Port Huron Regatta
Paul Latour | Published on 8/21/2024
August 2024
The S2-7.9 “Scratch” team again traveled to Port Huron, MI which rests directly on the West Bank of the Detroit river and about a mile south of it’s mouth. Canada is on the East bank where a very busy bridge connects the two countries.
Notably, all the overflow from the Great Lakes drains down that river so the current is bodacious, over 10mph in the middle with 4-ft swells. To traverse the river upstream toward Lake Huron where the races occur required every rpm my 5hp outboard could muster. On occasion, despite hugging rocky shorelines within a few feet, the boat slows to as low as 0.3 mph! On return running downstream it’s a bumpy rollercoaster beer-spiller ride! The river current presents hazards for large ocean tanker ships which lose steerage especially downstream. Such big boat traffic is no longer permitted two-way; only one ship at a time either way. The water draining south out of Lake Huron beneath the bridge funnels to form the river so the direction and strengths of currents on the lake above vary depending on where the racecourse may be and by recent NE weather (rain), creating a rather challenging current environment for unaccustomed visitors.
Port Huron Yacht Club (PHYC) has been around for 80 years and survived throttling economic crushes by industry losses but is slowly rebounding. It is “all voluntary” meaning there are no paid employees. Since its inception and still, it favors sail over motorboat members (who can be displaced annually), expects all members to participate in racing unless they can not and if not, participate in race management. It diminishes slip fees and grants other benefits in exchange for various services. I gather that the bar is a generous cauldron of sociology plus a significant revenue source. FYI, we were warmly received by one of their newer members, our former Decho Iliev who says hello to PPYC & HIYC!
This year’s PHYC regatta had diminished attendance because the dates were too proximal to preceding and following big boat-to-Mackinac regattas. There were no dinghies this time and the big boats raced only Saturday to prep for other events, while the S2’s raced both days. We were again hoping for exposure to bigger waves and winds, neither of which graced our attendance this time, so it was not the warmup I’d hoped for the Nationals.
Quick race summary: two days of light winds maybe 5mph required plying the lake currents first, juxtaposed to minimal puffs second was the prevailing stratagem. We were second every time and finished such, consistently prevailing over two local race-teams, and consistently losing to their reigning life-long sailing champion, Tyson. But we sailed well and left positive about prospects for a productive race performance at the Holland, MI Nationals next month.
To my delight, no flat tires this trip!
Just for giggles, the left picture is of the front page of a copy of the first Detroit-Mackinaw race subtitled “First Annual Cruising Race, Port Huron to Mackinac Island” lying around the PHYC bar. Under “Instructions, Engines” it reads; “All engines must be sealed by the Race Committee prior to the start, and such seals must be inspected by them upon arrival of yacht at the Finish. In case seal is broken, the yacht may be disqualified.” There were no exceptions for adverse weather or other mayhem! Those were stout sailors!
My sincere thank you to the crew: Chris Dupont (foredeck), Craig Dooley (tactics and mid-boat), David Curtze (main and spin trim), and Bill Elder (mid-boat). I appreciate you all.
Paul Latour
S2-7.9 #544
8/19/24