GBCA Discussion Forum

in short order, there will be a new and improved PHRF web site. The new site will allow certificates to be viewed and printed from the web. There will also be a Valid List that will list only current PHRF certificate listings. 

The idea is to make it very easy to view corrections on a boat with minimal effort. The new site will greatly help the PHRF committee enter boat data and keep the data base current.

The NOR for the 2015 HOOD is up: http://houstonyachtclub.com/Portals/0/race/NOR_2015_HOOD.pdf

We are bringing back the level racing classes. There is a boat already entered in the Level 170 class. I know the J-27's, Soverel 27 and Inpulse 26 would make an awesome Level 120 class. I have won the Level 120 class on the Soverel, I know the boat is fast; but there is some real good competition out there... If you are interested in a level class and it is not listed, let us know and we will form it.

With the way racing has been going this year, I can see us having 100 boats for the HOOD. This will be a great tune up for the J-22's and the J-80's for their North Americans happening on the Bay shortly after the HOOD.

Some new ideas: Level Non-Spinnker classes, Level Distance and Level W/L courses... Like I've said, if ya'll have an idea for a course/class, let me know and we will do what we can to make it work. As it has been proved on Galveston Bay with the Rum Races, we do not limit ourselves to just the fast racing boats on the course.

No matter what type of sailboat you have; J-Boat, C&C, Erickson, Hunter, Catalina, Beneteau, catamaran, kite board; this regatta has a class for you.

Two new groups are being introduced to this year's event; an all out heads-up speed freak class for boats <24' and the Beneteau Cup. The Speed Line will run for three days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday will have a measured speed run set up just outside of HYC. Saturday will constitute of buoy racing. Sunday will challenge them with a distance race.

The Beneteau Class will be a class of all Beneteau designs racing against each other on a long leg pursuit style course Saturday and Sunday.

One Design classes and PHRF Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker will be racing a windward/leeward format.

For more information, please visit: http://www.houstonyachtclub.com/Racing/ElissaRegatta.aspx

For registration, please visit: https://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_registration_form.php?regatta_id=9997

I understand there are quite a few boats looking for crew. If you are available to race tomorrow, respond so boats looking can grab ya.

And, boats looking for crew, respond so that crews can pick and choose, I mean contact you.

Who's in?  I hear there may an "old school" format appearing...

The 2012 season for Wednesday Night Races is already ramping up.  We will publish the schedule soon.  There will be a new class this year: Non-Spin Novice.  We are working on the class rules and the exact course (very simple).  I will publish those once they are finalized.  If anyone knows of someone that is half interested in getting their own boat out for some fun races, we have the class and course for them.  

This Friday, 6/24/2011, HYC will be hosting some races (short courses right outside the club) for everyone racing Leukemia Cup to come out and get some practice.  We are looking at a 5:00 competitor meeting and a 5:30 start.  We are hoping to get a few races off before the Competitor's Meeting for the Leukemia Cup @ 7 pm.  No entry fee. 

Bring the boat, get some practice in, enjoy the facilities and pool...

Does anyone know what the "typical" hit will be on PHRF if I added a masthead asymmetrical onto a fractional rigged boat?  I know all performances differ and on Canyon, many of the J29's are all running MH asym's.

thanks,
Scott

Is there going to be more than Spin & Non-Spin?  How many boats is required for a class?  Which 22's are sailing either?

Thanks~
Tuma

The 2011 season kicks off with the infamous Skipper's Meeting and Opening Party at our new WNR host and home; Villa Capri Italian Restaurant.  Bring family and friends to see the magnificent view the Villa Capri has to offer.

The new venue will combine a spectator friendly race course, a relaxing outdoor patio, great service, starting & finishing lines within viewing range, an outdoor "refreshment area", a new menu; just for Wednesday Night Sailboat Races, and topped with Texas-style sunsets overlooking competitive sailboat racing on Clear Lake.

Check out the web site, or Facebook page, for information:  http://clearlakeracing.org/  

- March 30th @ 6:30 pm: Skipper's Mtg & Opening Party @ Villa Capri

- April 6th @ 6:15: Start of 2011 racing season

- Further schedule is posted on Web site.

Location: Cabo
Time: 7 pm

Tonight is the kick-off Meet~n~Greet for the Wednesday Night Seminars.  We encourage everyone to attend and find out what has been going on during the winter; incase you haven't been celebrating Xavier's birthday every Wednesday night @ the Cafe.

Here is an overview of the topics suggested: Overcoming obstacles, RRS part 2, starting techniques, racing on Clear Lake (2 parts), aerodynamic/hydrodynamic relationships, Question and Answer session (possibly 2 parts), boat preparation, tactics, strategy, weather, sportsmanship, match racing, Good/Bad tactacians & planning a successful campaign.

Obviously not all of these topics can be discussed, but a group of willing individuals have agreed to speak on a number of these topics.  We will have a narrowed down listing with a rough schedule at Cabo tonight, 7 pm.

In case any of you are interested where the multi's in the AC stemed from...

http://www.littleac.com/LITTLE_AMERICAS_CUP-LIVE.html

Who is going to McGuire concert?  Planning on taking Bondi... Would be good to get a bunch of GBCA boats rafted up together...

What are the thoughts about organizing raft-ups once a month or every 2 months?  pick a spot and get a group together...

cheers...
Scott

I am looking at launching my GC 20 and need a place for the trailer.. if someone would like to borrow it to store their boat, it can be available... I would say it can do a 20-22' sailboat pretty well... single axle, good condition...

cheers...
Scott

I have heard two stories on Hayward's "participation" in the Isle of Wright regatta...

I read on fox that he watched his 52-foot race, then heard on radio that he raced it... I am guessing the verbal is incorrect...

ok, I'll be the one to bring this up... 

We (the entire sailing community; all clubs) need to find out why the participation has been extremly low this year...  It appears that there are on average <15 boats per event, including Vera Cruz...  I understand they are smaller boats, but last week we had 54 boats on the lake...  I have noticed the 22/24 participation in the bay has decreased as well... 

Do people want:
- shorter courses
- longer courses
- fixed marks
- triangles
- less races
- different r/c staff
- help learning racing
- less serious class racing


There has to be something that triggers the interest...  The reality is that with participation down, more and more regattas will be eliminated because the cost to run the race will out-weigh any benefit... 

cheers...
Scott

ok... personally, I think multis are great for the America's Cup, but they need to be able to handle 20-25 knots of wind... I am also a fan of fleet racing for a spectator point of view; have all countries qualified race in 10-15 races...

What do ya'll think?

cheers...
Scott

Is anyone willing to share what the altercation was at the awards ceremony?

What is everyone's experience with particular race watches?  Which do you prefer or stay away from?

I am curious on how to get more of the fleet involved socially...  If we have a 40 boat fleet with an average of 5 per boat, we could have 200-250 people showing up...  I know this is a constant battle for the social director... is there a way to do a random pole?

This might me aimed more at people who do not, or are not able to attend the post-race socials... What can we do to get your attendance after the races?  We need truthfull answers so we can try to accomodate...  ex: domestic commimentments, burned out, tired, don't like the people, etc...

I have also wondered about boat attendance at the other yacht clubs for the bigger races...

or, does anyone have any suggestions that they think will get some more people?  I personally think the photos on the big screen is pretty awesome... Thank you to who was responsible for that arrangement, you rock!!!