2015 GBCA Offshore #1 & TMCA Spring Fling

Christopher · February 21, 2015, 05:53:58 PM

May 22-25, 2015

The first of the GBCA offshore races as part of the Navy Cup will be held in conjunction with the TMCA Spring Fling to Pleasure Island in Sabine Lake. Registration for the race portion, held by GBCA, will be free. Participants are encouraged to register and participate in the TMCA Spring Fling. Your $175 registration fee to TMCA will get you three night slip rental, access to the Fling, plus dinner and awards. Those who race but do not participate in the Spring Fling will need to make your own slip arrangements.

This is a offshore day race with a pursuit style start on Friday morning May 22nd. Going from Marker 11 in the Houston Ship Channel at Bolivar Roads, going out of the jetty into the gulf, then proceeding to the Sabine Lake entrance jetty. Approx. 53nm.

More information about TMCA Spring Fling can be found on the TMCA Spring Fling Website

NOR - click here
Registration in race - click here
Registration to TMCA Spring Fling - click here
See who's racing - click here
SI's will be available at a later date.

To compete for the Navy Cup for spinnaker boats and the S. Rhoads Fisher Cup for non-spinnaker boats, the DoG's require participation in the LYC Heald Bank and HYC Offshore and both GBCA offshore races. The second GBCA offshore race will be in the fall on Sept. 26th which will likely be an overnight race using the former Freeport triangle (90nm) course.

SeaGypsy · March 25, 2015, 05:53:24 PM

Chris,
There is a rumor going round that the race is now overnight rather than a day race. Could you please confirm which it will be?
Thanks ,
CJ

Christopher · March 26, 2015, 08:49:31 AM

Quote from: SeaGypsy on March 25, 2015, 05:53:24 PM
Chris,
There is a rumor going round that the race is now overnight rather than a day race. Could you please confirm which it will be?
Thanks ,
CJ

CJ,
That may have been the original idea and I may have said something to that effect at the TMCA planning meeting. But, that is no longer true. The intent is to have a day race, starting early Friday morning, traversing the (approx.) 53-55nm course to the Sabine jetties and ending Friday afternoon/evening. I hear there is a band playing Friday night, so we need to get there for that party.
Thanks,
Christopher

Bee · March 26, 2015, 12:45:32 PM

Is this part of the TORC? How about the second GBCA offshore. Is it also part of the TORC? If so, does one have to sign up for both to be eligible for the Texas Navy Trophy?

Christopher · March 27, 2015, 10:34:29 AM

Quote from: Bee on March 26, 2015, 12:45:32 PM
Is this part of the TORC? How about the second GBCA offshore. Is it also part of the TORC? If so, does one have to sign up for both to be eligible for the Texas Navy Trophy?

Yes, yes and yes.

Because we are not doing Texas Race week this year as in the past, we are running two separate offshore races to fulfill the Navy Cup requirement.

To compete for the Navy Cup for spinnaker boats and the S. Rhoads Fisher Cup for non-spinnaker boats, the DoG's require participation in the LYC Heald Bank and HYC Offshore and both GBCA offshore races. The second GBCA offshore race will be in the fall on Sept. 26th which will likely be an overnight race using the former Freeport triangle (90nm) course. The first GBCA offshore race is a 55nm day race to Sabine as part of the TMCA Spring Fling.

Need to sign up early in order to get a reserved slip as part of the TMCA Spring Fling registration. Especially boats with drafts greater than 6'.

ShakenNotStirred · March 27, 2015, 12:12:40 PM

Any chance of getting approximate starting times for planning purposes?

Stellar of Course · March 27, 2015, 05:02:57 PM

How about merging the GBCA and TMCA cruising class into one cruising class due the low number of boats signed up.

Ron E

SeaGypsy · March 29, 2015, 10:15:53 AM

Chris,
Thanks. There are a limited number of deep water slips at the Port Authority Marina and we have been advised that they will not be held until the last minute. If you need a deep water slip, please go ahead and sign up. There will be transportation provided to the Fling. Also dinner will have a late serving Friday night for racers.

On the Regatta Network, the wording states that the registration fee includes dinner. This is not correct. The fee gets you three days slip, including electricity, and admission to the Spring Fling including all seminars.

CJ

Christopher · March 29, 2015, 07:20:03 PM

CJ - I've fixed the dinner aspect of the registration and uploaded a new NOR.

Ron - I'm hoping that with more classes there will be more participation. Giving people more options in which they think they can compete. If not, the two will be merged at race time.

I'm glad to see the cruising and TMCA participants are signing up. Just wondering where are the so called hard core racers. Those that would be vying for the Navy Cup or S. Rhoads Fisher Cup.

<<sound of crickets chirping>>

Thanks
C

aj · March 29, 2015, 07:48:44 PM

I'm glad to see the cruising and TMCA participants are signing up. Just wondering where are the so called hard core racers. Those that would be vying for the Navy Cup or S. Rhoads Fisher Cup.

<<sound of crickets chirping>>

they will all sign up around 1600hrs 16-may.
why do today what you can put off till tomorrow?

Christopher · March 30, 2015, 10:22:50 AM

Waiting to the last hour can be hazardous as there may not be a slip available for them. Plus the volunteers need to know the numbers for which to plan.

gadangit · March 30, 2015, 10:54:06 AM

We are right at 6' of draft. Anybody know if we can get to the marina?

SeaGypsy · March 30, 2015, 05:39:16 PM

We're 5'8" and had no trouble last year.

Thanks Chris, for changing the Regatta Network.

CJ
s/v Sea Gypsy