What are these time-trialers doing exactly, as they follow each other around the markers at what appears a mind-numbingly boring pace on winter weekend afternoons?
Owing to a rather long lull out there today, which left me submerged for a good 30 minutes in the middle of their course, I had a good chance to view the floating lounge-rooms belching out diesel fumes. Even after all of this, I still have not been able to come up with even so much as a theory on what the answer would be to that most obvious of questions;
WHY??????
What each boat skipper does before the start of the race (well its actually a time trial) is nominate the exact time it will take him to get from one point to the next, over the complete course lay out.
The marker boats click them off as they latch through each time trap marker. Can be up to six of these over a course, and may run two three laps. Disqualification can be from speeding up or slowing down approaching a time trap or missing a time trap completely.
Marker boats are usually sailing crew from Summer races. Winter crew run rescue for sailing during Summer.
Very serious stuff, stink boat time trials
not many people who do it like it, my parents used to do it, but its more of a "get involved with the club" thing. The Yacht Club really encourages everyone to participate, and at the end everyone rafts up and the fancy schmancy platters and bottles of Bollinger are brought out haha.
I agree it is stupid, but the boaties just liek gettin out there on their pride and joy even if the task is mind numbingly boring...hope this answers your question 
Ahhh...yes I guess that explains it - doesn't make me want to do it though.
In fairness there were probably more than a few boaters wondering what on earth could be the appeal of awkwardly clinging onto a boom on a cold winters day in the middle of Melville Water, attempting to stay on top of some deeply submerged object in about five knots of wind, only to be washed into the water by their wake.
...if you think participating in one of these races is boring, try being a time keeper for one!
It was one of my first jobs but i never really worked out quite what they were trying to do!!
or, atleast if the were really for real about it!?
not sure i would go out on 1 if that was the case
