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Fun Day Feeder Race and
Green Island Race Weekend 2010
September 4 & 5, 2010
To: Lake Erie
Multihulls/GLMRA and All Interested Sailors
Fr: Deb Schaefer
Re: SSC Funday Feeder Race is a Blow Out! -
Race Recap
2010 PCYC Green Island Race and
Multihull Rendezvous - Race Recaps & Photos
Big Winds and Waves Give the Beachcat
Fleet a Run for the Trophies - Joe Buchert
MYIRA
- New Dog in Town: PCYC Green Island Race - Recap
George
C. O’Connell Fall Bay Regatta,
- NOR -September
25 & 26, 2010
Date: September 18, 2010
SSC Funday Feeder Race was a Blow
Out! Saturday, September 4, 2010
Even as I sent out my
invitation to GLMRA and LEM Members to join us at Sandusky Sailing Club for
the Funday Feeder Race. NOAA Weather Radio was predicting gale force winds for
the race on Saturday.
On Friday Night,
Registrar Kathy Clark, had already received regrets from sailors at NCYC who
could not get out of their slips due to the siege (low water) caused by the
westerly wind.
Saturday Morning: The format for the 14.6
nm Funday Feeder Race was a Pursuit Race. In a pursuit race, the lowest
rated boat starts first, followed by the next lowest rated boat, etc. Similar
to a one design race, in a pursuit race, the first boat to cross the finish
line is the winner! The first boat was scheduled to start at 10am. However,
the Race Committee called for 2 postponements due to the low water levels, and
boats stuck on the bottom.
Special Conditions called for
special measures: The RC parked a pick-up truck on the SSC pier head where
they sighted a line from the SSC turning mark at the entrance of the Sailing
Basin and a pin at the starboard end of the line. The first of the Rabbits, a
JAM Boat, started at 12 noon. There were 2 JAM Boats (Rabbits) and 5 PHRF
Boats (Hounds). There were no multihulls racing.
Bryan Huntley, skipper/owner of the
PHRF boat, Infrared, reports that his start was at 12:03:49. Bryan reports
that these were the most challenging conditions he had ever raced in....west
winds, 25-30 knots with 35 knot gusts, on the nose, with 6-9 foot waves. The
Tartan 10 chased down his prey to cross the Finish Line First. Schock and All
crossed second. Infra Red finished 12 seconds later to take third.."40
seconds out of First Place, after all that."
Saturday Preparations for Green Island Race
Saturday was a cold, miserable, gray day.
There were white caps on the river. I only counted 23 sailboats on the wall
at PCYC. Registration for the regatta was down. There were no multihulls on
the wall, yet. Frank Andrews was rigging his F-27F, Cuttlefish with the
assistance of Bryan and Dianna Thorpe. Big Storm was still tied up snug at
her dock. Harold Alber and Leo were still at SSC prepping Harold's new F-31R,
MYIRA for the delivery in the morning.
The Multihullers gathered at Port Clinton
Yacht Club for their famous Chicken BBQ Dinner....so good.
Then we all pitched in to get Frank's boat
rigged and ready before dark. Dianna and I set up a sewing bee in the PCYC
Rec Rome to sew up Frank's Jib. Frank primed the pump with our favorite
cocktails. The men folk kept us company. We missed out on the great
entertainment on the patio, but the feeling of camaraderie was well worth the
sacrifice and the buzz.
Harold Alber and Leo rolled in about
11:30pm. They reported heavy a breeze and a torn jib for their boat
delivery.
Green Island
Race Recap - Big Winds and Waves Give the Beach Cats a Run for the
Trophies!! by Joe Buchert, Hobie 16 sailor
It was the best wind we've had at the Green Island Race since 2006.
We are used to barely making the start, due to lack of wind. The norm has
been for the beach cat sailors to paddle out to the start line or catch
a tow. It was not the case this year. The wind was blowing directly
offshore in what felt like a 10mph breeze. We were able to sail downwind to
the start line from the PCYC beach in a single tack.
The Course was a 17.5nm triangle formed by the
Start/Finish Line adjacent to the Port Clinton Pier head, Green Island and
"D" Can on the outer edge of the Camp Perry Firing Range. The Race
Committee flew a Red flag which indicated that marks would be left to port.
This meant Green Island was to be rounded first and left to port.
There were 6 beach cats registered, but only 4 boats started at
9:20am....3 Hobie 16's and Skip Kaub's ARC 22. The ARC started just behind
us.
The majority of the downwind leg would be sailed on port tack with a
short hitch on starboard before rounding the Island. We chose to start
on port tack and head out into the lake first then jibe onto starboard. My
brother Charlie, also sailing on a Hobie 16, sailed about half way up the
first leg and then jibe onto starboard. He ended up jibing back onto port
too soon and met back up with us on starboard before rounding the Green
Island turning mark. The ARC 22 beat us both to the mark, but the three of
us where within seconds of each other as we rounded the mark. The other
Hobie 16 sailed by Derek Kizym and daughter, were a few minutes behind us..
We had a beat from Green Island to "D" can. The wind got gusty on
the lee side of Green Island. So the three of us sailed on out a ways
before tacking onto starboard. Charlie was single-handed, trapped out and
sailing a bit higher than us (us = my wife Kelly and I) but we were going
much faster and making our weight work for us. The ARC 22 was staying just
ahead of both of us. We took a few more hitches in to the rhumb line. The
three of us were about an hour and a half into the race, when I turned my
head back to see my brother going over.
Just before Charlie capsized, Kelly and I felt like we were keeping
up with the ARC 22 and pulling away from Charlie. People who know my wife
know how competitive she is, so when she saw him go over, she smiled and
said, "We got him." But, we had to let the ARC 22 go. We circled back to
check on Charlie. We made one pass to make sure he was okay and then we sat
and watched for a few minutes. The wind was definitely strong enough to
help Charlie right the Hobie by himself, but the waves made things more
difficult. So we passed by a couple more times, then Kelly jumped in the
water to lend assistance. After a couple tries, Charlie and Kelly righted
the boat. Kelly jumped back in the water and I sailed over to pick her up.
Wow, she really trusts me.....joke.
During the capsize, Charlie had lost his GPS and was now destined to
follow our lead. By this time the ARC 22 had sailed out of sight and the
big mono's behind us had made up lots of ground. Derek was no where to be
seen. A quick look at the GPS and we still had 3 miles to "D" can. Kelly
and I continued to pull away from Charlie as we made several more tacks
before turning "D" can. Conditions on this leg were mostly single trap:
with me on the wire and Kelly hiked out, or Kelly in middle of boat and me
on the wire, but scrunched in close.
After rounding "D" can, it was 6.9 miles to the finish line . The
conditions were much the same, but this time it was a straight shot. We
sailed on starboard tack all the way to the finish. We put some distance on
Charlie but never did see the ARC 22 until we were back at the beach. We
later found out that Derek's jib halyard failed somewhere near Green Island
and they had to be towed back in.
It was a great weekend made possible by PCYC and especially Kathy
Clark, Doug Young and Deb Schaefer. Thanks for the pics Gloria Denos. See
you next year.
Joe Buchert
Green Island Race
Recap - MYIRA - The New Dog in Town!!
I wanted to
catch the 9:20 am Beach Cat start on film, but we were off the dock too late
and the starting area was some distance from shore. Skip Kaub brought his
ARC 22 all the way from Indianapolis, IN on pure faith that the strong
westerly winds would die down a bit for the long distance race on Sunday, and
it did. We had a 10-15 knot southwesterly for the 17.5nm course. Three Hobie
16's showed up Sunday AM to race. They were well away when we arrived at the
starting area. RC Flags indicated marks to port. The Offshore Multihulls had
the last start at 10:00am. The PHRF Fleets before us popped their chutes and
simply sailed the rhumb line directly at Green Island.
On board Big
Storm, Jim's strategy at the start was to sail upwind, away from the start
line at 2 minutes to the start, then turn back downwind at 1 minute to go,
and pop the chute after the start. This plan didn't work. The sail back to
the line was too slow. We tried to pop the chute sooner, but when Jim heated
it up for boat speed, the chute wrapped itself around the side stay making it
impossible to launch.
Meanwhile, Harold Albert and Team
MYIRA had a clear start ahead at 10:00.15 .
We crossed the line 15 seconds later. Frank Andrew's F-27F, Cuttlefish was
only seconds behind us. MYIRA led the way on port tack. Team MYIRA had some
problems unfurling the Code Zero Spinnaker, but once unfurled, the Code 0 did
the job for the F-31R. Although Team Cuttlefish did not fly a chute, they
were able to keep up with us sailing under main and screacher alone. This was
a bit disconcerting to us.
Big Storm was the first multihull
to jibe in the widely oscillating breeze. We picked up 2 knots boat speed in
doing so, shook off the F-27F, Cuttlefish.
MYIRA banged the left hand corner
before jibing and crossing the PHRF A Fleet. Harold gave Green Island and the
Monohull fleet a wide berth on his approach to the turning mark. At 10:45am,
Team MYIRA trimmed in at the mark, sailing the outside of the pinwheel and
forced to sail the greater distance on the beat to "D" Can.
On board Big Storm, we gained on
the monohulls ahead and gained an overlap on Russell Krock's Schock 35, Shock
and All, shortly before the turning mark. At 10:52am, we doused our chute,
and rounded the turning mark just outside. The monohulls were able to
out-point us on the beat to "D" Can, but we had a clear air stream inside
MYIRA's track. The
F-31R seemed to be slogging along
with their borrowed jib. Even in the 3 foot wave, we were making 7- 8 knots
boat speed and over taking monohulls enroute to the mark. We seemed to be
gaining on MYIRA too.
Harold Alber tacked early
onto starboard. We waited for a favorable shift, and found ourselves tacking
with the rest of the fleet. We took one more hitch right on port tack. Jim
and Chris Davis just barely crossed us on their PHRF B Boat, Orange Crate. We
left a margin for error when we tacked on the layline for "D" Can. We had a
clear air lane to the Mark until Chris Merkle tacked his PHRF A boat, Moisture
Missile, just above us and Bryan Huntley tacked his PHRF D boat, Infra Red,
just below us and was pinching like crazy to make the mark. We were in a big
squeeze. Meanwhile, Orange Crate crossed behind us and they tacked for the
mark. We were surrounded!
Infra Red continued to out-point
us. We were getting nowhere in their bad air. As soon as we cleared the
mark, Jim quickly bore off behind them and footed off for 8-10 knots boat
speed, leaving them in our wake. The monohulls stayed high, leaving us a
clear air lane all the way back to Port Clinton. Mean while, MYIRA was
getting away from us. We would soon know why...15 minutes into the last leg,
the wind was building to 18 knots. We accelerated in the gusts from 10knots
to 14.7 knots. Jim feathered up to weather to keep Big Storm under control,
but this was not enough. Jim traveled out to keep Big Storm on course. Each
gust put more distance between Big Storm and the monohulls behind.
We guestimated that MYIRA had
already finished at 12:12:59. Our goal on Big Storm, was to cross the finish
by 12:28PM and thus save our time on the F-31R. As we approached the shore,
the breeze began to shift aft from southwest to west. Some of the monohulls
tried to carry their chutes for the last half mile, but they couldn't carry
them very well. We cracked off on the jib and main....there was still too much
breeze to carry the screacher.
Suddenly, the breeze dropped off from 10 knots to 8 knots,
making it a closer race between Big Storm and MYIRA. The RC end of the finish
line was favored. My watch said 12:25:58 at the whistle. We were confident
that we had saved our time.
Meanwhile, Team Cuttlefish persevered. This was a
shake down race for the boat which hadn't been sailed in 2 years. The F-27F
was the last boat around "D" Can, but Team Cuttlefish got some degree of
satisfaction when they passed 5 or more monohulls on the last leg. As it
turns out, MYIRA passed the entire fleet to Finish First Overall at
12:13:16pm. The PHRF A Boat, JEB 3, owned and driven by Park McRitchie was
next to finish at 12:24:24. Big Storm crossed the finish line 7th Overall at
12:26:31.
The only
thing left to do was Eat, Drink and Be Merry!
Multihull Picnic at PCYC
I
started the charcoal and cooked the brats. Harold's ground crew, Barb
Morrisey donated two pitchers of beer and Frank Andrews donated 2 pitchers of Bloody
Mary's. As in the story of about Stone Soup, everybody contributed
something to the feast. Alcohol greased the wheels as we shared tales of
glory and whoa. Good company, good food, and good
weather....what could be better? Good Brownies!
PCYC Green Island Race Trophy Presentation -
Flags, and More Flags, Everywhere!
Port Clinton Yacht Club awarded special Green Island Race Flags
3 deep in each fleet and a 50th
Year Anniversary Commemorative Bar Towel.
Awards for the Beachcats
Joe
Buchert was awarded First Place for the Green Island Distance
Race based on Portsmouth Handicapping.
Charles Buchert was awarded a Second Place.
Paul (Skip) Kaub was awarded
a Third Place Flag for his finish in the Green Island Distance Race. Skip
was also awarded Lake Erie Multihulls Flag for First to Finish
Beach cat.
Awards for the Offshore Multihulls
In the Offshore Multihulls, it was Team Big
Storm, skippered by Jim Frederick and crewed by
Deb Schaefer and Marvin Lampi, was
awarded a First Place Flag for a corrected time of
2:15:58. Team MYIRA, with skipper Harold Alber, and
crew Leo_____, and Matt Morrisey, who won the Second Place Flag with a
corrected time of 2:19:24.9. MYIRA was also awarded
the Lake Erie Multihulls Flag for First to Finish
Multihull....Watch out Mighty Quinn...There's a new dog in town!!
Cuttlefish, skippered by Frank Andrew and crewed
by Brian and Dianna Thorpe was awarded Third
Place for a corrected time of 2:46:09.7
Back at the Multihull Camp, Frank Andrews brought out 2 more
pitchers filled to the brim with creamy frozen Brandy Alexander's giving
all who imbibed a good case of brain freeze.
Light Show on the River
Many of the racers, including Harold and
Leo, used the favorable westerly breeze to sail home to points east. Some of
us hung out at PCYC for another night on the wall. The breeze settled down
about dark. Brian, Di and Marvin, joined us on the trampoline to enjoy view
of the constantly changing lights reflecting on the Portage River. We also
enjoyed the Polka Music accompaniment of the Festival Downtown. The light
show was mesmerizing....a nice end to the day.
30th George C.
O’Connell Fall Bay Regatta
Sponsored by North Cape Yacht Club
September 25 & 26, 2010
Note: The Dates
Have flip-flopped!
I repeat: Next to Bay Week, the
Fall Bay Regatta is my most favorite
regatta of the year.... this is one regatta Jim and I try not to miss!!
The Lake Erie Bass Islands are the
perfect setting for this end of the season, three race series which is
scheduled back to back with the PCYC’s Snow Flurries.
The Fall Bay Regatta always has great wind.... sometimes, too
much wind, which may necessitate some postponements. That’s why
Put-in-Bay serves as the ideal location for the pre-race, post-race, and
no-race partying.
AND GET THIS! Put-in-Bay will be
holding their Annual PIBFD Island Style
Clam Bake and 5K Run/Walk on
Saturday!
.
Registration: The Boat House
will serve as Race Headquarters
for this most informal of regattas. The fearsome twosome; Ken
Kania, Jr. (Yoda) and Jeff O'Connell will man
registration Friday night (7-9pm) For
$95, you get 3 races, 2 nights dockage, trophies and
flags! Pre-registration is recommended!!!
COURSES: The RC will set a variety
of courses... triangle courses, using the natural landmarks, North
Bass Buoy, Middle Bass Island Buoy G"1", Rattlesnake
Island and Green Island, and windward-leewards.
Bob Johnson,
Deb Schaefer,
John Borman and
Jim Frederick
accept the George and Grace Borman Memorial Trophy
in 2002.
The Multihulls have a perpetual
trophy....the George and Grace Borman Memorial Trophy for
First Overall. Team Alacrity won the Borman Cup in
2009....See the PICs. The Bad Boys on the C31-UC, Trippple Threat
redeemed themselves by winning it in 2006, 2007 & 2008. Team Big Storm won
it 2004 and 2005. Brian Thorpe won it in 2003
on his Native Newick, Alacrity...beating us boat for boat!!! Jim
Frederick and Team Big Storm
won it in 2002, clinching the WESail Series
Multihull Championship that year. Scott Kibler
won it the year before on the Stiletto 30, BattleCat.
Kevin Cody won it in 2001 on his
Stiletto 30, Rampage. Jim and I won the perpetual
trophy and the series in 2000 on our F-24,
Summer Storm. Mark Scarpelli won it the first year on his
super fast Stiletto 27, Force Ten....who will be
next?
This is a great deal, even if you just come
to party with no intention of racing!! We can help you get crew
or we can get you on a boat! We also have the ability to assign
PHRF Handicap Numbers on site to those of you who have never
raced with us before.
One October day, some years
ago, the yachting community lost a blithe spirit, a dedicated sailor and a
staunch supporter of our sport. Let's not forget all the good times
George O'Connell gave us
over the years; as a competitor out on the water, as co-conspirator of the
Fall Bay Regatta, as a improvisational harmonica player at the Round
House, and as an officer of I-LYA. Towards this purpose, the PIB Fall
Bay Regatta has been renamed and the O'Connell Family has dedicated a new
hand-carved trophy in George's name. Here's to George !!!
30th George C.
O’Connell Fall Bay Regatta
September
25 & 26, 2010
*** 3 Races
*** 2 Night’s Dockage
*** Trophies & Flags
*** 5K Run for ground crew
***
Annual Island Style Clam Bake
*** Great Wind (Usually)
*** Sailing
Amongst the Scenic Lake Erie Islands
*** Dancing and Other Tom
Foolery at Your Favorite PIB Watering Holes!!!!!!
Headquarters at “The Boat House”
Friday: 1900 hrs - 2100 hrs Open
Registration/ Pick up Sailing Instructions
Saturday: 1030
hrs Two Races Back to Back
Sunday: TBA Race Three
TBA Awards
It’s
just a short sail from PCYC to PIB on Friday Night!
The Multihulls will be
awarded a perpetual trophy.... the George and Grace
Borman Memorial Trophy for First Place Multihull Overall for
the Regatta. Get your photo taken drinking
from the Cup!
Fall Bay
will be a counter and the culmination of the Gary
Hall Series for the Multihull
Championship. Winner of the Championship Series will be awarded
the Gary Hall Series Flag. Mighty
Quinn and Big Storm are neck and neck for the
series. Questions? Do you Need crew?
Do you want to crew? Call Deborah K. Schaefer @ H 419-635-269.
For more information, contact: Ken Kania, Jr.:
419-265-3097 e-mail:
yodaboy1216@yahoo.com
Jeff O'Connell: 419-265-0416 e-mail:
Jeff.O'Connell@ProMedica.org
Why not do both Regattas? Fall Bay and Snow Flurries!! Each
regatta is a three race series! You will get more racing in two weekends
than you had all summer! Great Parties too! Keep your boat at PCYC between
Regattas.
We stay on our boat, but check the
Put-in-Bay website if you need housing. Call the PIB Chamber of Commerce
for vacancies: 419-285-2832
PS: Try to remember to bring
your PHRF Handicap Certificates: GLMRA or LEM
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