Staggered Start this weekend
on Wednesday October 24, 2007 02:42PM
Some of us have learned the hard way, that one of the most important aspects of this race is to have a digital watch that is synchronized with the Race Committee's digital watch. If you refresh www.fbyc.net, you note the Race Committee time on the top left corner of the Home page. Knowing what time it is will be almost your only indicator as to the proper time to cross the starting line, as there are no sound or visual signals for your start. I will attempt to call out on Channel 72 information as to who is starting, and who is on deck and who is in the hole, but it is very hard to be fair on such advice, and Brooks and Cathy may restrain me.
At the Skipper's meeting, I will hand out this spreadsheet which defines the starting times for each boat - all depending on the Course Length. The Actual Course, and the Length Code Flag - one letter pennant between A and L - indicating 7 to 17 miles, will be displayed at the Warning Signal and will be available by radio - Channel 72, once it is set. The sheet has 2 pages - one works if we start on time, the other is needed if we are delayed.
If we start on time at 11:05, the course length flag, somewhere between A-L, will be displayed. If we do not start at 11:05, the distance code flag (A-L) will be displayed over the Answering Pennant.
P.S. - if anyone sees a PHRF Rating that is wrong or a sailboat which is outside of the range of starting times, please let me know so I can update the sheet.
The race committee will be Brooks Zerkle, Cathy Clark and me. Anyone else interested in a cruise on Mr. Roberts, please let me know.
Smile when you pass Mr. Roberts, so I can get a good picture! Plan to dry off, warm up, and have a cocktail at the after race social - the Oyster Roast. Two bushels of Oysters are planned, and Bonnie Vest hopes people can bring extra shucking knives. Big eaters are asked to bring a "share dish".