GBCA Discussion Forum

Howdy you all, as you know we have three significant J/22 events coming up - the HOOD, the J/22 North American Championship and the Heritage Cup.  For J/22 practice we have a series of three Sunday races every Fall (Fall Series 1 -3) typically closed to non-members (they are pretty casual events involving beer...) which we are opening up to any J/22 racers who'd like to come practice with us.  We will be setting up a formal windward/leeward line with gate and an offset pin at the windward mark - pretty much what you'll see at the big races.  We are going to kick off a series of rule 26 starts (min 3 for J/22's - there will also be an Ensign line which will only do 2 starts).  The first race in the practice series is this Sunday September 13th at 1:30.  The remaining two will be September 27th and October 11th.  You can just meet us out on the bay - there is no registration nor fee.  There will be ONE skipper's meeting this Sunday only at 11:30.  But you can also see the sailing instructions at http://houstonyachtclub.com/Racing/RaceSchedule.aspx and hit me up with questions at billvanrav@gmail.com.  Good luck everyone!!!

Well, the HYC Offshore has been run, congratulations to Bee and Kevin on Stinger!  They took first place in the spin class and won the Carroll Blanchard trophy; they'll get their names engraved on it.  Plus, looks like they have a strong lead on the Texas Navy Cup -  a lot of silver pots in one year!
Also, congratulations to Andiamo, sailed to first place in the non spin class DOUBLE HANDED in 20 - 25 knot breezes by John and Julie! Current S Rhodes Fisher standings can be seen at http://houstonyachtclub.com/OurClub/News.aspx.  It looks like the playing field is down to 6 boats with Bayou Baby in the lead followed by Tenacious and Andiamo.  Good luck on the Spring Fling race folks! 
Morning Sun took first place in the GBCA Cruising Class - congratulations!!!! This weekend we learned that Todd has a special (pet) name for his autohelm...

UPDATE 29 April 2015: Well, the Heald Bank has been run (thank you LYC!) and the field of contenders for the S Rhoads Fisher Trophy has been established.  Results are posted at http://houstonyachtclub.com/OurClub/News.aspx.  The current leader is Tenacious with Bayou Baby a close second.  Based on registrations for the HYC Offshore it looks like the playing field this year will be Tenacious, Bayou Baby and Cache.  Three more races to go folks!

There have been some more questions about the S Rhoads Fisher perpetual trophy... This award is for the boats registered in PHRF Non-Spin class for the 4 races of the TORC.  We have posted the Deed of Gift here http://houstonyachtclub.com/Racing/HYCOffshoreRegatta.aspx for public review.
This award was dedicated to S Rhoads Fisher in a focused effort to complement the offshore racing tradition established by the Texas Navy Cup (awarded by .... GBCA!!!). S Rhoads Fisher was the second Secretary of the Texas Navy and the man who developed that organization into a fighting force ? directly supporting Sam Houston?s victory over General Santa Anna at San Jacinto.  The Texas Navy employed a classic military tactic ? attack the enemy?s supply lines.  Santa Anna was re-supplied by sea, the Texas Navy enthusiastically intercepted these ships and supplies.  The result was that Santa Anna had to split his forces into thirds so that they could effectively forage for food. It was while leading one of these smaller groups that he was captured at San Jacinto?
Regarding Fisher himself.  He, like any good Texan of his day (or of this day for that matter?), was skilled with his sidearm.  Accounts tell of Fisher escaping in a long-boat after a raid on a coastal city in the Yucatan.  Nearly skewered by a horse-mounted Mexican lancer, Fisher downed the lancer with a single shot muzzle-loading pistol. Sadly, Secretary Fisher ended his days in a gunfight back in Texas...

Hi - I'm Bill from HYC. In response to a LOT of questions regarding this topic this is what I understand to be the case: Regarding the:
A) TEXAS NAVY CUP: I'm not sure (please correct me...) but I believe that since TRW is split into TWO events - each GBCA race is counted for scoring as well as the Heald Bank and HYC Offshore.  Either the Heald Bank or HYC offshore can be used as a throw out - correct? SPIN CLASS only.
B) THE S Rhodes Fisher trophy is for NON-SPIN boats only.  Participation in the Heald Bank, HYC Offshore, and the two GBCA races is required. The winner gets to display the engraved trophy in their home club until February 01 2016. They also receive a "keeper" trophy. We will try to get the descendant of S Rhodes Fisher to present the trophy at the same event GBCA awards the Texas Navy Cup.
C) The Carroll Blanchard trophy is a big silver pot with "AIRBORNE" engraved on it.  It's been awarded since 1965 and carries names such as John Kolius, and OJ Young (Southern Star). It is awarded to the winner of the HYC Freeport to Galveston race.  This year we've expanded the time limit to 24 hours to avoid a timeout nightmare like happened last year.  We've also relaxed the length requirements plus this year will have a special trophy for the GBCA Club Handicap class.
Regardless, it's time to start finalizing all our offshore racing plans for the year.  The deadline for Heald Bank is next Wednesday - looking forward to seeing you all out there!

The HYC Race and Regatta Committee will host an introductory clinic this Saturday January 24 between 9:00 and noon in the HYC Ballroom.  This year the agenda has been expanded to cover the entire race process and is aimed at any skipper who hasn't raced before and wants to know how regattas work as well as folks who may be interested in volunteering on a Race Committee boat.  We'll review the different kinds of regattas in our area, where to find race schedules/fees, the different ways to register, and the registration process.  Then we will demonstrate the starting sequence and the types of roles played on the signal / support boats. We will end with a discussion on course design/squareness and how it affects starting tactics. This clinic gives you a great foundation and will answer your questions - you'll get to see exactly how regattas work.  No formal registration required - all are invited, please come join us!  We'll be there roughly 3 hours and start at 9 a.m.

Hi Steve - sorry for the delay, we were out in Key West and are just now getting back to business...  Hey, the seminar is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a half-hour for lunch.  We've decided to put out a build-your-own sandwich buffet to expedite things. We are trying to keep costs to a minimum - of the $30 entry fee, $25 goes to US SAILING for course materials which leaves us $5 to work with... so you may want to bring a few creature comforts...  Also, we promised US SAILING a minimum enrollment of 10 people as they are bringing in some instructors from out of town.  If you haven't registered yet you may want to jump in and do it to prevent the course from cancelling (we have 'till Jan 31 to round up the 10 minimum...).  We'll be on the second floor of HYC in front of the big fireplace in an area we call the Centennial Room. More questions?

Howdy you all!  FYI, we at HYC will be offering a unique learning opportunity Sunday Feb. 15. It'll be a 1-day Club Judge Seminar with a certification exam at the end.  Our instructors will be US SAILING Judges Jim Tichnor and Chris Luppens. The subject matter will consist of a thorough review of the rules of Part 2 of the Racing Rules of Sailing, an in-depth discussion of the protest process, how to run a protest panel, and some very interesting case studies clearly illustrating the right way to handle situations on the water. We urge all Galveston Bay sailing enthusiasts to take advantage of this opportunity for two reasons: Our area needs more certified judges to properly support our events, and any racing sailor who completes this course will gain a clear and unambiguous understanding of their rights at mark rounding's as well as the proper way to execute a protest; this level of confidence will help you win more.  The protest process improves our skills, the quality of our events and our level of safety on the water.  The course costs $30 and you may register through US SAILING at http://www.ussailing.org/race-officials/become-a-race-official/judge-seminar-calendar/

Questions? email us at billvanrav@earthlink.net

Hey y'all - the weather is looking nice this weekend, if you feel like going sailing come on up and race with us! We got our board to approve open registration for the event, the NOR is on our HYC website http://www.houstonyachtclub.com/Racing/RaceSchedule.aspx, and we'll post the Sailing Instructions there tomorrow so you can take a look at them. After racing we grill brats and drink beer on the back patio - it's a fun winter afternoon, come join us!

Don't forget - TORC racers (Texas Navy Cup) must participate in all three offshore events - Heald Bank, HYC Offshore, AND Texas Race Week...

Howdy y'all!  The HYC Offshore Regatta is open for registration on RegattaNetwork. We've made a BUNCH of changes for this year.  For starters, we are partnering with GBCA and LYC to promote the TORC (Texas Ocean Racing Circuit) and the Texas Navy Cup. This is nothing less than a noble tradition and is a VERY WORTHWHILE thing to do; we feel more people should be involved in it. Since the Texas Navy Cup is a spin-only award, we are launching a NEW perpetual award for the non-spin racers.  We have named it after Samuel Rhodes Fisher, the second Secretary of the Texas Navy and a major figure in Texas history. It will be known as the S. Rhodes Fisher Trophy and will be awarded sometime later in the year after the results of the Heald Bank, HYC Offshore and Texas Race Week have been tallied.

Additionally, we are reinstating the Carroll Blanchard Trophy at the HYC Offshore race for the Spin class.  More details on these awards can be seen at http://hycoffshoreregatta-com.webs.com/20130324_Regatta%20update.pdf. Our club website has more info at http://www.houstonyachtclub.com/Racing/HYCOffshoreRegatta.aspx

Please send questions to me at billvanrav@earthlink.net

Have a GREAT 2013 you all!

Howdy!  The 2012 HYC Turkey Day Regatta is up on REGATTA NETWORK and registration is now open.  Turkey Day is our last full-featured regatta for the year.  All classes are welcome, if yours is not listed on the registration page please advise - we'll be happy to add it. Right now the plan is to offer windward/leeward courses for A-Cat, C420, Ensign, J/22, J/24, J/80, J/105, J/109, Lightning, V15, Viper, PHRF Spinnaker and PHRF non-Spinnaker up in our part of the Bay.  We will also host our Pursuit Course (offset starts based on PHRF handicap) which will race around a combination of fixed and floating marks in the Southern part of Galveston Bay by the Clear Creek Channel.
If you are a newbie and would like to give sailboat racing a try please e-mail me at billvanrav@earthlink.net and we can set up a call to walk you through the process!

Howdy you all, FYI we have opened registration for the 14th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta at HYC on REGATTA NETWORK.  The NOR is available at http://www.houstonyachtclub.com/documents/2012_LCR_NOR.pdf. We've incorporated y'all's feedback from the Elissa Regatta and have made some minor changes to the three lines (if your class is not listed below, please advise - we'll add it).  There may be some minor tweaking to these lines depending on registration volume, but for now the plan is:

DINGHY LINE
Club 420
Lightning
Optimist

ONE DESIGN LINE
A-Cat
J/22
J/24
J/80
Ensign
Viper

CRUISING LINE
PHRF Spinnaker
PHRF Non-Spinnaker
J/105
J/109

Don't forget, if you want to leave your boat at our club the week before and the week after the regatta you are welcome to do so at no charge (please notify the Harbormaster harbormaster@houstonyachtclub.com of your intent). We hope everyone enjoys a fantastic weekend of sailboat racing on Galveston Bay while supporting the Leukemia Cup!

The Thursday night social at Willie G's in Galveston was highly civilized and we got to meet some of the competitors before the race.  We got very lucky with the weather, almost perfect (could have used a bit more wind from our perspective).  The full moon was an excellent feature at the party, and we saw some great sailing.  I'll put some more detail out after the dust settles (I'm still collecting IOU's for dinners in Freeport...).  As a regatta organizer I highly recommend Scottie's Lounge to any of you all planning to do an event down there.  They kept ALL their promises, the food was superior and they kept it coming until everyone was full.  Their young DJ did a great job of getting people dancing and having fun.  They decorated their back patio area with lights and palm trees to create a festive atmosphere.  The folks at the Brazosport Yacht Club set a new standard for hospitality providing rum punch at the marina, a burgee exchange, and then cooking us all breakfast taco's Saturday morning.  Their members want to race and they want us to race with them. Anyone planning an event in Freeport should contact them.

I've posted Friday race results on our notice board (www.hycoffshoreregatta.com; Look for the button at the bottom of the home page. Saturday's race results can be seen on Regatta Network.

THANK YOU ALL FOR RACING WITH US!!!

Hi y'all, FYI we've posted some final updates on our Regatta notice board at www.hycoffshoreregatta.com.  We've got 16 entrants (one withdrawal due to work conflict) and the makings of a pretty good time in Freeport.  Now all we need is some wind...