WHAT IS A PREDICTED LOG RACE?
To call it a race is really a misnomer. It is not a speed contest, but rather a
contest in which each contestant tries to predict accurately the time required
to cover a given course in his boat. Race instructions are issued by the host
club or the association, specifying the start, finish and several intermediate
points. In San Francisco bay, the course is usually 12 to 15 nautical miles in
length, divided into four or more "legs". Each contestant turns in to the race
committee before the race his/her prediction as to how long it will take to
cover each "leg" and the time of his/her start.
Each contestant starts to cruise the course at the declared starting time. After
the start the observer on board will collect all watches from contestant and
crew, so that only the observer has access to time of day or elapsed time. As
each leg is completed the observer records the actual time on the actual log.
After the contest is completed the race committee or the official scorer
computes the actual time for each leg and the percentage of error for each
boat/contestant. The lowest percentage of error determines the winner.
ANYONE CAN WIN!
In spite of the tales of contestants with years of experience finishing with
errors of less than one percent or just a few seconds of error, novices do win
contests! Each year novice racers take home trophies, and experienced hands are
known to come in last now and then. It does not require years of experience and
reams of data to result in a respectable score.
WHY TAKE PART IN PREDICTED LOG CONTESTS?
There are several good reasons to take part in predicted log contests! This
sport combines fun, social activity, the joy of cruising your boat to various
Yacht Clubs; a contest for those who especially enjoy competition; a reason to
use your boat under-way and a learning experience. All you really need is some
simple speed data and an understanding of how to calculate your log. One more
thing needed is the desire to associate with a fine group of yachtsmen like
yourself while you enjoy using your boat during the contest and the good
fellowship that develops afterward at the awards dinner.
Many of the contestants in predicted log proceed to the sponsoring yacht club to
spend the night before the contest. They gather with other contestants for
dinner at the sponsoring club or a near by restaurant and an evening of
sociability. After the contest is completed, it has become a tradition not to
tell other contestants how well one scored. Thus the suspense is maintained
until after dinner when results are announced and trophies awarded
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