GBCA Discussion Forum

The existing bridge is being widened as you know, and because of the curvature of the road surface to shed rainwater, the completed widened bridge will be slightly lower than originally, but we were assured by TXDOT, RS&H, Webber and USCG that the bridge would still offer 73 ft from MHW, including the lights or anything else that might hang down slightly.  That would be at the center of the spans over the North Channel.  The South Channel in not officially recognized by NOAA, US Army Corps of Engineers or USCG, so I am not sure if that 73 ft air draft applies to it, so if you have a 73 ft mast, I suggest only using the North Channel if possible.  The new bridge appears to be somewhat higher, but, that won't make any difference if you are going under the bridges.

Bill Jenko
Recreational Boater Rep
Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee
S/V Sea Gypsy

https://gbca.org/resources/Documents/2020/2020%20Cruzan%20Rum%20Races%20Standings%20-%20Standings%20-%20As%20of%209-4-2020.pdf

I'd like to hear of any significant damage to boats during the blow at the end of Rum Race #7.  I saw one boat pull in at the Blue Marlin with a shredded main, but could not pick out the name.

Strangely, Sea Gypsy's house battery failed shortly after turning on our running lights.  Unrelated to the winds and sea I think, just chose that moment to develop a bad cell.  I was afraid to switch to "combine" on my VSR to drive the lights off the starting battery for fear that the bad battery would draw down the good starting battery or maybe start a fire with power from the alternator.  So that was us shining flashlights in your eyes on the way in the channel to be seen.  I need re-think emergency power to the running lights, navigation systems, bilge pumps, etc for just such an event.  Maybe re-install an old-fashioned "1-2-both-off" battery switch as a bypass to the VSR so either battery could run all services, but isolating the bad battery.

Other boats with issues?

Anyone looking for a ride on Rum Race #8 September 26, and doesn't mind finishing near the back of the Club Spinnaker class is welcome to sail with Sea Gypsy.  I can take 2 or ideally 3.
Capt. Bill Jenko
832-244-4096

The link Chris gave you has incorrect information, as that tool includes the "participation point" for boats finishing after 8th place in their class.  The correct standings through RR#6 are here:  [url][https://gbca.org/resources/Documents/2020/2020%20Cruzan%20Rum%20Races%20Standings%20-%20Standings%20-%20As%20of%209-4-2020.pdf]

Are the races still on for this weekend?
CJ

Scott -
Can you say when you hit this obstruction, i.e. time and date?  Was the tide very low at the time you hit it?

See Phillip Kropf's post on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/475834575950536/photos/pb.475834575950536.-2207520000.1551210735./1047646992102622/?type=3&theater

Two different side-scan sonar surveys of the area were done on Feb 25 by Teichman Group, and on Feb 24 by US Army Corps of Engineers and neither survey was able to find anything.  They are both quick to say they can't absolutely rule out a obstruction buried partially in the mud, but they couldn't find it.

Capt. Bill Jenko
S/V Sea Gypsy
Recreational Boater Representative
Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee

I would like to suggest to the GBCA race management that they set up a RaceQs Public Regatta Broadcast of the races http://raceqs.com/pro-regatta-broadcast/.  My understanding from the RaceQs website is that this allows the committee and the public to view the race in real time with a 5 minute delay from any computer with an internet connection.  And it is free. This seems like it would be valuable for our friends and family to watch the race in near-real time, and also give them adequate notice of when we will be back at the dock.

Thanks
Capt. Bill Jenko
S/V Sea Gypsy

S/VSea Gypsy is looking for crew for the Icicle Series beginning Jan 5, 2019.  Sea Gypsy is a 1978 Cheoy Lee 38 sloop with an asymetric spinnaker that sails in the Cruising Club Handicap fleet.  We finished the 2018 Rum Series in 4th place overall, missing out of a 3-way tie for second overall by a single point.  Sea Gypsy is a heavy cruising boat, comfortable in a seaway, but not an  ultra-light rocket like the J-boats, but she can be deceptively fast when the wind goes north of 20 knots, and the rest of the fleet is hopelessly overloaded.  If you are interested in crewing this year, please contact Bill Jenko at bj@billjenko.com, or call 832-244-4096.  No prior experience necessary.

While I appreciate and support Kevin Bednar's request to use the deck level nav lights instead of the masthead tricolor because the deck level lights are more visible under the sails when racing at close quarters at night, the supporting post by Tye Dyed Gary is just the opposite of my reading of COLREGS rule 25. 

Rule 25(a) describes the deck level red/green/white lights required under International rules.  Rule 25(b) dscribes the alternate use of a masthead tricolor for sailing vessels under 20m and rowboats in Inland (US) waters only.  Rule 25(c) describes the use of two lights, red over green, at the masthead, for sailing vessels in International waters (i.e. beyond the COLREGS demarcation line) "in addition to" the lights required by 25(a).  So the comment that the tricolor masthead light is primarily for offshore use is incorrect in my reading.  Technically, a masthead tricolor is only approved on Inland US waters.

That said, I've done 12 Harvest Moon Regattas in Sea Gypsy, and displayed my tricolor masthead light in every one of them precisely because I think the tricolor is more visible at a greater distance than the deck level lights.  I prefer to be more visible to other mariners at night than in strict compliance with COLREGS.  Moreover, a lot of other HMR racers use their triciolor lights, and they have been much more visible to me than those racers who only use the deck level lights at night.  But if Kevin and others request it, I may run my deck level nav lights and my tricolor, in spite of the COLREGS rules, to be as visible as possible.

Capt. Bill Jenko
S/V Sea Gypsy

I agree with postponing RR7.

To the Esteemed Race Committee:

Considering the forecast current and wind conditions for the Galveston Bay Entrance posted below, please move the starting line to a committee boat, stationed North of the South Jetty light (marker 5A,  which must be left to startboard) but just out of the main shipping channel.  There is a reasonable amount of space there. 

If you don't change something, you may not have many TRW finishers.

Refer to NGOFS forecast charts attached

Sincerely,
Capt. Bill Jenko
S/V Sea Gypsy
GBCA Sr. Member

Sea Gypsy #3371 finished at 14:36:37

Bill Jenko

Great wind today!  Sea Gypsy's crew had a great sail and there were two parties!  Hot dogs and rum over at Windward Sea Venture as well as GBCA.
CJ
s/v Sea Gypsy

Sea Gypsy's crew decided last night to do this impromptu race.  See you there.

But I misgivings about this whole fiasco.  Looking at the weather forecast again this morning, I'm not sure why we are not cruising to Port A, in the absence of a race there. 

I appreciate that the organizers of any race are at liberty to postpone or cancel the race for any reason, or without reason. It's their race.  However, as Captain, I bear the full responsibility for the decision to sail.  I am free to sail wherever and whenever I want having due concern for the safety of the boat and crew.