We cordially invite you to join us for an enjoyable evening of trivia. Hosted by Lauren from Main Channel. The entry fee is only $10 per person and the event begins promptly at 6pm.
We encourage you to arrive early, around 5:30pm, to delight in a selection of delectable finger foods. This is an event you surely wouldn’t want to miss. Please remember, it’s a BYOB event.
Join us for Our Annual Dinner!
Friday, November 8th
We are excited to invite you to our Annual Dinner on Friday, November 8th! The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30 pm (BYOB), followed by dinner at 6:00 pm. The event will be held in a spacious tent at 100 Browns Creek Rd.
This special evening will feature the inauguration of our newly elected officers for the upcoming season, and you’ll have the chance to win exciting awards and door prizes!
Dinner will be catered by La Esquina Cocina, offering a mouth-watering menu featuring Pork Al Pastor and Pollo Al Pastor, served with traditional rice and beans. Chips with salsa and queso dip will be available to enjoy before the main course.
Tickets are $25 per person, so come and enjoy an evening of great food, camaraderie, and celebration of the season ahead!
Please RSVP as soon as possible:
Brown’s Creek Sailing Association
Lake Guntersville, AL
Participation in the Great River Race is voluntary. The decision to start, continue, or withdraw from the event is solely the participant’s responsibility.
1.1 Entries
Eligible yachts can register by completing the registration form and paying the entry fee. Registration must be completed by 8:00 AM on Saturday, October 26.
2. Rules
2.1 The regatta will be governed by:
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/773
5. Changes to Sailing Instructions
Any changes will be posted by 10:00 PM, Friday, October 25.
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.
Brown’s Creek Sailing Association
Lake Guntersville, AL
Prepare for an unforgettable adventure on the water! The Great River Race, now in its 53rd 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.
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. Any decision to shorten the Long Course will be made by 2:00 AM on Sunday, October 27.
Rules
The regatta will be governed by:
Registration Details
Registration is now open! You can register online or in person:
Online: https://nextsailor.com/app/page/regatta/773 till 8 PM Friday October 25.
In-person: BCSA Clubhouse from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, October 25.
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 other sailors at $10 each.
T-Shirts:
Order your t-shirt online and use the pickup at regatta for the delivery method and save money with FREE shipping!
Store: https://stores.crsapparel.com/GreatRiverRaceBCSA/shop/home
Don’t wait until the last minute—register early to secure your spot in this exciting race!
Schedule of Events
Friday, October 25 (BCSA Clubhouse)
Saturday, October 26 (Lake Guntersville)
Sunday, October 27
In light of the weather concerns surrounding Helene, we’ve decided to adjust our Saturday race schedule. Participants are now welcome to arrive and set up on Saturday instead of Friday, allowing for safer travel. However, all of Friday’s scheduled events are still happening, so feel free to join us then if you prefer.
This change will help ensure everyone’s safety while still allowing us to have a fantastic regatta. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to a great event!
Saturdays Original Schedule:
11:00 Skippers Meeting
11:30 Lunch
12:30 Warning signal for first race, additional races to follow
17:00 No Race Begins afterward
Saturdays New Schedule:
11:30 Lunch
13:30 Skippers Meeting
15:00 Warning signal for first race, additional races to follow
18:00 No Race Begins afterward
Thanks,
Chris Edwards
BCSA Race Chair
