Austin Lake Catamaran Association

Spring 2015 Racing Series Begins Tuesday, May 5, 2015

There will be one Portsmouth fleet (A) for scoring and one start for the two scheduled races. If we don't here otherwise, you will be scored in the fleet you sailed last summer, unless you let us (officer or Committee Boat) know otherwise. IF you didn't sail last summer, please reply with your fleet designation to Andy Lenczycki (Statistician).

The start sequence is as follows:
• 6:30 pm - Multiple horn blasts as a warning that the sequence is about to start.
• 5:00 minutes before start - Single horn blast and the purple class flag will be raised [purple flag with the Hobie "H" on it]
• 4:00 minutes before start - Single horn blast and preparatory flag raised [blue flag with white square in center]
• 1 minute before start - Single horn blast and preparatory flag lowered

Start - Single horn blast and purple class flag lowered

IMPORTANT NOTE: For most race nights we are going to change the course setup slightly this year [unless the wind dictates that we go back to how we set it up in the last several years]. The start/finish line will be moved so that it is below the gates/C mark instead of the middle of the course (between the gates/C Mark and A Mark). This setup has been in use for several years now in the sailing community and it's been decided that ALCA should get with the times! There are no penalties for sailing through or touching the gate/C mark when starting or finishing. All current rules still apply when the gates/C mark are being rounded as part of the course. Here is a diagram of the new course setup:

NOTE: With this course layout, ALL races will finish downwind.

2015 ALCA Upcoming Important Dates

May 30-31, 2015 - Austin Lake Regatta

Crew Needed

Fleet member Steve Weatherford is looking for a crew to sail with him on his Hobie 16 on Tuesday nights. Contact Steve at (269) 569-1426 (cell) or via email at

Steve Weatherford.

Membership/Racing Dues

Don't forget, membership dues are due for 2015. Unpaid members will not be scored! Remember, you don't have to own a boat, or even sail to be a member of ALCA. For the nominal fee of $10 you can become a member of the Austin Lake Catamaran Association. This fee is for the FUN activities for which we have a very well organized (and inventive and creative) party committee. For those members that do own a catamaran and want to race, the annual racing membership is an additional $20. Kathy Rubino normally has Membership Forms at the after-racing location.

Race Committee Volunteers

The Race Committee (which runs the races each week) is staffed by dedicated volunteers, for which all us skipper's aremostgrateful. If you're interested in seeing (up close and personal) what catamaran racing is all about, you can volunteer to assist (or just observe) from the Committe Boat. It's a great way to be involved with the fleet without having to jump right into racing or having a boat.

Results / After Sailing Meeting Locations

2015 Spring Series results meeting location will be:

May 5, 2015 - Burger Town Grill (formerly Mulligans Sports Bar & Grill)

May 12, 2015 - Burger Town Grill

May 19, 2015 - Burger Town Grill

May 26, 2015 - Burger Town Grill

June 2, 2015 - Burger Town Grill

June 9, 2015 - Burger Town Grill

June 16, 2015 - Burger Town Grill

June 23, 2015 - Burger Town Grill

2015 Summer Series results meeting location will be:

June 30, 2015 - No Racing (July 4th break)
July 7, 2015 - Burger Town Grill (formerly Mulligans Sports Bar & Grill)
July 14, 2015 - Burger Town Grill
July 21, 2015 - Burger Town Grill
July 28, 2015 - Burger Town Grill
August 4, 2015 - Burger Town Grill
August 11, 2015 - Burger Town Grill
August 18, 2015 - Burger Town Grill
August 25, 2015 - Burger Town Grill
September 1, 2015 - Burger Town Grill
September 8, 2015 - Burger Town Grill

Lifejackets are MANDATORY!

Race participants that do not follw the mandatory lifejacket requirement can be protested by another boat or be disqualified immediately by the Committee Boat. Penalty by protest willresult in a DSQif the protest is upheld. Please - think safety, wear your life jacket, and leave the protests for more serious issues.

Personal Safety (Sail to Your Ability)

Safety during racing is paramount. When windy, the Race Chairman will try to find a chase boat for on-the-water assistance. If a boat flips and there is no chase boat available, it is the obligation of every sailor to stop and assist others in distress (however not every boat that flips over will need assistance). If windy conditions are present, it may be difficult or impossible for a one-man boat to render assistance. Any sailor lending assistance can apply for redressto havetheir scoring adjusted for providing assistance to another sailor in distress.

If you are not comfortable with the night's conditions or your ability under those conditions, please return to shore. If you are in distress or need assistance, please hail another sailor.

This Page Last Updated: 4/21/2015