Texas City Dike Yacht Club

I'm tentively planning on it Bob. Maybe  by then I'll have a spinnaker. Congrats on your seventh place finish, I'm not smarter than a fifth grader.
 
                                                                                        Frank

Jim and I will be racing Sand Dunes. I think the last couple of years they have had a chase boat - courtesy of the Packery Channel - so the format is regular buoy racing. This is the best format for accelerating your learning curve.
Chris,

My Daughter and I are gonna give it a shot.  I warned them that it will be my first regata.  I'll just try to stay out of everyone's way while I learn what and what not to do.  I hope my boat stays together-something has fallen or broken off almost every time I've been out.  My wife is not impressed with my new toy.

Very cool. Be sure to google for "Hobie Bible" and read a good chunk of it - lots of good advice. Making sure your mast is sealed and does not leak is another good step. Also, check your standing rigging for corrosion around the swages. All in the spirit of avoiding too much 'adventure' at Sand Dunes. Weather at that time of year is normally awesome at Corpus - with perfect winds - not too strong, not too weak.
Look out for the wild cat on the beach - Jim and I will be happy to run you through the basics of your first race and give you some pointers. Hint: Sheet in hard going up wind. I mean really hard. Like both hands as tight as you can. Most newby racers run the mainsheet way too loose. Adjust the angle of your cleat on the main so you can only just cleat it from out on the wire. That way it will uncleat easily (we never cleat the main upwind except for the middle of a tack - and Jim typically runs the mainsheet while I steer).
Chris.

[quote=Chris Green
Very cool. Be sure to google for "Hobie Bible" and read a good chunk of it - lots of good advice. Making sure your mast is sealed and does not leak is another good step. Also, check your standing rigging for corrosion around the swages. All in the spirit of avoiding too much 'adventure' at Sand Dunes. Weather at that time of year is normally awesome at Corpus - with perfect winds - not too strong, not too weak.


Look out for the wild cat on the beach - Jim and I will be happy to run you through the basics of your first race and give you some pointers. Hint: Sheet in hard going up wind. I mean really hard. Like both hands as tight as you can. Most newby racers run the mainsheet way too loose. Adjust the angle of your cleat on the main so you can only just cleat it from out on the wire. That way it will uncleat easily (we never cleat the main upwind except for the middle of a tack - and Jim typically runs the mainsheet while I steer).


Chris.