BCYC is stepping up their game this year to provide the “best night of the week” for Harbor 20’s. Video taped starting practice starts at 5:30, and racing starts at 6:00. What a great way to get in a bunch of practice starts, and get a feel for the first windward leg before the actual racing starts.  You should be able to see video of your practice starts at the post racing party, where there will also be $1.00 Tacos and $1.00 Draft Beers, not to mention the traditional raffle and nightly trophy presentation! This should be fun, and we hope to see you there! See the Calendar, or click here for information.

I’m just gazing out of my window at this beautiful day (with good breeze!) and getting excited that Twilights are starting next week!! Please sign up if you haven’t done so already.

Online registration

Sailing Instructions and course charts should be ready to go up our website by Friday.

Hope to see you all next week!

Becky Lenhart

BYC Sailing Director

949-673-3515 x 133

Summer is here ! ALYC’s Sundowner Series racing starts next Monday May 6^th, 2013.  If enough boats register, ALYC plans offer separate starts for A and B/C.  With Bill McNamara now charing the race committe, there are quite a few changes in the works for this year. See the previous post for details, and note that the regstration price increases at 3:55 PM today.

Hello Harbor 20 Racers in Classes A, B & C

The American Legion Yacht Club – 2013 Monday Nights Sundowner Series registration is now open online:

Early registration is only $40… registration after 1755 hours Monday April 22is is $50 and after 1755 hours Monday April 29th is $60 – without a guarentee that we’ll have room… so register early!

Racing starts Monday May 6th, 2013 – several changes are in the works to enhance your team’s enjoyment:

• Sundowners will be a single series with a higher percentage of “throw-out” races to allow for missed races and “off-nights” without a series scoring impact
• Enhanced prizes are to be awarded after each race and Series trophies at the end of the season
• Pre-defined courses will have squarer starting lines and more-windward 1st marks and windward leeward courses for H20s
• Signal flags, visible from all directions, will be flown on the Committee Boat to identify courses
• Fewer changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing will be made – for more consistency with other Regattas and Series
• You will only be competing with other Class approved boats (PHRF 2013 or Harbor 20 Fleet 1 2013)

The Notice Of Race is online .

Sailing Instructions, Course Charts and Class Breaks will be available no less than a week before the first race. Please contact me with any questions.

Race safe and race fair,

Bill McNamara
ALYC Race Committee Chairman
Bill-McNamara@cox.net
(949) 360-8448

To our Fleet One members,

We have recently created a Harbor 20, Fleet 1 Facebook Page so you can see how much fun we’re having.  It contains all the social elements of sailing, racing, and off the water events.  There are hundreds of photos in different photo albums from regattas, parties, and other events that are available for you to copy, download, and share on your own Facebook page or with your friends. You can find the most recent photo albums on the “Newsfeed” (as Facebook calls the main page) or by going to the box at the top of the Facebook Page called “Photos”.

The Facebook Page contains limited regatta results with links to the host yacht club and the Harbor 20 Class Association website.  It also contains articles about recent events (such as the W.D. Schock Memorial Regatta).  You can make comments at the bottom of the articles or just click “Like”.

Also at the top of the main Facebook Page, there is a box called “Notes” in which you will find the lists of winners for each of our perpetual trophies that go back to as early as 1997 when our fleet was created.

Finally, you can post your own photos, news, and articles onto the Facebook Page for the enjoyment of everyone in the fleet.

If you click on this link, it will take you to our Facebook Page:

www.facebook.com/Harbor20Fleet1

If you would like to join our Fleet One Facebook Page to receive our news, updates and photos, please click “Like” on the homepage.  You will find the “Like” box next to the words “Harbor 20, Fleet 1, Newport Beach, CA” underneath the photo at the top of the Page.  When you click on it, “Like” will change to “Liked” and that all you need do!

We have also created an email address that you can use to contact us.  It is Harbor20Fleet1@hotmail.com

We hope to see you out on the water soon!

Newport Beach Independent online at newportbeachindy.com

Under Sail –  Sailing Seminars

By Steve Barrett on March 17th, 2013

Last Saturday I spent the day at a sailing seminar at Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club with Peter Haynes as the instructor. The topics covered were sail theory, shape and trim, the basic aerodynamics, rig tuning, and using your telltales. Included were steering, crew position, tacking and gibing, and rounding the marks. Whewwww!

Peter and his helpful wife, Debbie, were the best of the best at explaining and teaching the most complex of facts necessary to win races, which then enable winning regattas. While this information is critical against the sailing pros Newport Harbor sailing has bred, most of these topics are also important for cruising and leisure sailing.

Learning these principles will allow the leisure sailor to arrive at Catalina hours sooner and The Cape days sooner. I recommend and encourage all local sailors to attend Peter’s “Harbor 20” organizations seminars. Besides the “Handling and Sail Trim” seminar, Peter also will provide a “Strategy and Tactics” seminar on June 2, and on September 8 he will cover “Understanding the Racing” rules of sailing. I look forward to attending both of these as I watched a very gifted instructor explain extremely complex facts in an understandable manner for even a slow learner like myself. I encourage novices and experts alike to attend, and assure everyone they will learn something–novices quite a bit more.

As far back as I can remember until I was about 12 years old, my Dad was a crewmember on an 18-foot Thistle and religiously raced every regatta locally and a few outside our area. His college friends who were captains of the three-man ocean racing deck-less sloops were mostly engineers like Peter Haynes. The theories and practices of winning sailing are mathematically similar in the thought process.

I started racing sailboats when I was eight years old and continued until high school. All noncalms in the sailing program at Newport Harbor Yacht Club arrived around 9:00 a.m. and finished washing down their boats before 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. During my era Dick Sweet supervised the races and our behavior, which also included lectures and chalk board instruction.

I learned an awful lot, but Peter’s information took my knowledge and experience two or three levels higher. Thank you Peter and see you June 2, if not sooner racing in the Harbor.

Included was a portion of a sailing film by Llowell North whom, along with our own local Bill Ficker, (winner of the America’s Cup), were winning Starboat regattas in the 50s and early 60s. Side note: Congratulations to our Newport Harbor Christmas Parade Chairman David Beek for winning the “Valvetect Marina of the Year” award at the International Marina and Boatyard Conference. Atta boy David! Seymor must be very proud.

Keep on sailing.

Sea Ya,

Skipper Steve

Steve Barrett has more than 50 years boating in Newport and performs systems checks, repairs and pilots yachts. Email him at skipperstevetoo@yahoo.com.

Taco Tuesdays May 14 – August 27th. 5:30pm H20 practice starts. 6:00pm Race Time.

Post Race: Dollar Tacos, Dollar Draft Beer, Raffle & Prizes – and race videos.

If you enjoyed the presentations and discussions by the sailmakers at the Tuning Day, you would probably really enjoy the Boat Handling & Sail Trim Seminar coming up on March 9 at BCYC. It is all about understanding how the boat works and interacts with wind and water, and covers the basic concepts which really need to be understood in order to appreciate what experts like Harry Pattison and Phil Toft are talking about when using language such as mast bend, headstay sag, rake, and full powered up and flat depowered sail shapes. You can find a detailed course description, testimonials, and registration form here. Postmark your registration by Saturday, March 2 for the best price.  We hope to see you there!

The first ever Tuning Day for the Harbor 20 Fleet 1 members and guests took place today in Newport Beach, CA under sunny skies and temperatures in the high 60s. The purpose of the event was to share tuning tips, make rig adjustments and socialize with fellow sailors. The turnout was outstanding with over 60 attendees of this four-hour event, representing over 40 Harbor 20s, 20 of them arriving and docking European style at Balboa Boat Yard!

Those attending included the host of the event, Pat Werner of Balboa Boat Yard, Alexander Vucelic of the WD Schock Company that produces our beautiful one-design class sailboats, Harry Pattison of Elliott/Pattison Company, the maker of the main sail, and Phil Toft of Ullman Sails, maker of the jib sail.

Emile Pilafidis, Fleet 1 Captain, welcomed the sailors and introduced Pat, Alexander, Harry, and Phil, as well top H20 sailors in attendance that included Phil Ramser, Bob Yates, Jon Pinckney, Carter Ford, Terry Gloege, Peter Haynes, Gary Thorne, Walter Johnson and others.

John Whitney, Fleet 1 Measurer and official scorer was introduced, as was Michael Volk, Fleet 1 Board member who was recognized for being one of the main forces behind organizing this event. Harry Pattison and Phil Toft presented sail trimming and rigging tips and then fielded many questions from the crowd.

Alexander Vucelic spoke about how the founders of the H20 Class had created something special and unique that continues to grow. He proudly announced that the factory just produced H20 #345 that is headed for Newport Beach. He then talked briefly about H20 #89 that had been refurbished and was displayed on a trailer. Finally, Alexander stated that WD Schock is dedicated to continuous improvement. He closed by introducing Carol who runs the customer service department at the factory. Carol brought a selection of spare parts to the event and later assisted sailors with their purchases. Balboa Boat Yard had boat #209 on display with a new bottom paint.

Walter Johnson spoke at length about the updated tuning guide he has created based on his experience racing H20 #221, combined with his discussions with top sailors such as Bill Menninger. Walter provided copies of his tuning guide to all interested sailors and then answered numerous questions. He also conducted many on-the-dock demonstrations as to the correct rig tune.
Peter Haynes, H20 Class President, also spoke to the group regarding the upcoming March 9 seminar at BCYC on boat handling and sail trim.
A number of skippers and crew members worked on their boats during the event, sharing information, and learning from each other as well as from more experienced sailors. Finally, complements of the Fleet 1 Board of Directors, a light lunch and refreshments were graciously served by Ellen Reader on her beautiful red Duffy “Skal”.

Testimonials for this event are already coming in:

“Today was a great event, with more information available than  you could absorb in just 4 hours.  The “hands on” opportunities were wonderful and  the tuning and trimming tips from the sail makers and master sailors, outstanding.

I hope you plan to make this at least an annual event.  I for one will be at every Tune Up event.”

“Thank you guys for the putting on the day. It was excellent. I really appreciated everyone’s effort. This really is a special fleet and fine group of individuals! Thanks again.”

“It is an inspiration to see the Corinthian spirit in action among the Fleet. See everyone next weekend !  “

www.facebook.com/Harbor20Fleet1

http://www.balboaboatyard.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Balboa-Boat-Yard/64093176898

http://www.wdschock.com/index.php

http://www.facebook.com/pages/W-D-Schock-Performance-Sailboats/179683238734610

http://www.epsails.com/

http://www.ullmansails.com/

All H20 Fleet 1 members and crews are invited to the first ever Tuning Day to share tuning tips, learn, make adjustments, and socialize with fellow sailors!  Sponsored by Fleet 1 of the H20 Sailing Association this is a free event.  Sail your H20 to the Balboa Boat Yard or come join other boat owners and crews.

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Venue: Balboa Boat Yard http://www.balboaboatyard.com/
2414 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663 (949) 673 6834        (next to Woody’s Wharf restaurant)

Program:

Fleet 1 Board Members and other experienced H20 sailors will be there with their boats to share tips.

The Schock Factory will be there 10-2.  They will  hold a brief talk on the H20 at 10:15, and have parts for sale on-site if needed.

Elliott/Pattison sail maker of the main sail will be there from 11- noon for sail trimming and rigging tips

Ullman sail maker of the jib sail will be there from noon – 1 for sail trimming and rigging tips

Refreshments and light snacks will be available compliments of Fleet 1.

Please RSVP: Emile Pilafidis, Fleet 1 Captain      emile@pilafidis.org