GBCA Discussion Forum

It was quite amazing watching... when you look at and evaluate the technology used on these boats versus the S&S cat; an amazing difference... But I think Jeff is right, foilers are next... biggest problem with speed is hitting junk in the water... that would stink...

Started watching the recap... couple of questions:  why has Alighini waited so long to clear penalty?   why is the course 2 legs?  Shouldn't a race have at least 3 legs, incorporate a couple of roundings?

ok... personally, I think multis are great for the America's Cup, but they need to be able to handle 20-25 knots of wind... I am also a fan of fleet racing for a spectator point of view; have all countries qualified race in 10-15 races...

What do ya'll think?

cheers...
Scott

Even as a Spin racer, I prefer the fixed marks... I think the short W/L courses should be set aside for one-design, or larger, races... The mark may not always be square, but that does not always matter; it brings navigation with tactics with boat handling... also, there would be very little reason to post-pone because of erratic winds...

Maybe a blend, as been said and done; Distance triangles and W/L... I think it is great how we can accomodate the multitude of fleets wanting to participate...

cheers...
Scott

"Rowdy" was stuck hard in the slip... We didn't even start the engine... If the wind was <10, I would have brought out Bondi, but probably would have hit a lot of bottom...

What about a GC 20 with a carbon mast and asymmetrical chute?  If I start tomorrow I can finish with everyone else...

Thanks Chris... maybe I will ask for one for Christmas... I'm a tad bit rusty on the new rules...

The hard wing is incredibly efficient... the problem is storage...  The C-cats and S&S 87 had to store the boat on it's side...  this has always been the problem with hard wings, storage... I remember a friend of mine being anchored near "Royale", a 87' offshore maxi-cat, in 30 knots of wind...  this boat only had a large wing mast... He didn't sleep all night because the boat would sail up on it's anchor; first one tack and then the next... He thought the boat jumped from 0-20 knots instantly...  the load on the hard wings are so much less than soft sails, the sheet runs horizontal instead of mainly vertical...  Yea, S&S 87 could, and should have, run the soft sails and still won... But, do you go for the guaranteed win or the predicted win?

thanks for the number crunching John... we know you have nothing better to do :-)  I think there should be a sort of presentation at the Commodore's Ball... Might help get boats out more often... 

Agree with Bee about a Texas One-Design (TOD) regatta...  If we can get with all the clubs in Texas and express the idea of this concept, I am sure they will jump on board... What about having a day of windward/leeward, a day of triangles, and a day of distance (40 miles)... give this some variety... Combine the NOOD, old Fall Series with Charge Cup?  This would definaitly test our skills; tight mark roundings, short tactics, long tactics and weather changes... Do what Texans do best, take what someone else has, and make it better!!! 

Good job everyone... Thanks for the pictures Gary... Robert needs to get you to photograph the J80 NA's... I think they are still looking for someone...

well Jonsey, unfortunatly we didn't get to enjoy much of the front... in regards to speed, I haven't talked to any of the F-boats, but they were catching us pretty quick, and I don't think any of us mono-marans touched their tops...

Thank you to the entire HMR team that pulled everything together...  It is a good event that pulls everyone together...

I was on the outside and heard it mentioned over the microphone... security was then called... I had a couple other people ask me if I've heard anything...

There just isn't any reason to get to that point, it's just a sailboat race...

I think that should be added to the reasons for being expelled from any future regattas...

call me... 281.705.3712

cheers...
Scott