Kick off August with the RC Laser fleet by coming out to sail in the 5th Annual Squaw Island Offshore Race next weekend.

This 2-mile race requires skippers to sail their radio controlled sailboat up the lake to a mark at Squaw Island and then back to a finish line at the club. It was one of the more fun but challenging sailing events we have held the past three years.

Registration can be done online or can be handled Saturday starting at 1pm at the concrete dock on the CYC waterfront. Skippers will need to figure out their mode of transportation on the water to follow their boats up the course and back. We are getting close to the event, so if you need a ride and don’t have one, please let us know asap and we’ll do our best to find you a chauffeur.

If you have a powerboat and would be willing to take spectators or skippers for a ride on Saturday afternoon, please show up at 1:30 to be paired with a sailor.

Our Race Director, (TBD) will hold a skipper’s meeting at 1:45 pm.

Racing will begin shortly thereafter with an on-the-water start this year with a line set somewhere in the vicinity of the south end of the mooring field. We’ll attempt to have a start line set so that we have a windward start and so that onlookers from shore will get a good view. The finish line will  be crossing the start line  in the opposite direction from the start.

• Notice of Race
• Sailing Instructions
• Online Registration
• 2013 Results (2014 cancelled due to lake power boat restrictions)
• 2013 Squaw Island Pictures

We will have a cookout following the race. The fleet will provide meat and rolls but you can bring beverages, sides, salads or deserts to share. We should be finished in plenty of time to allow CYC members wishing to attend the wine tasting at the clubhouse later in the evening to make it there on time.

Prizes for this year’s race will be:

First Place:

Your own Georgia Peach Mango

Plus

Second Place:

Third Place:

Big bucks are at stake again      So don’t miss it

We held 8 races on Sunday afternoon and it was Jonathan Gorbold who shined.  He had 5 wins, 2 seconds, and 1 third which bolted him to the front with a low point score of 59.  Terry Schmidt is only 2 boats back with a 61, and then it is a three way tie between Anne Lambert, Bill Schmidt, and Gary Schmidt all with a low point score of 66.  There are only two weeks left in the spring series so it is time to sharpen your skills and focus on winning if you want to stay in the top three.

There will be RC racing this Sunday 4-6 pm off the south dock at CYC.  We will then finish the series on Sunday June 1st.

Memorial Day weekend we will be holding our 4th annual Squaw Island race and cookout on Saturday May 24th.  (There will be NO RC RACING ON SUNDAY MAY 25th). The cookout is open to all that would like to attend.  Please drop me a note if you are planning on attending the cookout but not racing at Nelson@rcsailors.com so that we have enough food to go around.

See you on the water!

NOTICE OF RACE

Canandaigua, New York RC Laser Fleet 14

5th Annual Squaw Island Race

August 01, 2015

Rules: The regatta shall be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing as amended by Appendix E for RC sailing, prescriptions of US Sailing, class rules of the RC Laser Class of North America and further Sailing Instructions as mandated by the Race Director (RD) who also has the authority during the course of the event to make changes which will be announced to the competitors.

Eligibility: The regatta is open to all RC Lasers conforming to RC Laser Class Rules.

Race Director: TBD

Race Summary:

• Boats will be out of the water during the Skippers Meeting.
• The starting line will be set between two markers just offshore from the concrete dock at the south end of the waterfront at the Canandaigua Yacht Club.
• The south concrete dock is also designated as the finish dock.
• At the start, skippers will sail their RC Lasers across the starting line in the proper direction and then sail a course that is roughly north on Canandaigua Lake towards Squaw Island, about 1 mile away.
• Skippers in chase boats will follow their RC Laser and navigate their racing boats to a turn mark south of Squaw Island, located at approximately Lat/Long N42.869918, W077.275702, keeping the turn mark to port as the boats round and then sail back to the yacht club.
• Boats will finish when the skipper has successfully crossed the starting line in the opposite direction from the start.

Schedule:

• Online Registration
• 1:00 – 1:45          Boat set-up and practice sailing
• 1:45                      Skippers Meeting (All boats must be out of the water.)
• 1:58 PM               Two-minute audible countdown timer begins
• 2:00 PM              Start
• ~ 5:00 PM          Dock party begins with first finishing boat
• ~ 6:00 PM          Awards presented after all boats return

Location: Canandaigua Yacht Club (CYC), 3524 West Lake Road, Canandaigua, NY 14424

Entry: Eligible boats may be entered by submitting the registration form online and paying an entry fee of $15.00 boat.

Scoring: The race will be scored under the Low Point System described in The Racing Rules of Sailing Appendix A and the event will consist of only one race.

Prizes: A prize will be awarded to the skipper who completes the course in the fastest time. A dock party will follow racing for all skippers and crew.

Contact: Nelson Habecker at rcsailors@gmail.com or 585-201-0514 if you need us to find a chase boat and driver or for any other information.

There was plenty of wind for the RC’s this past Sunday.  The puffs were very big and visible.  Most conceded to a C sail but I was convinced that the B sail would be best if I could keep it up downwind.  Well the answer to that was no.  I was able to pull off one win but most of the time when approaching the leeward mark my boat wanted to check for fish.   Gary Schmidt had an opportunity for a win but lost it when a puff came in and caused his boat to head up and miss the finish line. He appropriately renamed his boat “STUPID RED BOAT” at that moment .  Jay Niggli came late (after a nap)  to pull out two wins, Jack Bennett with two, Terry Schmidt with one and Jonathan Gorbold with one.  With no dominance throughout the day the standing have little changed.  Click “RESULTS” for all the scores.

With our races being at the end of J-DAZES  we were able to lure in Travis Odenbach, Mike Ingam, and even one of the Japanese sailors to give the RC’s a try themselves.  Not surprisingly all of them would be a challenge to beat on a regular basis.

Next week (Mother’s Day) we will once again be racing from 4-6 pm at the south dock CYC.  Because it is Mother’s Day the club will just be serving a brunch from 11-7 pm. Many of us have decided to go to the brunch at 2pm instead of a meal after racing.  If anyone else is interested in joining us please let me know so I can make a reservation for us all at one table.  eal1667@gmail.com

I am also making plans for our 4th annual Squaw Island Regatta which is not so far away (Saturday May 24th, 2pm start).  I will have more information shortly but don’t wait to start making your plans.

See you on the water.

The Admiral

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Canandaigua, New York RC Laser Fleet 14

4th Annual Squaw Island Race

May 24, 2014

Rules: The regatta shall be governed by the rules as defined in the current Racing Rules of Sailing, as amended by Appendix E for RC sailing, prescriptions of US Sailing, class rules of the RC Laser Class of North America and further Sailing Instructions as mandated by the Race Director (RD) who also has the authority during the course of the event to make changes which will be announced to the competitors.

Eligibility: The regatta is open to all RC Lasers conforming to RC Laser Class Rules.

Entry: Eligible boats may be entered by submitting the online Entry Form prior to the start on May 24, 2014, with an entry fee of $15.00 per boat.

Location: Canandaigua Yacht Club (CYC), 3524 West Lake Road, Canandaigua, NY 14424

Race Course: The RD will announce the course at the skippers meeting. The Turn Mark will be in front of Squaw Island and RC Lasers will keep the mark to port as they round. The race will be from CYC to Squaw Island, around the turn mark, leaving it to port, and then back to CYC.

Start: The starting line  and finishing line will be two markers set just offshore from the south concrete dock and will be pointed out clearly at the Skipper’s Meeting. This changes Rule E3.7. A two-minute audible countdown sequence will be used and the goal is to begin the race promptly at 2 PM.

Finish: A boat is considered to have finished when the skipper crosses the start line in the opposite direction from the start.

Time Limit: The time limit will be 4 hours.  If the first boat has not finished within 4 hours of the start, the race will be abandoned and the party will begin. If a boat does finish within the time limit, all others will be allowed to finish but the party will still begin at 6 PM.

Shortened Course: After the starting signal the course may be shortened with 2 sounds or abandoned with 3 sounds without displaying flags. This changes Rule 32.

Sail Changes: Sails may not be changed during the race.

Outside Help: Rule E5.6 will not apply.

Launching and Re-launching: “Rule 45 is changed to (a) Boats scheduled to race in a heat may be launched, taken ashore or re-launched at any time during the race except between the preparatory and starting signals. (b) While ashore or at the water’s edge or on a chase boat, boats may be adjusted, drained of water or repaired; have entangled objects removed; or have batteries changed.” This changes E4.4. Also see “Chase Boat Rules” below.

Radio Communications: VHF radios are not required and will not be used to communicate changes to the sailing instructions. The RD will monitor VHF channel 9 as well as mobile phone number #585-729-6779.

Protests: It is the responsibility of a right-of-way (ROW) skipper to call a protest against a fouling boat. Please solve your disputes on the water. If there is a remaining protest after the race, see the RD immediately upon finishing.

Marks: You may touch the Turn Mark at Squaw Island. This changes Rule 31. The Squaw Island Turn Mark must be rounded to port. There may or may not will be a large orange inflatable buoy placed at approximately half the distance between CYC and Squaw Island. It is not a mark of the course and is only to be used for reference purposes and can be passed on either side. You can even run into the orange mark if you wish.

Retiring Boats: Boats retiring from the race shall notify the RD as soon as possible.

Scoring: The race will be scored under the Low Point System described in the Racing Rules of Sailing Appendix A and the event will consist of only one race.

Personal Flotation Devices: Rule E1.4 is changed to “When on board a rescue boat or chase boat, each competitor is responsible for wearing a personal flotation device adequate for the conditions.”

Chase Boat Rules:

1. All racing sailboats have the right of way over chase boats.
2. Chase boats shall not cause a wake that impedes or helps a racing boat.
3. Chase boats shall not cause a wind shadow which affects any racing boat.
4. Chase boats shall be completely stopped with the motor in neutral before hauling a race boat for any purpose and remain in that state until the sailboat is launched again.
5. When chase boats stop to haul, they must do so in a position that does not interfere with other racing boats.

Prizes: A prize will be awarded to the skipper who completes the course in the fastest time. Other positions awarded as we find things to give away.

Party: A cookout on the waterfront will follow racing for all skippers and crew. (There also is a wine tasting at the club that Saturday night.)

Our Race Director and PRO for the 2014 Squaw Island Race TBD.

##

Photo by Jay Niggli

Ten boats competed on a perfect A sail afternoon at Holiday Harbor.

We held 9 twice around windward leeward races in our 2 hour time slot and the ladies were dominant.

Anne Lambert finished with 3 firsts, 1 second, and 3 thirds for the afternoon followed by Terry Schmidt who had 2 firsts, 2 seconds, and 1 third.  The other 4 races had a different winner in each race.  Bill Schmidt, Neil Atkins, Gary Schmidt and Jack Bennett all with a victory. The final race of the afternoon had three boats finishing in a virtual tie for second.  If we all were not racing we might have gotten a photo.  Click “RESULTS” for all the scores and standings.  And if you wish to see burning of the socks photos or updated photos of racing visit our “PHOTOS” link.

Time to Unwind

Following racing we all retired inside for Anne’s chili, Maggie’s bread, and desserts made by Glennis Habecker.  All were excellent and not a soul went home hungry.

Next week (Sunday, May 4th) we will move to our summer sail location and race time.  The new hours will be 4-6 pm on the south dock CYC.

Till next week!!!

It was a warm afternoon with temps in the high 70’s and no rain.  At times the wind was light with the boats hardly moving at all and then you could see the gusts moving over the water to help the boats take flight.

Nine boats competed in this year’s annual walk about.

The entries were:

• Jack Bennett  #005
• Jonathen Gorbold #62
• Nelson Habecker  #54
• Dick Hallagan  #74
• Anne Lambert  #272
• Jay Niggli  #81
• Bill Schmidt  #88
• Gary Schmidt  #59
• Terry Schmidt  #71

The first race of .8 miles was won by Jonathan #62 after a dual with Nelson #54 and Jay #81 for much of the whole race.  The finishing times for the first 3 boats were 37.5 min., 37.9min., and 38.4 min. respectively.  The race back found many of us struggling with the last channel and positions changing frequently except for Jonathan who once again showed to be unbeatable.  It was Jonathan #62 first, Jay #81 moving through the channel to take second, and Gary #59 rounding out the top 3.  Go to  racing results for all the scores.

Racing continued with a few “windy leews” and then on to Anne’s Easter ham and all the fixens added by all to end a great day on the boardwalk.

More Photos

There will be NO RACING EASTER SUNDAY.  The next time we will race will be on Sunday April 27th at either Holiday Harbor or the south dock CYC (whichever seems better).  TBD

Finally the boats hit the water!!!!

We had some surprise visitors and some new roles required:
Nels – Fleet captain took the newly donated dingy out to sea to clear away the islands of ice… with some good visualization we looked at the bergs as tho they were islands in the Caribbean that Neil recently returned from  … so he helped us maintain our bearings from island to island.  Matthew was our talented score keeper for the day.

Dave Kaye was a welcomed visitor – we loaned him a spare boat we had available – watch out he caught on very quickly.. Thank Gosh his cell kept ringing or we all would be in last place!
An amazing day on Cdga Lake as icer bergs gloated closer and closer some Ochos was starting to sink ….long enough so some of us were singing the theme song to titanic…but with that the boat developed wings… and it was (kind of) clear sailing from there for most…. Except Jack who took a berg on dead center and hit it like he would hit one of us.

He too took it on the stern and sailed on.

With all the frozen obstacles around us we managed to get in 8 races before the winds vanished.  All then retired to Holiday Harbor to deice.

Planning Ahead for Next week:
Pre Easter Feast and Walk About Race

423 Holiday Harbor  Canandaigua, NY 14424

2 – 4 pm racing with food and wine to follow:

Menu: Ham/ scalloped potatoes will be served

We welcome the following if you are so inclined: Rolls, appetizers, desserts.  Please e-mail The Admiral at eal1667@gmail.com so we can organize.

See you on the water.

The Admiral

Canandaigua Lake in late March

It has been the winter that just wouldn’t end.

As of last check Canandaigua Lake was still frozen “but” that doesn’t keep the hearty from being out there (John & Russ Perrin).

I have been forced to cancel the first 2 weeks of our spring series due to the fact that Spring has not yet presented itself.  My fingers are crossed and I have left all the doors open at my home in hopes of getting warmer days and nights. I am expecting that all will be racing Sunday April 6th 2-? (at least 4 and maybe longer if weather permits) at Holiday Harbor. Chili and wine are the most probable servings following racing.

In other more pleasant news: Keith Calkins has donated his dingy to the RC’s to be used as the official mark set dingy.  (Training on entering and exiting the dingy is required to prevent drowning.) He has been paying his dues each year without a boat which is also very generous of him.  So, in an effort to get him more engaged I have taken all the broken boat parts I have and glued them together so that he might join us on Sunday afternoons.

Word has it that a long cold winter leads to a warm and windy spring, summer, and fall.

See you on the water.

The Admiral

Hi Fleet,

It’s January and the holidays are behind us.  Let’s start the new year by renewing our memberships while waiting for the ice to melt.

Annual dues for Fleet #14 RC Lasers expired at the end of October 2013. Your payment of $20 makes you an active member from 11/01/13 thru 10/31/14.

You can pay your Fleet 14 dues online or offline! Click here.

Also:

Membership in the RC Laser Class Association of North America gives you and your family full access their web site and it is often required at regional and championship regattas. Funds collected from dues are used to host their site and to help support and fund  sailing events all over the east coast.  Your membership with the National Association is only $10, so please renew both.  Total cost for both is only $30 for the entire year.

To join or renew your membership with the National Association click on http://rclaserna.com then click on Join/Renew Membership.  You can also us your paypal account to join/renew your national membership.

Spring Equinox is just around the corner.

The Admiral