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Big Shift! West Coast Sailing Now Part of The Starting Line that includes Zim Sailing and Dwyer Mast and Rigging

Kurt Hoehne Pacific Northwest Sailing Industry, West Coast Sailing November 4, 2021November 4, 2021 0 Comment

This is a particularly fun press release to run. My friends (and sponsor) at West Coast Sailing now has a parent company, plus siblings! The most important takeaway here is that several different high quality brands will be under the same leadership and that there will be continuity in their respective leaderships. George Yioulos has already established a formula of building up fleets from the grass roots, and serving those sailors as they move through them. From The Starting Line website: “The goal is always the same, and very simple. Promote the sport of sailing — not by selling more stuff and being a big company. But by helping anyone realize — yes, you too, you, can be on the water with us. You don’t need to buy anything from us, but we’re here for you — and hope you give sailing a try.“There’s a lot more to this move, I’m sure, and I’ll get to talk to George directly about it in the coming days. -KH

Starting Line Sailing, Inc. Acquires Zim Sailing and Dwyer Mast & Rigging

Zim Sailing – the Bristol, Rhode Island-based marine equipment manufacturer, has been acquired by Starting Line Sailing, Inc. The purchase transaction also includes Dwyer Mast and Rigging, the long time aluminum spar manufacturer. As part of this acquisition, Zim Sailing and Dwyer Mast and Rigging will join West Coast Sailing as subsidiaries of Starting Line Sailing, a newly formed holding company led by CEO George Yioulos.

The sailing industry continues to evolve, and Starting Line Sailing was formed to play a key role in that evolution. The goal is simple – to grow the sport by making it more accessible for everyone. Backed by decades of industry experience, an ownership group of passionate sailors aims to fulfill this vision by building on the strengths of each business, investing in and providing career pathways, and providing greater support to the sailing community. Over the next several years, sailors can expect faster and more efficient systems that make it easier to find the parts and support you need, expanded access to new products and services, and the creation of better opportunities to work in the industry. Behind this multi-year roadmap is a commitment to helping more people discover their own passion for sailing.

Whether you are a new sailor or long time racer, coach or parent, club program or class association manager, the collective team of 40+ staff across West Coast Sailing, Zim Sailing, and Dwyer Mast and Rigging is here to help you make the most of your time on the water.

Zim Sailing, founded by Steve Perry in 2008, provides one-design sailboats, parts, accessories, and services to the North American market. They manufacture popular dinghies such as the Club 420, Flying Junior, and Optimist, and engage in grassroots youth development of yacht club junior sailing programs, community sailing programs, and high school and collegiate sailing programs. Zim Sailing can be found at regattas around the country, providing support with charter boats and onsite sales and service. Dwyer Aluminum Masts, was founded in 1963 to more fully integrate the manufacturing of spars, rigging, and hardware with sailboat production. The two companies share production facilities in Bristol, Rhode Island.

West Coast Sailing, founded in 2005 in Portland, Oregon by George Yioulos, is one of North America’s leading marine retailers, focusing on the dinghy racing and small keelboat market with an emphasis on e-commerce fulfillment and providing industry leading customer service. Longtime Zim dealers, they also distribute for trusted brands such as RS, Hobie, Gill, Rooster, Dynamic Dollies, Harken, Ronstan, Ovington, Zhik, Marlow, and more. In the past year they launched a full service rig shop to offer one design and custom rigging and have a long history of community support and sponsorship.

Day to day operations at all the companies will continue independently and without interruption following this acquisition. Steve Perry will stay as President of Zim Sailing and Dwyer Mast and Rigging. Chris Brown will continue his role as President of West Coast Sailing. All staff members carry on in their existing roles. Existing dealer, vendor, and class association relationships continue unchanged. Zim Sailing, West Coast Sailing and Dwyer Mast & Rigging are open for business and committed to providing high quality products and outstanding service for you, your team, your club, or your organization.

Starting Line Sailing is excited to establish this portfolio of brands in a shared commitment to growing the sport and making it more accessible for everyone. The future of the sport is bright!

For additional information please visit www.startinglinesailing.com.

Bruce’s Briefs: Wx for 29,30 and 31 Oct! Enjoy this weekend, more rain next week!

Bruce Hedrick Bruce's Briefs October 29, 2021October 29, 2021 0 Comment

True, the first big storm of the fall was a little early this year but not out of the ordinary, just remember the Oct 12^th Storm a few decades back. Plus, just like that, we are suddenly ahead on rain for the year, having gone from .75” behind last weekend, we are now almost 1.0” ahead as of today and we still need more. Especially in Eastern Washington. All in all, it is acting very much like another La Niña winter.

The really good news is that it is going to be a very nice weekend in the Pacific NW with high pressure building over the area as the front is sliding off to the south. Today’s surface analysis chart and sat pic confirm that clear skies are coming. Following the typical pattern for the Pac NW, the best day for wind will be the first day that high rebuilds over the area and that will be late today and through Saturday. The interesting part is that it’s not because the high is building offshore as we might find in the spring and summer. Instead, we will have a building high-pressure system inland over lower BC. This will have the effect of bringing the breeze in from the N-NE and bringing the temps down, not to freezing but definitely cooler. This building high (1036MB) will also act as a block for the next series of storms coming across the North Pacific.

As you can see from today’s surface chart there is a fairly impressive low aimed right at us and strengthening from 975MB to 968MB. Then on the 30 Oct Chart as it it hits the high it takes a big lefty toward Kodiak. The Oct 31 surface chart shows another developing low-pressure system off of Oregon with yet another strong low-pressure system (982MB) in mid-Pacific tracking towards the West Coast. The other interesting feature to track is the jet stream with primarily zonal flow today becoming meridional by Sunday and then returning to zonal by the 2^nd of November. The upper-level forecast chart for the 2^nd of November also shows a flow that begins to look like yet another Pineapple Express if there’s any moisture associated with that low and its attached frontal system.

Plenty of racing in the Central Sound this weekend and Saturday will be the day with plenty of breeze, like 15-22 knots out of the N-NE. As always, tidal currents will make life interesting, especially in the afternoon.

Tidal Current at West Point.

30 Oct

0906 Max Flood .83knots

1300 Slack

1436 Max Ebb .34 knots

1806 Slack

31 Oct

1006 Max Flood .75 knots

1342 Slack

1518 Max Ebb .35 knots

1842 Slack

Since the flood tide will be with the wind, expect the flood to last a bit longer and the ebb to start a bit later. Your best indicator of the change will be that the sea state will change from relatively smooth to shorter and choppier conditions.

Sunday the breeze will remain from the N-NE however it will be in the 5-12 knot range and should hold through the day. While the temps may be cool at least there will be no rain.

Enjoy the weekend.

Ed. Note: Good luck to all you race-your-housers. Looks like some good breeze for it! -KH

The Fire is (Hopefully) Out

Kurt Hoehne safety October 25, 2021October 25, 2021 0 Comment

The scary situation that developed Fri-Mon with the Zim Kingston losing approximately 40 containers overboard (reportedly two with hazardous waste), then on fire just outside Victoria, is apparently quiet for now with the fire having been extinguished.

#CCGLive – A Coast Guard overflight of the #ZimKingston at 11:30 today shows smoldering but no visible flames in the containers. However, firefighters may find some active fire in the containers once they are able to board the ship. pic.twitter.com/PHjfjf6Fg7
— Canadian Coast Guard (@CoastGuardCAN) October 25, 2021

Many questions remain; when and where will the containers be retrieved? Where will the ship dock? And, importantly, is the fire well and truly out altogether. Joseph Conrad’s Youth comes to mind. Regardless, congratulations for the personnel who were able to contain the fire and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Carl Buchan Earns the title of International Masters Champion

Kurt Hoehne PNW sailors around the world October 25, 2021October 24, 2021 0 Comment

The Buchan legacy extends. Carl won the International Masters regatta, put on by the San Diego Yacht Club this past weekend. The picture of the happy crew includes some very familiar faces, including Carol Buchan. Carl was just inducted into the Sailing Hall of Fame, joining his father Bill. That those two exemplify sailing at its best is no news to us, but it’s sure nice the folks on other other coast recognize it!

This post tells the story of the regatta. Carl won it with a race to spare, then handed his boat over to a competitor with equipment issues on another boat and sat out the last race. Yes, sailing at its best.

Container Ship Burning off Victoria

Kurt Hoehne safety, Weather October 24, 2021October 24, 2021 0 Comment

The Zim Kingston, the same ship that lost approximately 40 containers off the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Friday, is now burning at anchor off Victoria, BC. Ten of the crew have been evacuated while the captain and a handful of other crew remained on board.

This is a serious situation as the ship may sink, and any floating or partially submerged containers pose a threat to navigation. Details are still emerging, and we’re piecing this together with incomplete information. It’s advised to stay away from the burning ship and be on the lookout for containers. Wind is now over 30 knots at Race Rocks according to the Canadian Weather Service.

Here’s a link to a realtime view of the ship off Victoria: https://windisgood.com/dallas-road-webcam-live.html

If any Sailish readers have any first-hand knowledge of the situation, please clue me in. Thanks.

Bruce’s Briefs: Wx for 22,23,24,and 25 Oct. Batten down the hatches, especially along the coast.

Bruce Hedrick Bruce's Briefs October 22, 2021October 22, 2021 0 Comment

Today’s surface analysis chart and sat pic’s don’t show what’s headed our way Sunday and into Monday. We’ve had a week of what should be considered normal weather for this time of the year. What is interesting is that we’ve already had two episodes of bombogenesis, which occurs when a low-pressure system intensifies by dropping 24MB in 24 hours. Plus, we have another one developing and it doesn’t show until the 48hr surface forecast chart when we will have 944MB just off the coast. To get a feel for just how strong this system is, note the 48hr 500MB chart which clearly shows the intrusion of this system into the upper atmosphere. This is the strongest system we’ve had this year and probably an indication of what’s to come.

How much it will affect you will, as always, depend on where you are. The coast will take the brunt of this system because as it approaches the coast it will veer to the north, weaken and head into SE Alaska, which has already this year had some wild weather. Almost all waters will see 20-25 knots at some time. Saturday will have a post-frontal westerly in the Strait of JdF with a persistent SE breeze in the eastern Strait and the San Juan Islands. The breeze will ease about mid-afternoon Saturday as the big system approaches the coast. By dawn Sunday, the pre-frontal SE breeze will be about 15-20 over the interior water with stronger breeze along the coast. Noon Sunday will have 30-35 knots in the Central Straits, 15-25 in the Central Sound and Admiralty Inlet. This will hold until early Sunday evening with possibly higher gusts.

By Monday this storm will be weakening note the 25 Oct surface forecast chart, pressure has risen from 944MB to 960MB and will continue to do so. It is also interesting to note that the 500Mb chart shows that zonal flow has returned to the North Pacific and it is flying which will continue to bring more weather systems to the West Coast, consistent with the La Niña pattern we discussed two weeks ago. In other words, wetter and cooler than normal weather.

If you’re heading out on the water this weekend be sure to monitor conditions closely as it could change very quickly. Be safe out there.

Ed. Note. – Bombogenesis? Really, Bruce? Sounds like a good name for a boat. Oh yeah, and good luck to all those in SYC’s Grand Prix regatta. -KH

Bruce Schwab’s Improbable Northwest Project

Kurt Hoehne PNW sailors around the world October 19, 2021October 19, 2021 0 Comment

When it comes to setting up or sailing a boat, few can compete with Bruce Schwab. A renaissance man, Schwab has raced singlehandedly around the world twice, rebuilt the 30 square meter Rumbleseat in magnificent fashion (and won 1996 Singlehanded Transpac in it), and founded Oceanplanet Energy, a very forward-looking company with energy solutions for life afloat,.

And when it comes to legendary boats, few can complete with Improbable. Designed by Gary Mull and built of Kauri, Improbable was a completely different take on the then-new IOR measurement handicapping system. Relatively skinny and light, Improbable raced successfully in many places around the world including England and Australia. She eventually came to the Pacific Northwest where Bruce’s father (and Bruce) sailed her.

It’s best to let Bruce tell the story, but many of us old salts have it in the backs of their minds to do the same thing with some iconic racer.

A Winner in Every Sense

Kurt Hoehne PNW sailors around the world October 15, 2021October 15, 2021 0 Comment

Keith Whittemore has certainly made his mark in the J/24 world, winning the Worlds et. al. He’s a regular at the Italian National Championships.

His renown in that country’s J/24 world leapt a few more notches in the past couple of weeks when he gave his friend Fabrizio the winning J/24 Furio. This is how to bring the world of sailing together. Thanks, Keith, for showing the best side of our sailing community to the world. Here’s the video – KH

Bruce’s Briefs: Wx for 15,16, 17, 18, and 19 Oct. Sloop Tavern Fall Regatta

Bruce Hedrick Bruce's Briefs October 15, 2021October 15, 2021 0 Comment

Looks like a nice turnout for the Sloop’s Fall Regatta tomorrow and it also looks like there will be wind! Pretty much a repeat of last weekend with plenty of wind on Saturday and not so much on Sunday.

Today’s surface analysis chart and satellite pic show this weak slow moving frontal system heading our way with tighter gradients tomorrow easing on Sunday with more rain. There will be plenty of pre-frontal SE breeze along the coast, the Eastern Strait of JdF and the San Juan Islands today and tomorrow with winds in the 20-30-knot range with the potential for higher gusts. Center Sound will see breeze in the 20-25 knot range today and tomorrow morning easing to 15-20 knots tomorrow afternoon. Should be a great day for sailing.

Tides won’t be much of an issue except just before noon tomorrow when max flood will occur around 1136hrs and right during the starting sequence for the Fall Regatta. This will mean lumpy conditions near Meadow Point and West Point as the wind meets the flooding tide. With a strong southerly starting today and continuing into tomorrow, this will create a wind generated surface current that will cause the flood to end sooner and the ebb to start sooner.

Tidal Currents at West Point

0448 Slack

1136 Max Flood .86 knts

1418 Slack

1536 Max Ebb .27 knts

2018 Slack

While the breeze will be primarily out of the south, since the Sloop usually sets their starting line in close to the breakwater at Shilshole look for the breeze to be SE coming out of the Ship Canal. This will probably hold all day on Saturday. Depending on how aggressive your fleet is on the starting line, you can sometimes get away with a port tack start at the committee boat if the line is at all committee boat favored. From there you’ll want to work the breakwater up to the south end while avoiding tacking into the outfall from the Ship Canal. After the Ship Canal it will depend on where the weather mark is set.

The beat will probably be followed by a nice run down to Spring Beach with the starboard gybe favored. At the Spring Beach Mark you’ll probably again want to sail long port tacks back to Shilshole and only tack back to starboard when you get headed as you get get away from the beach on port tack.

Saturday will be the nicest day of the weekend with rain returning on Sunday. The post frontal event on Monday will bring a weak high-pressure system to the area and light air that will persist through Tuesday.

Have fun and enjoy thye weekend.

Bruce’s Briefs: Wx for 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 Oct. CYC PSSC.

Bruce Hedrick Bruce's Briefs October 8, 2021October 8, 2021 0 Comment

It seems like we’ve had quite a spate of light air races this year however that will change tomorrow as a system comes onshore tomorrow and into Sunday. Saturday at PSSC could see some of the best sailing we’ve had in a long time. Sunday will start with a nice breeze before some post-frontal funkiness sets in about mid-afternoon.

The surface analysis chart and the sat pic for today show the approaching frontal system attached to a relatively weak low-pressure system (1010MB) which will dissipate as it goes through the coastal buffer zone. The other interesting feature to watch is the Pacific High(1033MB) in a relatively normal position if this was the late spring or early summer. Strangely enough, this high will strengthen over the next couple of days to about 1040MB on Sunday and would be in a perfect place if you were starting TransPac or Pacific Cup. This will however be only temporary as a stronger frontal system will approach the coast on the 13^th and the 14^th and it is attached to one of the stronger low-pressure systems we’ve seen this fall (976MB).

One of the great things about tomorrow will be the practice starts that CYC will offer before the main event which gets rolling at 1100hrs. For the practice starts it looks like we’ll have 10-15 knots of southerly which will slowly build over the day. The practice starts will allow you to see if the topographically forced local conditions will be in play. Much of this will depend on where they set the start line. Generally speaking, you’ll hold starboard off the line and head towards Shilshole to see if there’s a southeasterly coming out of the Ship Canal that you can take advantage of getting up to the weather mark and if so then you’ll do a bear away set and hold the starboard gybe until you get lifted and can gybe towards the leeward mark.

As the day goes on, the breeze will build slightly through the afternoon but stay out of the south with few major shifts. Sunday will be very different as the breeze will start out the SE at about 10-knots since this will be a post-frontal situation with a strong onshore flow coming down the Straits and meeting the southwesterly flow coming through the Chehalis Gap and up the Sound, creating a convergent zone from Alki to Pt No Pt. Eventually, this will mean the wind coming down the Straits will gradually fill down the Sound probably around 1300-1500 hrs. This probably won’t last as the onshore gradient will weaken after about 1600 hours leaving light and variable conditions over the race area.

Tides will not be an issue this weekend as the current will be generally very weak and somewhat variable.

Tidal Current at West Point

Saturday

0848 Max Ebb .33-knots

1036 Slack

1142 Max Flood .13-knots

1306 Slack

1636 Max Flood .78-knots

Sunday

0818 Slack

0948 Max Ebb .3-knots

1130 Slack

1400 Slack

1718 Max Flood .65-knots.

Have a great weekend!

Starting Line Sailing, Inc. Acquires Zim Sailing and Dwyer Mast & Rigging

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