May 13, 2016
Lake Ontario Offshore Racing
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Just Three Weeks to the Kick Off of the 2016 Offshore Racing Season!
 
With over 75 yachts already registered, including some exciting first time yachts, we are looking at another classic start to the offshore racing season Friday, June 3rd. Since the inception of our Sperry Topsider Post Race Party, this year will be the latest date and hopefully a great day for a BBQ, flag presentation some great music and a few more features thanks to our new title sponsor DriveHG.ca

On Sunday June 5th, our first LOSHRS   Series race takes place.  The first of 6 races the course race is a 12 miles starting at PCYC and ending at Toronto Islands.  As a bonus it serves as a great way for many Susan Hood participants who want to hang around and race home on Sunday.
Here are the highlights of this month's newsletter:
  • Activities, Dates and Times you need to know about for SHTR and LOSHRS
  • Safety Equipment - a few key items and where to get them
  • A special message from the Lake Ontario IRC Fleet Executive
  • Available Crew! Check out the Crew Bank
  • Looking for Escort Boats for a 32-mile paddleboard race. Yes.... Really!
We are looking forward to seeing everyone on the water and racing, and welcome all our new participants to this year's Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Season.
Joe Doris
Chair, Lake Ontario Offshore Racing


Important Race Information for Racers
Susan Hood Trophy Race
 
Early Check in:                   Thursday, June 2        1900 - 2100
Race Day Check in:            Friday, June 3            1400 - 1700*
            BBQ Dinner:            Friday, June 3             1600 - 1900
            Skippers' Meeting:   Friday, June 3             1800 - 1900
 
* Note: Check in closes at 5:00 PM on June 3rd. Take advantage of the EARLY check in on Thursday, June 2nd
           
Race Specifics
Sailing Instructions posted by:       Saturday, May 21
Splits posted no later than:            Friday, June 3             1000
            Participants' Meeting:        Friday, June 3             1800   
First Warning:                                Friday, June 3             1945
 
LOSHRS*
Sailing Instructions posted by:        Monday, May 23
Splits posted no later:                     Friday, June 3             1000
Participants' Meeting:                     Sunday, June 5           0915
First Warning:                                 Sunday, June 5           1125
 
* Note: If your boat is 30' or over, ensure that you have obtained your Decal from U.S. Customs and Border Protection prior to entering any U.S. port. You'll need this for the June 18th - 19th races to Youngstown YC and back. See DTOPS 
 
Racers.......Be Ready, Be Safe!
Contributed by Carolyn Burgess,The Rigging Shoppe Ltd.
Almost 30 years ago, in 1987, my mother and father, Bruce and Shirley Burgess, were forced to abandon their C&C30 sailboat 12 miles north of Wilson, New York. Their boat sank around 4pm and they spent the next 18 hours in the waters of Lake Ontario awaiting rescue. I am confident that if they had a constantly flashing light with them they would have been found hours earlier. The flotillas of rescue boats most likely sailed their grid pattern right through their location. Rough sea conditions and the dead of night made it impossible for the rescuers to see them.
Many marine safety devices are associated with visual aids that alert rescuers to the location of the distressed boat or person. Here are some examples of products that captain and crew should consider having with them on the LO300 long distance race; 

ACR HemiLight™3

Water activated Strobe light, Non-hazardous lithium battery which attaches to almost any style of PFD and lasts 20 hours. 5-year battery life.
 

https://www.acrartex.com/products/catalog/rescue-and-distress-lights/hemilight-3/#sthash.dMqUEspc.dpbs

 

Spinlock, Lume-on Inflatable PFD strove light

The Lume-on is used in addition to approved lifejacket lights. It has 2 flashing LED Lights (pair) which illuminate the inflated lifejacket bladder to increase visibility and aid location. They are activated and are compact in design. They attach and integrate only in lifejackets with separate bladder and cover construction. Sticks directly to underside of inflatable chamber.

 

 


Weems & Plath, SOS Distress Light

This floating strobe light runs off 3C alkaline batteries (included).  Although it is approved in the US as a substitute for flares it does not currently meet CDN registered vessel requirements for use in Canada.  However, this non-pyrotechnic strobe is visible for up to 10 miles and runs for 6 hours at peak intensity with a total illumination of 60 hours.  It can be handheld, tethered and floated and/or hoisted aloft.  It is a onetime purchase, with no expiration date.

 

Forespar WL-1

This rugged self-activated waterproof light produces brilliant strobe flashes automatically when thrown overboard and is visible for miles at sea. Xenon bulb penetrates rain, fog and haze. When used with a 6-volt alkaline lantern battery (not included) it will flash for over 52 hours and will still flash at least every 2 seconds after 7 days of continuous operation. A stainless steel molding bracket is included. Dimensions are 11-1/2" long, and 4" maximum diameter.

For availability and pricing for all items, please contact:

 

Carolyn Burgess, The Rigging Shoppe Ltd.

Boatloads of Bright ideas for boaters for over 45 years.

www.riggingshoppe.com

 
IRC Racing on Lake Ontario
A message from the IRC Lake Ontario Fleet
We have an outstanding IRC racing schedule planned for 2016 and encourage all boat owners to consider participating.
 
There will be IRC divisions for all the significant distance races on the lake this year and championship regatta weekends throughout the season culminating with the IRC North American Championship to be hosted by Etobicoke YC in late August.
 
The first IRC measurement session of the year will occur on Saturday, May, 14th and Sunday, May, 15th at C&C Marine located at the east end of Toronto harbour. John Crawley, IRC's Chief Measurer, will schedule weighing and measurement in your area as demand requires. Contact him for more information about having your boat measured. [email protected] .
 
We hope that whether your focus is distance racing, course racing or a mixture of both you will race under IRC this year and encourage others to do the same. All IRC information for the region is distributed through the  www.lorc.org  website. Check it out. And we invite you to contact our measurer John Crawley or any of our executive to discuss anything IRC.

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Registration Links
You will also find 'Notices of Race' for all events plus other documents through the following links.
Update on Registrations (as of May 11th)
LOOR Event
Registered to Date
Lake Ontario 300
83
Lake Ontario 600
13
LOSHRS
70
Susan Hood
77

Skippers - there are crew in the Crew Bank looking for a boat!
Use the Crew/Boats Boards. This resource was in high demand during the 2015 season and crew was snapped up very early. Check it out and ensure you don't miss the opportunity to participate in a LOOR event in 2016. There are already a number of listings posted to the page.
 
You'll find the link on the Registration page, right side of the page, called 'Crew/Boat Boards', or go to the Crew Bank page on the LOOR site.


Racers Feedback
 Lake Ontario Offshore Racing :  Click on Racers Survey. Thank you for taking the time to help us exceed your racing expectations.

Racers Feedback
 Lake Ontario Offshore Racing :  Click on Racers Survey. Thank you for taking the time to help us exceed your racing expectations.


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The Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Group is responsible for the planning of the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge, the Susan Hood Trophy Race and the Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series under the organizing authority of the Port Credit Yacht Club.