Beginning (Sunday) May 5th the RC racing venue will be the south dock of the Canandaigua Yacht Club and the new time will be 4 -6 pm.  We will return to Lake Riley again in the Fall to complete our Riley Lake series.

I would like to thank the RAMYA members for inviting us to sail on their turf and for taking part in our races.

Talk about an unsettled wind – not only did the wind sock do 360 degree shifts, at times it pointed straight up.  I decided that the best way to set the course was to do a rectangle in hopes of having an upwind and down wind leg somewhere.  At times it could be accomplished on the same leg.  The only real consistent one was myself who managed to be last over the start-line  nearly every time.  Maybe if I asked nicely everyone would crouch down at the start so I could see better.

SUMMER IS BACK!!!!!!!!

With the temps in the 70’s it was the perfect day for a cookout and refreshments.                    (Including two 007’s)

NOTICE OF RACE

Canandaigua, New York RC Laser Fleet 14

3rd Annual Squaw Island Race

May 25, 2013

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: Keith Calkins

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 is on the finish dock and then retrieves their RC Laser from the water after successfully completing the course.

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.

Barbie’s boat and Barbie moving fast after workshop

It was a great day for sailing !  Chilly, but with the sunshine and the running we had to do to keep sight of our boats, we all managed to stay relatively warm.

At the workshop on Saturday Jonathan revealed a couple of sail setting tips to improve boat speed which proved most beneficial for Anne Lambert, Terry and Gary Schmidt. Out of the 7 races held Anne improved her score by walking away with a 2nd & 4th  for the day, Terry races in with a 2nd, two 3rds, and a 4th, and Gary, who missed the first 2 races due to slow play on the golf course, had 2 wins, 2 seconds, and a fourth.  It seems pretty clear that if you set your sail correctly that your boat is much harder to beat.  “Thanks Jonathan!”

Following racing, Jonathan and Anna served everyone attending a  baked chicken dinner which was very generous of them. ” Thank You again Jonathan & Anna.”

Complete Results and Standings

We will be racing one more time at Riley Lake (Sunday April 28th  2-4pm) before shifting to the Canandaigua Yacht Club for the remaining 4 Sundays in our spring series.  Jonathan & Anna will be away that day  so our good friend, Walt Bankes has agreed to be PRO for the day. Following racing everyone is invited to Anne & Nelson’s house to enjoy the taste of summer with a  Hamburg/Hotdog style cookout to celebrate the end of cold temperatures. Beginning May 5th we will be at CYC and the new time will be 4 – 6 pm throughout the summer.

Shortly I will be sending out NOR for this year’s Squaw Island Race and Cookout to be held Saturday May 25th.  It is never too early to start planning  for that one.  Chauffer boats will be needed , so if you know of any please pass it along so no one gets left behind.  As always, if you act as a chauffer you will get a free meal, drinks and plenty to talk about.

Riley Lake Photos

Calendar

First, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest female RC racer Barb Urich and her crew Tom Howard. (As crew, Tom’s assignment is to change batteries if necessary).  They showed up with a brand new boat and got a feeling for what the winds are like at Holiday Harbor.

Racers began showing up around 1PM at the launching pad (423 Holiday Harbor) to prepare their RCs to Race.

  After careful assessment of wind speed and direction it is decided by all that the “A” sail would be best for this endurance race.

The finish on both the race over and back came down to whoever could best hold off a challenge.

Here is the official order of finish and  payouts WIN  PLACE  SHOW:

Race Over:

Jonathan Gorbold  $3.00   $2.60   $2.10

Bill Schmidt                         $2.80   $2.60

Jay Niggli                                          $2.60

Race Back:

Jay Niggli                   $8.00   $2.80   $2.40

Jonathan Gorbold                  $2.20    $2.10

Bill Schmidt                                            $2.10

In case you are all wondering, Admiral Nelson’s boat was scratched from the races due to an unsound main sail servo.  (I swear that Anne’s down in the den when I’m in bed).

First let me update you on the event and then Ill finish the story of my day.

Upon finishing the race over and back there was still time for another 3 races off the dock.  You can check out the full results here.  (R14-R18)

Then we all settled in for a wonderful bowl of Chicken Chili (created & delivered by Terry Schmidt), a sausage sandwich and a glass of wine.  (I’m not so sure that we don’t just show up for the food rather than the racing????)

Next Sunday (4/21) we will be back at Riley Lake from 2 -4 PM and this time the Admiral’s boat will be ready.  Why you ask?  Because:

on Saturday April 20th Jonathan & Anna will be hosting an informal workshop to help all of us repair, maintain, and race our Lasers.  We will go through a preseason maintenance checklist for the boat, servos, lines, batteries, receiver, transmitter, sails, booms and masts. This will be a hands on, fix it session so everyone can learn how to do it.

If you are new to the fleet and have a new boat that you would like help in setting up bring it along and we will help you..

The time will be 3:30 pm till 5:30 pm April 20th at

3 So. Pittsford Hill

Pittsford‎ NY‎ 145349.

Chili or Black Bean soup will be on hand and a glass of wine to satisfy our hunger.  If you are interested in attending the workshop please reply to eal@onecommail.com (Admiral Nelson) with a yes so we might be able to plan the food and drinks.

OH YES, about my day.   I’m always hungry when it’s over and I love to wine a little.

Just another day of racing if you chose the right sail.  Len Redon is the only boat to use the “D Sail” on this peaceful afternoon. He posted 3 wins 2 seconds and 1 third out of nine races to prove that the “D” was the way to go.  He was followed closely by Jay Niggli who also was able to win 3 races with his “C” sail.

I actually practiced with a “B” sail prior to racing  but changed to a “C’ as race time approached.  It is no doubt that every race had the wind speed turned up a notch.  Unfortunately no one took a picture when Anna called out “all clear” and every boat was 10 feet from the starting line laying down sideways in one of the frequent 30+ gusts that came through.

By the time we wrapped it up white caps were the norm.  You can check out the full results here.

Next week we will be racing at 423 Holiday Harbor Cdga. in our annual “Walkabout” race.  We will race into and out of all the channels on a .8 mile race to the other side of Holiday Harbor.  We will then collect ourselves and race back .  Depending on the time remaining we will have shorter races to finish out the 2pm -4pm program.

Anne is planning some sort of crock pot idea following racing so that there will be some type of reward for those who partake.

Then:

On Saturday April 20th Jonathan & Anna will be hosting an informal workshop to help all of us repair, maintain, and race our Lasers.  We will go through a preseason maintenance checklist for the boat, servos, lines, batteries, receiver, transmitter, sails, booms and masts. This will be a hands on, fix it session so everyone can learn how to do it.

If you are new to the fleet and have a new boat that you would like help in setting up bring it along and we will help you..

The time will be 3:30 pm till 5:30 pm April 20th at

3 So. Pittsford Hill

Pittsford‎ NY‎ 145349.

Chili or Black Bean soup will be on hand and a glass of wine to satisfy our hunger.  If you are interested in attending the workshop please reply to eal@onecommail.com (Admiral Nelson) with a yes so we might be able to plan the food and drinks.

For those of you that read my blog yesterday, I listed Mary Schmidt’s e-mail incorrectly as the contact for the get together after racing.  If you wish to contact her please use sunfish77720@gmail.com .

On the keyboard you’ll find that the b & n key are right next to each other and without glasses I’m not so sure what I am sending now is correct.

I apologize for the error and hope that Mary will forgive me.

Admiral Nelson

The first day works out all the bugs.

It seems that just about everyone had issues on day one.  Jack Bennett was able to repair his on/off switch just before racing started without any assistance  (well done Jack).  Gary Schmidt was able to change out a bad servo during the 3rd race and was racing the next heat (I believe it may have been in record time).  Jay Niggli’s boat arrived but was never able to come to the water (problem unknown).  Anne Lambert’s boat was cursed with faulty wiring during the first race and needed to be rescued (may have been caused by all the shivering she did before actually launching).  And even my boat hobbled back to the docks to change out what I believed was a fully charged battery pack (sometimes I hear Anne down in the den, where I keep my boat, and wonder what she is doing).

Anna Gorbold (PRO) started us with a 3 race one lap something or other series to chill all the hot hands and then fit us in 4 official races before everyone agreed that the cold was winning and Maggie’s chili was waiting.

This Sunday (4/7) we will be racing 2pm – 4pm on Riley Lake just off Culver Rd. in Rochester.  This year we will again have a separate series award for all the races that we hold there. 7 race dates are scheduled for that location, 4/7, 4/21, 4/28, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, and 11/10.  Scoring will be 40% throw outs for  races held.

A special thanks to RAMYA & Walt Bankes for allowing us to be included on their permit to use Riley Lake this year. We hope that many of their members will join us in racing wherever we are throughout the year.

Bill & Mary Schmidt have again offered there home ( 254 Fair Oaks Ave. Rochester, NY 14618 ) and Mary’s home made Lasagna for this Sunday.  If you are planning on attending please reach out to Mary (subfish77720@gmail.com ) for any appetizers, breads, or desserts you might want to add  so we don’t overdue it.

Barbie’s Boat renamed “USS ENTERPRISE” for boldly going where no boat has gone this year

In other news – it looks like the ice has left the channels and taken most of the weeds with it.  Barbie’s Boat was sent on a discovery mission and returned safely to dock without incident.  Therefore it is all “GO” for the walkabout races to be held April 14th at Holiday Harbor.

            The torch has been lit and the socks have been burned.

News travels fast when it is announced that RC races are about to take place.

Spectators gathering for the races

Hull # 272 Barbie’s Boat

The second race was abandoned due to mechanical difficulties ( The main sheet came unclipped).

Drawing straws to see who retrieves Barbie’s Boat

The meal was great, the food abundant, wine was served, conversation was mostly about the use of certain words that get thrown about when racing, and the “Once upon a Vine” story was told by Admiral Nelson.

Conclusion of the “Once Upon a Vine” Story

 Unable to make it to the event, Gary Schmidt, feeling depressed and left out, sent flowers.   “Thank You”  Gary

So Thoughtful

On a more serious note:

Racing begins this Sunday ( 2pm till 4pm)  at 423 Holiday Harbor if the ice has retreated. If not, we will simply move to the yacht club and return following the races for Maggie Atkins’ home made chili that she has so graciously offered. (As always, any of our RAMYA members are welcome to join us for racing and/or chili.)

It is also that time when we once again ask our members to pay their dues for the 2013 season. Annual dues for Fleet #14 RC Lasers expired at the end of October 2012. If you have not yet paid, your payment of $20 makes you an active member from 11/01/12 thru 10/31/13.

You can still pay your dues online! Click here.

The Spring Meet will soon be underway!!!!!!!!

“Health Warning” Do not attempt to roast marshmallows and always stand upwind.

Wednesday March 20th at precisely 6:53 EDT the city of Canandaigua will begin celebrating the arrival of Spring Equinox.  Although it is not a National Holiday as of yet, the RC Laser Fleet 14 sailors are planning on having their annual burning of the socks ceremony at 423 Holiday Harbor Canandaigua, NY .

Beginning at 5PM, Anne & Nelson will be at the cottage to welcome all that would like to attend.  You don’t have to bring a boat, but if the weather permits we will set out marks for you to tune up your racing skills.  Another advantage of bringing your boat is that if  we race and you finish out of the money we will have the fire going so that you can throw in both your socks and your boat.  You are asked to bring just 1 pair of socks due to the diminished air quality it causes.

Anne will be serving ham and potatoes, so if you feel like adding to it, an appetizer or dessert would be welcome.  Nelson is planning on having wine to go with dinner.

As it stands at this point, the first official race date for the spring meet will be March 24th (2PM) at 423 Holiday Harbor. The ice is fading from the channel so that we can see the conditions for racing.  The main channel where the water is deepest may be OK but the finger channels have many weeds left over from last year.  This could cause us to abandon our walkabout race later this spring.  I will pay close attention to it and keep you updated.

Polish your bottoms and charge up your batteries!!!!!!!!!   30,20,10,GO!!!!

The 2013 North American Championship  is planned for March 1-3, 2013 at Marco Island, FL.

For the link to NOR and registration go to www.rclaserna.com

Many of the racers that came to Canandaigua will be there plus many more.

It is a great opportunity to get away from the snow and polish your skills in the warmth of Marco Island.

They are a very hospitable bunch and would enjoy our company “for sure”.  So, if you are planning on leaving the cold this winter you should fit it into your calender if you can.