GBCA Discussion Forum

GBCA occasionally gets fan mail. I thought a few of you might enjoy this history tidbit...

Subject: 1965 Entertainment Chairman Platter
I have in my possession the sterling silver platter awarded to Janis Scharf for her being head of the entertainment committee for 1965.  Janis has passed away as well as my father, Philip D. Hinton. The Scharf and Hinton families were some of the original members of GBCA.  I?d like to return it to the association if the association would like to have it.  Please let me know if you have any interest.
-Joanna Garrett

Joanna,
It would be an honor to have the platter returned and displayed in the GBCA trophy case. If you could provide a short history about Janis or Philip, maybe a picture or two from that era it would help complete the story. I'll send you an address shortly...
-ChrisK

ChrisK,
I have no pictures from that era...In those days (back in the 60?s) the races, with the exception of one boat with two women and a Ladies? Day Race, were for the men and the women worked with Janis Scharf in preparing the meal that was served to everyone after the races.  Lots of potato salad during those days ? my mother made more than I ever have in my lifetime.  It was a time of the Jones?.  If someone bought a boat, you had better believe there was another person who would match it if not in length then in the price tag.  My family had three boats (not at the same time)and we raced them under the GBCA rules.  It was a fun time for all and when I became a teenager, it was nothing for the kids to take the family boat out on Saturday (like borrowing the family car keys).  The girls would all go to the Maudlin home for their dates on Friday night, spend the night with the Maudlin family, and be up and ready early on Saturday to make breakfast and pack lunches for the Saturday sailing.  There was a common rule about sailing ? if you were not on the boat when it got ready to ?Push off?, you were left behind.

And the very worst thing about it is now a lot of us have skin cancer because it was nothing to burn and reburn on a weekend ? catches up with you if you are not careful.
-Joanna

Some interesting news from Bayport
http://www.portofhouston.com/about-us/bayport-cruise-terminal/

A few local boats have made the trip, and a couple have signed up under GBCA colors, Kick and Parsons Project. Good luck guys!

https://www.regattatech.com/registration/action/showEntryRoster?clubCode=FWBC&eventCode=J80NorthAmericans12

Interesting site, stole this from an article in Sailing World. Might be worth a look at for HMR. It's not true AIS...has anyone tried this out?

App for mAIS
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/iais.aspx

I'm guessing this won't help much once out of cellphone/dataplan range...

Very cool!
http://galvestondailynews.com/story/352698#loopbegin

So move this guy back to Florida (like the last time) or let nature do its thing?

This is always a fun regatta (if you don't mind the launch ramp)
The best part is camping on-site (or on your boat) at the LCYC. It's a beautiful view of the lake. The water is clear and clean enough you can see your keel in the water. Texas lake racing at its best!

LCYC is volunteer (like GBCA) and the good folks out there really go out of their way...breakfast available in the morning, live music and dinner Saturday, etc. Of course a trip into town for Wurstfest is required!!

Word is plenty of water in the lake this year.

Board boats 11/2-4 and keel boats, Vipers, C-22 and Cats 11/9-11

http://www.wurstfestregatta.com/

Nice lineup of boats
http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_registrant_list.php?regatta_id=5772&custom_report_id=2

Registration
https://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_registration_form.php?regatta_id=5772

I saw a bumper sticker the other day. It turns out to be an unrelated acronym, but interesting nonetheless
http://www.keephoustonhood.com/

Good news. Maybe someday soon we'll be able to race here again during the HMR 

http://mobile.chron.com/chron/db_271389/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=1vmatWHh

GBCA members are competing at the Blind Nationals, 2011 defending champs!: Karen Penrose, James O'Laughlin, David Atkinson and Scott Tuma.
I heard there is a cheering section up there too with members of Team Mojo and a few others. Very cool!

I got the the privilage to sail with Karen and Dave on one of the Rum Races aboard J24 s/v Blind Ambition.  They're the real deal!!

Event link with nice writeup on last years event.
https://sailnewport.worldsecuresystems.com/regattas/Sail%20Newport%20Blind%20National%20Championship/sailnewportblindnationals

Fundraiser plug to help offset travel expenses to Rhode Island:
http://www.indiegogo.com/Texas-Blind-Sailing-National-Team

Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/TexasBlindSailingTeam

Good luck and sail fast!  

Get the big anchor, float toys and grill.
More details here
http://galvbay.org/events_redfish.html

Also, a free pumpout my Martime sanitation.

From the opinion pages of NY Times. This guy obviously didn't do his homework.
Be sure to read the comments

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/09/what-should-be-eliminated-from-the-olympics/sailing-is-a-sport-apart-from-the-olympics

Just a reminder, at GBCA you can be a member for as little as $35 annually, we've had a highly successful Intro to Sailing class going 5? years now (we charge $10 for a pizza lunch), and anyone (member or not) can post on the crew board on this site and give sailboat racing a try FREE...

Clear Lake Racing (Wedneday Night Races) is doing a really cool thing, if you want to race on a boat, here's one option:

"For those wanting to crew, goto the Villa Capri @ 3713 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook TX 77586; before 6:10 pm Wednesdays.
At the end of the pier, there is a pink "CREW" flag on a flag staff. Available crew will raise the flag to signal any boat wanting crew. When a boat accepts a crew, the crew is responsible to lower the flag down. If there are multiple people available, the next person in line is responsible to raise the flag for their turn after it has been lowered If a person leaves the pier for any reason, they must lower the flag for the next person to raise it. If you already have a ride and are waiting for that boat to pick you up, do not raise the flag; it is only intended for crew to get on random boats."

I saw this in action last night and it seems to be working great! The Wednesday Night season goes every Wednesday until late September, so lots of opportunity to get out and sail!

Two days of sailing up at HYC
http://www.houstonyachtclub.com/Portals/0/race/WSW_2012_NOR.pdf
Mixed crew Saturday, all ladies Sunday

Register in the next few days and get a free (nice looking, wicking) APS Crugear T-Shirt
http://www.facebook.com/events/144403875696604/148899201913738/

NBC will be broadcasting several AC events live, starting July 1st

NBC
Newport Live
01 July 2012 - 14:30-16:00 EDT

NBC
San Francisco Live
26 August 2012 - 14:30-16:00 EDT

NBC
San Francisco Live
07 Oct. 2012 - 16:30-18:00 EDT

Padre to Galveston catamaran race. Dig the soundtrack. Things get ugly at 1:00 *oh, snap!*


Video
http://youtu.be/lLPs6AXN-us

Race info here
http://www.gt300.com/

GBCA boats and members are racing the Newport-Bermuda!

Track s/v Musica and Hot Ticket here
http://www.bermudarace.com/OntheRacecourse/RaceTracking/tabid/199/Default.aspx

Good luck guys!

Heard some bad news tonight from El Paso. Hopefully things will work out. Hang in there Ben.

From one of my crew, just hired at SpaceX. The article involves sailing and exploration. This should appeal to your inner space/sailing nerd!

I've always said, if you want to simulate a space flight, try overnight offshore racing sometime!
There are alot of parallels: small confined area, relying on your equipment for survival, having to be self sufficient if you break something, having a common goal, teamwork, being far from help, difficult conditions, alien encounters...

http://thespacereview.com/article/2095/1

http://www.laserusnationals2012.com/

Lots of activity up at HYC this weekend, 90 boats!

Race tracking

http://americanregatta.com/regattas/2012/galveston/