These gas prices are a race organizers nightmare. I do believe we will have a great turnout this year. It seems lots of folks are on the fence and do not want to commit.

Well....that is not going to work guys. July 25 is the deadline for post marked paid entries. This deadline offers a $50 reduction in the entry fee.

This deadline will also be the deadline for T shirts. I cannot order excess T shirts and have a low turnout. Therefore if you do not send in your registration by July 25 you will not get a T shirt.

Trophies....this too takes lead time. The number of trophies will be determined by the number of boat that are pre registered by July 25.

Sorry for this but.....all race management expenses are covered by you the partipants entry fees. There are no cash sponsors donating to the cause. With the uncertainty of what gas will do and how it will affect the turnout this is the best we can do.

Hope you all understand....continue to support the class....send in your registrations by July 25....and we have a great turnout and a great time.

I was at Caseville last week and visited our host hotel the Belle Vista. I was informed the block or room being held will be released by August 1st to the general public. So if you are planning on staying there you need to bust a move.

Please don't flame the messenger.

Eric Kennedy
2008 Nacra North American Event Co Chair

What classes do you expect will be represented at the regatta? Is there still a class for 5.0s? How many boats typically show up for 5.0s & also the other classes?
Thanks.

The "expected" classes are NACRA F17, NACRA F18 (both standard and Infusion will race together) and NACRA 20.

However, if you can hustle 5 boats of any one-design NACRA class there, we'll figure out a way to give you a start. You've got exactly 10 days to do it. You'd better get on the phone.

The "race management expenses" that Eric refers to are pretty minimal. I'm living in a tent for a week to run races for you. We've got people coming from as far away as New York on their own dime to work the race course.

They'll be pretty disappointed if you guys don't show up.

The bottom line is that the more people that pre-register, the mo'bigger and better the food, parties and trophies will be.

Matt Bounds
Principal Race Officer
2008 NACRA North Americans

Big kudos to you Matt! At least they are assured one great official! Sounds like turnouts are down all over. I hope you guys still get a big one. Should be a great event!

Eric..Eric...Eric....,

We all know every race management team goes through this every time there is a deadline. IMO, there will be plenty of boats attending this race. However, this means you folks who are coming need to get your early registration in!!!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

See ya in Caseville,

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Is there a website for the championship?

Jake,

Here ya go!!

http://nacraclass.com/NCW2008/north_american.htm

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bump.

$50 discount registration ends a week from tomorrow.

Eric needs to place t-shirt and trophy orders this weekend. Registration has been pathetic so far.

Get off your butt and register!

So I have the right gear - what's the water temperature up thar at the end of August?

Right now, the temp is about 70 degrees, but there's a chance the lake can "turn over" bringing the deep, colder water to the surface. There are parts of Lake Huron that are still really cold.

Here's your suface temp map: Southern Lake Huron Water Temps

Caseville is pretty shallow, though. The max depth in the racing area is about 40 feet. Most of it's less than 20. It'll warm up quick if the lake turns.

BTW, early ($50 off) registration ends in 3 days (August 1).

Matt,

Thanks for the link - that's great! I went back through the archive and you aren't kidding! When that lake turns, it TURNS! Not that I really didn't think I would, but I'll certainly be packing the dry suit just in case.

Jake

When was the very first Nacra NA's? First I remember is 1980 at Mille Lacs Lake, MN.... all 5.2s (obviously)

1983 at Tom's River, NJ
198? at Newport News/Virginia Beach, VA
198? at Lake Tahoe, NV

Surely, some were in Long Beach/Newport beach before then????

TOMORROW is the last day to mail your registration without paying a $50 late fee.

Gas is less expensive - get on the road to Caseville!

Well we're registered and entered so we are definitely coming!

Question though... coming from RI it appears I have to cut through Canada to get to Caseville... anyone think there is a better route or think I should avoid the borders?
What should I expect when in CA and at the border crossings? (i'm aware of the thread on SA but I don't consider that a very credible source)

-Todd Riccardi
Nacra 20 #642

Whats the legal road width in Canada?

Todd - Give Rick Bliss a call. He used to travel that way frequently and I remember him telling me a story of trying to get his parts truck through but had to turn around and go the long way because they wanted to charge him tax for everything in the truck.

ontario has a 2.6 meter limit (8'5") so i guess that might be a problem. I would chance it. The Canadians will want to know that you are not going to selll the boat in Canada so you might have to post a bond. We had to do this for the CORK Regatta in Kingston. You may be able to avoid it if you can demonstrate your intended destination and show registration or reservations in Caseville etc. Don't forget all of the documentation for the boat trailer and tow vehicle. A passport goes a long way to making your travels easier when crossing into the US at Port Huron on the Blue Water Bridge. Much faster than the bridge or tunnel in Detroit. Plan enough time to drive around though.

I regularly go through Canada to get to New York - in fact, I'll be doing it this afternoon to go to Hamlin Beach near Rochester.

Going the long way around will add over 120 miles to the route, so even longer than normal border crossings will be acceptable

Documents for you and any passengers:
* Passports (much preferred) or
* Proof of Citizenship (birth certificate) AND photo ID
* Have them ready for the customs agent - don't screw around trying to find them.

DO NOT PISS OFF THE CUSTOMS AGENT. They can and will make your life miserable.

Documents for the Boat / Trailer:
* Title and/or Bill of Sale from when you bought the boat. If it's not in your name, get a notarized letter from the owner giving you permission to transport through Canada.
* State registration on the boat and trailer.

When you approach the customs booth, roll down the front and rear windows on the side facing the booth. They'll want to see in the car.

Typical Canadian border questions:
Citizenship? "US"
Where are you headed? "Straight through to Port Huron / Buffalo - we're headed to a regatta in Caseville Michigan / home to ________."
What do you have with you? "Just sailing and camping gear for the week."
Any alcohol? "No sir / ma'am." (buy it when you get to MI)
Any weapons? "No sir / ma'am." (leave the guns at home - they consider long knives and pepper spray weapons, too)
Thank-you, enjoy your visit.

The US Border is tougher.
How long have you been in Cananda? "About three hours - we drove straight through from Buffalo / Port Huron"
What are you bringing in to the US? "Only what we brought across from Buffalo / Port Huron - we made no stops in Canada."

Both countries are looking to make sure you don't sell / or pay duty of stuff you buy there. So don't stop in Canada. Gas is evil expensive there - top off your tank before you get to the border in the US.

Be cool, tell the truth and don't look like a terrorist and they'll let you go after 30 seconds. Be a smart-butt and you'll end up having a full body cavity search. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Avoid the borders during peak times - Friday and Sunday evenings are the worst. I've seen a 5 mile long backup trying to get into the states on Sunday that took us 3 hours to clear.

We tow Hobie Tigers (8'6" beam) all across Canada and have never been questioned about the width. They're looking for bigger fish to fry.

Radar detectors are prohibited in Canada and the OPP have detectors of their own. If they find yours, it will be confiscated.

Todd....you're screwed.

And don't tell them you have a case of Coke in the back either...being from the South, my dad made that mistake once during a trip to the falls (where "Coke" is the generic term for "pop" or "soda")....Sir, please step out of the car.