Yacht Racing Topics to Kick Off the 2010 SeasonThe Clear Lake Racing Association will host a series of Yacht Racing Topics at the Club Classic in Seabrook. This sharing of information will occur every Wednesday until the series ends. The currently scheduled topics are listed below, although more topics may be added.
Topics include:
- Jan. 6 Starting Techniques Presenter: Buddy Brown, CLRA
- Jan. 13 Yacht Racing Tactics Presenter: Jay Lutz, Yachtsman
- Jan 20 Small Scale Weather Effects Presenter: Brian Kyle, Nat. Weather Svc
- Jan. 27 Team Racing Presenter: Gerard Coleman, TAMUG
- Feb. 3 Racing Rules of Sailing Presenter: John Butler, CLRA
- Feb. 10 Sail Shape for Speed Presenter Buddy Brown, CLRA
Let?s get the year started with a dose of yachting in the warmth and comfort of the Club Classic! The club will be closed to the public, but open for sailors attending the topics.
All topics begin at 6:30 pm Bar open at 6:00
More information at www.clearlakeracing.com
What a great idea buddy! Thanks for putting this together - just when I though my liver was safe on Wednesday's.
+1
We'll be there!
Great idea! Great speakers.
Speaking of the racing rules, now is a great time to pick up a copy of the 2009-2012 edition.
Dave Perry's book pretty much covers it. A 'must have' if you're a racer.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Racing-Rules-Sailing-2009-2012/dp/0979467764 (http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Racing-Rules-Sailing-2009-2012/dp/0979467764)
I'll be there. Got Dave's book in route.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Charles
Thanks Chris... maybe I will ask for one for Christmas... I'm a tad bit rusty on the new rules...
speaking of rules--sailing world magazine published some (i think it has been some long work shifts) rare intra cycle changes to part two of the rules. FYI
*bump*
A reminder that this speaker series starts this week, Jan 6th.
Your chance to hear it from the experts.
No matter what kind of sailboat racing you do, this is an excellent opportunity if you want to 'up' your sailing game a notch or two
Nice Job Buddy!
If you weren't there, you missed a great presentation. We could have squeezed a few more of you in, but there was a good crowd in attendance. I'm looking forward to next week's lesson. Mark your calendar for next wednesday and I'll see you there.
Thanks again Buddy.
Brant
Kudos to Buddy for a good seminar, and Thanks for By Baldridge for the location, and his insights, too!
Is it April yet?
There were a good 50 people in attendence with room for more.
Great turnout
A big thanks to Buddy for putting this together and thanks to By and Farley too.
Link to the handout in case you missed it (http://www.gbca.org/WednesdayNightNotes/WedNotesNo1.pdf)
Looking forward to learning all the tactical secrets next week with Jay Lutz
Great hand out link--thanks for posting.
Thanks Buddy for organizing these topics and speakers, it is a great service to the sailing community.
A reminder that the CLRA speaker series continues tonight at CLub Classic 6:30
"Yacht Racing Tactics" with Jay Lutz
Jay Lutz provided an entertaining and informative talk last night. Some of the subjects he touched on:
- How to use a 'blocker' on an upwind leg.
- When to leebow, and when not to.
- How and when to duck someone.
- How to know if someone is affecting your wind.
- How to use the last minute port approach at the weather mark...and how not to.
- How to pass someone on the downwind leg ( 3 techniques ).
- The significance of gusts in sprit boats downwind.
...and there were lots of thoughts on pre-race preparation, strategy, anticipation, and even simple things, like the 'good' reasons to tack.
Words from a highly accomplished sailor with a number of World, North American, and National Championships to his credit. There was something for everyone... Newbies, Middies, and Old Salts alike.
Thanks Jay, for this contribution to the local sailing scene....
Next Wednesday, Brian Kyle, from the National Weather Service office in League City will speak on 'Small Scale Weather Effects'.
6:30 pm at the Club Classic
Yes, Thanks very much Jay. Very informative. Good luck at Key West.
Charles
Hi All...
I have reviewed the presentation that Brian Kyle is to deliver this Wednesday. Useful information, tools, and visuals. I don't usually toot, but you might consider being there...
Bud
I'll be there.
Chas. ;D
I saw the handout for "Racing Starts" session. Are there handouts to be posted for the other sessions? Tnx.
There will be handouts for the Topics I present, but no guarantees for the other speakers. I know tonight's speaker has a powerpoint presentation, though and I will ask him if I can post it. Tonight's presentation will have a lot more (verbal) information than the handout documents, however...
See you tonight.
Bud
More great information last night...thanks to Brian Kyle at NOAA, and thanks again Buddy for putting it together.
We need to get Brian sailing!
NOAA has made alot of improvements to their website.
To get to that nifty hourly forecast:
Go to http://www.noaa.gov/ (http://www.noaa.gov/)
Put your zip code in (Seabrook is 77586), top left corner, then click >>Go
Scroll down all the way to the bottom right corner and click the link for 'Hourly Weather Graph'
You should get something that looks like this
Link (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Houston&state=TX&site=HGX&textField1=29.7687&textField2=-95.3867&FcstType=graphical)
It was very interesting to hear what NOAA is about, and their relationship with the private sector. One 'would think' getting the offshore buoys fixed and the rest of PORTS back online (866-447-6787) post-Ike would be a high priority.... at a minimum to verify what all the fancy computer models are saying.
Speaking of the private sector, another local weather resource few people know about, based near Hobby is Universal Weather/Impact Weather (http://www.impactweather.com) I got a chance to tour their office and they have an impressive 'mission control' where they do much more than weather forecasts for rich guys with jets and the weather on KUHF 88.7FM...
Last night, Brian Kyle had a little something for everyone at the Club Classic. I know I learned a few tricks...I never knew the wind blew the wtaer forty-five degrees to the right! (Eckman principle). Whodathunkit...
The handout link is here:
http://www.gbca.org/WednesdayNightNotes/ClearLakeRacingAssoc.pdf (http://www.gbca.org/WednesdayNightNotes/ClearLakeRacingAssoc.pdf)
Next week, Gerard Coleman, TAMUG instructor and sailing coach, will be revealing the excitement associated with a totally different game we can play with sailboats...
Team Racing
If you don't know, it has its own rules, strategies, tactics and desired outcomes.
Gerard is a really bright person, and a good speaker. Hope to see you there!!
Bud
More on the Ekman effect (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekman_layer)
The info on current being roughly 3% of wind speed was good stuff.
So I'm fairly certain we had an encounter with a shelf cloud during a Rum Race #4 this past summer...a pic of the outflow and the associated 30 knot blast making it's way from the ship channel.....
Would not be surprised one way or the other. Whether its a shelf or a wall is not material. Its a very strong indicator of thunderstorm strength and some possibly not so nice things to come. Anytime you see one of those things you can probably assume that you will be hit by strong winds, maybe some slashing rain, and even some hail.
Having lived in the middle of Tornado Alley for 24 years, and having one of those nasty things come right over the top of my house, I can tell you off the cuff that had I seen that cloud while racing I would have screamed something on the order of "get those damn sails down NOW." I am not too proud to have great and immediate concern about safety.
Sure wish I could have made those Wednesday night events. Sounds like they were really spectacular.
Good on you Buddy.
yep, for the 8 year old on a bike roaming the feilds. Clouds that looked like that was ride home quick and stay of the top of the ridge. Great times, everyone should grow up in the plains.
Thank you chris for integral calculus application. 8)
Calculus? I thought that was french....oh well... ;)
Here's a picture of Millenium Express shortly after Chris' photo. Woohoo
Thanks Bee... I hope everyone is getting something out of it. I think the Topics are a great way to get together through the winter, keep up the interest, and make better sailors of us all.
If you have a suggestion for a Topic, please don't be bashful... send me an email and I'll see about finding a qualified person to address the area of interest.
Booked and upcoming are:
Team Racing
The Racing Rules of Sailing (perhaps I and II)
Aerodynamics
Shaping Sails for Speed and Control
Race Strategy
Eliminating Loss on the Race Course
Sailing videos will start at 6:00 next week and will be shown again after the Topic for the evening...
Gerard Coleman, TAMUG professor and sailing coach will be presenting on Team Racing tonight at the Club Classic at 6:30 pm.
Fleet racing is fine and dandy. That's what we do, and we do it well, and we do it a lot.
Team Racing is a fun, challenging, refreshing addition to the sport of yacht racing...sure to put a smile on your face!
Gerard is an excellent speaker, and he is totally stoked on Team Racing.
I hope you're out tonight to hear what it's all about!
Bud
Tonight's team racing topic was an excellent presentation! An exciting and challenging aspect of racing. It would really be great to get a fleet of these going in our area.
Still trying to wrap my head around some of the team strategy. As for the letting boats pass you for the 'good of the team' pretty much goes against my every fiber as a fleet racer. :o
Interesting stuff.
Looking very far ahead, TCYC made mention of a club/team sonar racing event in September.
So we might see some of the team racing plans 1,2,4 in action.
Last Wednesday, Gerard Coleman turned us on to the strategies and tactics involved in team racing. Team Racing just sounds like a whole lotta fun!
Gerard kept the eyebrows raised in the audience as he described the 'Pass-Back' and the 'Mark Trap' manuevers used to move opponents behind your team members in order to create winning combinations for your team's victory.
Response to Gerard's presentation has been good, and because he did not have enough time to present his entire program, he has graciously agreed to come back and present the remaining material on March 3rd. If you missed it the first time, perhaps you might consider hearing about a new and refreshing way to squeeze more fun out of your racing skills!
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...and here are some details on the updated schedule for 'Topics' for the foreseeable future...
Next week, Feb 3rd, various common scenarios encountered on the race course and the rules that apply will be addressed, as John Butler presents 'The Racing Rules of Sailing, Part 1'...
On Feb 10, John will continue with 'The Racing Rules of Sailing, Part 2'. All those with any questions about the rules should attend... (AHEM! ...oh, sorry...i didn't mean for that to get in there!...)
On Feb 17, there will be a presentation on the basic principals of Aerodynamics. The coverage will not be as precise as some scientists might require, but then, most do not want to endure the math...sailors just need to know things like:
- The importance of chord length.
- The importance of twist.
- How does changing the position of maximum draft affect the lift and drag of an airfoil?
- What is laminar flow and turbulent flow?
- What is a laminar bubble, why does it form, and what does it do to performance?
- And what on earth is a Reynold's number, and why do I need to pollute my brain with knowing that?
On Feb 24, the knowledge learned in the 'Aerodynamics' Topic will be applied in 'Shape Sails for Speed and Control'...
Then on Mar 3rd, Gerard comes back with his second part to Team Racing...
On March 10th, just back from the MEXORC, Joe Taylor is going to share his knowledge, tips, tricks, secrets, and skills for being a successful foredeck crew...
March 17th is Spring Break, and we currently have no Topic planned. That does not mean we can't have one though. If you have any thoughts, please share!
and by the way... There will be a presentation at HYC on February 13 entitled "Eliminating Loss Around the Race Course". Anyone wanting to attend should give me a call, and I'll create a Guest List for the Guard Shack.
two eight one four six eight six nine oh nine!
The issue is the application of rule 18 between different size boats. The zone is defined by the nearer boat, which means that the zone can change in size suddenly and significantly. THis diagram might help.
If the J22 is closer, then it is not in the zone at 80 feet and rule 18 does not apply. When the J122 passes and becomes nearer, then the zone is ~122 feet and the J22 is subject to rule 18, despite not being in its 3 BL circle yet.
Join us Wednesday night for more rousing discussion of the application of the Racing Rules of Sailing on the water. We will discuss Mark roundings and obstructions in addition to finishing of the rules of part 2.
Knowledge of the rules is Power.
J
Wednesday night
Club Classic
bar open at 6 PM
discussion starts at 6:30
Here's a simple reminder to everyone that there is a presentation at HYC this Saturday at 1:00 pm:
?Eliminating Loss Around the Race Course?
Description: Reaching for the next level after the basic yacht racing skills are acquired. Eliminating detrimental behavior and indecision in common situations, and acquiring new habits to shave time off your performance.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Houston Yacht Club
Commodore?s Room
1:00 pm ? 3:00 pm
Speaker: Buddy Brown
In case you missed this past Wednesday, here's a link (http://www.gbca.org/PDFS/feb%2010%20rules%20presentation%20handout%20.pdf) on the Racing Rules of Sailing Presentation by John Butler. Thanks John for putting this together.
Next Wednesday (2/17) will be another excellent topic: Aerodynamics
You'll be able to put that knowledge to very good use during the upcoming GBCA Frostbite Regatta February 20-21st
Great handout from FEB10 talk. Tnx.
--Andy Howard
s/v Yippee HiHo
*bump*
Reminder: Tonight's topic is near and dear to NASA: "Aerodynamics"
Doors open at 6pm, Classic Cafe
Great job Buddy!
Now that I have all this "stuff" in my head; it will be interesting to see if I can turn it into wisdom. I think that is supposed to happen next Wed at the 2nd half "Shaping Sails for Speed and Control", right? If you haven't been to any of these seminars, I highly encourage you to make this next one.
Brant
A reminder of tonights topic:
'Shape Sails for Speed and Control'
Last night, we watched the second race of the America's Cup and covered "Shape Sails for Speed and Control". I've attached the Powerpoint slides for the topic...
The book referred to in the last two Topics:
Theory of Wing Sections: Including a Summary of Airfoil Data (Dover Books on Physics) by Ira H. Abbott and A. E. von Doenhoff
Another great job Buddy! It's always fun to have and witness those "Ah Ha!" moments.
Brant
Would you be able to resave as an older version of PPT [say, 2003, with .PPT extension] and repost. I can't read the .PPTX extension. Tnx.
--- Andy Howard
Quote from: budster on February 25, 2010, 07:22:22 AM
Last night, we watched the second race of the America's Cup and covered "Shape Sails for Speed and Control". I've attached the Powerpoint slides for the topic...
Andy,
I've saved the presentation as Powerpoint 97 - 2003. Unfortunately, the file size limit is exceeded whe I try to attach it to a response.
I'll contact Kevin Bednar and see if there is something we can do...
Buddy
*Bump*
3/3/10 Topic: Team Racing, Part 2
Club Classic
bar opens at 6 PM
discussion starts at 6:30
Then next week: "The Art of Foredeck"
I don't know about you, but I'm counting the days until Daylight Savings Time kicks in and we get an extra hour of sun to go play in some of the nicest weather of the year. DST begins March 14th.
I wonder if they will try a wing on an Open 60....
Gerard Coleman has confirmed his presentation tonight at the Club Classic...the second part of Team Racing, an upcoming attraction in the sport of yacht racing, one that sounds like an incredibly exciting extension of your racing skills.
The first session on Team Racing was very enlightening and intriguing. I hope to see you at the Club Classic tonight to welcome and listen to Gerard...
6:00 Bar opens
6:30 Topic begins
Next week, Joe Taylor reveals his experience, tricks, and tips (and I'm sure he'll have a few stories!) in his Topic: The Art of Foredeck...
anyone think we can get the "Blue Coats" to accept Team Racing in the America's Cup? NOW, that would make it interesting...
No, but multihulls, team racing, foiling moths, and kite boarding have great promise as Olympic sports...
...and I wonder if there's any point in designing a double or singlehanded, foiling multihull? How much faster would foils allow one to go on a multi? Might be worth it, and maybe not...
Johnny Maudlin had one years ago... a foiling, singlehanded catamaran he named Morris. It was amazingly quick!
Just confirmed with Joe Taylor about his presentation Wednesday on:
"The Art of Foredeck"His discussion is to include:
- Tools
- Tips
- Techniques
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Task Sequence
and of course, he just came back from the Mexorc with the Mojo crew, so we can expect a few new stories to go with the old...
so, come out and listen as Joe Taylor passes on the knowledge gained from his years and years of yacht racing experiences!
This Wednesday, 6:30 pm at the Club Classic.
Limited seating, first come-first seated, Bar opens at 6...
A job well done by Joe 'JT' Taylor at last night's Topics at the Club Classic. Lots of inside info shared and insight into the requirementsw for excellence in yacht racing.
Thanks JT!
Next week, join us to listen to one of the most successful Wednesday Night Racers. Stuart Lindow will be sharing his knowledge and techniques for performing well in the Wednesday Night Sailboat Races. His Topic, "Winning on Clear Lake" will address the winds, geographical shifts, current, courses, and strategies for racing in Clear Lake.
Next Wednesday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day!), Club Classic, 6:30 pm
As a longtime member of the foredeck union, JT did a great job.
I thought it was an excellent idea to bring along the sailbag and show us some of the well worn tools of the trade.
It was reassuring to hear that many of the things JT talked about also took me years to learn the hard way.
The payoff is the foredeck IS the most exciting and physical position on the boat, in my humble opinion.
Only a few things I'd add:
-On the gear list: a spare pair of sunglasses (helpful when you wipeout, frames break and the lens fall out)
-ALWAYS remember that the foredeck is the eyes and ears of the front of the boat
There is really no time to stare at seagulls, even far offshore, in sailboat racing.
A big part of the job is to avoid swapping fiberglass or hitting things that go bump in the night.
:o
As for the communication aspect (and something you'll find very applicable on Wednesday Nights)
It's good to instate a kind of mentor/buddy system on board for newbies (usually the mast person)
It is easy to forget we speak a funny language to the outsiders of our sport.
As a newbie, it is much less intimidating to have someone to turn to on the rail and whisper...
"What the heck did he just say? What's going to happen?"
Depending on the boat size, good teams should be able to carry a greenhorn or two and be competitive.
Plus: A 'mentor for the day' will greatly increase the chances that person will take an interest in sailboat racing and return to the sport.
Thanks again JT and Buddy!
The foreseeable schedule for Wednesday Night activities:
March 24th : Gains around the Race Course - Add new techniques and skills, and eliminate detrimental habits to improve your finishes. (Buddy Brown)
March 31st : Registration, Skipper's Meeting and Kickoff Party for the 2010 Wednesday Night Season.
April 7th : Series 1 Race 1 for the Wednesday Night Sailboat Races on Clear Lake!
All March events start at the Club Classic at 6:30 pm with the bar open at 6:00.
The first gun for Series 1 Race 1 is 6:15 pm on the lake.
Hope to see you there!!
Hello Everyone...
Well, the 2010 sailing and racing season has certainly kicked off, and the Topics are over, but before they get too far into the distant past, it's a good time for feedback...
If you attended, did you gain from the experience?
Would you recommend the Topics to your friends?
Will you come again next year?
What would you change?
...and please suggest Topics you would be interested in hearing about.
If you did not attend, can you tell us why?
Too far away?
Wednesday schedule was already full?
Topics not of interest?
Speakers not of interest?
Not aware of the series?
Some of the feedback already received suggests:
1) At times, the subject matter was more advanced than was usable by beginning sailors. Please create a session(s) to communicate the basics.
2) Please have some marine industry representatives speak on their products or services. (bottom paint, engines, electrical systems, canvas and sails, etc.)
Of course, you don't have to answer all the questions above. Just give us your thoughts. Your input is important to us...
Great job overall Buddy, I agree with the observations already made. If I missed one or two it was only due to other commitments.