Sailors Can Still Have Fun With No Wind

Jonathan Gorbold and Bill Blevins decided after racing last Sunday when the air was perfectly calm that they were going to start bringing their Parkzone Night Vapors to fly after sailing on calm nights.

The bind-n-fly (BNF) version syncs to the Spektrum 2.4GHz radio transmitters that control the RC Laser. The box includes a battery charger and one rechargeable battery that allows for about 15 minutes of flying time. Additional batteries cost a couple of dollars each.

Here is a link to the plane on Amazon in case you are working on ideas for your next birthday present or want to buy one now and join in on the fun. Night Vapors are also available locally at the hobby shops in Webster and Irondequoit.

The Night Vapor is a really neat plane and makes a perfect beginner trainer because it flies very slow, is lots of fun  and it has lights so it can be flown in total darkness!

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Warm-up 3 of 4 Results: The Walkabout Series

The weather cooperated this afternoon and brought very little precipitation but it also brought very little wind for The Walkabout Race around Holiday Harbor. The wind it did bring was very fluky and was initially from the South which blew in a lot of weeds from the lake.

We did manage to get both directions the race in and in both cases, most boats finished very close to each other despite the spread between the boats during the race.

The second race had Bill Schmidt and Bill Blevins finishing in a dead tie for first place with Gary Schmidt and Nelson Habecker crossing less than a boat-length behind them after racing for .85 miles!

The results have been added into the 2012 Overall High Point series scores.

Next Sunday will be the final week of the Warm-up Series and we will be racing at the pump-out dock behind Steamboat Landing starting at 2 p.m.

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2012 North Americans Deckorations Contest

If your kid made a prom dress out of Duck Brand tape, she and her boyfriend would be all over the news the next day. If 45 sailors decorated their RC Lasers for the 2012 North American Championship with their tape one might think that the company would want to donate some tape and fifty bucks or so for an award and be the sponsor a contest for the best decorated boat, not to mention some great web PR and mentions, but no, they said they weren’t interested.

You know what? We are going to hold a decorations contest anyway and instead of calling it Duck-o-rations, we are just calling it “Deckorations“. (Did you get it, “Duck” and “Deck”? We’re not bitter.)

When you check in at the registration table for the 2012 RC Laser North Americans, we are going to take a photograph of every skipper posing with their boat. The photos will be printed out and be posted in the bar at the Canandaigua Yacht Club. The court of public opinion will decide who has best decorated their boat. We’ll come up with a reasonably fair way to award the winner and give out a great prize.

For the formality of the contest… here are the rules for decorating your boat as described in the International RC Laser Class Rules:

Hull & Deck Decoration – Self-adhesive letters, tape, or decals may be fitted to the deck and hull. Felt-tip markers may also be used for decoration. Hull decoration shall not be more that 3” from gunwale.

Pretty boring. Don’t you agree? We do too!

Now, let’s see how creative you can get with decorating your hull and sails and still have your boat be able to sail legally and be competitive!

Here are some ideas to get you started on your “Deckorations“!

Here is the link to the post with all of the information on the regatta and the registration information. Remember, lot of planning is going in to this championship to make it an awesome event, so please get signed up as soon as you can!

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The Walkabout Race

On Sunday, April 15 at 2 p.m. we’ll hold The RC Laser Walkabout Races at Holiday Harbor. Meet at Anne and Nelson’s cottage and be ready to start right at 2 p.m.

Here’s how it works for those of you who haven’t participated before…

  1. The starting line will be in our normal location just out from the cottage.
  2. The first mark will be up the west channel and will be located in the south corner.
  3. Skippers follow the boardwalk all the way around the complex following their boats and sailing around a mark set at the end of each canal, keeping the marks to starboard.
  4. After walking about 1/2 mile, all the way around the canal complex and rounding a mark in each canal, you will be lined up to cross the start / finish line in the opposite direction from the start and that is the race.
  5. WATCH OUT FOR THE LIGHTPOLES AS YOU WALK!
  6. The Finish line for the first race will become the starting line for the return trip back around the complex in the opposite direction, where you’ll keep marks to port this time and end up back at the cottage, crossing the original start line in the opposite direction to finish.
  7. Whew!
  8. After sailing, we’ll meet briefly to discuss updates to the RC Laser North American Championship and set a date for our next planning meeting to finalize details for the event.

One additional note since we have your attention…

Tonight, Friday, April 13 at 5 p.m., there will be RC Laser sailing at CYC. We’ll be using the mooring buoys as marks.

Show up, set up and sail!

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Easter Sunday Lasers and Lamb Update

UPDATED!!! Please re-read the message!!

There are no official races planned for Sunday, April 8, since it is Easter and many of us are out of town or already have plans with our family.

HOWEVER…

A plan has been hatched where some marks will be thrown out in the canals at Anne and Nelson’s cottage at 2 pm. for some informal racing and practice. We’ll randomly call out crazy courses like the “old days” and sail for a couple of hours.

AFTER SAILING…

We are invited to stay at Anne & Nelson’s cottage where Anna and Jonathan are bringing dinner. Anna’s quote was:

“a mean roast lamb!!! with all the fixings + dessert!!”

Anna would like RSVPs as soon as possible so she can plan the dinner. CLICK HERE to send her a message and to RSVP.

SOUNDS LIKE FUN!!!

UPDATE: We will be eating at the cottage!!

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Notice Of Race: 2nd Annual Squaw Island Offshore Race

NOTICE OF RACE

Canandaigua, New York RC Laser Fleet 14

2nd Annual Squaw Island Race

May 26, 2012

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 around Squaw Island, located at approximately Lat/Long N42.869918, W077.275702, keeping the island 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: Bill Blevins at rcsailors@gmail.com or 585-662-7638 if you need us to find a chase boat and driver or for any other information.

View the Sailing Instructions

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Sailing Instructions: 2012 Squaw Island Offshore Race

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Canandaigua, New York RC Laser Fleet 14

2nd Annual Squaw Island Race

May 26, 2012

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 26, 2012, 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 Squaw Island and RC Lasers will keep the island 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 south concrete dock will be designated as the finishing dock. The starting 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 retrieves it from the water from the finishing dock after successfully navigating the entire course.

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 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. You may also hit the concrete finish dock, but do so at your own risk.

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. (We think there also is a wine tasting at the club that Saturday night.)

Our Race Director and PRO for the 2012 Squaw Island Race will be Keith Calkins.

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Warm-up Series Week 2 Venue is Steamboat Landing

We will be sailing from the Canandaigua pump-out dock in front of Steamboat Landing on Sunday, April 1. Please be there in time to begin racing promptly at 2 pm.

The after racing venue will be the Steamboat Landing bar where we’ll be discussing the dinner menu for those who wish to stay.

If it is raining at 2 p.m. or if we get rained out during sailing, we’ll stop and meet inside of Steamboat Landing.

See you tomorrow at Steamboat Landing.

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2012 Fleet 14 Dues Are Now Payable Online

Currently we have 18 paid members in the Canandaigua RC Laser Fleet. We have a new system in place where you can pay your 2012 Fleet 14 dues online. If your name is not on the list below and you’d like it to be the next time we list the membership, go here, click the “Buy now” button and join us for only $20!

John Yost
David Turnbull
Bill Schmidt
Gary Schmidt
Terry Schmidt
Leonard Redon
Jay Niggli
Anne Lambert
Peter Kogut
Dave Kelsey
Dick Hallagan
Nelson Habecker
Jonathan Gorbold
Bill Blevins
Tracy Blevins
Jack Bennett
Maggie Atkins
Neil Atkins

The 2012 dues cover your membership for the whole sailing season that runs through Sailor’s Night, our awards banquet. You can also give money to our fleet treasurer, Maggie Atkins to dues offline and we’ll update the online program with the payment. One final note, if you are a multi-boat family, each person should sign up online and then we’ll give you back a $5 discount the next time we see you.

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BREAKING NEWS: Jack Daniel’s To Be Awarded for Warm Up

East Avenue Liquor and Wine has just contacted us and generously donated two bottles of Jack Daniel’s in a collectable tin to be used as the 2012 “Warm Up” Series Award.

The four-week series of RC Laser races begins today at 2 pm. in Holiday Harbor.

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