Port Credit Yacht Club invites you for “New Crew and Skippers Mixer Night”

Are you a racing skipper looking for reliable crew that is experienced but hasn’t a boat or isn’t experienced, but is enthusiastic about learning to race a sailboat?   Or, are you a sailor looking for a boat on which to crew so you can hone sailing skills or learn to be part of a racing team?  This event is organized for you to meet compatible people before going out on the course.

For those interested in long distance racing, this night is designed for Skippers who would like to race the LO300 but can’t find dedicated crew and crew who are interested but can’t find a boat.  This is an opportunity for them to meet and see if they are compatible.

This evening is also for people who are interested  in ‘around the cans’ racing, PCYC holds regular Monday and Wednesday races from May to September.  Monday night racing is ‘White Sail’ only suited for the beginner or more laid back racer.  Wednesday night is ‘Spinnaker night’ for the more advanced and competitive people.

The timing of this event was deliberately planned such that a team would have enough time to practice a few times before race nights begin.  Alternatively, if they are planning to do the long distance course, the new people would have ample opportunity to race together and try the Susan Hood Trophy Race on June 1.  This race is good proving ground for the LO300.

Experienced skippers and crew will be there to answer questions and provide advice.

When: Wednesday May 2^nd, 2012
Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Port Credit Yacht Club
Lakefront Promenade
Mississauga, Ontario
L5E 3G6
Phone: 905-278-5578

Crew andskipper information forms will be available at the door, but it is preferable if you send it to us before the event so we can forward it to interested parties.

To get the ‘Crew Information Form’ or put your name on the ‘Skippers looking for crew list’: please contact Monica Doedens at mndoedens@gmail.com or Simon de Groot at scdegroot@rogers.com

This event is Proudly Sponsored by

True North Yachts.
Customer Loyalty thru Service excellence

On April 3^rd 2012, the GLSS met and had their Detroit Area Spring Safety Meeting at the GLYC in St. Clair Shores MI.  Forty-One sailors attended the seminar, including 15 potential first timers, who wish to try their hand at one of the GLSS events this year.  To date and in addition to the 6 sailors already signed up for the LO300SC, we have had inquiries Kingston, Hamilton, Bronte, Windsor/Detroit MI, and Cleveland OH.  With 6 confirmed and 7 new potential entrants by mid-April, the LO300 may well be on track for another banner year.

If you have sailed in the LOSHRS series for many years, or have done the LO300 double-handed, this could well be your next great challenge.  For more information on the GLSS requirements for first-time sailors, please go to www.solosailors.org, email Brent Hughes at bhughes@ucci.ca, or give him a call at 416-984-7967 at any time.  We hope you are up to the Challenge in 2012.

Brent Hughes
Pearl – FBYC
LO300-GLSS Liason

One of the primary areas of concern for the Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Group is racers safety. Our improvement efforts in this respect are two-fold for 2012; we have standardized the published Minimum Equipment Requirements across all events and we are introducing the racing community to Minimum Stability Requirements for monohull yachts.

During this introductory year, the Organizing Committee will review entries for all races, determine a yacht’s Stability Index value based on sistership data and communicate with the owners of yachts that appear to fall below internationally accepted stability requirements for offshore events. A minimum Stability Index is not a requirement in the Notices of Race but will help race organizers and boat owners assess a yacht’s ability to resist capsize.

Whereas formal stability screening has been used in oceanic races for years, the screening used for freshwater offshore races has tended to be less rigorous.  A significant hurdle is the lack of Stability Index value for boats in the types and size range in our fleet; high performance rating systems such as IRC, ORR and ORC already assign a Stability Index on the boat’s rating certificate, all other entries will be assigned a Stability, Safety and Screening Numeral (SSSN) calculated by an engineer.

Background Information

There are many types of races ranging from trans-oceanic races beyond the reach of any outside rescue facility to inshore races of short duration where rescue boats are available along the entire race course.

ISAF, the sailing sport authority, has divided offshore races into 7 categories; in the Offshore Special Regulations they strongly recommend that for Categories 0 through 4 races the race organizer should require compliance with a minimum stability/buoyancy index.

Crafted as a yacht manufacturing design tool, the International Standards Organization (ISO) created the ISO 12217-2 standard for sailboats longer than 6m, with design categories (A to D) for different types of sailing conditions as they relate to wind and waves. These are used as a general guide to suitability for meeting the OSR categories as per the following table:

Summary of Maximum Design Category Conditions under ISO 12217-2

* Height in metres. Some waves will be double this height.

Stability/Buoyancy Screening Systems

The preferred systems for stability/buoyancy screening are:

ISO
Any boat, no matter where she was built, sold in the European Economic Area (EEA) since June 15, 1998 is required to have undergone a certification process involving many ISO standards. The standard germane to this discussion is ISO 12217 Part 2. These boats will carry an ISO Category label.

STIX
Boats independently verified as meeting the minimum sailing weight, STability IndeX (STIX) and Angle of Vanishing Stability (AVS) under ISO 12217-2 and meeting the other standards are assigned an ISO category as summarized in the table below. A STIX value is typically obtained via the IRC Rating Office or a naval architect.

Since this is the most recent and arguably most sophisticated screening tool available to date it is the preferred method.

IMS, ORC and ORR
In addition to using hull shape to determine the yacht’s rating, the International Measurement System (IMS) based rules such as the Offshore Racing

Council Congress (ORC) and the Offshore Racing Rule (ORR) offices calculate a STaBility IndeX (STBIX) that appears on the yacht’s rating certificate.

Stability, Safety and Screening Numeral
The Stability, Safety and Screening Numeral (SSSN) is an older system developed by the RORC in the early eighties; the same input parameters as required for a PHRF certificate can be used to calculate a stability value, thus for almost any sailboat.

Unlike the STIX and STBIX values, SSSN estimates stability from rather basic parameters as compared to the more rigorous and detailed process used by the other systems. SSSN is not intended, nor should be used, for unconventional boats including those with moveable ballast, wings or excessive flare.

Corresponding ISO 12217-2 Minimum Values

Summary

As a best practice, the Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Group has adopted a minimum stability values associated with OSR Category 3 events for all overnight events (Lake Ontario 300 Challenge, Susan Hood trophy Race and LOSHRS 100-miler) and a minimum stability values associated with OSR Category 4 events for all LOSHRS daytime races. Note that the Minimum Safety Requirements for all races remain the same and are based on OSR Category 3.

Required values will be in the following order of preference for OSR Category 3:

• minimum ISO Category B
• minimum sailing weight of 1500 kg
• minimum IRC STIX of 23 and minimum AVS of 130-0.005m but always ≥95°
• minimum ORC or ORR STBIX of 103
• minimum SSSN of 15 except for boats with moveable ballast , wings or excessive flare.

Required values will be in the following order of preference for OSR Category 4:

• minimum ISO Category C
• no minimum sailing weight
• minimum IRC STIX of 14 and minimum AVS of 90°
• minimum SSSN of 10 except for boats with moveable ballast , wings or excessive flare.

Note that compliance with any of the screening systems mentioned herein does not guarantee total safety or total freedom of risk from capsize or sinking.

With special thanks to Richard Hinterhoeller for his efforts at researching the various screening systems.

Since its introduction in 2008, the IRC Class has grown from six entries in the original year to two separate divisions to accommodate 14 yachts in 2011. It has been exciting to watch the tight level of competition within the IRC class; with over 100 IRC certificate holders on Lake Ontario, competitive yachts owners have clearly expressed their desire to race in this growing class. In anticipation of additional IRC divisions in upcoming years, the Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Committee, which is also responsible for the traditional Susan Hood Trophy Race and the popular Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series, has taken steps to properly recognize an overall IRC Champion.

In 2008, Sperry Top-Sider donated the Sperry Cup to be awarded to the overall winner of the Lake Ontario 300 Champion. At the time, a handful of yachts in the IRC Class were rescored under the PRHF rating in order to determine the best corrected-time overall. Following the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge organizer’s commitment to IRC, Sperry Top-Sider has offered a sister trophy to the Sperry Cup, the Gold Trophy, that will properly recognize an overall IRC Champion for the race.

Still in the design process, the Gold Trophy will sport a similar prestigious look as the coveted Sperry Cup, which will remain the top award for the PHRF Class. Sperry Top-Sider remains strongly committed to performance racing and has been a major sponsor of the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge for over eight years, recognizing it as the ultimate challenge in offshore racing on the Great Lakes.

Darren Gornall, Chairman of the Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Committee and past Sperry Cup winner states: “ The Lake Ontario 300 Challenge boasts an excellent record of continually improving the quality of the race experience; we now seek to increase the competitiveness at the top level. We feel this new trophy will be a reason for IRC yacht owners to put the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge on their race 2012 calendar. We also believe it will help convince current top-level PRHF yachts to consider a switch to IRC for this race”.

The race organizers are also extending an invitation to help Lake Ontario 300 Challenge participants with logistics around popular IRC events such as the LORC PCYC Open and Youngstown levels by keeping their yacht at the Port Credit Yacht Club.

About the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge, started 22 years ago as a double-handed event, the 300-mile circumnavigation of Lake Ontario has grown to become one of the premier offshore races on the Great Lakes. With 170 yachts participating in the past three years, the “Greatest Yacht Race on the Lakes” now offers a shorter 200-mile course for slower yachts. Whether single-handed, double-handed or fully crewed, the popular event hosted by the Port Credit Yacht Club is always full of challenges.

About Sperry Top-Sider, an American Original since 1935 when Paul Sperry invented the first boat shoe for sailors, Sperry Top-Sider remain water enthusiasts creating high performance footwear for people that are passionate about the thrill of pursuits on the water.

Nature Category

Jeffrey Dimitru, Sassafras

Andrew Newbury, Southern Cross

Team Category

Brian Townsend, Folichon

Jeffrey Dimitru, Sassafras

Humor Category

Greg Yaneff, Sassafras

Ted Crouse, Iliad

Video Category

http://youtu.be/o2gqLxeP9ms
Chris Watkinson, Afterburn

Scotch Bonnet Island Course

PHRF-LO NFS – Double Handed
1. Naxos, CAN33052, Mark Boudreau
2. Southern Cross, CAN37, Mike Newbury
3. Bow Movement, H 36, David Medhurst

PHRF-LO NFS – Full Crew – 1
1. Abracadabra, CAN41888, Klaus Noack
2. Seaforth, 54388, Andrew Gustajtis
3. DJ CATS, CANB461, Duncan Smith

PHRF-LO NFS – Full Crew – 2
1. Allegro, USA174, Marty Cameron
2. Ticker Tape, 34811, Donald Lounsbury
3. Ola, CAN27, Mario Perez-Perez

PHRF-LO NFS – Full Crew – 3
1. Gypsy Wind, USAT3500, Ernest Pipiles
2. Keego II, CAN687, Peter Chalkley
3. SeaCastle, CAN20286, Craig Castle

PHRF-LO NFS – Full Crew – 4
1. French Vanilla, CAN14, Harvey Ostrander
2. Wind Dancer, CAN4500, Kevin Williams
3. Kalona, CAN131, Philip Meiliunas

PHRF-LO NFS – Full Crew – 5
1. Iliad, CAN13, Roger Petersen
2. Escape, CAN720203, Mark Nalewajko
3. Temerity, CAN425, Peter Vetter

PHRF-LO FS 171 and greater – DH
1. Skeena, CAN1483, Rick Veenhuizen
2. Doralla, CAN54048, Kirk Allan
3. Apres Vous, CAN155, William Davidson – 4/DNF, ; 4

PHRF-LO FS 171 and greater – FC
1. Sebana, CAN102, Stewart Lindsay
2. Distant Thunder, CAN69, Bob Gauthier
3. Airborne 2, CAN102, Bob Hickson

Main Duck Island Course

Solo Challenge – Single Handed
1. Mythos, CAN6204, Ted Spanos
2. Striker, USA53534, Jan Steyn
3. GL3, USA1, William Tucker

IRC – Full Crew – 1
1. Happy Puppy, CAN29, Daniel McKindsey
2. Kaizen, USA27, Oleg Melnikov
3. IMXtreme, CAN69937, Joe MacDonald

IRC – Full Crew – 2
1. Blue Streak, CAN314, Robert Eckersley
2. Jeager, CAN25202, Leszek Siek
3. Lively, CAN265, Murray Gainer

PHRF-LO FS 183 and less – DH – 1
1. Nemesis, CAN18, Mike Innell
2. MacIntosh, CAN34539, Durk Steigenga
3. Demon’s Dance, CAN51, Ric Doedens

PHRF-LO FS 183 and less – DH – 2
1. Gizmo, CAN177, Brent Hughes
2. Emerald, CAN24200, Paul Willis
3. LES, CAN1111, John Hagen

PHRF-LO FS 183 and less – FC – 1
1. Shorthanded, CAN43635, Michael Pietz
2. Tango, CAN156, Pierre Savard
3. Star Chaser, CAN008, Ken Martin

PHRF-LO FS 183 and less – FC – 2
1. Encore, USA60145, Tony Byrne
2. Setanta, CAN227, Bob Bugbee
3. Sassafras, CAN3100, Colin Brown

PHRF-LO FS 183 and less – FC – 3
1. Tracker, CAN84717, Ken Graham
2. At Ease , CAN15, Jonathan Bamberger
3. Liberte 39, CAN009, Martin Lachapelle

PHRF-LO FS 183 and less – FC – 4
1. UMI TAKA, CAN32835, Dennis Dice
2. Ragtime, CAN34432, Michael VanderVaart
3. Sumac, CAN4141, Peter Smith

PHRF-LO FS 183 and less – FC – 5
1. Folichon, CAN34888, Ian McAllister
2. Nick’s Café, 4721, Patrick Muise
3. Aponivi, CAN3312, Eric Neate

PHRF-LO FS 183 and less – FC – 6
1. Rebellion, CAN44138, Michael Kahu
2. Silver Bullet, USA32965, Torsten Doering
3. Seajay, CAN218, James Johnstone

IRC is a measurement rule for cruiser/racer monohulls that is used around the world. Boats are measured and sometimes weighed to get a rating that is a Time on Time multipler. Certificates in Canada are arranged through the CYA, the measurment data is sent to the RORC in England where the certificate is issued. IRC is a “Secret” rule, so boats can not be designed to the rule. There are three IRC measurers in Ontario, 2 in the Toronto area and 1 in Sarnia.

PHRF (Performance Handicap Rating Formula) is a locally administered handicapping system. PHRF LO is the PHRF authority for Lake Ontario. Each member Yacht Club has one or more club handicappers who look after any measurement required and process the application for their club. PHRF LO certificates are only valid on Lake Ontario, as each PHRF regions sets its own rating for boats and a boat might have a different rating in another PHRF area. Boats coming from Lake Erie or the St. Lawrence Valley, can get a PHRF LO certificate at no cost by providing a valid PHRF certificate from their area to a club handicapper, a new PHRF LO certificate will then be issued. For racers from other areas, a PHRF LO application must be completed and a Non Member fee of $60.00 paid to PHRF LO. The fee can be paid on Pay Pal.

GLMRA ( The Great Lakes Multihull Racing Association) issues ratings to Multihull boats on the Great Lakes. Certificates are only valid on the great lakes.

In order to get any certificate, you need to have the proper information on your boat, class of boat, type of keel, type of prop and sail dimensions. A lot of boats have different versions of the same boat, tall or short rigs, deep or shallow keels, wing keels, keel centerboards etc. It important that you give the correct information on your application Sail dimensions should be obtained from your sailmaker.

For an IRC certificate, you need to contact an IRC Measurer, you can do this through the CYA.

IRC information can be found at http://www.lorc.org/IRC.htm or

http://www.sailing.ca/racing/offshore_racing_and_regulations/irc_in_canada/

For a PHRF LO certificate you need to contact your club handicapper if your club is a member of PHRF LO or contact PHRF LO direct if your club is not a member or you are from another PHRF area. PHRF LO information can be found at http://www.phrf-lo.org/

For a GLMRA certificate contact GLMRA at http://www.lake-eriemultihull.com/index.html.

By Graham Dougall, John Crawley, Alison Jones and PHRF-LO.

As a result of skippers feedback and inquiries, and in an effort to remain as inclusive as possible, the Organizing Committee has agreed to provide more flexibility in course options to Flying Sails (Spinnaker) yachts. As a result, yachts with a rating between PHRF-LO Flying Sails 171 and 183 inclusive can select to race on their choice of the Scotch Bonnet Island Course or the Main Duck Island Course.