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easonable weather and good winds brought 40+ boats out to the 2019 New Year’s Day Instead of Football Regatta. In its 27th year, the regatta welcomes all boats – sail or not – in all weather conditions.

Over forty vessels took part in the regatta.

Sails full, three boats try to overtake the others.

Organizer Nelda Coats counted at least 46 boats. Several of those had very large crews, out to enjoy the New Year’s day event. Sailing experience is not necessary – it’s a casual race around the marks.

And it’s the one regatta where the skipper’s meeting takes place after the race. Back on land at the Silo’s Restaurant, winners are chosen at random from a hat.

This year’s winners were:
1st Aquarian Sabre 42, Grady Bowers
2nd Moon Dancer Hunter 34, Sid Scott
3rd Betelgeuse Beneteau 40, Sue Pail

The three winners, chosen from a hat: Grady Bowers, Sid Scott, and Sue Pail.

Chris Daniels, owner of The Silos, opened his restaurant just for the skipper’s meeting. He provided a pizza bar for attendees and said he served a record number of sailors that day.

The Phoenix crew had a toga party.

There was one dubious honor this year; it was the year the Regatta took out the Garbacon Shoals marker. The proper calls were put in to the Coast Guard and a new marker was soon in place.

The three most important makers of the day: the football marker, Garbacon before, and Garbacon after.

Doug Carmichael waves from Godspede.

Crew on Narnia look for the football shaped marker.

Crew on Old Glory are either very tired or very excited.

Spellbinder chases the pack.

Avocet was one of the smaller vessels participating.

Wind Melody

Burying the rail.

Alacrity (Christel Monmoine)

Several vessels had home ports beyond Oriental.

Three very different sailboats line up for the mark.

Related Links

• Instead of Football Regatta 2019
• Instead of Football Regatta
• Scenes From New Years 2017 Regatta
• 50+ Boats in New Years Day Sailing in Oriental

Posted Saturday January 4, 2020 by Allison DeWeese