Bluster on The Bay
January 15 -17, 2021
Organizing Authority: Hobie Division 8, Fleet 5, Fleet 36, Fleet 80 and Gulfport
Yacht Club– Gulfport, Florida
The notation ‘[DP]’ in a rule in the NoR means that the penalty for a breach of that rule may, at the discretion of the protest committee, be less than disqualification.
1. Rules
1.1. The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
2. Advertising
2.1. Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the organizing authority.
3. Eligibility and Entry
3.1. The regatta is open to all boats of the A-Cat, Hobie 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, and Wave, F16,F18, Nacra 15 and Weta classes, Windrider.
3.2. Eligible boats may enter online through the Hobie Division 8 website / Regatta Network beginning November 19th, 2020.
3.3. Per IHCA class rule 26, all competitors must be members in good standing of their class association.
3.4. Entries after January 3rd will be accepted with a $25 late fee.
4. Fees
4.1. Required Fees:
Doublehanded boats until January 3, 2020: $165 ($190 after 1/3/20)
Singlehanded boats until January 3, 2020: $115 ($140 after 1/3/20)
Please note: a portion of the entry fee will be donated to the My Sail Foundation for the promotion of youth sailing across North America.
5. Schedule (tentative)
Thursday, January 14th
1400-1800 – Registration
TBA – Practice race may be scheduled
Friday, January 15th
0800-1000 – Registration
1030 – Competitors’ meeting
1200 – First warning signal (3-5 races scheduled each race day)
Saturday, January 16th
1100 – First warning signal
1900 – Dinner at GYC Clubhouse* Due to Covid and social distancing, dinner will be served outside under the Porch!
Sunday, January 17th
1100 – First warning signal
1400 – No initial warning signal for a new race after this time
1600 – Awards
(additional tickets for dinners will be available at registration)
6. Sailing Instructions
6.1. Sailing instructions will be available online by January 2, 2021, on the Hobie Division 8 website and Facebook page and on Regatta Network. To reduce paper waste, copies will be available onsite only by request.
6.2. Online sailing instructions may be changed until 1800 Thursday, January 14, without a posted amendment.
7. Venue
7.1. Racing will take place in Boca Ciega Bay east of the St Pete Beach. 7.2. The regatta venue is Gulfport Yacht Club, Gulfport, FL.
8. Penalty System
8.1. For all classes, rule 44.1 is changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty.
9. Scoring
9.1. Three races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
9.2. When fewer than 5 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her races scores.
9.3. When 5 or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.
10. Radio Communications
10.1. Competitors are strongly encouraged to carry personal VHF radios to monitor race committee communications. Except in an emergency, a boat that is racing shall not make voice or data transmissions and shall not receive voice or data communication that is not available to all boats. This restriction also applies to mobile telephones. [DP]
11. Prizes
11.1. Prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the Organizing Authority
12. Disclaimer of Liability
12.1. Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See RRS 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage, personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta.
13. Insurance
13.1. Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of $100,000 per incident or the equivalent. Proof of insurance will be required at registration.
14. Further information
14.1. Please contact Jason Sanchez, Jmsgroupcontracting@gmail.com, Call/text 727- 580-5550, or Fred Weidig, Hobiefred@gmail.com.
Additional Information
Accommodations Available:
Thunderbird Beach Resort, 10700 Gulf Blvd Treasure Island, FL 33706 (727-367-1961). Special group rates are available by mentioning the event. Please use the group rate word “BOB” (Bluster on the Bay). Room Rates start at approx $107 per night for standard rooms and $159 per night for Beach view rooms. Early bookings are recommended. Booking online is available at the website.
Charter boats:
Some H16s may be available for charter.
For more information, please contact Jason Sanchez, Jmsgroupcontracting@gmail.com, Call/text 727-580-5550, or Fred Weidig, Hobiefred@gmail.com.