ST. CROIX SAILING CLUB

GREAT SAILORS, GREAT SAILING!

ST. CROIX SAILING CLUB

GREAT SAILORS, GREAT SAILING!

ST. CROIX SAILING CLUB

GREAT SAILORS, GREAT SAILING!

ST. CROIX SAILING CLUB

GREAT SAILORS, GREAT SAILING!

ST. CROIX SAILING CLUB

GREAT SAILORS, GREAT SAILING!

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Racing

Racing events are organized to appeal to sailors of all abilities.  They include several weekend and mid-week racing series, fun races, and special regattas such as the Spring Invitational; the Breaking Waves Regatta and Commodore’s Cup (overnight race/cruise from Hudson to Prescott);  the Carlson Classic; the Labor Day Regatta; and the Autumnal Equinox.

The Labor Day Regatta (now known as the “Fall Regatta” or “Sail and Share”) has brought in sailors from Iowa, Lake of the Woods, Lake Pepin, Lake Waconia, Lake Minnetonka, White Bear Lake, Medicine Lake and Lake Mille Lacs. The festivities begin on Friday night and, after two days of racing, conclude Sunday with the awards ceremony and cocktail party. Saturday’s racing is often followed by dinner and live music.

  • Racing Posts

    • Commodore’s Cup, 2022

    September 24 – 25

    Notice of Race – Sailing Instructions

    The Commodore’s Cup will be held this Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11am.  This is our annual long-distance voyage down the St. Croix to the city of Prescott!  Cruisers are welcome to sail with us and join in the fun on Saturday evening.
     

    Saturday:

    There will be two starts, with the Division 3 & 5 sequence beginning at 11am.
    The sequence for Divisions 1 & 4 will begin around 11:20am.

    If there are any significant changes due to weather, the Race Committee (R/C) will email everyone Friday evening, or by VHF starting at 10:00 Saturday morning.

    Saturday Evening:

    The Prescott City Council has reserved the city docks for us!  Your boats are permitted to stay at the city docks overnight.  The docks are between the highway bridge and the railroad trestle.  When you are ready to dock, call the “Prescott Highway Bridge” on VHF 14 (or 16) to request an opening of the Highway bridge ONLY.  Please buddy up with other sailboats so we don’t need to open the bridge too many times.

    We will have a post-race gathering on the docks (byo food, the last of the beercan beverages will be provided by the club).  Sailors are welcome to venture into town for dinner and partying.

    Sunday:

    There will be one sequence for all boats.  Warning signal will be at 11am, just north of the Prescott Highway Bridge.  We will race to Hudson, or wherever the R/C sets the finish line (if the race is slow).

    Other notes:

    On both days, the finish line may be shortened or the races cancelled if the winds and weather are unfavorable for racing.  The R/C intends to have everyone ashore by 5 or 6pm.

    There may be several new crews, boats, and skippers attending the races this year – thank you for coming!  This is one of the most spectacular events our club has to offer.  Here are a few tips to make your adventure more enjoyable:

    • There are numerous shallow areas along the route. Take a look at this chart and note the shallow areas off of Afton, Black Bass Bar, Afton State Park, and the south side of the Kinnicknnic channel.
      https://www.waterwayguide.com/explorer?latitude=44.84637637001192&longitude=-92.73988723754883&zoom=12
      (choose the “Navionics” layer from the layers button at the lower-left)
    • All racers should familiarize themselves with the provisions of Section 11 of the Sailing Instructions
    • Should you elect to retire from racing on either day, ensure that you notify the R/C or have somebody notify the R/C on your behalf.  The R/C will be monitoring VHF Channel 72, or can be reached by phone.
    • If the winds are light, there might be some amount of motoring – make sure to top off your fuel tanks.

    Labor Day Crew Swap Regatta, 2022

    September 3rd, 2022

    NOTICE OF RACE – SAILING INSTRUCTIONS – RESULTS

     

    The Labor Day Crew Swap Regatta was a hit last year so we’re doing it again! This is a fun way to increase involvement for new club members and for everyone to try something new, whether it’s crewing on a different boat or trying a different position on their regular boat.  All boats and crew members should register using the link above.  Saturday morning, the organizers will randomly assign crew to boats.  Anyone (including non-member crew) are welcome to join us for this event.

    To keep the event safe, skippers and one experienced crew member should remain on board their own boats, though they are still encouraged to swap to a different position.

    Any boats that prefer keeping their standard crew should still attend—just swap the crew around on the boat!  Is there someone who’d like to have a shot at helming a race?  Been a while since the skipper was on the foredeck or did any trimming?  Now’s the time.

    Event Schedule:

    Registration Deadline:

    • Friday, September 2nd, 1500 hrs.
    • Crew members and Skippers are encouraged to register.
    • Division splits will be published shortly thereafter.
    • Late entries will be accepted – contact the R/C on VHF or by phone prior to the race.

    Dates of Racing:

    • Saturday, September 3rd, 2022
    • Crew assignments 0900 hrs.  All crew to be assigned will meet in St. Croix Marina parking lot near F Dock.  Assignments will be made by drawing names from a hat.
    • The scheduled time of the warning signal for the first race is 1100 hrs.
    • There will be 1 or 2 divisions based on registration entries.
    • We will sail until around 3 or 4pm (2-4 races, weather permitting).

    Party:

    • Rick Hughes/Blew Bayou will host a Beercan style party immediately following racing.  Beverages and a light meal will be served.

    Submit

    Destination Beercan Race & Cruise

    The 2022 Destination Beercan will be held Saturday, August 20th at 11am.  All members are welcome to participate, including Racers and Cruisers.  We will sail from Hudson to Stillwater, with a party after the sailors arrive in the park.

    The Party:

    The Beercan Party (hosted by Matt and crew from Contessa) will follow racing south of the lift bridge.  If that area of the park is busy, the party may be moved elsewhere along the waterfront.  Please bring a side dish to pass.  The club will provide deli sandwiches from Brines, beer, water, and pop.  It would be great to have simple sides to accompany them: salads, fruits, veggies, cheeses, etc…

    Ken from Hairy Bear will sponsor a Bocce Ball tournament when we arrive!

    Race Details:

    The Destination Beercan race will begin at 11am near Bayport.  It will be a distance race from north of the railroad bridge to the finish line in downtown Stillwater.

    First leg will be to windward, and a mark (rounded to port) may be set if the wind is Southerly.  The Race Committee will make ample announcements on VHF 72 prior to 11am.

    Sailors are welcome to sail back to Hudson at their leisure.

    Cruise Details:

    Set off with the racers at 11am, or at your pleasure.  See you in Stillwater for the party!
    If you choose to start with the racers, please start AFTER the racers, and do your best to not interfere with them during the race.  They have paid race fees and are competing for trophies.  Your courtesy is much appreciated.

    River Details:

    This is a non-standard sailing area, so you need to keep and eye on the river depths and follow the USCG right of way rules for non-competitor vessels.
    Click here for a river diagram calling attention to a few known areas of shallow water.

    Prior to racing, all sailors are required to pass under the Hudson Railroad Bridge on the north end of the Hudson channel.  If the bridge is closed, they may be hailed on VHF 16.  The R/C may postpone racing if bridge closures hold up the fleet.

    Mooring/docking Information at Stillwater:

    Med-mooring (Click photo to expand) Anchor is dropped away from shore, then the boat is backed to shore and tied with one or two lines.  Photo Credit: John Henly

    We will med-moor south of the Lift Bridge in downtown Stillwater along the seawall (see photo).  Depth just south of the bridge is 5′ at flat pool, and shallows further south.  Please reserve space for deep-draft boats further north.
    Ken (Hairy Bear) and others will be on site to assist with med-mooring!  Bring an anchor and at least one (ideally two) long mooring lines.  If you are unfamiliar with med-mooring, call Pat or Ken (or any number of people) and they can explain.

    Flags, pennants, and other boat bling are highly recommended!  There will be plenty of gawkers.

    If you’d prefer to do a standard side-tie to the seawall, please consider allowing other boats to raft alongside you (bring fenders).

    You may also dock your boats at the Stillwater City Docks.  They are behind the paddle boats (enter from the North).  Space is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis (we do not have reservations).  Overnight docking is an option, but very limited.

     

    Pursuit Races, 2022

    10th Annual SCSC Pursuit Races
    Saturday, July 16th at 11:00 hrs

    Notice of Race – Sailing Instructions
    Competitors List – Start Times
    Results

    The Pursuit Race is an exciting twist on our traditional races!
    Boats will start based on handicaps – High-PHRF boats first, Lower-PHRF boats later.  Each class of boat has their own start time.  Hence, faster boats will PURSUE the slower ones.  The idea is to have everyone finish at the same time (and scare the heck out of the Race Committee).  The first boat across the finish line is the winner!

    Start times are created for all boats registered with SCSC. These times will dictate when your boat starts after the conclusion of the initial start sequence. The final start times for registered boats will be posted on Friday evening.

    Boats trailing behind may be “scored in place” to keep races rolling.  The Race Committee will notify boats via VHF if they have been scored this way.

    There is talk about turning this into one big, huge, long race in which boats will record their own finish times…  Stay tuned for details if we go this route.

    If you intend to race in a configuration not listed in the “Competitors List” document above (ie: spinnaker or non, different headsail size, etc) you must let the Race Committee know by NOON FRIDAY.  You may also request optional configurations – ones you may or may not sail with.  The R/C will add all requests to the Start Times form, and you may choose your configuration by announcing at your start.

    Sign-up is not required unless you have a configuration change which affects your handicap.

    The Pursuit Races are open to all members of the club, and all boats with an assigned handicap.

    For questions or to submit handicap changes, use the following form by Friday at Noon:

      May 24, 2022 9:08 pm  Race Status

      Due to high water, the Dave O’Donnell Memorial Regatta and Spring Picnic,
      currently scheduled for Saturday, May 28th, have been canceled.

      Racing is anticipated to resume at our next scheduled race on Tuesday, May
      31st.

      May 20, 2022 5:41 pm  Race Status

      Due to high water, the Breaking Waves race has been postponed to June 18th,
      and the Spring #1 race has been postponed to June 23rd.
      Racing will resume when the river drops below 683 ft.