Gulf Coast Sailing Club

THE NEXT CLUB MEETING Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009 6:30 Skippers/Crew Mixer - - 7 Meeting Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club Map to Hamilton Harbor

Upcoming Events AVOW HOSPICE REGATTA JAN. 31, 2009 FULL DETAILS HERE Gals' Challenge Cup Participate in this program either as crew or boat: Lisa Brice @GulfCoastSailingClub.org Spin B Revival Association Crewing -- or have a boat looking to work with spinnaker? JasonRichards @GulfCoastSailingClub.org SWFL Fall/Winter/Spring 2008/2009 Schedule 'Our Own' SW-FL GCSC 33nd Annual Regatta & Porsche of Naples Cup March 28/29, 2009 Be Crew // Get Crew Cruising // Racing // Day Sail CrewControl2008@GulfCoastSailingClub.org OR ...Do a classified ad

Race Report from GCSC's Rear Commodore Jason Richards on his Annapolis to Bermuda race [Sponsors The Eastport Yacht Club and the St. George's Dinghy and Sports Club have structured this race to provide a combination of inshore and offshore racing. This includes piloting through the 125 miles of Chesapeake Bay coastal waters and navigation of the 628 mile offshore leg.] [[ Click here to See THE RACE! ]]       The NOAA guy said North at 5 kts for the start. My cousin Paul and I made faces at each other and said yea right. NOAA does not take into consideration the sea breeze that always fills in from the south straight up the Chesapeake bay. At the start it was blowing 10 to 15 kts from the south. This was going to be a long beat.        It was fun watching the Navy 44's trade tacks down the bay as we tried to keep them behind us for as long as we could. We finally went over the tunnel about 20 hrs from the start. We made the turn towards Bermuda and the sea breeze had also turned SSE making it a close hauled reach SW in 20 kts.       Off shore about 6 nm the breeze was laying down and shifting SW. The asymmetrical kite went up and we were off. We were averaging 8+ kts and surfing at 11 kts, this was the sailing we were hoping for. A last check of the gulf stream did not seem to give us reason to leave the rum line so the shortest distance made the most sense.       Somewhere in the middle we made good use of our Garmin XM real time weather which was displaying in full color reds and yellows fast approaching from the stern. Once the storms were visible the the reds and yellows on the Garmin showed up as dark gray in real life.       As we watched the approaching clouds funnels appeared and we followed Paul's offshore motto (reef often and early) with a storm jib. Only one funnel reached the sea and we all hoped the boats behind would be OK. The water spouts slid to the north and we were clear for full sails.        As Bermuda got closer other boats began to appear on the horizon. We were making time on those in front. There is nothing that gets you back to race mode like seeing boats after 600 nm into a race. Between boats on the horizon and Bermuda harbor radio clear on VHF the excitement of a dark-n-stormy at the bar was setting in. But there will be one final race to the finish line.        A cruise ship was approaching from the stern. We all looked at each other and started to discuss if we could make it in front. The finish line was the channel and there was only room for one. The rules of tonnage applied and we let her pass costing us a few minutes on our time.       We finished about mid fleet overall and with any race the experience will help us do better next time. I have done both the Newport and Annapolis to Bermuda races and prefer the Annapolis race, even with its smaller numbers the race is more laid back and the St. George's Dinghy Club is less formal and more inviting.       The drinks at the club are half price compared to the rest of the island. This makes them the same as in the US. We are pretty spoiled here in Naples. Jason

2009 Yearly Membership Dues ... now due! (2009 Membership Application ... click here) Questions? Membership2009@GulfCoastSailingClub.org