GBCA Discussion Forum

A viper WITH lead is fast in 25 knts, one without is just scary.  I guess when you turtle one in 35 knts and have to be rescued nothing really seems that intimidating anymore.  Here's hoping we can end the year with another solid viper w/lead turnout.  Jeff, do your cheerleader thing and get the troops fired up about this one at Wurstfest.

My comment on the $80 entry was directed at the lack of any social/shoreside activities.  I agree in retrospec it's not that expensive for a regatta, but the NOR didn't mention anything included.  It seems lately that the fleets put on their own social activities in the parking lot and avoid the clubhouse altogther aka the viper car bar.

$80 is still steep if dinner/drinks/shirts aren't included.  This is a relatively causal weekend regatta, and probably the last on the bay for this year.  Definitely discourages any out of towners from attending.  Let's try to end the year on a positive note and get a decent turnout.

Amen with the 125, although you'd be stuck in the mud in the bay before ever clearing the jetties.  Keith, props to all the west coast guys for reviving what is arguably one of the best J-boats ever.

Good point Kevin, and with the exception of the LYC Shoe Race I can't think of another regatta that is open to all classes for bouy racing.  It would be nice to get that PHRF A class together on a regular basis.  Which also brings up the question, how can we continue to grow the racing scene on Galveston Bay?  Look at what Charleston Race Week has become over the last 10 years, there's no reason why we can't do the same.

Scott, point well taken, and it's frustrating to all of us to see some owners choose to sit on the sidelines.  For the record I have sailed on j-boats my entire life, I got nothing against them.  I think the point is that we'd like to see the regatta reach it's full potential, and just trying to be creative about ways to expand.  The HYC one design was a hit, and we are enthusiastic about keeping the momentum going.

Regardless of the viper exclusion, the J-PHRF and J-Cruise classes are still pointless.  I'd hate to be throwing down big bucks for a 111 or a 122 and only race against one or two other boats.  Yet, if they don't register the J-boat guys will say WTF for not supporting the event.

Not whining, just realizing the uptapped potential to make a good regatta even better.  I think history is starting to show that combining circuit stops for all classes across the board is what will push regattas into the "elite" status that many of us will attend.

I agree with Jonsey's comment, especially if the JBoat guys expect a decent PHRF fleet to materialize.  This regatta concept is all well and good for the one designs (J22, J24, J80, J105) as they can integrate it into their circuit stops, but what's the point in having a 2-3 boat PHRF fleet or a 1-2 boat cruising class?  Now that HYC has stepped up with their HOOD to salvage the NOOD regatta, it's time for LYC to get on the bandwagon.

I know the viper guys would appreciate another fall regatta now that the local fleet has grown to 10+ boats.

Less restricitons = more fun for everyone.

Yellow looks white from far away and orange looks black, either way the cloud cover was weird and the first boat to tack rounded first in a big left shift (Seabreeze finally filling in).  We should have tacked earlier and taken a stern or two, and yes hindsight is always 20/20.  At least we were in the hunt.

Agreed, great sailing on Saturday and I applaud the race committe for getting off 5 races in one day.  All while taking great photos of the action.  Chris, too bad 8 sets of eyes couldn't find the windward mark on the last race or our results may have been a little better.

Nice work guys, it looked like a light air affair this year.

Agreed, well done ladies, you definitely made us work hard for it. 

Perfect viper conditions, but I am very SORE today.

Jeff, any Viper gopro vids from the weekend?  Looks like you had good conditions for it.

This is a great topic, and something that has troubled me since moving back to the area 2 years ago.  It is a shame to see most competitive racing on the bay go by the wayside due to IKE and the economy.  In my opinion, as discussed previously, is to shift our mode of thinking with the economy and focus on expanding the small one design fleets locally (Viper, Melges 24, J 22, J24, J80, Etchells).  This is what will attract talented boats/crews from outside the region to race in our area.  Larger local one design fleets will also increase our chances of hosting National level regattas such as the J80 NA's last year.  Charleston is doing a great job of setting the bar, and I think we can learn something from the expansion of their Race Week in less than a 5 year span especially during the downfall of the economy.  We may not be able to get the transient boats up and down the East Coast like they have, but what about Austin/Dallas/Ft. Worth/New Orleans??  I would think with the Melges 24 Worlds in Corpus next year this would spark some local interest, but it doesn't seem to as of yet.  Most if not all the boats from TX doing the warm up regatta next weekend in Corpus are from Dallas.  We need more guys like Jeff Jones who are enthusiastic about their boats and will go the extra mile to get more potential owners interested.  You can see by the entry list for the Shoe Regatta that his efforts are paying off.

Just my .02 cents and I know I don't have much of a leg to stand on since I haven't done much local racing.  The fact is I'd rather spend my limited amount of sailing time traveling to do the bigger events that this area lacks.