Get'em!
About the WNY Catamaran Association
Fleet 119 is a member of the Hobie Class Association. Founded in the mid 1970s by a group of beach sailors that fell in love with these fast wind machines, we've been in the Western New York area ever since. The club now supports other catamarans and has always been around the Angola New York area with homes at Point Breeze, Grandview Bay, Bennett and Wendt Beaches. In 2005 we moved to our new location at New York State's Evangola State Park in Angola, New York, where we currently have about thirty-five boats that are stored and beach-launched.
Adventurer Fossett Faked His Death; or Did He?
For those of you who have been living under a rock, Steve Fossett is probably one of the most accomplished sailors in the history of the sport. Breaking multiple Trans and round the world records. At 8:45 am, on Monday, September 3, 2007 Steve took off on another adventure and was lost in the mountains of Nevada. His plane and body had never been found and was declared dead on February 15, 2008. Now there are some stories out on the web stating he could have faked his death.
"It's not like we didn't have our eyes open. We found six other planes while we were looking for him. We're pretty good at what we do." Fossett's disappearance sparked the biggest search in American history, with the Civil Air Patrol's Black Hawks, fitted with infra-red technology, joined by over 30 private planes and internet experts scanning the Nevada desert looking for clues. Lt Col Ryan believes Fossett may have faked his own death due to personal problems or fears about his business dealings.
Full story here courtesy of Sailing Anarchy.com
If this is proven to be true it would be the biggest ruse since Elvis.
2008 Witter Cup and Hobie Kenobie are Here
Greetings sailors,
it’s that time of year again so pack up your gear, strap the hulls to the trailer and plan your trip to Buffalo because this years Witter Cup and Hobie Kenobie is looking to be a winner.
Last year there was word that our location was in jeopardy. Thankfully we still have Grandview Bay open to the public and we plan on rocking this regatta like there’s no tomorrow.
Witter Cup Details
As always we host the Witter Cup on the Friday prior to the regatta. This is always tons of fun and gives competitors a chance to tweak there rigs before going for the gold on Saturday and Sunday. This year, the Witter Cup will be on Friday July 18th
If you can make the Witter Cup on Friday, please do so. It's always a fun time and is open to anyone with a multihull.
The Witter cup is named after one of our past members who loved racing cats and passed away in 2001. The race itself is a fun, long-distance race, not part of the Regatta and is open to anyone. In 2004 the winds picked up to over thirty knots on the return leg. This is Lake Erie, which can easily kick up to 6-8' waves. In high winds the beach surf can reach out 200 yards making it difficult to either launch or land safely. Out of the eighteen boats that participated in 2004 only five made it back without capsizing. Because of the advanced sailing skills of the participants, many assisted those capsized boats and we had no injuries. Unfortunately, there was a Hobie Tiger that got destroyed when it capsized and landed on a break wall. We urge everyone to use caution and to know their own abilities, then decide on their participation in this race/cruise dependent on the wind conditions.
Some sailors will just be going for the cruise, while others will want to compete for the Witter Cup, a portsmouth scoring on the combined times for the destination and return legs. In order to compete, you will have to have the minimum crew that your boat stipulates (e.g. Hobie 16s, 18s, Tigers, Nacras need two people). If anyone is available for crew or needs a crew, start sending emails so arrangements can be made. Our plans for the day:
10:30 am: Sunset Quest: Please have your boat prepared to leave the South Shore Beach at 10:30 a.m. We will leave as a group in a Lemans start at 11:00 a.m. to Sunset Bay (weather cooperating). It is about 7 miles to the Southwest to Cabana Sam's beach club and don't forget your watch if you would like to be in the running for the awesome revolving fleet challenge Witter Cup Trophy. There will be pizza and wings for lunch at Sunset Bay. All boats must have appropriate crew to be eligible for the trophy.
First Destination: Sunset Bay
N 42° 33.906'
W 079° 08.343
Starting and Finishing: Grandview Bay (South Shore Beach Club)
N 42° 38.535'
W 079° 04.031
Though the distance is less than six nautical miles, it will probably sail more like 14 because we normally have a southwest wind and this means a Port tack once you leave Grandview Bay. You'll probably go out two miles, then tack. Be sure you do not cut the Lakeside point too close; the rocks have claimed many daggerboards over the last few years (Tiger boards are around $500).
2:30 pm: Latest start back to South Shore for estimated arrival at approx. 4:00 p.m.
4-7:00 pm Happy hour at the South Shore with Drink specials.
Hobie Kenobie Details
Saturday and Sunday: July 19th and 20th will be according to Hobie racing rules, so it will be Hobies only; with the exception of the Sharks on Canandaigua, the only active racing organization in this part of the state.On Sunday, we have a Fleet BBQ open to all at the Evans Town Park shelter next to the South Shore Beach Club. Many of our members who no longer race come up to spend the afternoon and share our pizza and wings.
Here's the weekend information:
Remember that this is a HCA Points Regatta, so Hobies only for Saturday and Sunday.
No entrance fee for Friday. Hobie Regatta on Saturday and Sunday is $35 for two persons; $30 for single person boats. It will cost $5 to have your boat and trailer towed from the parking lot to the beach site.
7-10 pm Fri. 19th: Register for the regatta: Registration fee is yet to be determined. Free beer compliments of the South Shore Beach Club (Friday night only).
Saturday, July 20th
8-9:00 am: Registration at the South Shore Beach Club – Breakfast available for purchase
9:30 am: Skipper’s Meeting at the South Shore.
10:30 am: White Flag. Course is off South Shore Beach Club in Grandview Bay. We will have as many races as possible until approximately 4:00 p.m. with no breaks. Please bring a snack if necessary.
4-?????: Party at the South Shore Beach Club and enjoy delicious Buffalo style beach dinners. Great music, food and drink with outdoor Bands. Mingle with the public beach goers.
Sunday July 21st
Please pay attention to your race instructions. Our intention is to have everyone off the water by 2 p.m. at the latest, then have a lunch accompany the award presentations in a shelter on the beach.
Directions: FREE TENT CAMPING AT SOUTH SHORE
RV's must check in at South Shore Registration to find out where the appropriate camping site will be. Take I-90 West going South of Buffalo to Angola-Eden Exit 57A. After paying toll make a right on Eden-Evan Center Road and go straight until you have to turn. It actually turns into Beach St. when you cross Rt. 5. Make a left off Beach onto Old Lake Shore road. Approx 1 mile on your right will be South Shore Beach Club. Park in the lot and contact the Bar for launching off your boat by tractor. ($5.00 launch/removal fee) The Camping is at Evangola State Park or Point Breeze. Evangola Park requires reservation at CampUSA.com. There is also Point Breeze for RV’s. Continue on Old lakeshore 2-5 miles past South Shore to get to these camping locations. Email or call Bob or Dannielle Burns at Burnsmeup@verizon.net or 716-759-1908 if any questions.This year's sponsors already committed:
Obersheimer's Sailing Supply
South Shore Beach Club
The Town of Evans
WNY Catamaran Assoc. membership
Our Regatta's home base is the South Shore Beach Club, Angola NY; it’s just to the right of Evans Town Park, and one of the best beaches on Lake Erie. You couldn't find a more cat-friendly site north of Florida. Erie Road is listed as Rte 5 on most maps.
2007 Witter Cup and Hobie Kenobie
This is the big Regatta weekend, where we are hosting the Hobie Kenobie, our thirty-first Regatta in the Western New York area. Because of the rumors of the possible sale of the Mickey Rats/Southshore Beach Clubs, this may be the end of an era; the closing of Grandview Bay to the public to make way for private homes and condos.
If you can make the Witter Cup on Friday, please do so. It's always a fun time and open to anyone with a multihull. Saturday and Sunday will be according to Hobie racing rules, so it will be Hobies only; with the exception of the Sharks on Canandaigua, the only active racing organization in this part of the state.
On Sunday, we have a Fleet BBQ open to all at the Evans Town Park shelter next to the South Shore Beach Club. Many of our members who no longer race come up to spend the afternoon and share our pizza and wings.
Here's the weekend information:
Remember that this is a HCA Points Regatta, so Hobies only for Saturday and Sunday.
No entrance fee for Friday. Hobie Regatta on Saturday and Sunday is $30 for two persons; $25 for single person boats. It will cost $5 to have your boat and trailer towed from the parking lot to the beach site.
Friday, July 13th, Witter Cup
2006 Winner and holder of the trophy is our own Bob and Dannielle Burns (Congratulations! They are expecting a baby around the end of the year! Won't they make wonderful parents?)
The Witter cup is named after one of our past members who loved racing cats and passed away in 2001. The race itself is a fun, long-distance race, not part of the Regatta and is open to anyone. In 2004 the winds picked up to over thirty knots on the return leg. This is Lake Erie, which can easily kick up to 6-8' waves. In high winds the beach surf can reach out 200 yards making it difficult to either launch or land safely. Out of the eighteen boats that participated in 2004 only five made it back without capsizing. Because of the advanced sailing skills of the participants, many assisted those capsized boats and we had no injuries. Unfortunately, there was a Hobie Tiger that was destroyed when it capsized and landed on a breakwall. We urge everyone to use caution and to know their own abilities, then decide on their participation in this race/cruise dependent on the wind conditions.
Some sailors will just be going for the cruise, while others will want to compete for the Witter Cup, a portsmouth scoring on the combined times for the destination and return legs. In order to compete, you will have to have the minimum crew that your boat stipulates (e.g. Hobie 16s, 18s, Tigers, Nacras need two people). If anyone is available for crew or needs a crew, start sending emails so arrangements can be made. Our plans for the day:
10:30 a.m. Sunset Quest: Please have your boat prepared to leave the South Shore Beach at 10:30 a.m. We will leave as a group in a Lemans start at 11:00 a.m. to Sunset Bay (weather cooperating). It is about 7 miles to the Southwest to Cabana Sam's beach club and bring your watch if you would like to be in the running for the awesome revolving fleet challenge Witter Cup Trophy. Pizza and wings for lunch at Sunset Bay. All boats must have appropriate crew to be eligible for the trophy.
First Destination: Sunset Bay
N 42° 33.906'
W 079° 08.343
Starting and Finishing: Grandview Bay (South Shore Beach Club)
N 42° 38.535'
W 079° 04.031
Though the distance is less than six nautical miles, it will probably sail more like 14 because we normally have a southwest wind and this means a Port tack once you leave Grandview Bay. You'll probably go out two miles, then tack. Be sure you do not cut the Lakeside point too close; the rocks have claimed many daggerboards over the last few years (Tiger boards are around $500).
2:30 p.m. Latest start back to South Shore for estimated arrival at approx. 4:00 p.m.
4-7:00 p.m. Happy hour at the South Shore with Drink specials.
7-10 p.m. Register for the regatta: Registration fee is yet to be determined. Free beer compliments of the South Shore Beach Club (Friday night only).
Saturday, July 14th
8-9:00 a.m. Registration at the South Shore Beach Club – Breakfast available for purchase
9:30 a.m. Skipper’s Meeting at the South Shore.
10:30 a.m. White Flag. Course is off South Shore Beach Club in Grandview Bay. We will have as many races as possible until approximately 4:00 p.m. with no breaks. Please bring a snack if necessary.
4-????? Party at the South Shore Beach Club and enjoy delicious Buffalo style beach dinners. Great music, food and drink with outdoor Bands. Mingle with the public beach goers.
SUNDAY, JULY 15
Please pay attention to your race instructions. Our intention is to have everyone off the water by 2 p.m. at the latest, then have a lunch accompany the award presentations in a shelter on the beach.
Directions: FREE TENT CAMPING AT SOUTH SHORE
RV's must check in at South Shore Registration to find out where the appropriate camping site will be.
Take I-90 West going South of Buffalo to Angola-Eden Exit 57A. After paying toll make a right on Eden-Evan Center Road and go Straight until you have to turn. It actually turns into Beach St. when you cross Rt. 5. Make a left off Beach onto Old Lake Shore road. Approx 1 mile on your right will be South Shore Beach Club. Park in the lot and contact the Bar for launching off your boat by tractor. ($5.00 launch/removal fee) The Camping is at Evangola State Park or Point Breeze. Evangola Park requires reservation at www.campusa.com. There is also Point Breeze for RV’s. Continue on Old lakeshore 2-5 miles past South Shore to get to these camping locations. Email or call Bob or Dannielle Burns at Burnsmeup@verizon.net or 716-759-1908 if any questions.
This year's sponsors already committed:
Obersheimer's Sailing Supply
South Shore Beach Club
The Town of Evans
WNY Catamaran Assoc. membership
Our Regatta's home base is the South Shore Beach Club, Angola NY; It's just to the right of Evans Town Park, and one of the best beaches on Lake Erie. You couldn't find a more cat-friendly site north of Florida. Erie Road is listed as Rte 5 on most maps.
Great Hobie 16 Footage from YouTube
This should start getting you in the mood.
Photo Album: 2006 Hobie Kenobie
This years Hobie Kenobie was a great success. We would like to thank all of you who spent the time to help with the event, we would like to thank the folks from South Shore for allowing us to hold the event on their beach, and of course we would like to thank the sailors who traveled from far a wide to race in the annual event. Without you this event which we lok so forward to each year would not be possible.
The following is a album of the weekends events. Check out the pics from Saturday's intense racing, the party there after, and a few others tossed in for good measure.
As always don't be shy, leave some comments and let us know what you thought of the 2006 Hobie Kenobie. Give us ideas for next year, we are always looking for ways to make it bigger and better.
Bar Hopping on Lake Erie
This past weekend many of the Fleet 119 members all sailed down Lake Erie to a popular spot and feasted on burgers and pitchers of beer -only those of age of course-.
It was a beautiful day, a smooth calm sail -regardless of our treasurer's recommendation- and a great time was had by all the members who came along.
I think she has a thing for guys in blue flowered shorts.
After Burgers and a sail down to Capt'n Kids we headed back to Evangola.
Don't forget to leave a comments!
Photo Album: 2006 4th of July Party
A great turnout for this years 4th of July party. Not to many pictures, but my batteries went dead very early in the day.
So, sorry for the short album, but enjoy and as always feel free to leave comments.
Photo Album: 2006 "Who's your Daddy?" Party
This was our second party this year and it was a complete success once again. This album is a bit late, but late is better than never.
Check out the album for Fleet 119's "Who's your Daddy" party, and don't be shy, leave some comments!
