Well it started with the Exodus Regatta in early May. Boats came over to feel out the new digs. We got through graduations and all of the May hubbub and hit the ground running for Small Boat Sundays in June. So far, it’s been all Vanguard 15s. We now have eight, count ‘em EIGHT masts sticking out of V15s on the Hamilton Creek Marina beach, all parked for the summer with Sundays on their minds. We have raced the last four Sundays in a row without fail and have really had such a blast so far. Competitive racing. Broad range of conditions, almost always favorable.
The most recent Sunday boasted a western breeze of steady 10 knots with puffs of 14-17 and some gusts that hit even a little harder, but putting these small boats in the sweet spot that they were made for. Smiles from start to finish, no matter the conditions. All participants feeling good and like we’ve really got something started here. And a WHOLE LOTTA MORE SUMMER to go.
The racecourse area at Percy Priest is so wide open, it gives the wind just enough space for some consistency and allows us to set a course from any direction up to 1.25 nm (our course this Sunday was .75 nm), we can always get a windward-leeward scene going. We haven’t been “keeping score,” as it were—it’s low key, and we’ve been focusing on having a good time together, learning as much as we can, and bringing whoever might have an inkling towards competitive sailing along for the ride. For our first few weeks, we have challenged ourselves to set our own course, opting to not have RC. This has been a great exercise in setting courses and being confident boat-handlers.
The whole thing just feels like why we all started sailboat racing to begin with. Let’s have some fun, let’s get on the water, let’s work together, let’s learn some portion of this seemingly non-master-able craziness of performance sailing, and let’s experience adventure and a common goal outdoors, and amongst happy whackos like us!
So…if you have a small boat that wants to be on the water this summer (and don’t all boats?), then you should really consider getting in on this exciting new series. We can obviously do one-design, but are very happy to include multiple classes. Bring the boats and we’ll race ‘em!
If you are interested in bringing your boat to Percy Priest for the summer, it’s INCREDIBLY affordable, with 1/2-slip fees around $25 a month. Contact Bill Elder at billelder4@gmail.com for details on how to get your boat registered and parked over at HCM, and we’ll see you Sunday!