GBCA Discussion Forum

I have been through that countless times but I have never heard it called an arm-pit.  I like it. 

If you know of a local sailor who delivers boats, please give me a shout or send them in my direction.

Need any help with this?  I can be down early if you do.

Three HMR length races is a difficult ladder to climb.  Is there anyway to get back to some kind of TRW?

Quote from: Charles on May 22, 2016, 10:33:04 PM

Quote from: Bee on May 20, 2016, 05:26:54 PM
Every year Stinger does LYC's Harvest Moon Regatta.   Some time ago, Stinger  made the return Sunday after the HMR party with full crew.  Not sure any of us were in good enough condition to race back, but we probably would have been if the race back had been the following week.

I'm sure everyone can see where I am going with this.  Why wouldn't a Two-Step wrapped around the Harvest Moon Regatta work?  This is something I have talked about, proposed, and discussed since the first time I did the HMR.  Regardless of whether this is an option or not, boats in PA after the HMR will likely return.  Why not make the HMR and HMR return the two GBCA races required for the Navy Trophy?

Two of the Navy Cup races must be GBCA sponsored events.  Obviously the HMR is not.  The return trip could be, but again, getting crew for back to back 150nm races might be difficult.

Had a nice chat with Greg Way (Gold Rush) today.  Greg had a really good point.  What he said was, "figure out what the boats that enter want to do and do that." I agree.

Every year Stinger does LYC's Harvest Moon Regatta.   Some time ago, Stinger  made the return Sunday after the HMR party with full crew.  Not sure any of us were in good enough condition to race back, but we probably would have been if the race back had been the following week.

I'm sure everyone can see where I am going with this.  Why wouldn't a Two-Step wrapped around the Harvest Moon Regatta work?  This is something I have talked about, proposed, and discussed since the first time I did the HMR.  Regardless of whether this is an option or not, boats in PA after the HMR will likely return.  Why not make the HMR and HMR return the two GBCA races required for the Navy Trophy?

Only meant that as a bit raunchy  tongue in cheek joke.

You mean you cut off some portion of your mast?  That doesn't sound all that pleasant.  What have you become Mr. Kitterman?

Yeah, I know, its BEE!!!!!  Just ignore.

Quote from: STuma on May 06, 2016, 11:14:28 AM
The increase of WNR and decrease of weekend participation has become more prominent across the country...

Some questions for us to answer and ponder:
1. Why the decrease in weekend participation?
     I have always thought that there were four reasons for this:
     a.   A change is technology --- Sprit vs non-Sprit, different hull
           designs, carbon hulls and masts, ... 
     b.   The decline of the middle class.  Big boats are expensive.
           I just got some quotes for a full set of sails for a J111 --- $80,000!
     c.   iPads, iPhones, Androids --- Games, games, and more games.
          My grandsons don't want to be bothered about sailing when
          they can stick their noses into one of those electronic games.
     d.  Finding crew.  People have other priorities at various times.
2. What is the draw of a WNR?
     a.  Small relatively inexpensive boats.
     b.  Need for a lot less crew.
     c.  Single day/evening racing.
     d.  Competing against friends.
3. What are some of the reasons (you) won't sail a weekend event?
     Don't have any.  Its nice to be a retired old phart.  
     Ok the old is not necessarily much fun.
4. Would (you) be more willing to race a 1 day event instead of 2 days?
     Makes no difference to me as long as the 2 day is on a weekend. Crew
     frequently has jobs that they have to consider.
5. Do the weekend races start too early? Too late? Should we start at 3 pm?
     a. Waiting until the sea-breeze fills in in the summer makes starting later worthwhile
     b. Probably OK after CDT kicks in.
     c. As long as one does not have to travel too far to get to the race area, early is fine.
        Another advantage of old age --- waking early for reasons one cannot understand.
6. Do we cater the weekend races to the party too much? Does the racing become compromised?
     Parties are good, but this is not an issue for me. I usually get blasted either way.
7. Do people want a course different than a W/L? Triangle W/L? Star? Combo?
    For a while I thought this to be the case but participation does not seem to support it.
    I always expect the distance classes to have a lot of entries, but so far, except for the
    Icicle and Rum races, this does not seem to be the case.
8. Are 3 day races too inconvenient?
    Yes.  Half of my crew has to work during the week.  Makes it difficult to find crew.
    Another advantage of being an old phart.
9. Should we make some big regattas Thursday-Saturday? Leave Sunday for family?
    See #8
10. Should we give rating credits for having kids/new people on board?
     The San Diego J105 North Americans was won by a boat
     that sailed with the 11 year old son of the owner.  They got no special
     treats for that, but he was given a gift for being the youngest crew on
     any boat.  I guess I would answer no but if, after testing, it got more
     youngsters out it could have a great benefit to the sailing community.

In general, I don't have a clue as to how to fix this. 

It would be nice if the business community got back to supporting us the way they used to. For example, the old Bank and a full blown Sperry Shoe.  How does one get them to do it?

I would love to see a lot of young kids (13 and less) out sailing on the big boats.  I know that both LYC and HYC have big training programs for youngsters.  Where do they go when they finish training? Should we figure out how to get them on some of the big boats? The guys that run Sirly (The only one I know for sure is Rob Freas, but I have also seen Keith Gray helping out)  do an absolutely outstanding job with the Sea Scouts.  Matter of fact, Stinger would be happy to take learners out for some training and fun.  Maybe we should try to get more boats to do this.

These are some questions that have been floating around and I hope people can answer honestly. I would love if people would respond here, but PM me if you'd like to quietly give your opinion. Getting honest answers is the only way any of us can improve the racing. I constantly hear people complaining the racing is dying - help do something!!!

Years ago, I sailed my 3030 in a level PHRF fleet.  What I remember is that the class was defined by base PHRF +- 9sec/mi.  In that case a level 126 would have been boats with handicaps in the 117 to 135 range.  What I remember is that most of the lower PHRF numbers did the best, but I don't have a clue as to how we did.  Hell I don't even remember what SeaBee's PHRF number was. 

I do think this is a good idea.  In my opinion anything to get more of the older designs out in W/L racing is good.  I still miss those days when the RC split the entrants into at least two separate classes.  More boats is definitely better then less.

OK, OK, OK, I was wrong.  Commandment V in the sailor's "bible" makes this completely clear

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2016/05/03/ten-commandments-beercan-racing-2/

makes this clear:

VI) Thou shalt not protest thy neighbor. This is extremely tacky at this level of competition and should be avoided at all costs. Perhaps it's justifiable if one's boat is damaged and blame needs to be established, but on the whole, tossing a red flag is the height of bad taste in something as relatively inconsequential as a beer canner. Besides proving that you're unclear on the concept of beer can racing, it screws up everybody's evening, including yours. Don't do it – it's bad karma. - See more at: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2016/05/03/ten-commandments-beercan-racing-2/#sthash.6XxRsrrX.dpuf

Fortunately, as far as beer can races are concerned, I have never violated this commandment

III) Thou shalt not run out of beer. Beer (a.k.a., brewskis, chill pills, thought cylinders) is the beverage that lends its name to 'beer can' racing; obviously, you don't want to run out of the frothy nectar. Of course, you can drink whatever you want out there, but there's a reason these things aren't called milk bottle races, Coca-Cola can races, hot chocolate races or something else. Just why beer is so closely associated with this kind of racing escapes us at the moment, but it's a tradition we're happy to go along with. - See more at: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2016/05/03/ten-commandments-beercan-racing-2/#sthash.6XxRsrrX.dpuf

Please accept my most sincere apologies for privies posts.

Congrats to the Hightower.  Way to go.

Regardless of whether or not there is anything at all in the NOR, Stinger uses jack lines, lifelong, MOB, and requires all crew to where PFD's after dark.  We also carry wooden plugs in case we have to plug one of the various instrument or rudder holes during the race.

Doesn't everyone do this?

Two bullets in the last two races and Hot Pocket is is 1st place 5 ahead of the second place boat.

Zie Sprit must be installed.  Pictures?