Catfest - Charlotte, NC This weekend!

Hanna could make this Catfest a little sporty this weekend. Perhaps I'll bring the N20 instead of the a-cat? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Interesting choice, going up in horsepower and bow buoyancy. Nice.

If I get thrown, I want to ensure I'm going fast enough to get thrown clear! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Actually, reading a little into the forecast - they're really uncertain about when and/or how much Hanna is going to strengthen with the shear it's experiencing now. It really caused it to disorganize and they're not sure if it will still be at tropical storm or hurricane three days from now when it starts to threaten land again.

Wind at Catfest?!?! This should be fun.

I would bet that Hanna will clear out Sat morning and suck all the wind with it.... 0-5 as usual

Actually, The NOAA graphical forecast shows it to be about 12-14 on Sat and for the rain to clear out.
http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/gr...cWeek.php?page=3&element=WindSpd

I don't think I'm going to camp Friday night... They're calling for 35 mph and rain... I'll probably drive in Sat morning.

Everything I've read about Hanna says that they don't know what the hell the damn storm is going to do.

All I know is that we needed about a week straight of Fay's rains to make a dent in our drought - and we only got a day and a half if that.

Hoping Hanna can provide us some much needed help.

Tad did you get your tramp in yet? We're going to see you out on the water this weekend, right?

just talked to Skip Elliot,

He said that his tramp material supplier changed the specs on him and he had to go to a different supplier because of it. In short, the tramp aint gonna be ready for catfest. As for me being there, I don't know. I've got a new bike coming in friday that I really want to give a workout or two.

WHAT!?

That's a new one...

Happy Birthday Dr. Binkle!

That is a new excuse.

Hanna is slowing down a little - that could be good or bad.

Haha, thanks. I never noticed the cake thing before. That must be Mary's idea. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Happy birfday Dr. Binkles.

Cary and I are bailing, sorry, we are fair weather sailors...

Don't Bail yet... latest projected paths show that it is going to track more east than what they were saying yesterday. Now it looks like the worse of it will be in the eastern part of the state and not the piedmont. I bet Sat afternoon will be clear and about 10-14.

So you may get a little wet setting up your boat Sat morning.. The rest of the weekend will be fine.

Fair weather? Hurricane weather is fair weather for high speed sailing. A little wind would be nice for a change.

Something about a Hurricane, a pregnant wife, and a tent, that would make me a very unpopular husband.....

You are a wise man.

We are going to be very close w/ Frankencat. Boards are supposed to be here Friday.

But if it is steady rain, no thanks.

We'll remember that for your local regattas! Besides, the weather is generally terrific after a system like that goes through.

Make yourself appear to be a better husband. Inform her that you have reserved the queen bed in the over-cab of my RV for you guys.

That suite comes with a new flat screen TV. Plus Strickland will be there so you know it will be entertaining!

will he be responsible for the fireworks?
Latest NOAA Map

Oh, and this
50 Knot wind speed probability

You need to remember that Lake Norman will be 3 hours west of the path of the storm... Plus the west side of a storm is aways the weakest. It is projected to be in Norfolk at 2 PM on Sat...

Forecast for Lake Norman is 12 knots on Sat... and clear...

I think you are just looking for excuses...

you better be nice because if it is windy I will be on YOUR boat!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

"will he be responsible for the fireworks?"

Robyn said...........NO! NO! NO! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

the storm prediction keeps moving further east...looks like it might not interfere afterall (might just make for a great weekend!).

Im all out of excuses then, dangit

Latest 11 AM NOAA projection has it over Washington NC/ New Bern area at 8 AM Sat... so path is farther east and moving faster than earlier projections... All good news for Lake Norman...

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/143912.shtml?3day?large#contents

If the race were to be cancelled how would we be notified? I am on go currently. I really hope the wind doesn't leave with the storm. I'd really like to see some 15kt winds on a lake, its got to be faster than in the ocean. I've been sailing for 20 years and never sailed strong wind inland. Sailed some big air offshore but never inland.

I emailed Scott Smith to confirm, but I can't imagine that TS Hanna will effect the conditions in Lake Norman to where they would cancel..
I'll let you know if he responds to me, but I would consider all things on GO.

...as to inland sailing... Spring Fever has been a hand full the past couple of years.

I'm willing to be the weather would be fine - We're all heading out tomorrow afternoon and will be there rain or shine...it's what we do!

Scott emailed me...

No plans to cancel unless something radical happens. All set to go

Scott's email from this morning:



We'll be there tomorrow afternoon rain or shine and hoping for some wind this year.

Any news of the weather at Lake Norman today?

Sunny, 10-15.

Hope you guys and gals had a great weekend. We got drenched up here in New England. Hoping my driveway didn't wash out again down at the beach. Went down last night to secure boats and bring in the patio furniture. Not much wind in Boston, but lots of rain.

How'd the Frankencat do?

We had some pretty strong gusts in CT, 50 or so, and reports of a Tornado in Farifield.

I'm going to check on the HT and see if she's still in one piece.

We were leading open class, 2nd lap, race 1 and the tiller crossbar broke. finally made it back to the club and made repairs, but too late to race.

Raced today in 3-5mph race 1, 2nd.
0-3mph race 2 (ugh), 2nd.

Wave won open class and P18-2 was 2nd. We seemed to be right with the Prindle in boat speed- even with too much jib overlap and non-optimum sheeting angle.


BIG thanks to Bill, Trey, Rick, Dave and others that helped directly or with advice.

Hope your HT is OK.

Looks like Hanna sucked all the wind up north.

Yeah, but the 10-15 in relatively flat water on Saturday made it well worth the trip. The first race on Sunday was one of the more tactical races that I've raced in a while. Big thanks to Scott Smith and crew for putting together a great event.

And I just wanted to add that we were late to the first start by about 2 minutes and were able to make it up thanks to the great driving of my skipper. I didn't call the all the shifts right, but once we were in a groove the hunt was afoot.

Saturday was more than worth it for me. Great racing at a great venue. I still have some issues to sort out on my boat but really feel good about where it is now. Spin runs in traffic are so very exhilarating!

Yea.. Sat was a blast... We got in 5 long races.. Even with moving A marks between races a couple times. Sue Ellen did a great job at race committee.

Wind was around 10 with lines of about 15 with slight oscilations and steadly clocking to the west as the day went, so it made for so great tactical racing.

First race Sunday was OK.. about 5 and steady.
The last race was a crapper... but it wouldn't be Lake Norman without one drifter.

HEY! I was first over the line in that last race...I guess it depends on your perspective. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The one year I could do it. The one year I really REALLY WANTED to do it... And my wife goes out of town and I get left with the kids. And then my father-in-law leaves the country and my wife's grandmother has a stroke and goes into the hospital for which I'm the only one left to try and get things done. And then when my wife does fly back and is driving straight to the hospital, her car dies!

The universe has just been conspiring against me these past 5 days to do anything to keep me from sailing. And on Saturday all I could do was look out the window at the trees blowing in that constant 10-15 breeze and cry. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

(I did see someone with a motorhome on Friday towing a double-stack trailer with what quickly looked liked two, Nacra F-18's. The jealously factor really kicked in at that point!

So sorry that you couldn't make it. Hope things work out and you can get back out on the water soon. Maybe the area D-N qualifier at Nigels or Outback?????


Ps-You probably saw us with the two Blades double stacked on Friday.

So... where are the pictures?