I've got to say something cause this has gotten a little crazy.

This regatta and a few others on the coast of Florida-Mississipp is very laid back. So, not too many people say anything about stuff like this. HOWEVER, most of these regattas, there is a question on the entry form of what RATING you should be at, and if you answer truthfully, good for you, if not, then oh well.

So, lets race and have fun!

Generally, the fast people come out on top no matter what.



Yes, some of these people do care, but most of them don't. And these regattas on the coast have done pretty well over the last couple of years despite a clubhouse getting completely destroyed in a hurricane and other things.

Ding,
Then your in a portsmouth race and not one design, right? If you have a one design fleet and one sailor breaks rank, do you put him in the open class or score him with the one design w/ the penalty?
The last time I remember going over any of this "before" was back when I had my MX.
These aren't rhetorical questions, I'm curious. It also has nothing to do with this regatta, if y'all want to let people cheat at your regattas ,than propagate on, none of my biz,until I come to one, which prolly ain't gonna happen.
I can't believe Mark Schneider's not on this thread.
Todd

Apparently in EMSA, there's a desire to move away from scoring OD fleets 1,2,3 and just score the top place in each fleet and instead go 3 deep in the open handicap class.

I can't tell you how much I don't agree with this, but whatever....

That's the way I see it.



Depends. If the fleet in question unanimously decides they are okay with it then I would have no issue (why would I). But, if there is one no vote then off they go to open with the modifier attached, assuming I'm the OA.



It was a while ago and it was when Mark first got his sails. You may have missed the thread.

Mark sails stock for OD events and the Area qualifier, he can't sail with his new sails for the area qualifier because it would require a modifier and modifiers are not allowed at the area qualifiers.

For the record there is no wiggle room in SMOD, either you is or you aint.

I apologize for the hijack.

Ding
Agreed on all points!

I'm down with that... second place just means you're the first loser :-)

I think that's crap. Why? Save money on trophies? What's the point of trying to get together enough starts for one design class start.
Tad ,you should probably start a new thread about this and un double hijack this one.

Todd.... I did weigh in... IMO... this kind of crap is not good for the sport. The old as dirt gripe about cat sailors was that they don't know the rules of the game.

Well... this thread is evidence for that charge.

The gulf coast sailors seem pretty clear that they don't like the hassle factor of all these rules. Ah well.

I bitch about clubs which half butt the organization of their event... (Why waste a sailor's time)... It would seem that the gulf sailors are happy with a level below half assed and are much happier with the motto. "Rules...we don't need no stinking rules."

Like you... the events don't get put on my I would like to do this event one day list.

Fortunately, some cat sailors are working very hard to raise the bar and be included in the Gulf Yachting Association. I wish them the best of luck.

Plus One.

. . . until they are maliciously leveraged for a tactical advantage . . .

This is a great regatta at one of the best locations in a 500 mile radius (my opinion and any pictures will show it). It has traditionally been a small regatta with a focus on fun. The last few years has seen the attendance grow (70+ boats this year). You cannot manage a large regatta with "fun" rules. Boats are going to be on top of each other all the time. Accomodating 70+ boats and varied racer expectations is going to require more race management personnel.

Mark has been sailing with those sails in one design I20 fleets for at least a year (not every regatta, but some of them), the local I20 sailors should call him on it if they disagree (I personally have not seen an advantage and that may be why they do not call him on it). If they dont care, then let him sail. All it takes is one sailor to kick him to Open Portsmouth (and I bet Mark pulls out a EP I20 sail - dont bitch about the lack of sail development and then crucify Mark for trying something new).

The other complaints are not enforcing the closed start/finish gate and the throw out of the first race for the I20s. This can and should be addressed. It is expensive to travel to a regatta, pay for accomodations, pay for food/beer and any potential boat break downs due to weather (which were plentiful this year). Most people have a limited amount of discretionary spending, it is important to remember that each racer deserves fair conditions and has equal expectations.

I like all the Panhandle guys and they should not be villified. My opinion is that this regatta has outgrown it's orignal intent and the organizers need to decide if it is a "real" race or not. Any issues from this year's race can be fixed.

It should be noted that I was not at this year's regatta, but I've spoken to many racers and none of them were "satisfied".

I will always support Juana's and hope to be there next year. I love the area and the "Good Time". I hope this race not only survives, but continues to prosper.

Juana's is a GOOD TIME. It needs to stay that way. it is an excellent chance for people that are tentative of racing to give it a go. The number of boats needs to be managed well but if Juana loses the Good Time relaxed, no stress aspect of this event it will die out. Its a lot like a sand lot football game with your friends. There can be some disagreements but it needs to end with a friendly 'beer'. The focus needs to be on the inexperienced racer and the serious racing can take a back seat and can take place at every other event. At Juanas, the Beer flows freely, the door prizes are easy, the food is plenty and the camaraderie is everywhere. Enjoy the fun and come back again! next week is the 'tune up' for the Nacra NA's save all the Bi#$%ing for this event and the 4 days of the NA's. No one will remember the 'controversy' of Juana's in a couple of weeks and i hope we get 100 boats in Navarre Beach next year! Cheers

I agree whole heartedly to keep it a fun event and think it is an event to [plan for.

BUT I would spend $100+ in gas, $175+ in lodging, $100 in outside food/beer and $50 in registration (at least).

That's $400+. Should I expect fair racing or should I skip the event?

It is a hell of a lot easier to live there an push your boat off the beach (total investment of $50). I am a HUGE fan of this regatta, but it MAY get a reputation of not worth the effort.

Again, Capt_Cardiac - I don't wnat you to think I am angry/hold a bad feeling....

I think the FL Panhandle is one of the best places in the world to sail and I LOVE the fact the you share it with us. It is quite a bit of work to put on a regatta and any effort is MUCHLY appreciated.

I'll be back as much as I can afford.

I spent more than that and thought it was well worth it. The distance one day/bouys the next is a lot of fun. See you next year.

Just to clarify. Having a set of sails built on your own accord ,with no input and trying to use them to get an edge, with no benefit to the rest of the class is not sail development. Don't try to polish a turd.
Personally I'm for sail development in that class, just not like that.
Todd

Todd, you know what's going on with Mark's sails how? Do you know who cut them and why the particular shape was chosen? And you've discussed Mark's motivations when?

Yep, John, Your right. I don't know Mark or his intentions. If all his rivals said it was OK then so be it( I didn't see where that happened). I raced portsmouth for years and prefer not to on my N-20. If he IS doing R&D I'd sure like to know about it and help it along.

I think he'd tell you that the main has more "umph," but the little squaretop on the jib doesn't seem to do much. I'm sure he'll be glad to talk with you more about the ideas that led to them. The loft he got them from has some interesting ideas and a good track record with Panhandle multihulls.

Gents,

I designed and help build Mark's Inter 20 sails. Performance Catamarans came out with some fat head sails and larger jib for testing so Mark isn't the only one. We made the sails at Schurr Sails out of curiosity to see if overall performance would be improved or if the boat would just be too overpowered. Looking to current sailboard designs, we felt pretty confident the head could be blown off through downhall and we would greatly improve downwind vmg. The squaretop on the jib was a stab at minimizing a choked slot where the jib comes into the mast. I have seen others try it in trimarans since we built Mark's sails.
Big picture- Mark isn't trying to cheat or overthrow any powerhouses. He's a big boy and just wanted some sails with juice and was willing to throw down to try it out.
He takes the rating hit and doesn't complain. Anybody who has a problem with it really needs to get a life.

Any questions, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] or call at 850-221-8471.

Cheers,
Bert Rice Jr.