GBCA Discussion Forum

Right, except we should have at least three events to make up the GB Champion, one from each club. How about Performance Cup, Shoe Regatta, Leukemia Cup? These are the signature two-day regattas of the various clubs. How many PHRF classes? Just one? Spin/nonspin? More than that?

On a different discussion string we're talking about too many regattas and here we're (almost) discussing having two regattas of similar type on the same weekend. Not completely sure if they are supposed to attract the same clientele, but I have a hard time seeing how this will raise the level of participation.

My suggestion for the long offshore events is to consider having large (multiclub?) events but only every two, three or even four years. People must look at these events as 'must do'. They have to plan their lives around them and guard the slot on the schedule with their lives (and jobs). That generates the 'importance' of these events in our lives that makes us participate. Oh, and: Cuba?

The 109s have the same rating issue. Our PHRF rating is based on large sails, but in OD racing we use smaller ones, because that's what the class sails are. There are PHRF ratings for that configuration, I think, we just don't use them on GB. If we get a GB Championship going then we could allow OD boats to 'register' for the Championship series with the small configuration PHRF rating. That would allow proper OD racing and still dual rating for the championship. Just talking here. All this could be easily managed with a bit of creativity and good will.

I'm certainly happy to own up to being the other party. Im also in agreement that the crossing was very close. But it wasn't as 'blatant' to me as it was to you, Bee. I believe your response was 'nice crossing'. The message to us from that was that close is all it was. I get no pleasure out of winning at the expense of fairness, so I will withdraw from this race. But I do recommend for future situations that a well placed 'protest' would have been clearer. Not everybody's intentions are as sinister as you describe, Bee.

Last reminder: J/Fest registration ends at 5:00pm this Wednesday. Linkies are further up on this thread!

This is a gentle reminder that the regular registration for J/Fest Southwest end this Friday 10/18 at 5:00pm! The registration fee goes up after this deadline!  don't be caught late! You can also pre-order lunches and make reservations on the spectator boat when you register!

Looking forward to a great event!

Justin, the trek from Seabrook to the starting line in Galveston on Thursday mornings is actually a pretty cool experience by itself. I can recommend it. The start is in the afternoon to allow boats to come down from the marinas in Seabrook and Kemah in the morning. To see the armada of boats filing out of Seabrook and down the ship channel is quite a spectacle. If you want to be down there early, Harbor House is a good choice but may be taken by now. Normally you also have to book a room to get a slip. Galveston Yacht Basin is a decent alternative.

FD, my understanding is that you should get a Galveston Bay PHRF certificate. The Sailing Instructions for the Rum Race series allow for you to get a provisional rating by contacting GBCA, if you don't have one yet. Look at Section VII of the SI's on the GBCA.org website. To get a PHRF certificate, go to www.phrfgb.com.

One thing to consider for a future event like this would be to avoid overlap with the camps the clubs run around this time of the year. At Lakewood we have one camp finishing and the next one starting on this weekend. Most of our youth is either participating in the camps or coaching/counseling.

Talk to the youth sailing folks at the clubs! They will get the word to the kids! At LYC that's the chair of the Seahorse Committee and the Sailing Director.

Everyone contributing to this string is a hard core racer. Let's hear from those who we're talking about! What will it take for you to bring your boat to the party? All the clubs want to promote broadening the fun and are ready to change things up to get that accomplished. We're always open to new ideas! Let's hear it!

Is there a way I can watch this on an iPad?

So, do you have a hexacopter? Sounds like awesome technology!

What is y'all's opinion about the boat pix helicopter? We're thinking about getting it for one of the GB Races, maybe J/Fest? I know there are lots of opinions about this, so let me have it. Mine is that the guys are filthy expensive and hard to work with. But some of the best pictures of my boat - the ones on the wall - have come from that contraption. What do you think?

Hamburger

If you need standing headroom, buy a J/109. There are 5 J/109's on the bay (one's for sale).  They draw 7'-0". Not a problem except during a few nasty northern storms, when you don't want to be out anyway. The problem is not the bay, but getting out of your slip.

The 109's are more than $50k, but they are true dual purpose boats, with a large and comfortable (!) cockpit. They are also sprit boats, which makes the crew issue just a bit less of an effort.