Browns Creek Sailing Association

Author: Ken Atchison

  • Great River Race 2025 SI

    Great River Race 2025 SI

    2025 Great River Race

    Sailing Instructions

    Brown’s Creek Sailing Association
    Lake Guntersville, AL

    October 11-12, 2025

    Participation in the Great River Race is voluntary. The decision to start, continue, or withdraw from the event is solely the participant’s responsibility.

    1. Schedule of Events
    • Friday, October 10 (BCSA Clubhouse)
      • 5:00 PM – Registration & Check-In
      • 6:00 PM – Social and Dinner
      • 7:00 PM – Skippers Meeting
      • 8:00 PM – Registration Closes
    • Saturday, October 11 (Lake Guntersville)
      • 8:55 AM – Warning Signal (All Classes)
      • 6:00 PM – Short Course Time Limit
    • Sunday, October 12
      • 9:00 AM – Long Course Time Limit
      • 11:00 AM – Awards (BCSA Clubhouse)

    1.1 Entries

    Eligible yachts can register by completing the registration form and paying the entry fee. Registration must be completed by 8:00 PM on Friday, October 10.

    2. Rules

    2.1 The regatta will be governed by:

    1. The current Racing Rules of Sailing.
    2. Prescriptions of the US Sailing Association.
    3. Navigation Rules for International/Inland Waterways.
    4. The Notice of Race.
    5. These Sailing Instructions.

    2.2 In case of a conflict between the Notice of Race and these Sailing Instructions, the Sailing Instructions will take precedence.

    2.3 Yachts must have unique identification by sail number or other visible means.

    2.4 Dinghies are permitted to enter the Short Course only.

    2.5 Yachts on the long course must carry an auxiliary motor, anchor, anchor rode, marine radio, one crew member and working navigation lights as required by law. Outboard motors should be ready for operation but may be tilted if necessary.

    2.6 All yachts are recommended to have signaling lights and required Coast Guard safety equipment. Wearing life vests is encouraged for all participants, and each yacht should have a man-overboard procedure in place.

    2.7 Yachts leaving the race must notify the Race Committee via marine radio, cell phone (number provided during the skippers meeting), or by hailing the race committee stationed near the finish line.

    3. Handicapping/Scoring

    3.1 The latest Portsmouth Yardstick will be used to determine handicaps. If no handicap is listed, the Race Committee will assign one.

    3.2 Corrected times will be calculated by dividing the elapsed time (in decimal minutes) by the handicap “BASE DP-N” and then multiplying by 100:

    Corrected Time = (Elapsed Time ÷ BASE DP-N) × 100.

    Boats will be scored in order of corrected time, with the smallest corrected time placing first, followed by the next smallest, and so on.

    4. Notices to Competitors

    Notices will be posted on the official GRR website: https://nextsailor.com/regatta/1005

    5. Changes to Sailing Instructions

    Any changes will be posted by 10:00 PM, Friday, October 10.

    6. Signals Ashore

    No signals will be made ashore. All signals will be displayed by the race committee on station before and during the race.

    7. Racing Area

    The racing area is between the start/finish area, marked by a yellow cylinder approximately 1 mile west-southwest of Lower Guntersville Light (mile marker 356.5), and Seibold Branch Light (mile marker 363.4).

    *Note: Lower Guntersville Light, Upper Guntersville Light, and Short Creek Light are not course marks.

    8. Race Course

    8.1 Starting Area

    A starting line will be set about 0.75 miles west of Lower Guntersville Light. The line will be between a staff with an orange flag on the race committee boat (starboard) and a yellow cylinder (port).

    8.2 Starting Sequence

    The race will follow Rule 26 of the Racing Rules of Sailing. All classes will start simultaneously. The warning signal will be at 8:55 AM, with no signals before this time. The answering pennant will be removed (with one sound) one minute before the warning signal.

    8.3 Course Instructions

    Short Course and First Lap of Long Course: Boats will start, pass through Guntersville Bridge using the center or the openings on either side of the main span only, round Seibold Branch Light (port), and return to the start area. Short course boats finish here, while long course boats continue.

    Long Course (Laps 2-4) After completing the first lap, long course boats will complete three more laps, rounding the yellow cylinder and Seibold Branch Light (port) at each lap.

    8.4 Yachts must hail the Race Committee with their sail number at the end of each lap (via radio, voice, or cell phone). Failure to pass between the mark and committee boat will result in disqualification.

    9. Shortening Course

    9.1 If, by 2:00 AM on Sunday no yacht has completed the long course, the required number of laps for all yachts will be adjusted based on the number of laps completed by the lead yacht at that time. The Race Committee will then display the “shorten course” signal, which is the code flag “S,” along with the number of laps to be completed. All yachts must finish the adjusted number of laps before the time limit of 9:00 AM on Sunday. The Race Committee also reserves the right to shorten the course before 2:00 AM if conditions require it.

    10. Protests

    10.1 Yachts intending to protest must display a red flag at the earliest opportunity.

    10.2 Protests must be made in writing on the form provided at the Official Notice Board.

    10.3 Protests must be filed within 30 minutes after the Race Committee boat docks and sounds one horn blast.

    11. Support Boats and Radios

    The US Coast Guard Auxiliary or Alabama Marine Police may patrol the racecourse during the event. To contact the Race Committee, use Channel 16 and then switch to Channel 68 for further communication. The Race Committee can also be reached by cell phone (numbers provided during the skippers meeting) or by hailing the committee stationed near the finish line.

    12. Use of Auxiliary Power

    Auxiliary power may be used in situations of safety or emergency, such as avoiding a towboat or recovering from grounding. No penalty will be given, provided the yacht resumes racing from a position that does not advance its standing or provide any advantage. Yachts that use auxiliary power must submit a written report to the Race Committee detailing the circumstances, including the purpose, time, location, and duration of use.

    13. Towboats

    Towboats will pass through the racecourse during the event. Give them wide clearance as they have limited maneuverability. Follow Rule 9(b) of the Navigation Rules, which prohibits vessels under 20 meters from impeding the passage of vessels constrained to the channel.

  • Great River Race 2025 NOR

    Great River Race 2025 NOR

    2025 Great River Race

    NOTICE OF RACE

    Brown’s Creek Sailing Association
    Lake Guntersville, AL

    October 10-12, 2024

    Prepare for an unforgettable adventure on the water!  The Great River Race, now in its 54th year, is one of the longest and most exciting inland sailing races in the United States. This event will challenge sailors as they navigate the beautiful waters of the Tennessee River and the Alabama Mountain Lakes region. 

    Courses and Classes

    There are two courses available, each offering unique challenges and opportunities for sailors:

    Long Course: This 70-mile, four-lap race is reserved exclusively for keelboats and has a time limit of 24 hours. Any decision to shorten the Long Course will be made by 2:00 AM on Sunday, October 12.

    Short Course: Depending on conditions, the 17-mile short course consists of one lap and includes both keelboat and dinghy classes. The time limit for the Short Course is 9 hours.

    Note: All Long Course boats must have at least one crew member.

    Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be presented in each class. Course lengths and time limits may be adjusted at the discretion of the race committee.

    Rules 

    The regatta will be governed by:

    1. a) The current Racing Rules of Sailing.
    2. b) Prescriptions of the US Sailing Association.
    3. c) Navigation Rules for International/Inland Waterways.
    4. d) The Notice of Race.
    5. e) 2025 GRR Sailing Instructions.

    Registration Details 

    Registration is now open!  You can register online or in person:

    Online: Registration till 8 PM Friday, October 10.
    In-person:  BCSA Clubhouse from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, October 10.

    Fees:

    The registration fee for both the Long Course and Short Course is $50, and each registration includes one meal.
    Additional meals for Friday night dinner are available for all crew at $13 each.

    Non-crew members may purchase meals at $18 each.

    Hoodie:

    The skipper will recieve a free hoodie. Register online before Oct. 5th to have by Friday.

    Order your hoodie online by Oct 5th and use the pickup at regatta for the delivery method and save money with FREE shipping!
    Store:

    Don’t wait until the last minute—register early to secure your spot in this exciting race!

    Schedule of Events

    Friday, October 10 (BCSA Clubhouse)

    • 12:00 PM – Registration & Check-In
    • 6:00 PM – Social and Dinner
    • 7:00 PM – Skippers Meeting
    • 8:00 PM – Registration Closes

    Saturday, October 11 (Lake Guntersville)

    • 8:55 AM – Warning Signal (All Classes)
    • 6:00 PM – Short Course Time Limit

    Sunday, October 12

    • 9:00 AM – Long Course Time Limit
    • 11:00 AM – Awards (BCSA Clubhouse)
  • Mayor’s Cup Sailing Instructions

    Mayor’s Cup Sailing Instructions

    Browns Creek Sailing Association
    Mayor’s Cup

    SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

    1. RULES
    1.1 The Regatta will be governed by the current Racing Rules of Sailing and by these Sailing Instructions.

    2. SAFETY
    2.1 The hosting organizations are not responsible for the seaworthiness of a boat whose entry is accepted. Attention is drawn to Part 1, Fundamental Rule 3. All competitors, by entering this regatta, acknowledging acceptance of responsibility for their own safety.

    3. ENTRIES
    3.1 All sailboats are invited to enter. There is a separate YOUTH Class using their dedicated boats.

    4. MEASUREMENT
    4.1 Sail or boat measurement is not required. Sail choice is indicated at Registration (Spinnaker, jib choice, etc. for handicapping purposes.)

    5. NOTICES TO COMPETITORS
    5.1 Notices to Competitors are on-line.

    6. CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
    6.1 Changes to the Sailing Instructions or any changes to the racing schedule will be posted on-line.  Notices may also be given from the RC boat with the “L” flag flown with one horn.

    7. SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
    7.1 No signals will be made ashore. All signals will come from Race Committee boat

    8. SCHEDULE OF RACES
    8.1 

    Day Date Time Activity
    Friday May 30 1900 Competitor’s Meeting
    Saturday May 31 1000 First Warning Signal, followed by 2 subsequent races.
    Saturday May 31 1300 First Warning Signal for the YOUTH class followed by subsequent races.
    Sunday June 1 1000 Make up day if Saturday is cancelled.

    8.2 Competitors are responsible for getting to the starting area on time. If suitable conditions exist for starting a race, the Race Committee (RC) may not wait for latecomers.

    9. RACING AREA
    9.1 Racing will take place in proximity of the City Harbor on Guntersville Lake. Attempt will be made to set the course for good viewing from shore.

    10. COURSES
    10.1 The course shall be an Olympic triangle. The diagram in Attachment A shows the course, the order in which marks are to be passed, and the side on which each mark is to be left.

    10.2 YOUTH class course will be Start, windward, leeward, finish.

    11. CHECK IN
    11.1 All boats shall check in with the Race Committee before the first preparatory signal. Boats should pass astern of the Committee Vessel on either tack, so that their sail number can be recorded.

    12. MARKS
    12.1 Marks will be yellow cylinders. The offset will be an orange hippity hop by the windward mark. The start pin will be floating orange flag. The finish will be an orange hippity hop.

    13. STARTS
    13.1 Starts will be the usual Racing Rule 26 starts, five-minute sequence. There will be a multiple-horn notification one minute before the first start sequence. Dinghies start first, Black Scull & Crossbones; Keelboat, White flag.

    13.2 YOUTH class, after other fleets done racing, Pirate flag, of course.

    14. CHANGE OF COURSE AFTER THE START
    14.1 It is not expected that there will be any changes to the course after the start. Before we start, yes.
    14.2 Courses may be shortened by shortening the length of a leg or the number of legs of a course.

    15. THE FINISH
    15.1 The finish shall be between the anchored RC boat’s Blue flag and the course side of a floating flag set on its starboard side.

    16. TIME LIMIT
    16.1 The time limit will be 90 minutes for the first boat. Any boat that finishes within 30 minutes of the first boat shall be scored. All others shall be scored TLE. TLE shall be defined as one more than the number of starters. This changes RRS 35, A5.1, A5.2 and A10. The Race Committee, in their sole discretion, may award places to any of the last 3 boats, before they have crossed the finish line.

    18. SCORING
    18.1 The Low point scoring system, Appendix A4 of the racing rules will be used. Three races are planned; one race constitutes a regatta. All races count for scoring, no throw-out race.

    19. PROTESTS
    19.1 Any yacht that wishes to protest, shall comply with RRS 61. A protesting boat shall inform the finishing vessel of the sail numbers(s) of the boat(s) being protested. This information must be communicated to the finish vessel soon after the finish of that race. The protest must be filed with the Committee, within 1 hour of the docking of the Race Committee Vessel, unless the Race Committee feels that a later time is justified. Protests shall be written upon the forms available from the Race Committee and submitted to the Race Committee. Protests will be heard in the approximate order of their receipt following the day’s racing.

    20. PRIZES
    20.1 Prizes will be awarded according to the following schedule based on the expected number of entries.

    Dinghys – First, Second, Third Place

    Keelboat – First, Second, Third Place

    Youth – First, Second, Third Place

    Overall – Mayors Cup

    Attachment A: