J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum Events and Scheduling 2008 J/30 North Americans - Narragansett Bay Offer

Wind on the bay in August can be summed up like this. Prevailing winds from the Southwest. Light in the morning filling in as the day goes on. Except... this is New England. If you don't like the weather just wait a couple of hours, it will change. 2 Weeks ago for Leukemia Cup wind was blowing from the North steady over 22 kts, gusting 30. Last weekend Sat winds 10-15, Sunday 26 August an ugly 0-8 (delayed the start of race by 1.5 hours). So expect to see anything from 0 to 30 kts, coming from any direction, with diurnal tidal currents (but Dennis already knows about that part...)

What if.....
Just wondering on the September versus August timing. BYC indicates that late August is better than early August to minimize conflicts the youth programs. I know some crews have teachers and students making August better than September, but some people find it easier to travel in September. Labor Day weekend is probably not good for anyone including BYC, so strike 30/31 August weekend. Maybe 22-24 Aug or 12-14 Sept to throw out some possibilities. Any preferences?

There are other logistics that I'm sure people want to know more about. I'll list some items here (add to this list if there are other items), and then go back and try and get answers:
1. Boat Launching / Hauling for visitors (Bristol Marina is next to BYC but has no affiliation with them, rates quoted $8/ft each way to launch/haul; $350 each way to step/unstep mast, trailers can be left at Bristol Marine during the regatta). I'll check other options on the bay too.
2. Lodging
3. Food & Party Venue (web site picture) http://bristolyc.com/bycindex.htm
4. Sailing Area options based on winds for the day. No problem for North-South or East-West courses. Transit time is 10 minutes to 50 minutes depending on area selected. All races in Narragansett Bay, not in Rhode Island Sound (transit time too long).
5. Loaner boats - we'll work this, but should be plenty available with 17 boats in the area.
6. Race Committee & PRO - BYC has a robust race program, and there are other clubs on the bay that we could draw people from. The race committee would work with the class during the organizational stage to make sure the race courses, distances, races per day and other expectations are understood well before the regatta.

Other stuff you want to know about?

Again - this isn't a done deal unless the class wants to do this, but could be arranged based on a go ahead from the class. Anything I can do to help find info for those who have questions, just let me know.

Bill

[This message has been edited by Rhapsody #348 (edited 08-28-2007).]

Late Aug or Sept is better. Preferably Sept.

David
#397

Among the Districts hosting the NA's, the two in closest proximity are Long Island Sound and Southern New England, on Narragansett Bay. J/30s from either region can reasonably and inexpensively deliver to the regatta by water, although it seems that more travel north than south. The NA's have been held at the Newport Sailing Center (1981), Newport YC (1987), Newport NOOD (1997), and twice at Barrington YC (2000 & 2004). A hurricane nearly canceled the 1991 NA's at Hyannis YC.

To encourage more widespread fleet activity back in the '90s the Gov Board instituted a rotation that has stayed fairly well in place: Long Island, Chesapeake, Southern NE, and Chicago (or most recently the unfortunate attempt at New Orleans YC in 2005). Thus it would be natural to go back to Narragansett Bay for 2008. Bristol YC looks to have several active J/30s racing and the facilities to support the event. I say go for it.

Personally I'd pick mid-August, say 8/15-17. CBYRA Race Week over Labor Day weekend is a fairly big draw here in Annapolis. It's also not too early to start thinking about 2009, maybe somewhere off the Atlantic Coast.

My recollection from Barrington is that the best breeze/weather window in Narraganset Bay is late July. Certainly seemed to work well at the last two R.I. NA's.

I arrived in Annapolis last night to find still only 5 boats entered in the NAs in 3 wks. There seems to be more interest and excitement about planning next years event... anybody know why? Can't really say its because they are all doing Race Week right now, as there are only 9 J30s entered...

As a new J30 owner in Marblehead I am excited about the prospect of a RI regatta next summer. Before Labor day works best for me but I'll make it work if it is September. David, maybe Mithril and Mallorca could sail down together?

Here is a good story about the NAs. Congratultaions to USA 90 for the victory.

http://na.northsails.com/news.taf?_...nce=7F00000146EB12C40AF154E5BEDB471E1B6D


[This message has been edited by David Erwin (edited 10-23-2007).]