GBCA Discussion Forum

Off topic but...
Interesting to see how the KW lineup has changed over the years.
A little sad, actually. 7 Melges 32?, 7 Melges 24? A handful of TP52s?

Maybe its the economy or the outright cost of campaigning a boat that far from home. I suspect all the bashing, rift with the event organizers and near boycott by the head clowns at SA hasn't helped, that's a shame.     

KW is (still is) the pinnacle of winter racing in the the US and could (once again) be a major international circuit stop. So many great things going for it. 

One highlight: 60 J70s ! Even more interesting is at least 6 women (that I could count) are listed as helm, over 10% of the fleet.    
So who will bring sexy back?
http://youtu.be/UD8tGWIqA-c

Yes. The web edition blurred out some good stuff (language, nudity, violence) to keep it PG13 for the youtube crowd.  Characters based on actual pirates of the time...it's quite a production. FOr certain, NOT a Disney production...no sir-ee.....

The boat is registered under yacht club GBCA, the owner re-upped his Sr. membership...sweet. It's even painted Seabrook Shipyard Teal. (Awesome paint job, Gulf Coast Composites... btw). So far results are mid pack with moments of greatness. It takes awhile to make a new ride fast..., especially an exotic machine like that. I heard this summer the boat is headed to Europe to race in the Med. Go fast OV! Represent!!

http://www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=918

Entire Episode 1 on YouTube, in 1080HD, a week before being on TV. You saw it here first!
http://youtu.be/eP-vbDtyMXw

2013 was a tough year for the Adios crew. Losing Jim wasn't easy. Losing Ed was unexpected. Ed really enjoyed everything about sailboat racing and was one of the best foredecks anyone could ask for. A great picture on the bow of s/v Meris, the Texas flag and epic sunset...Janna captured the moment. Thanks to my great crew who pooled the sponsorship money together.  I sent along a calendar to his finace, Sara. Thanks again GBCA!

Another day of pure awesomeness!! Thanks GBCA volunteers and Lacy Bros for the great pics!! Next week we do it again!!

Thanks again Lacy Bros! A great start to the Icicle Series. 765 great pictures. Some really nice ones of the mark rounding. I bet there were 60 boats out there. The weather was great (64?!). The clubhouse patio was full. I think Jim would have enjoyed every minute of it!

Happy 2014, New Year!
Skippers meeting at noon at the main HYC bar. Racing at 1-ish.
Very casual and fun

Jim was one of the good guys. A racer at heart who loved sailing and Galveston Bay.  We were very lucky to have him crew on several Wednesday Nights and Icicle/Rum races.  We also raced against him several years before in some epic battles on the Pearson Flyer.  Always cool calm and collected, he was one of those guys you wanted on your boat.  I can't get over how thrilled he would be to go race, time and time again! His enthuiasm was contagious. As a testiment to his character, he continued to volunteer with GBCA despite his diagnosis.  A positive spirit, indeed.
Jim is one of those rare people you meet in life that are so genuine, and so nice... a real loss for us all.
Jim, you will be missed.

Well darn, why didn't I think of this...?

http://www.ronstan.com/marine/Vaavud.asp

Always fun. December 14!

http://www.clearlakearea.com/events/dc/BoatParade/2013entryform.pdf

Well, the preview looks pretty darn good....
http://youtu.be/0gFxSIWP9yY

...and welcome new Commodore Scott Lacy!

Looking forward to 2014....

Looks like wind-a-plenty this weekend....

I give the movie 9 out of 10 stars. ?All is Lost? is a good depiction of singlehanded life aboard a sailboat, and how resourceful you have to be.  It does a fine job on how much effort is involved for completing even the simplest tasks onboard when things go south.  It also shows how the little things can really bite you in the ass. The loneliness is accurate as you can go days during a crossing without seeing another boat (or even radio traffic) and (of course) be self sufficient.  Some technical things, that knock it down a star. A true sailor does not throw hatch boards around.  Also, doing a navigation shot in the mist of an impending storm, in a compromised boat, doesn?t make sense.   I would have the life raft, LIFE JACKET and ditch bad ready at a moments notice with such a flimsy patch.  Maybe rig the storm jib early?
One beef is not a lot of effort went into actually sailing the boat.  If you?re holed, put up all the sails you got, trim them, put the damage on the high side, and get out of there.  Racers are used to getting holed as port/starboard altercations happen on occasion.  Keep the damage and patch above waterline?hmmm?maybe that?s the difference between cruisers and racers?  A majority of the movie was done very well, like staying with the boat to the absolute end.  Overall, Redford does a fine job acting. In reality there would have been a lot more ?holy$hITs!?.  The rollover scene, in particular, is nothing but awesome. Finally, I?m not sure how non-sailors will receive the movie. It will probably be a limited run, which is unfortunate....