GBCA Discussion Forum

Seeking to clarify something:

We are not in the business of assigning PHRF ratings. Taking a finish time is merely a way to place boats in order without having to specify who was 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.

Start times are based on the PHRF rating, course length, and our start time of the race for the slowest boat.

We will not "correct" or change any PHRF ratings. Only the cruising club as has always been done.

-Emmett

     I'm sure a lot of you know Kenai, but for those who don't, she's a J/44 that belongs to Chris and Karen Lewis. After a 2200 miles delivery to Newport, a race to Bermuda, and a couple others in between, it's time to move South for the winter.
     We've moved the boat a lot lately, and most of my regular crew only has so much vacation time, so I am looking for new people to join me on this next delivery from Newport to West Palm Beach the week of October 17th, right after Harvest Moon. It is roughly 1000 miles and is expected to take 6-7 days, however, flexibility is a must due to weather.
     This is quite a trip, with cool fall weather taking over the Northeast and the required management of the Gulf Stream, so I would prefer someone who has at least the experience of doing a Harvest Moon, Heald Bank, etc.
     If you would like more information, send me an email at emmett715@gmail.com

-Emmett

I had a new aluminum diesel tank made for Kenai at a good price. It was a 36 gallon tank for about $850. An inspection port and fuel gauge increased the price a bit. But it also came from a company in Rhode Island. Two weeks. Not too helpful around here.

I've seen/used the molded tanks on other boats. Only issue I know of is that they must be secured well the first time. Cracks aren't repairable. Aluminum lasted 25 years the first time!

However, that solution would be improper for our situation. There was no provision in the SI's to round the GPS coordinates. There can't be a race if there's no mark!

An excerpt from the 2014 Heald Bank SI's:

"The race committee has not directly verified the presence of the offshore marks for this race. In the event that any mark of the course is missing, roundings should be made and logged with reference to onboard GPS coordinates."

No need to cross your fingers. If a buoy starts drifting in a windward/leeward course it's generally considered unacceptable and the race is abandoned or there's a change of course. It's the same racing rules of sailing on a distance course. That provision made what you, and I, did on that Heald Bank course acceptable.

I'm not trying to criticize anyone.  It happens. We've lost a lot of our big fixed marks. It's just a provision that will probably have to be added into future distance courses on the bay.

On a side note, it was entertaining to see how many people thought they were winning at the time of abandonment...

I went to the boat when I delivered the sails. It's in pretty good shape. It's also on a hydrohoist, so it doesn't sit in the water.

-Emmett

So now I think that the proper thing is to look at the Notice of Race which states:

"The regatta will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2012-2016 including US SAILING Prescriptions, the current Offshore Racing Council (ORC) Special Regulations for monohulls, Category 3 with Life Raft and Special Regulations for multihulls, Category 3 without life raft. Life rafts need not have a canopy or insulated floor, the International Rules for Prevention of Collision at Sea (COLREGS), PHRF of Galveston Bay rules, Race To The Border club handicap and by this Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions. Race To The Border reserve the right to amend this Notice of Race and Rules by the Sailing Instructions."

Therefore, assuming this prescription overrides the ISAF/ORC Special Regulations (It is not posted yet), HMPE lifelines WILL be legal for 2015 Race to the Border.

I also think that the previous article posted which led to the addition of HMPE lifelines is of value.

https://www.cruisingclub.org/pdfs/sas_lifelines.pdf

Aside from maxis, there has not been a documented case of a burn-through on a smaller boat, specifically a racer/cruiser about 40 feet long.

This was an issue while preparing for this past Newport-Bermuda race. A list of add-on kits was passed around. These are good for attaching to the webbing of an inflatable type life jacket.

Mustang Leg Strap Assembly
Landfall   #SMA3032       $39.95
Defender   Item   550462 $49.99

Universal Deluxe Thigh Straps - West Marine   Model No   13928593
WMPFD#WM-DIS      $34.99

SOSpenders PFD Crotch/Thigh Strap      Model# G339ACC
Landfall   #SSACS List      Price   $19.95
      
Spinlock   Leg/Thigh   Straps      (Standard   equipment   on   all   Spinlock   Deckvests)
DW-DTS/L ? Crotch Strap for Deckvest Lite - $20.00
DW-DTS/2 ? Crotch/Thigh Strap for the Deckvest - $40.00

As far as I know, you can not stitch your own strap to a life jacket without voiding the Coast Guard approval.

Most new Type I lifejackets should come equipped with the straps. I personally recommend having a set that complies, plus add on straps for the crew's inflatables. For our 4 1/2 days of drifting it was nice to have a life jacket without having to wear the crotch straps at a whopping 1/4 knot of boat speed.