Skipper’s Meeting
March 17, 2012
The following was discussed and decided upon for the up and coming sailing season.
It was decided that we would continue to use PHRF ratings. Our races will continue to be non-spin only, but this year the PHRF ratings will include both spin and non-spin. This should standardize the ratings between Barnacle Cup and MPSA.
Race times will remain the same (1200 Noon) on the second and fourth Saturday’s of the month. Some of these races may be moved to race with MPSA and the NNSA. In these races for the purposes of the end of the year awards the results will only include those boats who participate in Barnacle Cup events.
It was decided that in order to qualify for the end of season trophies the boats must complete a minimum of 50% of all races. The lowest 30% will be dropped. All boats who wish to be legible for a trophy must also have paid the $50.00 dues.
It was decided that the Leonardtown Regatta should be held in conjunction with an event in the town itself, if possible, so the date is still undecided.
If the Potomac River Yacht Racing Association restarts again that the Barnacle Cup Sailors should be members.
The Month of July has contained a few surprises as well as a few disappointments. Evergreen with Bob at the helm did very well in the NNSA July Scramble placing 1st and 3rd in the two races with an overall 2nd place for the event. (I like to think that the crew Dave and Terry were the main reason.)
The disappointment came this past Saturday when no wind and a lot of heat combined to kill the scheduled HI race. Orginally set to began at 1300 it was pushed back to 1700 hrs in hopes that th wind would pick up. This did not happen although there was a few puffs just after the start it was just a tease.
The three boats Ramble On, Evergreen, and Corvina just prior to the race became involved in a running battle, with water cannons. We had to do something to pass the time while waiting for the wind. It was an interesting moment to say the lest the sad part was that within 5 minutes everyone (at lest on Corvina) had dried out. It was decided that "Fleet" should go to dinner at Morris Point on Conoe Neck Creek where all crews were decidedly happy with the fare.
May August bring cooler weather and fair winds.
Minutes of the 5 Dec 10 Dinner Meeting
Guests:
Dwight and Ralph from the MPSA
Awards and review of the 2010 season
Overall 1st place Ten Ounce John McKinney Skipper, 2nd place Ramble On Buzz Ballard Skipper, 3rd place Evergreen Bob Donaldson Skipper, Most improved Corvina Shawn Moore Midshipman.
CBYRA Membership
It was thought that it was impractical to join as a club and that it would serve everyone better if the members joined as individuals.
Dues
It was decided that $25.00 a boat would be levied in order to pay for Trophies needed during the year, as well as the end of year standings. The payment of dues or lack of will not keep any vessel from joining in a BCR race. However failure to pay may result in a trophy not being awarded. Shawn was voted in to act as CFO until some who can count is found. All monies checks etc should be sent to him. (US Currency is preferred)
Name Change
It was decided that a name change was not needed at this time.
2011 Sailing Season
All present thought that twice monthly was a good schedule and should be continued. It was further discussed and agreed upon that the BCR should find ways to participate in races with MPSA and NNSA. Per Dwight the MPSA usually has their races on the second Saturday of the month. Dwight thought that if the BCR race course could be moved North a little that the MPSA should be able to travel a little to race with BCR on occasion. John seconds this and thought that it should be easy to set a course up.
The NNSA last year seemed to have its races on the fourth Saturday of the month so it may be possible to do the same with them, if the course is moved South a little. Rick suggested using the buoys near Herring Ck and Piney Point for this. Rick also stated that the College could loan out some marks to the BCR to use if needed.
The topic of a joint race between the BCR, MPSA and NNSA was discussed and it seems that it is a possibility but a date and course would have to be worked out. Shawn is to contact the other clubs in order to obtain an agreed upon date for the race, possibly during the last part of May.
Also it was thought that an overnight trip without time limits would be better than a race. Crisfield and Tangier Island are the possible designations. Bob will be polling the membership to find a time that will have most of the BCR Fleet (and anyone else) in on this trip.
John and Buzz are to set up possible race courses for the next year to include areas near Piney Point and St. Catharine’s Island.
Scoring Issues:
Everyone was in agreement that the low point system was the best and that it should be kept. Bob pointed out that he had come across a method to figure out PHRF ratings and that we should consider using it. More discussion is needed. Dwight suggested that we should switch to Java sail rather than use Race sail as it is a lot easier to use.
It was also decided that boats using spinnakers would lose 15 sec per mile off their ratings to even things out.
It was decided as well that in order to be legible for an end of season award a boat needs to be in 70% of the races held. Further each boat will be allowed to drop its 5 worse finishes or non finishes (30%).
A note from Bob on the scoring system: I installed JavaScore and entered all this seasons races into it. It does have a better output and is easier to use, but there are still some of the same problems that I had with RaceSail.
In order to have a running tally for Season Standing I have to set up the season as a regatta so each race is scored individually and totaled for the season. This means that any boat entered in a single race will show up on every race, even if they are not participating. This would be ok for just Barnacle Cup sailors but when we enter other regattas such as NNSA and MPSA, the number of boats participating shyrockets. If they are all entered, then the list of boats for every race will be around 20, even it the actual race only has 4 boats. Last year I dealt with this problem by not entering the non-bcr boats into the system, therefore eliminating the clutter in the overall standings. Not sure how to deal with this next year. Maybe I am not setting it up right. I will contact the owner of JavaScore to see if I am doing something wrong.
Next Meeting: Fitzies in March with a Skippers meeting in April.
Hi Guys
List below are what I hope to work on this Spring. Let me know if I miss some or need to drop some.
1 Paint Corvina's bottom with an ablative paint (Interlux) and paint the prop with a zinc base paint.
2 Repack stuffing box
3 Replace top stripe with new navy blue.
4 Wash and wax Corvina's hull. (this I think needs to be #1)
Anything else that needs to be done on land?
Shawn
S/V Corvina
The problem rest with the skipper as Tom pointed out. The sticking point will be how far is each skipper willing to go to train his/hers crew.
Doing man overboard drills is a good start. Maybe trading off positions/duties would be the next step. Also if there are videos about safety afloat could been sent to the crew etc.
The bottom line doing something is far better then nothing.
Shawn
Bob,
I share your thoughts on recent events, and the grim reminder that sail racing can be an inherently dangerous activity. I'm fortunate to have a core crew of former club racers that I still sail with Tuesday nights on another boat. We all are qualified bareboat skippers with night/heavy weather sailing experience (PFD's, harnesses, tethers and jacklines are second nature at night and heavy weather.) That said they still tag along for the occasional training session I can locate to go over trim/tactics, safety etc. We as skippers have to make up for that missing club Winter Training Program that can mitigate some of the hazards we can face on the water. US Sail and others have some great resources out there. (We popped in an interactive CD on sail trim and it kept us engaged for most of one whole day) Let me know if we can help.
Tom C
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This past weekend a 37' racer on the West Coast went down apparently taking her 4 person crew with her. Two weeks prior to this also on the West Coast (further up) got slammed by big waves and the crew were wash overboard. I believe three died in that incident. Now while we usually do not race at night except for the Gov Cup (which I might mention that Bob Donaldson got hurt when his boat Evergreen came down hard off of a wave during the last one) we too can become victims.
If possible maybe everyone could list what they do for safety procedures, so that we can build a safety check list or guideline to follow. I know PHRF has a set list but remember the guys on West Coast had them as well. Things like how bad does the weather have to be to cancel a race or a trip, when to the PFDs get put on, etc.
Opinions?
We have push the Regatta back to 1 Oct 11. I need help in designing the flyer and passing it out. We are also thinking about shortening the course so that it will end at Fitzies (Dinner!), then everyone can go out and see the fireworks at the Blessing of the Fleet. Also a committe boat will be needed. So if you have any suggestions please let them be known as we need to get the word out..
Many Thanks
Shawn
S/V Corvina
Time grows short. However we have three events going on in July for everyone to take pictures; HI race 9 July, NNSA Race Port Kinsale 16 July, HI race 23 July. Hope to see everyone at lest one of these events.
Shawn
S/V Corvina
Ron,
Corvina is available to you to crew on but I can not make the first race. But there will be others.
Shawn
I am a new member and owner of a sailboat docked at Colton's Point. I have completed ASA 101 & 103 courses, but don't feel confident enough to enter my boat in races at this time. If any Captain is in need of crew for the Barnacle Cup races, I am willing and able to help out in any way to gain some more racing experience. If you are interested, I live in Mechanicsville, Md. and can be contacted by email: ron@capitolareatesting.com
Burgee is available to purchase from Buzz Ballard for $20. Send Buzz a message through the site.