GBCA Discussion Forum

Thanks for another great issue, Jody.

It's important to add to the mention of GBCA members and other local sailors competing in the J/80 Worlds, that Al Poindexter, although representing LYC, is also a long time GBCA member. Al and many other LYC, HYC and TCYC members are a big part of GBCA and we really appreciate their support. They help us provide Galveston Bay with our always free Icicle and Rum races and free food and drink at the parties. If you enjoy that as well, and are not a member. you should join (shameless plug).

Diesel Fuel Maintenance. Excellent work. Highly recommended. Call the yard at Seabrook for their number. I'm out of town.

L for me!

9:00 am? What, 5 or 6 races? You trying to kill us all, Ed?

Careful with the top comments. I'll make the picture my avatar and you'll have to look at it every time I post.

You sure you don't mean snacktician?

Karen, You give up so easy?

The PHRF ratings assume that the courses are windward/leward, where the spin boats can fly their kites for half of the race. In RR #8 they could only do that for 1/3 of the race. No disrespect meant, Terry, but it means that you did not sail the first two legs fast enough. The beauty of the Club Handicap is that those discrepancies are adjusted for race, after race. After a season of races, the ratings should be pretty solid. Sure, the wind is going to favor some boats, but it's different every week. Keep coming out. Practice, practice, practice. You'll be singing a different song next year.

Bump.

So, who all is going? The Bad Girl will be there.

Terry,

As far as the spinnaker thing, you are missing one key part. In the Club Handicap class, as well as the SOS class, the fleets are mixed with spin and non-spin boats. Assuming the PHRF ratings are correct, it shouldn't make any difference. The boat in question, I presume, is Shaken Not Stirred. They started the season by reporting their spinnaker rating of 93. You reported your non-spinnaker rating of 147. Again, if PHRF is right, there shouldn't be any issues. In fact, over the course of the year, their rating has been lowered to 82, and yours has been raised to 182. This all in the interest of making all boats more equal based not only on projected performance, but actual performance. I agree that if Shaken had started the year using their non-spin rating and flew their kite anyway, that would be unfair. However, their rating would have been quickly lowered based on their performance, and by now they would be carrying the rating they presently have.

I know it may be frustrating and look like cheating, but remember, the faster you go, relative to the other boats, the more you get penalized. Is it perfect? No. But, it's really quite fair.

We really appreciate your enthusiasm. Keep that old NM out there and start lowering your Club Handicap rating.

Chris

Jeff,
Is that rated "R". No wonder they have so much fun.

Leigh Ann,

Put me on the list of those that registered for both.

Chris

Charles,

We're trying to make them comfortable. Don't scare them away! Seriously good points everybody. We've gained many new members this year, thanks to the hard work of the Board and the support of the membership. We rock!

www.internetoutboards.com.

Thomas, just get everyone you know to sign up for membership. That's the contribution we need. Buy shirts, burgees and tumblers to get the word out. We keep the Rum Races and Icicle Races transparently free as our contribution to Galveston Bay racing.