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| NEITH and NOR'EASTER. Photo courtesy Maureen Koeppel. |
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Larchmont Race Week - Classic Results
Gorgeous skies, but little wind met the classic division at Larchmont Race Week on Saturday. As a result, the fleet of 12 boats which hailed primarily from Western Long Island Sound had a delayed start.
That wasn't all bad, because it allowed the owners and crews time to greet each other on the water. It also allowed plenty of time for swimming.
The race committee, led by Jed Kelly, smartly selected a 6-mile course to the North Shore of Long Island and back that would hopefully allow the entire fleet to finish before the dreaded TLE kicked in.
Even light air races can be exciting. It was a port favored start. A collision between two well-driven boats during the 5-minute countdown cost GOLDEN-EYE her mizzen and she withdrew from the race. As the final seconds evaporated, two boats essentially lost their momentum mid-line. While it created an opportunity for them both to be pushed over early by a number of us, that would have required de-powering, which would have been an expensive move in light air. The only smart choice was to go around the obstruction while keeping speed.
As Golden-Eye was coming in on port, we chose the conservative starboard approach with a plan to tack onto port as the gun went off. Alas, SALTY and GOLDEN-EYE collided just before NOR'EASTER got to the line only to meet the 2-boat obstruction. We navigated well through it, but it cost us time and the win of the start. ANGELITA, driven by Sam Croll with John Rousmanier on board started wisely at the committee boat with clear air. As the gun went off, she elegantly tacked over and extended beautifully to take the lead.
NOR'EASTER and Van Brown's NEITH pursued, while the NY 30 BANZAI tried to make the most of her sizable main. The boats rounded G23 and headed back towards the finish. As the Committee boat came into view, NOR'EASTER began to close the gap on ANGELITA, but to no avail. ANGELITA earned the first place trophy, with NOR'EASTER and NEITH taking 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Jeff Cohen was on board the lovely Friendship Sloop NATANYA, owned by Joe Hliva, and took a number of great photos. Here are a few:
Thanks to Larchmont YC and to our chairs Pamela and Alex Dubitsky of BERNICE for arranging a perfect summer day regatta. Next Stop the NYYC Cruise at the US Coast Guard Academy.
That wasn't all bad, because it allowed the owners and crews time to greet each other on the water. It also allowed plenty of time for swimming.
The race committee, led by Jed Kelly, smartly selected a 6-mile course to the North Shore of Long Island and back that would hopefully allow the entire fleet to finish before the dreaded TLE kicked in.
Even light air races can be exciting. It was a port favored start. A collision between two well-driven boats during the 5-minute countdown cost GOLDEN-EYE her mizzen and she withdrew from the race. As the final seconds evaporated, two boats essentially lost their momentum mid-line. While it created an opportunity for them both to be pushed over early by a number of us, that would have required de-powering, which would have been an expensive move in light air. The only smart choice was to go around the obstruction while keeping speed.
As Golden-Eye was coming in on port, we chose the conservative starboard approach with a plan to tack onto port as the gun went off. Alas, SALTY and GOLDEN-EYE collided just before NOR'EASTER got to the line only to meet the 2-boat obstruction. We navigated well through it, but it cost us time and the win of the start. ANGELITA, driven by Sam Croll with John Rousmanier on board started wisely at the committee boat with clear air. As the gun went off, she elegantly tacked over and extended beautifully to take the lead.
NOR'EASTER and Van Brown's NEITH pursued, while the NY 30 BANZAI tried to make the most of her sizable main. The boats rounded G23 and headed back towards the finish. As the Committee boat came into view, NOR'EASTER began to close the gap on ANGELITA, but to no avail. ANGELITA earned the first place trophy, with NOR'EASTER and NEITH taking 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Jeff Cohen was on board the lovely Friendship Sloop NATANYA, owned by Joe Hliva, and took a number of great photos. Here are a few:
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| The John Alden schooner ADVENTURER |
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| MARY LORING (blue) above the MARA E. |
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| The NY 30 BANZAI - the only NY 30 originally painted black |
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| The S-boat DANAE |
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| ANGELITA - the Winner! |
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| NOR'EASTER pre-race. Note us swimmers at the transom |
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| Ready |
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| Get |
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| Set |
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| Go! |
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
IYRS 2011 Gala
There will be lots of great press on the terrific IYRS weekend, but here's a quick update. We arrived on Friday afternoon and our first stop was to check into Harbour Court. Weeks ago when I made the reservation, we got the last room: the SEWING ROOM. We stayed there last year unexpectedly when Hurricane Earl nearly swept Newport and every boat in the vicinity either hauled or relocated. The SEWING ROOM was just fine.
Our second stop was for a Restoration Society Reception on Ocean Drive at the indescribably beautiful McKenzie designed SEAFAIR. Does anyone have a picture of Seafair to share? It is in the spirit of a magnificent crescent shaped french chateau that overhangs the Atlantic Ocean. On Google maps, it looks like this:
Photos from the IYRS Facebook page. To see more, sign up as a friend!
Our second stop was for a Restoration Society Reception on Ocean Drive at the indescribably beautiful McKenzie designed SEAFAIR. Does anyone have a picture of Seafair to share? It is in the spirit of a magnificent crescent shaped french chateau that overhangs the Atlantic Ocean. On Google maps, it looks like this:
The gala was Saturday and it was a festive party for 600 close friends. Several of the great maritime photographers presented black and white images in support of the evening's theme.
Here is my photo of Onne Van Der Wal's dramatic spinnaker shot. He is truly amazing.
While we were celebrating the importance of restoration at IYRS, RAMBLER 100 took line honors in the 2011 Transatlantic Race. Congratulations, George and team!
The classic NORDWIND is doing just fine and should complete the course in a few days.
Photos from the IYRS Facebook page. To see more, sign up as a friend!
Closer to home, all the young deer made their way to the hydrangeas for the first year ever. Since we arrived back, the hounds have been let out 5 times to chase them off. Hopefully, the hydrangeas will still bud and bloom and the young deer will learn their boundaries before we go off cruising in August.
Friday, July 8, 2011
TRANSATLANTIC 2011 - The Classic Yacht Shines
Congratulations to the 88ft German built and Gruber designed yawl NORDWIND and her owner skipper Dr Hans Albrecht and crew.
The Transatlantic is not over, but she has impressively held close to the Rhodes designed CARINA. The NORDWIND team can only be proud, and somehow, we know they have plenty of Grey Poupon. On the other hand, the blazing fast CARINA apparently received a care package from the luxury liner MALTESE FALCON.
Prior to the start, we saw her hauled in the yard at Newport Shipyard and her team was working hard to ensure she was fit and ready to cross the mighty Atlantic.
Safe seas NORDWIND!
The Transatlantic is not over, but she has impressively held close to the Rhodes designed CARINA. The NORDWIND team can only be proud, and somehow, we know they have plenty of Grey Poupon. On the other hand, the blazing fast CARINA apparently received a care package from the luxury liner MALTESE FALCON.
Prior to the start, we saw her hauled in the yard at Newport Shipyard and her team was working hard to ensure she was fit and ready to cross the mighty Atlantic.
Safe seas NORDWIND!
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| At Newport Shipyard pre-race |
We're off to the IYRS Gala in Newport this weekend. The housesitter and the hounds will be on deer patrol at Wishing Frog Farm.
p.s. - great race last night at IHYC. We had a good team onboard. N'E took 1st against 3 Farr boats and a fast Beneteau. We blasted the line and the old gal took off like a thoroughbred. :-)
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Bottoms Up!
NOR'EASTER only gets hauled to have her bottom painted. The Lawley yard built her well in 1926, and she is rock solid, but her overhangs are extreme and water provides the best cradle possible.
We weren't always so wise. Years ago we told Steve White (yes, THE SW) how we were proudly baby-ing our US One-Design WIND by storing her in a shed during the winter. His response was along the lines of: Are you crazy? You're not in Maine. Get a bubbler and thank me for all the seams you won't be paying next Spring. We had indeed been paying far too many seams over the years, which also required comedic bailing at every launch until those pesky seams swelled. We decided to trust the expert. Lesson learned. NOR'EASTER has a very effective bubbler.
As you know by now, we race on Wednesday's. The plan was to haul on Thursday, work through the holiday weekend, and launch on Tuesday so we could race on Wednesday....Mission accomplished. Here are a few photos for you while we continue to remove Interlux Red from our hands.
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| Hauled - Hugenot YC |
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| It needs work |
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| We weren't kidding when we advised 'go long' on Blue Tape in April. 100 ft x 4and that's just the boot top.... |
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| Smile = no drips! Now to the red.... |
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| Sweet! |
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| Nice and clean. Next: wax the hull. |
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| Patched, faired and painted. |
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| Ready to splash. See you on the race course! |
We're ready for racing and for the Classic Yacht Division at Larchmont's Race Week. Between those two events we'll be attending the IYRS Annual Gala in Newport, Rhode Island.
Are you coming? We'd love to hear from you.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy 4th of July!
Fair winds and smooth sailing to fellow sailors around the world.
Congratulations to the racers in the Robert Tiedemann Regatta in Newport. Results are HERE and on the RTR link on the left column.
The 1939 NORWIND continues to speed across the Transatlantic course. Nordwind and Carina have opened up a significant lead on the rest of the fleet. Visit her position on the Tracker HERE.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Short Tacks: Blue Tape and All
The annual open house at IHYC was recently held on a lovely Sunday. Each year, one of our favorite members puts together a group of 20 or so boats and charmingly asks (ok-tells) the owners to spruce up and be ready to welcome visitors. Fraser is such a nice person and we all work ridiculously hard to make him happy.
We were on the outside this year, and most of our friends have witnessed the slow, recession induced, restoration program we're committed to, so we didn't expect many visitors.
Maybe it was the Black Tops and Gin & Tonics that Dr. Love was serving up?
Or, maybe the challenge of stepping down 2 feet from the luxurious deck of a 2007 50+ft Alden to our 1926 spartan 50ft Alden presented just the right amount of fun and challenge?
In 2 hours, we had 100+ people onboard. Most lingered down below, which meant our narrow 8ft wide salon had 6-8 people sitting and chatting together at any given time. It was fun!
Thanks to Mary Alice Fisher for this nice photo. The combing, toerail and house have been completely taken down with 8 new coats of varnish (to date) beginning to really gleam. Note the ball of blue tape by the mast. As the party started, we were rushing to pull it up, but forgot to 'hide' the evidence.
We were on the outside this year, and most of our friends have witnessed the slow, recession induced, restoration program we're committed to, so we didn't expect many visitors.
Maybe it was the Black Tops and Gin & Tonics that Dr. Love was serving up?
Or, maybe the challenge of stepping down 2 feet from the luxurious deck of a 2007 50+ft Alden to our 1926 spartan 50ft Alden presented just the right amount of fun and challenge?
In 2 hours, we had 100+ people onboard. Most lingered down below, which meant our narrow 8ft wide salon had 6-8 people sitting and chatting together at any given time. It was fun!
Thanks to Mary Alice Fisher for this nice photo. The combing, toerail and house have been completely taken down with 8 new coats of varnish (to date) beginning to really gleam. Note the ball of blue tape by the mast. As the party started, we were rushing to pull it up, but forgot to 'hide' the evidence.
1926 Alden NOR'EASTER in front of 2007 Alden LAISSEZ FAIRE.