Icicle Series 2019

[STuma]

Sailing Instructions have been posted.

Please read through them. There are a couple of changes, but mainly clarified some verbiage.

SI's: https://gbca.org/resources/Documents/Icicle%202019/2019%20Icicle%20Series%20Sailing%20Instructions.pdf

[WalterH]

Scott, I just saw your post and looked at the Icicles SI. Thanks for getting it out. I did see a glaring change. What happened to the sprit / non sprit class in the spinniker class. I hope this is a simple mistake. I saw Gary's post  and when there was not a discussion I thought it died. I truely believe that this changed should be discussed before it is implemented as it impact is servre for some boats.

[STuma]

The sprit/non-sprit has been changed to fit the course at hand. There will be Spinnaker Asymmetrical and Spinnaker Symmetrical.

The asymmetrical matrix PHRF-GB implemented was designed for a windward/leeward course for boats that were sailing shorthanded. We brought this forward to help get more boats on the course that may be short on crew to fly a symmetrical spinnaker. Boat's with an asymmetrical tacked to the bow receive a 9 second advantage around the course, but never having to sail the downwind angle the matrix was set-up for. With the Icicle and Rum Race courses, grouping the asyms together is a more fair way to group boats.

[shawn]

That puts us back in with the J boats and we had that discussion last year.  Displacement hull vs planing hull how is that fair?  We never finish anywhere close to them which tells me something about the numbers.

[STuma]

Please find 2019 Icicle Sailing Instructions Amendment #1

We will see if this works...

https://gbca.org/resources/Documents/Icicle%202019/2019%20Icicle%20Series%20Sailing%20Instructions%20%20Amend%201.pdf

[Terry Young]

You are grouping J boats and other planning boats against, other older hull designed, family cruiser that cannot plane, that are just trying an A-kite for fun. There is much of a chance going up against carbon fiber sails, can there be a classic canvas class of A-kites? Just my thoughts, lets if fly's!

[hayesrigging]

J 105s and 109s are not planning hulls.  Asyms (sprit or no sprit) have a huge advantage over sym spinnakers on the clockwise RR and many times on the counterclockwise course.  The design of the asym sail, regardless if it's on a sprit or the bow, gives that boat a big advantage over symmetrical spins on the spinnaker reaching legs. 

[Terry Young]

It does not seem right for J105 and J109 and other performance design boats to be in the seem class, as boats that are built to be a family cruiser, kinda takes some of the fun out of beer can racing, if you don't stand a chance of ever winning rum, and that is what the GBCA is about, fun sailboat racing. Just my thoughts!

[Hortonmar]

Just a thought.  Take a look at the last Rum Race series winners, top 8 boats scored.  The Spinnaker Non-Sprit had 6 J boats, 1 Cat 22, 1 Hansa.  The Spinnaker Sprit had 7 J boats and 1 other.  I don't see the where the huge advantage is against the high performing J Boats.   Maybe the J boats need their own class and all other spinnakers in a class.

[shawn]

My hope is the Spinnaker A-Kite Bow Class does the trick.  If for some reason we cannot get enought boats for a class I do not want to get lumped back into a J boat class.  I am traveling 1500 miles to make the race on Saturday the rest of you can get your buts off the couch and race.

Race Q has been tracking boats now for at least a year.  It should be obvious which boats can take off and walk away from the rest.  I have seen J boats come flying into a mark at amazing speed. As an older design and a heaver boat 10,900 vs 14,700 (J109 vs C&C38) I can just watch them go by.

I have concentrated my time on going as fast as I can.  I personally have not reviewed each race to see how the different design boats react to all the conditions.  The nerd inside me wants to do that.  But then there is beer to drink and a party.  Perhaps when I retire i will have time to crunch the numbers.

I do know that if I cannot win a race no matter how well the boat does then the fun goes out of it.  If we want boats to go out and race they need a chance to win.  Any given day any boat  should be able to win a race if they dont mess up.  I don't know how to make that happen.  I dont know how to make everything fair for everyone.  I just want to go fast and win.
Happy new Year
Hope to see you out there
Hope you are on my stern and stay there.

[shawn]

I forgot to label the weight it was early and no I was not drinking I am on diaper duty.  There is a ton of difference between the two boats actually 2 tons or 4000 lbs.  I had a car that weighed that much now we could almost say two mini coopers.  No wonder they go fast.  Strap a car or two on the deck and then watch them go.
Cheers

[Tye Dyed Gary]

 Saturday is a Texans game. That's the excuse several owners will use not to come out for the first Icicle. Its not like its not going to be on the TV at the club house.

[Rmiller1]

Can someone clarify the rule on PHRF-GB certificates for this series? Trick Bag still isnt done so I'm borrowing a J24 for this weekend, but the regular skipper has no intention to run any other distance races so I don't want to pay for a PHRF-GB cert that will only get used once this season. Do you only need a PHRF-GB cert to be eligible for the series award, or do you need it to race at all? It's a stock one-design boat so it's not like it'll have a controversial rating.

[Tye Dyed Gary]

  A J-24 is a class boat, with a known PHRF rating. Use the borrowed boat, and call it Trick Bag. Meanwhile, get your PHRF certificate for Trick Bag.   

[Rmiller1]

That's a great idea... I had considered it but wasn't sure if it was within the rules for these races. Not too many people chartering boats for the Icicle Series, I'm sure 

I'll probably go that route unless Scott or someone else in charge shoots it down.