GBCA Discussion Forum

I can't wait to hear the story about Race #3.  Every boat got a scoring "adjustment" (SCP)  except Otra Vez who got Redress (RDG).

And, a big Thank You to John Butler.  John was our "on-call" Judge for the Frostbite - and that is a fact.  GBCA hasn't had a protest hearing for a couple of years, but we had one this past weekend.  It's a safe conclusion that John's experties and credentials were a benefit to all.  Thank you John!

Bring your own boat, or will they be provided?
J/22, J/24, J/80, J/105???  What boat / crew is the course designed for?  Symetrical or Asym?
Having been to J World, the courses and instructors are geared for a specific boat / crew (usually J/80s and asymetricals).  They used to use J/24s, but have moved more toward J/80s in recent years.

Great school and talented instructors. 

It certainly is fun to watch.  For those of us who don't live in a location with a narrow breakwater opening or with weather like that, it sure looks like a wild ride.

I'm with John though.  Nobody on board is the least bit worked up - the guy stays on the bow for the duration and the crew is idly rigging for the tie-up once they shoot the gap.  Neither is the bloke standing on the breakwater to screen right the slightest concerned.  Probably not their first rodeo in these conditions at this location.  Besides, I'll bet that they had a bailout plan ready to execute - hard to port and bail with a following wave before the wall and then go back for another go at it (or something like that).  Sure, that boat caught a nice surf on the 4' rollers and probably had a few good surfs during their sail that day, but this boat has done this before (and in much worse conditions too, I'd guess).

Still, it looked like a hell of a ride though:-)

      ?Do or do not... there is no try.?

In years gone by (as recently as the 80's) there were regular races to N.O., Biloxi, Mobile, Tampa/St. Pete, etc.  Either one way or the other - frequently alternating each year or being a two-way event.

Winter (January) regatta to Florida that feeds Key West.  Spring to New Orleans for Mardi Gras.  Labor Day to wherever the Lipton Cup is held.  Get creative with the other clubs and find events that come to Galveston Bay.  Ask Kolius about sailing with his dad in these races.  Talk to Roy Sr (and Jr.) since they've been there. 

Two boats make a race, three make a regatta.  That's all it takes to get started...

Good book.  If you haven't read it, you should.  I didn't agree with a number of items he put forward.  But, on the whole, this guy has some very good thoughts on sailing.   Mr. Hayes has done a better job at articulating  where we've been with sailing than anyone else.  His views on where we're going are also very good and well reasoned.  It should be interesting to sit in on this discussion considering some of the views of organizations and individuals in this area.

Any news on results?

One color, right?  Black on a white shirt?  No graphic?

Quote from: Sailchick on September 22, 2010, 11:16:08 PM
chicken.....and hush puppies.....and fries.....and shrimp......

Salad / slaw???

Coke, tea, beer?  Something other than rum?

Not everyone wants a rum-fest with a side of fryer grease (yea, I'm WAAAYYYY overexagerating, I know)   I'm sure the catering will be as outstanding as in prior years and the rum will flow as freely as at all GBCA BASHES!  A few folks might appreciate a something light and cool to eat and just kickin' back with some tasty iced tea.

Results are posted here!

http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_regatta_results.php?regatta_id=3190&show_divisions=1

The best remedy, BAR NONE, is to prepare before you leave the dock and to do whatever you can at sea to avoid mal de mer.  Motion sickness is caused by a confusion that develops between what your eyes tell your brain and what your sense of balance (inner ear, vestibular system) are telling your brain.  The absolute worst situation you could be in is being below deck staring at the bulkhead or settee (eyes are saying everything is solid and stable) and the boat is pitching and rolling (sense of balance is telling you that everything is moving).

Preparation - don't spend the night before getting hammered and show up at the boat still half drunk, get a good solid nights sleep and get to the boat well rested, eat a good healthy meal the night before (pasta is fine, but recommend you stay away from heavy greasy stuff) and have a healthy (but not heavy greasy) breakfast.  In other words, show up in good shape, awake, and ready to go.
On the boat - there a tons of suggestions to avoid situations / conditions that may bring  on symptoms.  I'll list a few and leave out a bunch for others to contribute
-  Stay on deck with the fresh breeze in you face
-  Look off in the distance, focus on the horizon or a distant boat.  Avoid staring straight down at the water or the winch in front of you
-  DO SOMETHING!  Trim a sail, coil a line, drive.  Doesn't matter - stay busy and active.
-  Avoid being close to someone else who is seasick.  The smell of vomit is a virus, once you smell it you'll be tossing your cookies before you know it.

When I'm at sea, there are a few things that work for me to stay focused:
-  Oranges.  For me, peeling and eating a fresh orange gives me energy and focus.  Odd maybe, but oranges are what work for me.
-  Ginger.  Ginger in any form has been proven to be the ONLY substance that actually prevents and reduces the symptoms of motion sickness.  For me, ginger snap cookies are always a good snack regardless of the seasickness issue.  Pickled ginger (like you get in a sushi bar) is a good condiment in sandwiches and dinners (or right out of the jar).  Heck, they even market ginger pills / capsules for nausea.  Ginger is a wonder food!  I've seen guys on the edge of death from seasickness bounce back after taking ginger.  I might recommend taking some before leaving the dock (eat a few cookies...).
-  Hydration.  Can't emphasize enough (especially around here) the importance of drinking enough water and electrolytes.  Drink more than you think you need to.  Not just for seasickness, but just to stay alert and healthy.  Flat (decarbonated) Coke and 7-Up have had some positive responses in settling stomaches too.  When I was a kid, my mom used to give us a tablespoon of straight Coke syrup to settle the stomach.  I've still got a bottle at the house and (for me) it's effective.

There are two kinds of sailors - those who get seasick, and those that will.  When you find yourself in the first category, here is what you can do to make your life (and your crewmates lives) as easy and possible:
-  Puke over the leeward rail as far aft as possible.  Rule #1 - puke to leeward.  Not below deck in a bucket, not over your feet as you sit on the weather rail.  Puke to leeward.  Puking anyplace else on the boat is going to get puke on your mates and / or make the below decks smell like a vomitarium and make anyone going below toss their cookies too.  PUKE TO LEEWARD
-  Try and stay on deck.  Stayin on deck keeps you in the breeze feeling cooler, keeps you focused on the horizon, gives you opportunities to do something (see all the suggestions above...), and (most importantly) keeps you near the leeward rail!
-  Do NOT stop drinking!  Dehydration is the most dangerous thing about motion sickness.  People die because of dehydration / seasickness.  Drink and try and keep it down.
-  Keep a positive attitude and try and contribute.  Not because you may be asking more of your crewmates, but because it will get you through the malady quicker.

Now the controversial news.  Not a single drug or study on motion sickness has demonstrated that any of the drugs marketed for seasickness prevents or helps someone recover any better than a placebo.  Spend your money on Dramamine, Scapolomine, promethazine, unobtanium... whatever.  The only substance known to man to have proven effectiveness in preventing and reducing existing symptoms of motion sickness is Ginger (in any form).  Taken before and during episodes, ginger is the only proven remedy - and even ginger isn't even proven to be 50% effective.  Oddly, peppermint has also proven to be as effective as most commerical medications.  Do your own Google search...

So, what does our community have to add about how to prepare, avoid, and cure seasickness???  Enquiring minds want to know
 

Scot, that weather knowledge has actually worked out pretty well for me and those I've sailed and RC'd with over the years.  Yup, pretty well indeed.
I agree with you that direct observation is indispensable for judging the immediate conditions - if the rock is dry then it's nice, wet rock indicates rain, rock gone means hurricane:-)

Thomas, I'll encourage you to take Scot up on his offer.  You'll learn more than you ever wanted from this crew of extremely talented folks.

Billy Bob gets caught kissing a fish.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Quote from: Linda L on July 10, 2010, 07:37:10 PM
If you are looking for crew, I am reliable and don't get seasick.
     Linda L  281-222-6643   

YET...

Good luck Linda.  Hope you find a ride!

I'll be donating in his name this week.