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Global Big Freakin' Regatta. Possible?

29K views 253 replies 28 participants last post by  kaptainkriz 
#1 · (Edited)
Big Freakin' Global Regatta. Possible?

If you're just starting this thread, things have evolved since this first post:

Here's a link to the current GR courses and rules (note that the sign up stuff does not yet work - just submit your course in this thread for now):
GR courses and rules

Here's a link on how to create your course in Google Earth:
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/racing/61800-global-big-freakin-regatta-possible-16.html#post576583

+++++++++++++++++

Okay, I've got this stupid idea that will probably never work, but it's worth suffering the potential humiliation if it actually could. Because it might be fun.

It's kind of like Nike Plus for sailing.

So you smart guys help me figure this out...

The basic idiotic idea is this:

1. We set up a triangular distance course that we all agree on. Overall distance is "X" - can be any configuration.
2. We project that course onto our chosen bodies of water (Lake Travis, Chesapeake Bay, Lake Superior, San Fran Bay, Sydney Harbor, Tasman Sea, Bay of Biscay, The English Channel, whatever), along with the GPS coordinates of each "mark".

For example, here is a 5 NM course on Lake Travis:


3. We all then start racing our courses whenever we want, and as many times as we want throughout the season - using the GPS coordinates.
4. We then bring our times back, and enter them along with our boat type, etc.
5. We see who the fastest boats are on each respective body of water for each season.
6. The leaders start talkin' trash to the losers.

Okay - start telling me all the reasons this can't work. Then let's do it.
 
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#5 ·
2 nm !?! Our boat will just be building up some speed at the end of 2 nm. And it takes us about that far to alter course. :D :D

10 nm would be more like it. No need for the corps, you can do 5 laps.:rolleyes:

Of course, when boats race, they're supposed to be in the same wind conditions. Otherwise, there's no basis for comparison. But if we get to choose the time and place, there's a twenty knot breeze and a beam reach-broad reach-close reach course that has our name on it.;)
 
#7 ·
Interesting idea you have there. You just need to work out the details. Will you have a "lake" division (your 2NM "short" course) and a "salt water" (longer) course? Then, how do you assign handicaps? Do we race our PHRF certificates? Your "lake" course is only 2/3 of a NM on each leg. Granted, I loose speed in turns (and it's too short to fly a kite for me), but I calculate my corrected time to be under the 20 Min mark.
 
#9 ·
Agreed on the details. That's why I'm coming to the pros!

Maybe you're right about various courses. I'll try to get 3 out of the lake/river course - for 1NM on each leg. So what should it be for the salt?

As for all the other PHRF stuff - I say we start off by keeping is stupid simple. Take it back to the old days and just make it a free-for-all.

Work with me here!
 
#13 ·
Look, I think smack is onto something here- sort of the nautical equivalent of sportsman class drag racing, or Solo racing. Run what you brung, when you brung it, and compare times. I don't see why a handicap system could not be set up that accounts for wind conditions and PHRF, and if you want to get waaaaaayyyyy too organized, a series of classes- lightweight, heavyweight, old shoe, etc.

Or just set your waypoints, go out there and lap the bouys, and get your time in; we'll sort out the whiners from the winners later. It ain't like it's gonna cost anybody anything.
 
#14 · (Edited)
Caleb - I've done absolutely no racing. So feel free to smirk. It's not a problem at all as long as we're making progress.

The Fiasco race is actually part of what gave me the idea. And everybody and their sailingdog is ALWAYS complaining about PHRF. So, I figured this was just more the Ultimate Global Beer Can Challenge kind of thing.

Of course, if the scows or Open 60's start winning everything in sight - then us 4KSBers figure out a way to take 'em down.

I figure it just needs to be stupid simple and fun.
 
#17 ·
Alright, then I can sail my windsurfer or my Lightning on the same course.
I wuz' just pointin' out to the ole' Smacker that if he wants to 'market' 'iz idea to the masses that most blokes are quite comfy with the PHRF ratings system.
Balls to the wall racing I'd probably use the Lightning with it's planing hull and spinnaker. The 'old shoe' is a comfy cruiser after all.
 
#18 ·
Okay - then let's try this...if you had to categorize sailboats in the broadest possible categories - what would they be?

BAY (Big Ass Yacht)
4KSB (you know)
LARB (Little Ass Race Boat)
BARB (Big Ass Race Boat)
MULTIs (you know)
ODWS (Other devices with sails)

Would that cover it?
 
#20 ·
I think you should classify boats by their beer storage.
Soft cooler
Igloo cooler- portable
Igloo cooler- installed
Icebox under 2 cu ft
Icebox over 2 cu ft
12 volt fridge
12volt/110 fridge
12 volt/110 fridge/freezer
12 volt/110 fridge freezer/icemaker.

That would tell you everything you need to know about the boat, and allows for some creative rule bending. A windsurfer with an icemaker installed ahead of the mast would be a q-ship.
 
#22 ·
Exactly how do you BFS on a pond like that???
 
#23 ·
Sigh. Dog, dude - you have so much to learn about sailing. Ask CharlieCobra.

Now, Mr. IT, how do we design the database - keeping in mind that we keep things as simple as possible?

Boat Brand
LOA
Category (see above)
Beaufort Rating (easier than specifics?)
Course (location, long or short, etc.)
Date of Race
Start Time
Overall Race Time
Number of Crew
Spinnaker (Y/N)

What else?
 
#26 ·
YEA BAAABY, LET's FREAKIN SAIL

OK, give me a break I have cabin fever up here in the northeast.

I vote yea, with Caleb's modifications. At least, add PHRF rating to the database. Even if you decide not to use it, someone could always go in and calculate the PHRF corrected times.

Now I'll have to actually learn how to use more of the functions on my GPS.:confused:
 
#28 · (Edited)
SOP is the protocol. It's "Screw Off Please". It firm, yet gentlemanly. Perfectly suitable for yachting.

As for PHRF. SOP.

IMUSO, bl has it right a few posts ago. You just sail what you got. If you're slower than another boat in your general category - then just sail faster. Or buy new sails, or better yet, a new damn boat! If you need to use a calculator at the end of a race to find out who won...

1. You're wayyyyy too sober at the end of the race to actually have the motor skills to push those tiny buttons.
2. Who gives a damn? Just tell us who had the fastest time.

Bottom line is this - we all see the complaints about how club racing is dying. With maybe 10 boats showing up for an event. PHRF.

Then you've got GeorgeB's Fiasco race with 300+ boats! 300+! Guys, wake up! All out, no holds barred, loosey-goosey racing is where it's at! Maybe we should call this thing the "Global Fiasco Regatta".

PS - Calypso, you are definitely in!
 
#32 ·
Not only are you going to have to adjust for the difference in performance of the various boats, but to make it fair, you'd have to adjust for the different weather conditions and seastate at the different venues. I don't see how you can gather enough data to do a reasonable approximation of that at the current time, with the current technology.
 
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