Good old racing on Tampa Bay
Issue 81 : Nov/Dec 2011
Every sailor knows the place to be in January is on a modern high-tech sailboat at Key West Race Week. While that may be true for the hired guns on the competitive racing circuit, many fun-loving sailors on Florida’s west coast disagree. They head instead to the Good Old Boat Regatta, an annual gathering of 20-plus-year-old sailboats organized by the St. Petersburg Sailing Association.
In January 2011, the second annual regatta with the theme Good Old Boats for Good Old Folks, attracted 66 participants from various parts of the Sunshine State. Encouraged by the success of the 2010 race, participation rose by 12 boats as more sailors untied docklines to join in. An added benefit to sailors in the regatta this year was the knowledge that, by participating, they were supporting the Neighborly Care Network, a non-profit organization that provides meals and other services to frail homebound seniors.
The success of any sailing regatta begins with energetic leadership, and that came from John Sleasman, this year’s commodore of the St. Petersburg Sailing Association (SPSA). John and his crew — Mary and Peter Watts, Gloria Davis, Steve Lang, Elizabeth Mills, John Ulm, and Zac Oppenheim — organized the event, including promotion, registration, social activities, committee boat, chase boat, T-shirts, hats, and trophies. Dave Ellis, former director of the SPSA and local sailing mentor, conducted a thorough skippers meeting, cautioning participants about winter weather conditions on the bay. The leadership team’s enthusiasm and dedication to make this regatta a fun-filled and rewarding gathering of good old boats was obvious throughout the event.
Building on the success of the first regatta and on similar fun races around the country, entry in the second Good Old Boat Regatta was open to any sailing craft built in 1991 or before. PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) classes included spinnaker, non-spinnaker, and cruising classes, with awards presented for first, second, and third place in each class. A fourth class, entitled Good Old Boat Fun Awards, included recognition for the first and last boats across the starting line and the last boat to finish. Carrying on the tradition of sailors having fun, overall special awards were presented for the most decorated boat, the oldest boat, the most beautiful boat, the boat with the rowdiest crew, the best crew uniforms, the oldest skipper, and for the boat that had traveled the longest distance to participate.
A blustery day
Somewhat unusual for Tampa Bay’s January weather, a cold front packing strong north winds, falling temperatures, and overcast skies greeted competitors as they jockeyed for position in the 11 a.m. starting sequence. Steve Lang’s Bay Woof, a beautiful 33-foot 1964 Pearson Vanguard, performed committee boat duties as competitors crossed the starting line, with classes starting five minutes apart. Boats built by good old manufacturers including Morgan, Cal, Tartan, Catalina, Hunter, Hinckley, Swan, C&C, and Bristol, got the gun and charged toward the first mark. Nearly every design possible — sloop, ketch, yawl, and catboat — was represented.
Under the protection of downtown buildings, moderate wave, wind, and temperature conditions in the nearby starting area lured some sailors into believing calmer conditions also existed farther out on the bay. While many sailors prepared for the 12-mile triangle course with conservative sail selection and by reefing, others hoisted every thread. As competitors drew nearer to the first mark, approximately 2 miles north of the starting line, the wind and seas grew considerably, creating challenges for many sailors familiar with the bay’s normal “ballroom conditions.” Greg Crowner, owner of the 35-foot Pearson, Blue Moon, says “ballroom conditions” are characterized by fl at water and good breeze. Conditions for this race, however, were far from typical.
As sunshine pierced broken cloud cover and graciously warmed the chilled wet sailors, heightened waves and increased winds at the leeward mark presented ever-challenging conditions. Although the risk of collision or equipment damage was great while approaching and rounding the fixed mark, these experienced sailors made it look like child’s play as each boat made the turn and set a course for the finish line several miles to the west.
For most boats, the course from the leeward mark to the finish line, in the lee of downtown St. Petersburg just off the landmark Pier, was a beat requiring several tacks. Regardless of boat age on this windward leg, the tactical edge came down to boat design and pointing ability. For spectators on the water or onshore, it was a beautiful sight as one good old boat after another crossed the finish line, each strutting its stuff in the stiff winter breeze.
A party and trophy presentation was held later that Saturday at Cha Cha’s Coconut Restaurant atop the famed Pier facility on St. Petersburg’s Tampa Bay waterfront. Like sailors in any competitive venue, the Good Old Boat Regatta participants sure knew how to celebrate no matter their finish position. It was all about enjoying the boats, having fun, and sharing the experience with fellow sailors.
Participation in Good Old Boat Regattas tends to span generations, as sailors from all over the age spectrum get out on the water. Entire families, from youngsters to grandparents, do their part by trimming sails, sitting on the rail, taking a turn at the helm, grilling tasty burgers, and keeping the crew’s beverages topped off. These fun regattas provide the motivation and camaraderie to attract a broad range of sailors and their boats.
Next January, when your thoughts drift to warm sailing venues, make sure you’re thinking of the third annual Good Old Boat Regatta in St. Petersburg, Florida, set for Saturday, January 21, Tidy up your sails, fi re up the grill, get out on the water, and experience a world of sailing like you’ve never known before.
Dick Dixon is a freelance writer and photographer living in Mobile, Alabama. An avid sailor, Dick sails his 1985 Kirie Elite 37 along the northern Gulf Coast where he enjoys marine and wildlife photography. He may be reached at ddixon3121@aol.com.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
