GBCA Discussion Forum

Weather forecast is shaping up for some great racing. Saturday looks to be SE 10-15 knots with Sunday SE 15-18 knots.

Quote from: derklauer on September 16, 2018, 02:06:52 PM
That's mine it has a tear in it I put it in the trash...thanks for checking though.

A tear? I just keep adding sticky back each race...

I understand, and agree with Kevin's point. We will have a good number of boats out with a lot of lights in the background and people will be looking horizontally for other boats; especially on the last leg when most of the congestion will be present. Also remember, as one concern, any powerboat on the water will be looking horizontal, not up.  With a red/green 40, 50, 60' in the air, they may think you are further away than you really are. In regards to offshore, I would recommend the tri-color light rather than deck level lights. And remember that a mid-mast steaming light may be convenient for seeing telltales, it makes havoc for determining if a boat is sailing or motoring. But, I am hoping we will have a bit of "external lighting" this Friday.

Quote from: Stellar of Course on August 05, 2018, 06:44:06 PM
For Aug 10th Friday night race. I know we will have reflective tape and blinking lights on the bouy, but, are there any remains of M55 still at the old location? As we will be rounding this  mark in the twilight or dark and this will be a windward mark some of us may indeed pass close to the original M55.

Ron E

I have been out in the area during a low tide and have not seen any remnants. With that, I do not know what Jim found under the water. I am not aware of any issues anyone had last RR - If anyone did have issues, please send me a message. I am in contact with Parks and Wildlife, USCG, and GLO with these marks and obstructions.

Quote from: ECSimonson on July 27, 2018, 11:54:53 AM
Is there anything new to report regarding m55 for this weekend's rum race?  What are the coordinates for the temp bouy?

Sorry I'm late to getting back to this.  For those who didn't race RR #5, the red buoy is in about the same location. I did drag it away (hopefully) from the item that Jim found a few weeks ago.  I added some reflectors (which will be easier to find than an unlit piling) and we will be adding a "blinky" light.

Quote from: JayZ on July 27, 2018, 06:20:22 PM
I think I've got the boat ready to enter I suppose but there is only one other boat...

Should have entered... I heard this from 2 or 3 other people.  We can refund entries if classes do not form, or something comes up. But, if boats don't enter, others will watch the entry list and say the same thing.

I am not meaning to aim this at Jay, but we see this with every regatta.  Being behind the scenes, we ask people to enter if you are considering doing the event. You can always get a refund if you need to cancel before the deadline. When people are trolling the entry list and see a large class formed, they tend to follow suit and many times will enter also. When people look at entries (or are asked "... have you seen how many J-22's are racing this weekend?") they are usually more willing to also enter if there is a large number of boats racing.  It sounds silly, but it really is.

I mentioned this earlier this year that entries are going to be low this year, and probably for a couple of years. We have seen that with the regattas this year (I know of one that had a high turn out). It does help if we (race management) know why boats are not coming out. Anyone can send me a message to tell why they are not able to race. We might be able to help get ya out.

For Jr. Skipper, we will discuss if we want to do this format again, or something different. My kids had a blast having me crew for them the whole regatta. My youngest (who has never driven before), started the race and drove 3/4 up the windward leg, until she got bored. The oldest jumped in and did a fantastic job finishing the upwind, downwind and the reach leg. The other two helped rig up a barber hauler and I was able to show them the benefit.

Junior Skippers is this weekend... This is the opportunity for sailors under 18 to drive a keelboat.  Very simple format, Rum Race course. Get the opportunity to pace with the best of Galveston Bay while racing in your own class.

Register at: https://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_registration_form.php?regatta_id=16118

With this topic, I appreciate everyone's concerns and support. I've had equal POV for support and protest for having a Friday night race. At this time, we will be keeping the schedule as published.

Before I proposed this idea to the board, I did consider these concerns, and few more. Below are addressing the concerns:

1. "... a lot of other traffic including powerboats" - The majority of boat traffic, including powerboats, is off the bay about 30-60 minutes before sunset. I have spent many Friday and Saturday evenings at Noah's Ark at sunset watching the bay. We have only noticed 2 or 3 boats on the entire bay at sunset. The majority of traffic will be your friends around you. Maybe that is the concern....

2. The concern about the small boats (even the catamarans) not having lights or GPS.  I am the catamaran. Boats under 6m are not required to have lights, but that's irrelevant. I have an extra GPS if you want to borrow it. I know some classes, like the J-80, are required by class rules to have working running lights. I am not sure about the J-24. With many scenarios of PHRF, running lights are required. Luckily, Channel marker #2 has a red light on it that flashes 6 seconds. Channel Marker #4 flashes at 4 seconds. We used to do these races without GPS and we found the finish by counting the light sequences. I'm pretty sure most of the boats racing have the compass heading, or landmarks, memorized (aim x inches from the water tower) etc...

3. Timing. I've been asked how are people supposed to get down to the bay in time after work. The same way the crews of 40-60 boats do every Wednesday Night for races that actually start earlier. If we moved the start time up an hour, that would make it even harder for people to make it. Maybe kicking out of the office a couple of hours early on a Friday would make some co-workers jealous and curious what this "sailing thang" is.... We are about a month away, so now is the time to submit your time off request to be approved.

4. One that may tie into the competitive night sailing concern; When we would sail from E and finish at night, many times the wind would shift to the right and some boats would have to tack near #2. Coming from the High Range, or M55 vicinity, the course would more likely be off the wind; with boats parading in.

5. How are boats to be identified? Before technology, boats would light up their sail number. The new finishing method solves that. Turn on your RaceQs and input your finish time. Or, light up your class flag and your sail number.


To give an insight of why... August is hot. Getting a boat ready at 3 pm is ridiculous in 95-105 degree weather. I chose August instead of July because Firework Fridays are still going in July. The wind is typically enjoyable 6-10 pm. It usually starts at 2pm, but doesn't really sabilize till sunset.  Friday was chosen so that we can sail and not tie up a day of the weekend. For many people, taking a few hours on a Friday, is much easier with their domestic calendar than half a day on Saturday or Sunday. I have been told this is why many people can do Wednesday Night Races. Well, we shall see.  Because this schedule could be a challenge for some is why I introduced having a "throw out" race.

I rotated the course to the right  for a couple of reasons: 1. The leg from #2 to E or E to #2 has no challenge to it. From E to #2, typically we crack the jib 4" and roll on "auto pilot". That type of course has no challenge, no sail trim, and just becomes a power beat. Many times sailing to M52, some of the race boats could lay the mark with the majority of the fleet having to double tack. That gave them a huge advantage. Or, the early starting boats took advantage of the southerly wind and did not have to tack, where boats starting 30-45 minutes later had to tack a couple of times because the wind already rolled left. Sailing to a mark in the vicinity of M55 gives a more square beat where event the earl starting boats should have to tack. There have been a few races already where most of the fleet was able to lay M55 without tacking. The reach leg from the High Range to #2 becomes a more free reach; barber haulers are needed, sails need to be adjusted, boats are actually having to learn how to reach. I have noticed place changes on the reach leg. I know the wind has been a bit more southerly and has made the reach tighter than expected.

With discussions with people, there have been some good ideas come about; one being to have a seperate evening/night series from the Saturday Night Races.

After we run through this season, I will be willing to listen to people's issues they had after they sailed the races. If there is something we can do to make sailing more interesting, exciting, enjoyable, etc; we can try it. We are always looking for volunteers with ideas and willing to listen to people's experiences on how to make sailing more enjoyable.

alright, we catered to the request to move the Jr. Skipper regatta because of another youth event...... Where are all the junior racers? Where are ALL these kids racing at HYC, LYC, TCYC? We need the coaches to help encourage these kids for the next step of racing....

I am planning to place a red buoy about 20'-ish SE of M55 (or coordinates). Round the buoy and be mindful of the possible hazard "inside" the zone.  If it appears to be a bit too "sketchy", I will push the mark a bit further SE to clear everything.

Please be mindful of the competitors around you. If a boat has rights and they are concerned about the amount of room, you are obligated to give them that room. Now, there is a limit of realistic expectations and some specific verbiage in the rules of how much room is acceptable. This applies to every mark. As you approach a mark, make sure you are communicating with the boats around you. In the grand scheme of things, these people are still your friends...

Quote from: Bee on July 03, 2018, 04:05:39 PM
OK, I am getting to damn old for this.  I read that thing at least 3 times and never saw it.  Thanks.

ironic that the "old guy" was having difficulty reading a detail for the Jr. Skipper race.... :-)

We are aware of a boat tagging Marker 55 last Rum Race and there was some concern about the marker being at a severe angle, or missing.  As the last boat to round M55 on Rum Race #3, it was present and vertical.

Quote from: Bee on June 29, 2018, 03:02:59 PM
What flag will these guys be flying?

Per page 4 of the RR SIs, Yellow

http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/regatta_uploads/16888/2018RumRaceSeriesSailingInstructions.pdf

GBCA is working with LYC/JBoats SW in promoting JFest 2018.

JBoats Southwest will be sponsoring the Post Race food for Rum Race #4, July 14th. Everyone is encouraged to wear their previous years JFest wares (hats, shirts, etc..) to the party. Everyone who wears wares can be entered for the "Infamous Random Prizes" to be awarded at the party. Must be present to win.

From the website; you can get all the info.

But, the NOR is here: http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/regatta_uploads/16118/2018JuniorsNOR.pdf