Abaco Regatta Time

July 10, 2009   Happy Bahamian Independence Day,  their 36th year as independent.

July 6th, 2009  (Monday)

    The race today is from Treasure Cay to Great Guana Cay.  We had to attach our dinghy to a tow line so it could be towed to Great Guana Cay.  That was not an easy task! We were given 21 more handicap points after the last race.  Storms clouds were s

cattered all around and we had pretty good winds.  WE are now more proficient on the boat and have refined some skills.  It was about a 13 nmile race.  as we went around the last mark before the finish line, a terrible storm hit the regatta with 35 knot winds and heavy rain. the storm was making waves in the Sea of Abaco.  After finishing the race we tried to anchor in Fisher's Bay but the anchor kept dragging.  I was able to call Orchid Bay Marina and obtain a slip for the night.  We were glad for that as the winds stayed near 20 knots all night long and it would have been very rocky on Fisher's Bay and the anchor might have pulled out. We rented a golf cart which allowed us greater motility and less tired legs and feet! We visited Grabber's and enjoyed their pool mid-afternoon.  We met some multihull sailors who told us that "No Limits" barged a boat today in their own fleet.   The party was on the street by the "Old Fig Tree".  We had free rum drinks for an hour and the junior sailing programs was selling burgers. The prizes were awarded.  Two Charleston boats won prizes today. "Tohidu" won a first in the PHRF fleet and "Shenanigan" won first in the RTIA fleet.   We moved from 5th to a 4th place finish in our fleet even though we were about a minute late at the start due to congested traffic. "Buena Vida" had a steering quadrant break and were waiting for parts to be shipped so they could compete again.  Charlie was also able to talk to the Regatta committee Chair ab

out what "No Limits" did on the first race.  I told her about what the multi-hull sailor told me that they had done today.    We later went to Knippers and again to Grabbers.  Charlie and I went back to the boat but Sylvia and Mike partied some more at Knippers.  

July 7, 2009  (Tuesday)

     We sailed back to Marsh Harbor and anchored. We got a few groceries and some more liquor supplies.  It was hot and humid again!  The party tonight is at Snappas restaurant, as short dinghy ride from the boat.  The music was so loud that we left to get dinner at Mangoes Restaurant next door.  Since the second band at Snappas was even louder, we just went back to the boat. 

 

July 8, 2009 (Wednesday)

      We anchored the dinghy in Marsh Harbor and proceeded outside of the harbor for today's race.   The winds looked favorable and no storms were apparent yet.  We got another slightly late start but did well on to windward using our staysail + main and jib. Charlie was keeping the boat "in the groove" for it's highest performance.  We learned a little about strategy as well this race  (not sure we would remember it without having Sylvia coaching us).  One of our competitors was 8 minutes ahead of us at the last mark but we made up 2 of those minutes on the last leg.  This race was 10.3 miles.  I made big salads with left over cracked conch, grouper fingers and chicken fingers for a late lunch.  The party tonight is as Mangoes, another short dinghy ride.  After one hour of free drinks, the prizes were handed out.  We won a third place so we now have a plaque with one of Pete Johnson's bronzes on it. We were thrilled! 

I was off talking to someone when it was announced and did not even know about our winning until later. Buena Vida, now repaired, also won a 3rd place in PHRF class.  Tohidu had to cut away their spinnaker during the race so they had trouble competing.  They have also lost their transmission.   We ate dinner at Curly Tails Bar and a storm which had been lingering finally broke while we were waiting for our order.  We had not closed the boat when we left so it was a bit damp in places though not as bad as I had feared.  We were up at 2:30 a.m. dealing with a dragging anchor, pulling it up and resetting it.  We had had problems with the windlass when setting it that afternoon.    

July 9, 2009 (Thursday)

     Sylvia was coughing and becoming congested so we decided to skip today's race.  The winds were supposed to be very light, the race long and it would have been even more stress on her and all of us.  The winds ended up a bit higher than predicted but we sailed and motored to Hopetown , got into the harbor safely and on a mooring ball. Sylvia slept the whole trip and several more hours.  Another storm was threatening most of the afternoon and we feared that the racers were right in the middle of it.  I went to Lighthouse Marina and did laundry. Tonight's party is at the Hopetown Lodge which overlooks the Atlantic.  It is a beautiful place with a pool and huge deck with an ocean view. Free drinks again for an hour, awards were made and everyone kept partying.  We finally met the Capt. of "Already Gone" the Island Packet almost T'd that first day.  He went to the organizers after the awards and complained about what  "No Limits" had done the first day.  They told him that they had disciplined "No Limits" and talked to them about their behavior.  That was gratifying to all of us.  He is out of West Palm  Beach.  He got a second place prize on the race that we had gotten a third. We went to eat dinner at Capt. Jack's restaurant.  

July 10, 2009

     We decided to stay here in Hopetown to explore.  The party tonight is at Cracker P's which is about 5 miles south of here.  We would have had to leave here and anchor out in Lubber's Quarters overnight.  Sylvia had not had much opportunity to explore Hopetown.  This would also  allow everyone to sleep late today and take it easy. I will have time to update the blog. We had a leisurely lunch at Harbor View Restaurant.  Tomorrow will be the last race of the Regatta and will take us from Hopetown back to Marsh Harbor.