Canandaigua Lake RC Laser Sailing

Gary Schmidt put in his first race of the year following a winter tour in Germany.  The result was stunning.   He had a third place finish beaten only by Anna Gorbold and Anne Lambert. In all fairness the race was shortened and many of us reading our GPS weather app knew it was time to get off the water.  We then repositioned ourselves at the pavilion to wait out the storm.  We talked about drawing straws to see who would go back out to pick up the marks and decided they would be fine there until later.

We did hold a fleet meeting where it was decided that plans should be made to hold our 5th annual Squaw Island Regatta on August 1st, the Atkins’ Hospitality Elimination Regatta on August 22, and an Erie Canal Race either the first or second week in October.  There are still many fine points to be ironed out but I am confident that it will all come together. Stay tuned as there will be more info as things progress.

Next week will be week 7 of our 8 week series and also the beginning of the club’s big boat racing season.  I ask that we all be thoughtful of everyone’s needs to use the docks and not park vehicles  in their way.

Once again we will be on the south dock 4-6pm Sunday May 17th.

See you on the water!!!!!

The Admiral

It was just another fine day for racing Sunday afternoon.  Although the wind was light (A sail) we managed to get in 7 races in total.  Jonathan Gorbold won 3, Jay Niggli won 2, Anne Lambert won 1 and Terry Schmidt won 1.

We set up 2 courses for the afternoon to accommodate the wind changes.  For some races we sailed north south and other races east west.  It made for a lot of stop and go.  Getting too close to the docks was problematic and getting to close to an Ensign on a mooring was also dangerous.

Boat #54 was slowed down considerably by the placement of an I-phone in the boat and a GoPro attached to the mast.  Lesson learned was — make sure you have them turned on before sending the boat out cause there is not much recorded when the boat gets back if you don’t!!!!!! OPPPPPS!

Next Sunday will be Mother’s Day and week 6 of our spring racing series at the south dock CYC 4-6PM.

Hope to see you there.

The Admiral

We have now completed 4 weeks of our 8 week series and there has yet to be a boat to run off with the series.  Currently Bill Schmidt is 1 point in front of Jonathan Gorbold who is just 4 points in front of Mary Schmidt.  Click “RESULTS” to see all the scores.

Jay and I put our phones in our boats while racing to try and get a little more practice at using the “Raceqs app”.  We were able to get in one good race before Jay’s boat had an equipment failure and decided to head due south.  (It made for quite a long dingy ride)  If you are interested in seeing how the app works you will need to register at Raceqs.com and then do a friend search for Nelson Habecker.  I added video to it but was unsuccessful at getting it synched.  My GOPRO was off by more than a few minutes.  I will work on that and hope to get you better footage in the future.

This Sunday we will be racing off the south dock of CYC at a new time as to give way to all the bigger boats that require our space at times.  The new race time will be 4 – 6pm.  The forcast is for temps in the 70’s and winds out of the northeast at 8-10 knots.  Once again we should get another perfect day on the water.

See everyone Sunday at 4.

The Admiral

——-WARNING——-

The photo shown on this blog may be too graphic for children.

Viewer discretion is advised.

It was a great day for our annual Walkabout races.  The wind was squirrely as usual and from several directions which is to be expected.  Most of the time it was just hard to figure.

This year we tried something different by using a GPS tracking “RACEQS APP” which told us after the race that we had traveled a total of 3.1 nautical miles for the day. We also attached a camera for some on the water race footage.

While the walkabout was 2/3s of our walking we did have an additional three races before the clock ran out on us.

Keith Calkins showed up to take photos with his camera.  Go to our 2015 Walkabout Photos  to see them.  Also, George Nicks wandered down with his RC motorboat on a string.  It seems that after it goes out twenty yards or so it quits.  So Neil was nice enough to loan him his RC for a couple of races to see what it feels like to be in control of your boat and have it come back more than 20 yards from shore without a string.

Following racing we retired inside for Anne’s chili, Anna & Jonathan’s fresh bread, Maggie & Neil’s great salad, Mary & Bill’s non fattening ice cream, and Glennis Habecker’s pirate made cherry cheese cake finishers.

Oh Yea, I almost forgot the injury.  It seems that while no one was watching that a bench along our path leaped out and took a swipe at Jack Bennett.  911 was called in and a bandage was applied following the race.  He is healing slowly at home and should be back in action next week.

Walkabout Races can be Dangerous

Next week we will be moving to CYC for racing off the south dock 2-4pm.

If you happen to be in the area on Saturday the 25th, CYC will be hosting the annual “Burning of the Socks” from 4-6pm with a fire pit for your socks, music, dance, and suprises.

See you on the water!!!!!

The Admiral

The beginning of spring

The winds were a little light but the sunshine and 70 degree temps made everyone happy to be out racing and enjoying appetizers thanks to Jack, Maggie and Terry.  It was so nice that instead of retiring to a meal inside we brought the tables, chairs, and the meal outside with tons of sunshine.

After the RC races a few of our members decided to bring out their 1 meter boats and give them a whirl.  The rest of us proceeded  to sit down to feast on Anne’s wonderful ham & scallops and Sally’s Cesar salad. While eating, it was delightful to  hear about Neil & Maggie’s three month excursion to New Zealand. The 1 meter boys showed up to eat just as we were finishing, so as not to make them feel bad, most of us had seconds with them and then had Mary Schmidt’s Carrot cake that was the perfect icing for the day.

Oh, and before I forget we did have 6 races before time ran out on us.  With the warm day and the cold water in the lake it created a breeze that came and went from every direction. Starts and finishes were either upwind or downwind depending on the moment.  With 11 boats on the water there was a lot of positioning and bumping at the marks but in the end all boats were retrieved unharmed.

“RACE RESULTS”

Next Sunday we will once again be at Holiday Harbor 2-4pm and will have our walkabout races weather permitting.  Jack Bennett doesn’t know it yet, but he and I will have downloaded the “RaceQs” app and will be putting our phones in our boats in hopes of being able to share the apps uses for our longer distance races we intend to have this year.  The early forecast is for another great Sunday so we should be two for two this year.

See you this Sunday on the water!!!!!

Although there is still ice covering much of Canandaigua Lake and Holiday Harbor, plans are going forward to conduct races on Sunday April 12th at 423 Holiday Harbor or the south dock of CYC.  I am hoping that enough ice will be gone from the harbor and that the weeds have died off.  If not, the plan will be to race at the south dock at CYC.  We may have to ask the crowd of spectators trying to find an optimum perch to move back and allow us more racing room.  Remember, this is a day to feast on ham, not duck. The spectators are to be considered hazards and avoidance should be your first concern.

Following racing we will retire to Holiday Harbor  for our
Post Easter Feast!

423 Holiday Harbor  Canandaigua, NY 14424

2 – 4 pm racing with food and wine to follow:

Menu: Ham/scalloped potatoes/crusty bread, cake and wine

We welcome appetizers.

See you on the water this Sunday 2PM

The Admiral

Unfortunately the white cap being referred to is snow and ice. With the temperature drifting into the teens every week it is very difficult to melt away the ice on the lake and in the harbor.

Therefor, it is with much regret that I am postponing the first spring day of RC racing until April 12th.  The plan now is to have a post Easter Ham and Scallops meal (Sunday the 12th) after racing from 2-4  at 423 Holiday Harbor.

It is a good thing that Punxsutawney Phil resides in Pennsylvania cause I hear ground hog doesn’t taste so bad in the spring after they have lot most of their fat.  Six weeks and counting.  I have had enough!!!!

I look forward to seeing everyone Soon.

The Admiral

Well Mary’s Lazagna exceeded all expectations! And was nicely complemented with Maggie’s delicious warm bread!

The day was deceiving with a great shot of sunshine but by the time the meal was ready we were ready as well!

Sunday Results:
MVP was Jonathan who won 3 of the 8 races, Jack Bennett came back fighting and  won 2 of the 8 races followed by

Mary, Anna and Jay who each took one of the events.  

Frostbite Series:

Jonathan Gorbold takes the gold

Mary & Bill Schmidt share the silver with a tie for second place

Overall High Point:

Jonathan maintains a very small lead over Bill Schmidt followed by Mary Schmidt. For the complete results “click here”

I would like to thank everyone for there participation, donations, and good humor the entire year.

It is now time to take a pause and enjoy the Holidays.

“MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR”

It will not be long before spring so don’t hide your boat too far in the closet.  Providing the ice is gone we will be back on the water racing March 29th, 2015.

Our first major event will be the walkabout at Holiday Harbor where you could win this——bottle of champagne!!!!!!! But not likely!!!

ACE OF SPADES

Sunday Nov 9, 2014- Good Wind on the Water… but brrrr cold. All welcomed Anna’s Mulled wine during race time!

Hot Chowder couldn’t come too soon but just as we were about to depart the wind came up Again.. and Again….we got “ 6”  races in and then retreated!

The seaplane all took us by surprise..we thought it was Jonathan— firing up the engine on his Laser!

Back at the cottage…Chowder, apple pie and Christmas cookies brought holiday spirit.

Ski and Ice boat stories are starting to take over as we quickly come to a close to our Frostbite series.

With only 1 week left in the Frostbite Series it’s a parade to the Finish!!!

Mary and Bill Schmidt are tied for #1 spot, and just 3 boats behind is Jonathan Gorbold, and 3 boats behind him is Jay Niggli and 3 boats behind Jay is Anne Lambert! 

Overall High Point:

Current Standings: 

Bill Schmidt is #1, Mary Schmidt is #2, and Jonathan is #3.

Next week we are planning to sail at Holiday Harbor in the Channel and then enjoy Mary’s Famous Lasagna at #423 ! Race time will once again be 1-3 pm.  Don’t worry if you can’t make it, I (The Admiral) will eat your portion of Lasagna for you.

See you Sunday on the water at 423 Holiday Harbor for the final races of the year): ): ): ): ):

Frostbite Series Nov 2, 2014
High winds out of the North offered a great day of sailing.

 We had a few guests- Christine Brown, Ollie her dog and Ollie the Otter!

After 7 fast  & exciting races we departed for the warm cottage and a

Big Birthday Sha-bang!

Anna Gorbold cooked up a storm in  honor of her hubby Jonathan Gorbold and we all got to share in the Festivities-including Christine our Honorary Member who shares a birthday with Jonathan!

We cheered Jonathan and Christine Brown as they together celebrated Another Year of AWESOMENESS!
… And we topped it off with Champagne in celebration of the many that have recently retired~

In order… Drum Roll please….
Gary, Anne, Anna, Terry, and soon to be Jonathan!
So much to be grateful for!!!

Sunday Results:

Bill Schmidt was able to read the swirling wind better than the rest and he took 3 bullets!

Terry Schmidt, Anne Lambert and Mary Schmidt each enjoyed their chance to lead the pack as well.

Frost bite Series:

 #1- Bill Schmidt

#2-Mary Schmidt
#3- Jay Niggli

#4: Anne Lambert/Terry Schmidt

Overall High Point Series:

 #1- Bill Schmidt

#2- Mary Schmidt

#3- Jay Niggli

#4- Anne Lambert

PLEASE NOTE:  After a member discussion it was decided that the final 2 weeks of the series will be 1pm – 3pm at the CYC docks.  This one hour change is in hopes of more sun and warmer temps.

My fingers got cold!!!!!

The Admiral