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T

he warm weather drew out boats en mass. There were 47 sailboats, 3 powerboats, 2 airplanes and a gyrocopter. But at noon along with the mid 60s temperatures – there was no wind. For most sailing races this would be a problem – but not this regatta. Organizer Tom Lathrop got on the radio and announced the course and a generous rule. “We go to Garbacon and return… motors allowed.”

With that dozens of sailboats had their tachometers hitting a higher number than usual. We saw a bow wave or two that seemed higher than a sailboat could do.

“Diana” throws out an impressive bow wave

The goal of this regatta is simply to get out of the house and on the water. It accomplishes that well. After running the course – crews meet up a 3pm at M&Ms Cafe to share stories and enjoy some warm soup. The winner? There isn’t a complex PHRF formula. All boat names are put in a jar – and the winner was drawn by a 2 year old:

Two year old visiting boater Isobel Calfee drew the winning names

“First place” gets the coveted prize – a certificate for two buffet M&M breakfasts.

Skipper Doug Sligh of vessel “Calculation” showed calm reserve regarding his prize.

There were awards aplenty – almost every boat got something (tshirts to calendars to the coveted buffet).

The fleet viewed from the bridge. ( Bill Chaplik photo )

Lots of photos to follow. First here is the report from regatta organizer Tom Lathrop:

The weatherman promised 65 degrees and a good wind for the 16th New Year’s sailing race in Oriental. The regatta was started as an alternative to spending the first day of the New Year as a couch potato watching football games on TV. Instead of being mostly confined to one day, football bowl games now are spread over a whole month but the urge to get out “messing about” in boats on the first day of the new year caught on.

At the start of the regatta, the Neuse River smiled back from a glassy surface that offered no wind at all to the many boats loaded with Dragon chasing celebrants ready to brace their mettle against the elements. No matter, the intrepid Race Committee declared that the race would proceed at the appointed hour of 12:00 noon between Oriental No. 1 and the football mooring, motoring toward Garbacon Shoal and sailing if the wind should come. In this fashion, 47 sailboats, 3 motorboats, two small airplanes and one gyrocopter made an impressive sight parading along on the Neuse. The first boat to round Garbacon marker was “Broad Blue,” a big catamaran with a proper namesake, being both broad and blue. On the way back toward Oriental, a gentle breeze started to fill in from the south and most took the opportunity to turn off the “iron wind” and let the sails coast the boats along.

Eventually, the zephyrs came on stronger and most of the boats headed southwest across the Neuse toward Adams Creek, heeled to an increasing southwesterly that finally reached the promised 10 to 15 knots. Now this was a proper way to blow out the cobwebs gained from the New Year’s Eve dragon chasing, street dancing and noise making in the harbor. The first boat to round Adams Creek marker was Henry Frazer’s Etchell skippered by Mike Craig. No real finish to this “race” other than getting back to harbor in time to get to M&M’s Restaurant for the mandatory after race Skippers Meeting. The large crowd of boisterous sailors filled Dave Sargent’s restaurant and feasted on his big vat of turkey soup while sampling the other menu offerings and waiting on the prizes to be awarded.

Dave always provides M&M’s gift certificates to the first three skippers’ names drawn from the jug and the first prize went to Doug Sligh in Calculation. Other prizes were provided by West Marine, Village Hardware, Marsha’s Cottage and Art & Elise Tierney.. This year, Cheri Starner, visiting Warren and Cam Funk from up north, brought along a large bag of goodies from her company, Sail Time Philadelphia, and all skippers at the Skippers Meeting left with a nice prize. With all attitudes properly adjusted for the approaching year, our New Years Day sailors know that just being out on the water with friends is a good antidote for hangovers and winter blahs.

Til next year,
Tom & Liz Lathrop

The crew of Godspeed waits for the race to begin

The Lathrops ran the race onboard Ken & Carol Small’s “Miranda”.

A dinghy tows a boat towards Garbacon – with spinnaker deployed.

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In the power boat division – MIss Stephie.

Miss Maude was out to enjoy the warm temps

The fleet got buzzed by two airplanes

Joe Valinoti didn’t just motor to Garbacon and back – he did it all backwards. Really. Notice the stern “bow wave”.

Even motoring it is hard not to check sail shape.

The Funks “Tango Dancer” in the calm before the race.

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Bristol Star powers to Garbacon.

At the end of the course, Bristol Star played Taps… and then deployed flowers from Larry Walker’s memorial into the waters of the Neuse.

Posted Friday January 7, 2011 by Keith N. Smith