa per 25 metres
of altitude. SO, if you change the altitude of your barometer by more than 5m, then re-calibrate
it.
Calibrating your barometer is easy. All you have to do, once you position your barometer in a
new location, is look for the latest MSL pressure at a location near you (on the Internet or ask
Siri or Alexia or Google). Then tweak your barometer to read this value. For aneroid barometers
there is normally an adjustment screw found at the back of the barometer. For digital barometers
this usually means pressing the menu or settings button. Try to do this adjustment at a time when
the pressure is not changing much and is neither very high nor very low (around 1010-1020 hPa)
with no fronts coming, and around 10am local (a flat top).
For a more detailed calibration interpolation technique see http://www.startpath.com/barometers.
Your barometer may slowly drift out of adjustment, especially after a bumpy voyage on a yacht,
so check it every six months or so.
Your Barometer as a pet:
So, your onboard barometer is more than just a decoration. You can tap it to check the chance of
rain or strong winds. You can use its adjusted reading to redraw a weather map and thus fine
tune the forecast. You can turn your barometer into an alarm clock to monitor oncoming wind
shifts. Your barometer is indeed your own Met pet, helping you make weather related decisions
from a more informed point of view. Use it wisely and it will help you avoid messy and
unnecessary confrontations with the unruly elements.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bob McDavitt for Tell Tales
Bob McDavitt is the weather guru that uses /\/\etBoB to provide weather
information for
cruising sailors, primarily for those in the South Pacific.Tell Tales | 11
12 | Tell Tales
WHAT A YEAR!
This time last year I was sailing
up to the Bay Of Islands to see
the 16th annual regatta of New
Zealand’s premier sailing event in
your beautiful part of the world.
Sailing up with Steve, Commo-
dore of RNZYS, on his bespoke
race boat Clockwork I was enter-
ing unknown waters. I’d only
sailed across the North Sea from
Lowestoft to Copenhagen via
the Kiel Canal on a tall ship before, oh and spent some time on the same Tall Ship, Excelsior,
around the Channel Islands.
It wasn’t just the sailing style or location that was new to me; leaving my boys to spend quality
time with their Dad was also new to me. Would this work? Could I cope with being away
from my boys? I’d never spent more than 10 days away from them before, let alone set off
around the world on a sailing trip to fulfil a dream of living at sea!
Travelling was also something I had never done. Don’t get me wrong, I had taken holidays
around the world staying with family and friends, or in guesthouses in non-tourist areas; but
backpacked? And hitchhiked on boats, other people’s homes? A whole new world of experi-
ence!
I had a return flight booked from Auckland for 6 months after our initial flights out, and
having spent 5 weeks enjoying so much of what the North Island had to offer, my boys flew
home. With tears in my eyes and a smile on my face, I watched them set off through the
departure gate. With a thumbs up from my youngest and a whisper of “you’ve got this mum!”
from my eldest it was, as we say in our family “game on!” time. None of us knew what would
happen, we just had complete faith in each other to make the very best of this situation; this
time apart.
Since that time I have sailed on 16 different vessels, with 16 different captains and crews; each
one adding to my knowledge, each one teaching me something very different about how to
sail, and how not to sail.
The cultural exchanges on each boat, with different nationalities and languages, different social
classes, different ideas on how to sail, and how not to, has been so enriching. The level of
understanding I now have of the human condition is more than I expected; more than I could
have ever anticipated.
I have cried tears of utter joy, deep sadness and giggled so much I have woken the next day
with my sides aching. I have made friends, gained new family members and learnt what to
look for in the people I sail with and the boats I wish to sail on. I also have a much clearer
idea on the kind of boat I will be buying.
My life, and outlook on life, has changed dramatically since the day I first set sail. I knew it
would, but not to this extent. My respect for the ocean has deepened, my respect for humans
somewhat blurred.Tell Tales | 13
Dawn Bates
My awareness of the impact we have on the environment both as sailors and land lubbers
increased to such an extent, I have changed many of the ways I live, and who I choose to sail
with.
My language skills have increased so much I can now sail in German, even though I would
struggle to order food and book a hotel room. My vocabulary of different parts of a boat, and
just how many names there are for the same thing has caused giggles, a few eyebrow raises and
a few whispers of doubt amongst crewmembers. Being able to identify noises which indicate
a well maintained boat, dodgy rigging and engine problems, even though I may not know the
exact problem is, has not only been a relief for a few of the captains, but also a bone of conten-
tion for some. I mean come on, how on earth could a woman possible know what is wrong
with a boat? Yep, sexism is alive and well within the sailing world, and so sadly is an element of
racism.
When it comes to wildlife, seeing dolphins swimming and leaping around the boat has made
my heart sing each and every time; especially the Hector Dolphins down in Akaroa, or the 50-
60 dolphins that blessed the crew and I with a spectacular show at feeding time off the coast of
Calero, Lanzorote.
Snorkelling in the warm waters around the various islands in Vanuatu, witnessing the vast
array of tropical fish and corals in all their beauty, a dream come true, all whilst nearly choking
in the process due to my excitement!
Watching a whale teach her calf how to jump out of the water along the Fraser Coast in Aus-
tralia truly breath taking for all on board. Seeing turtles so big we could have hoisted a small
sail off the shell and quite comfortably had a 2 person crew on-board.
Spotting the world’s smallest penguins, the noisy and funny antics of the seals in their colonies
all adding to the excitement and appreciation of just how the rich diversity of life itself truly is.
Witnessing the elegant displays of flight by the enormous albatross and the hundreds of bats
that graced the night sky in Urangan, I was in awe.
Swimming in lagoons and under waterfalls, walking
on uninhabited islands and discovering new plant life
albeit without my children, I have created memories I
will treasure as long as my memory lasts.
The food I eat, the way I eat has also changed. New
foods never seen before, new ways of cooking familiar
ingredients and giving up alcohol has all led to me liv-
ing life in a whole new level of consciousness.
My business has evolved from being able to study new
methodologies, create new coaching programmes for
my clients. I have sold and written more books than I
thought possible, with interviews, author talks, mentor-
ing opportunities and a whole new look for my website.
Being at sea has given me a whole new level of clarity
and perspective which is benefiting both my boys and I
which would never have been possible had I stayed on
land in the UK.14 | Tell Tales
WHAT A YEAR! Dawn Bates
The boy’s relationship with their dad has improved dramatically, and so has the relationship
between their dad and I.
I have been gifted some incredibly sponsorship deals, with clothing branded up with my logo
by the wonderful Owen Rutter from Crew Clothing, and a surprise flight home to the UK
to see my boys from a Women’s charity in Australia. When they discovered the work I do for
women, and that I had missed the time frame to sail from Darwin to Indonesia.
With my life now in a much more natural flow with the weather systems and currents, being
surrounded by nature in all Her glory, I know my life will never be the same, and nor should
it. We are meant to evolve, we are meant to live in harmony with the planet, and yet so many
are fighting the natural flow of life.
And I owe a lot of it to those of you in New Zealand, especially Opua, for giving me the fabu-
lous opportunities, the encouragement and support, as well as the words of wisdom. So thank
you to all of you in Opua. You have made this mermaid a very happy being.
May you all sail safely, enjoy all that life has to offer and live out your days fulfilling all that
your hearts truly desire.
With love and gratitude, your very own mermaid,
Dawn xx
Coach, Mentor, Writer. Currently exploring life and the world as a Hitchiking Mermaid.
www.dawnbates.com | e: hello@dawnbates.com | Facebook Dawn Bates
SPOT THE YOT AND WIN!
Well done to Matt Donovan who spotted the little tiny yacht
hidden in the Travel Managers ad in the January edition! Just call in to
See Nick Webley at Burnsco to collect your prize :)
Another 20 litre Burnsco branded dry bag is up for grabs this month.
All you have to do is email info@opuacruisingclub.co.nz or phone the
office on 09 402 6924 and let us know whose advert you have found
the little yacht in as well as what you like best about our monthly
newsletter ‘Tell Tales’ to go into the draw to win.
The winner will be announced in the March issue.
OPUA
B OAT BUIL DE RS LT D
ALTERATIONS REPAIRS
TEAK DECKS WOODWORK FIBREGLASS
P 021 236 1721 E opuaboatbuilders@gmail.com
Unit 1, 15 Baffin Street, Opua Marine ParkTell Tales | 15
FEBRUARY CALENDAR SPONSOR
QUIZ ANSWERS
1 d. Your starboard.
2 a. Choose two fixed landmarks on the horizon and occasionally check your position in rela-
tion to the landmarks
3. a. Bedroom
4. a. True
5. c. Speed must not exceed 5 knots within 200m16 | Tell Tales
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