I, for one, couldn't make it but am eager to hear about this past weekend's events. Hope you guys had fun. Somebody give us a report. Peggy, you're a good story teller, tell us about it.
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It was FAAAANTASTIC!
Due in no small part to mild weather and good winds. My rendevous began early--on Wednesday morning in Annapolis aboard Loverly, Mark and Julie Roskin's H29. A sunny day in the low 80s, winds out of the NE averaging about 20k...we FLEW to Herrington Harbor South in time for lunch. One tack, to turn into Herring Bay. Spent the afternoon at the pool drinking margaritas and rum concoctions, then went to Neptunes with Larry and Lyn Morrow, and Dale and Kim Seastrom. Larry had claimed earlier that Neptunes has the best mussels on the Bay, and he was right--maybe the best on the planet! Thursday was aboard Dale and Kim Seastrom's Legend 42...but motoring under sail 'cuz we left very early to be in Solomons in time to help with registration and the winds didn't pick up till about 11 am, just as we turned into the Pax River to Solomons. Two absolutely WONDERFUL days for me aboard two lovely boats!! (And btw--hint, hint...have boat shoes, will travel...ANY time!) Friday the Rendevous got underway, and Hunter was well represented...including Eddie Breeden! The weather remained cool and breezy, which was an absolute Godsend--especially during Friday's full day of outstanding seminars, beginning at 9:15...everything from cruising issues, to marine paints, to wireless internet & weather data, rig tuning, electronics, and heads. Also on hand was the Smithsonian's nautical knot tying expert who taught us all kinds of things about knots we didn't know! A scavenger hunt followed the seminars...next year everyone has sworn to bring bolt cutters 'cuz they're always on the list and nobody ever has any. This year's winning team was smart enough to borrow some from Zahnizer's repair shop. Tom Neale entertained us well as usual after dinner on Friday. Saturday was all fun. The Hunter Cup Regatta had plenty of wind, and we used a pursuit start this year (if you don't know what that is, I'll explain), which made things much easier for novice racers than single line start while everyone tries to stay out of everyone else's way. The winner was Jim Seamans in his H26--the smallest boat in the fleet. Frank Pitts had a brand new cannon which he'd never fired till the start...all of us on the committee boat decided to put on PFDs, just in case!
The real highlight of the regatta was a professional photography crew who not only took photos of the boats from the committee boat, but put a helicopter up to get phenomenal arial shots of each of the boats under sail. They actually "airlifted" the film to a processor who had 8 x 10 prints ready in time for the Mount Gay Rum cocktail reception (more on that below). Each was identified by boat name...and needless to say, they had little trouble selling every shot--and for VERY reasonable prices...I think only about $25 (more matted and framed). How often do any of us ever get an opportunity to buy an arial photo our own boats, with everyone aboard smiling and waving at the photographer??? Then came the dinghy race, which is always loads of fun--two "man" crews, a "navigator" and a blindfolded oarsman. Since there are boats moored on both sides of the dinghy alley to the dinghy dock, only soft dinghies are used 'cuz the oarsman doesn't always go where the navigator tells him to! We had kids, dogs and adults. Since I was in the boat that was the "mark" they had to round, I was afraid to take my digital camera...hopefully someone else got some good pics to upload. Mount Gay Rum provided the biggest hit of the whole rendevous--their marvelous rum for a cocktail party (when we ran out of pineapple juice, we just invented new fruit juice conconctions with whatever was handy)...and something I'd never seen before: a "gutter race." Two rain gutter sections about 5' long, sealed at the ends and filled with water. Toy sailboats in each one. A 2 person relay--the first blows the boat to one end, the other turns it around and blows it back...and it's NOT easy to do! Prizes for kids teams and adult teams. Dinner was followed by a very good band and drawings for the door prizes, which included 2 AcuGage systems, a Raritan Sea Era toilet--won by none other than our own Dakota Jim (we're UPSing back to SD for him)!--a WM gift certificate, several items from the HOW online store...there were so many prizes that I don't think anyone went home empty handed. Sunday morning found a tired and happy crew very reluctantly making ready to leave and one by one the cars and boats departed. Not a single word of criticism could be heard from anyone...nothing but the highest praise for all the organizers who had worked HARD for over a year to make "Back to the BAY III" a truly outstanding event. If you were there, you know what a great rendevous it was. If you missed it, you MISSED OUT! There won't be another one till 2003. And I'm already counting the days.
Due in no small part to mild weather and good winds. My rendevous began early--on Wednesday morning in Annapolis aboard Loverly, Mark and Julie Roskin's H29. A sunny day in the low 80s, winds out of the NE averaging about 20k...we FLEW to Herrington Harbor South in time for lunch. One tack, to turn into Herring Bay. Spent the afternoon at the pool drinking margaritas and rum concoctions, then went to Neptunes with Larry and Lyn Morrow, and Dale and Kim Seastrom. Larry had claimed earlier that Neptunes has the best mussels on the Bay, and he was right--maybe the best on the planet! Thursday was aboard Dale and Kim Seastrom's Legend 42...but motoring under sail 'cuz we left very early to be in Solomons in time to help with registration and the winds didn't pick up till about 11 am, just as we turned into the Pax River to Solomons. Two absolutely WONDERFUL days for me aboard two lovely boats!! (And btw--hint, hint...have boat shoes, will travel...ANY time!) Friday the Rendevous got underway, and Hunter was well represented...including Eddie Breeden! The weather remained cool and breezy, which was an absolute Godsend--especially during Friday's full day of outstanding seminars, beginning at 9:15...everything from cruising issues, to marine paints, to wireless internet & weather data, rig tuning, electronics, and heads. Also on hand was the Smithsonian's nautical knot tying expert who taught us all kinds of things about knots we didn't know! A scavenger hunt followed the seminars...next year everyone has sworn to bring bolt cutters 'cuz they're always on the list and nobody ever has any. This year's winning team was smart enough to borrow some from Zahnizer's repair shop. Tom Neale entertained us well as usual after dinner on Friday. Saturday was all fun. The Hunter Cup Regatta had plenty of wind, and we used a pursuit start this year (if you don't know what that is, I'll explain), which made things much easier for novice racers than single line start while everyone tries to stay out of everyone else's way. The winner was Jim Seamans in his H26--the smallest boat in the fleet. Frank Pitts had a brand new cannon which he'd never fired till the start...all of us on the committee boat decided to put on PFDs, just in case!
The real highlight of the regatta was a professional photography crew who not only took photos of the boats from the committee boat, but put a helicopter up to get phenomenal arial shots of each of the boats under sail. They actually "airlifted" the film to a processor who had 8 x 10 prints ready in time for the Mount Gay Rum cocktail reception (more on that below). Each was identified by boat name...and needless to say, they had little trouble selling every shot--and for VERY reasonable prices...I think only about $25 (more matted and framed). How often do any of us ever get an opportunity to buy an arial photo our own boats, with everyone aboard smiling and waving at the photographer??? Then came the dinghy race, which is always loads of fun--two "man" crews, a "navigator" and a blindfolded oarsman. Since there are boats moored on both sides of the dinghy alley to the dinghy dock, only soft dinghies are used 'cuz the oarsman doesn't always go where the navigator tells him to! We had kids, dogs and adults. Since I was in the boat that was the "mark" they had to round, I was afraid to take my digital camera...hopefully someone else got some good pics to upload. Mount Gay Rum provided the biggest hit of the whole rendevous--their marvelous rum for a cocktail party (when we ran out of pineapple juice, we just invented new fruit juice conconctions with whatever was handy)...and something I'd never seen before: a "gutter race." Two rain gutter sections about 5' long, sealed at the ends and filled with water. Toy sailboats in each one. A 2 person relay--the first blows the boat to one end, the other turns it around and blows it back...and it's NOT easy to do! Prizes for kids teams and adult teams. Dinner was followed by a very good band and drawings for the door prizes, which included 2 AcuGage systems, a Raritan Sea Era toilet--won by none other than our own Dakota Jim (we're UPSing back to SD for him)!--a WM gift certificate, several items from the HOW online store...there were so many prizes that I don't think anyone went home empty handed. Sunday morning found a tired and happy crew very reluctantly making ready to leave and one by one the cars and boats departed. Not a single word of criticism could be heard from anyone...nothing but the highest praise for all the organizers who had worked HARD for over a year to make "Back to the BAY III" a truly outstanding event. If you were there, you know what a great rendevous it was. If you missed it, you MISSED OUT! There won't be another one till 2003. And I'm already counting the days. Thanks Peggie
Peggie, Thanks for the recap of our event. Lynn and I enjoyed meeting you and I'm glad you enjoyed the mussel dinner. Mark, Julie, Lynn and I went back on Sunday evening and had some more !!! See ya again in 2003. Larry
Peggie, Thanks for the recap of our event. Lynn and I enjoyed meeting you and I'm glad you enjoyed the mussel dinner. Mark, Julie, Lynn and I went back on Sunday evening and had some more !!! See ya again in 2003. Larry
Peggy How is your hearing?
Peggy was on the bow, verifing the boats as they crossed the finish line. Great Job PEGGY!!! How is your hearing after that CANNON went off? I checked my rigging for grape shot holes!!! Jim
Peggy was on the bow, verifing the boats as they crossed the finish line. Great Job PEGGY!!! How is your hearing after that CANNON went off? I checked my rigging for grape shot holes!!! Jim
I'm hoping my ears will stop ringing soon!
Great job of sailing, Jim! There were only 8 minutes between the first and last start times for 24 boats (which doesn't mean they all started on time, though), and you were nearly a minute ahead of the second place finisher. And it was great meeting you! What I enjoy most about the Rendevous is the chance to actually meet "live and in person" so many of the HOW regulars for the first time and seeing so many again...they're a lot like family reunions.
Great job of sailing, Jim! There were only 8 minutes between the first and last start times for 24 boats (which doesn't mean they all started on time, though), and you were nearly a minute ahead of the second place finisher. And it was great meeting you! What I enjoy most about the Rendevous is the chance to actually meet "live and in person" so many of the HOW regulars for the first time and seeing so many again...they're a lot like family reunions.
Have 250 Still Pictures plus some video
It was great. The three HSAs did a fantastic job. Well organized, good food, great speakers, nice prizes, and fantastic weather. All those responsible deserve all our thanks and congratulations. Have about 250 digital still pictures that I hope to get to Phil by the end of the week on a CD by Fed X . . . . Fantastic shots of the race winners doing a reverse bow as they accepted their trophy, as well as the others that place. Fun pictures of the Knot man doing his thing. And shots of all the speakers. Peggy was hard to shoot - she is so unphotogenic <grin>. One of the "must do things in life" is meeting Peggy. You will really enjoy the time spent with her.
It was great. The three HSAs did a fantastic job. Well organized, good food, great speakers, nice prizes, and fantastic weather. All those responsible deserve all our thanks and congratulations. Have about 250 digital still pictures that I hope to get to Phil by the end of the week on a CD by Fed X . . . . Fantastic shots of the race winners doing a reverse bow as they accepted their trophy, as well as the others that place. Fun pictures of the Knot man doing his thing. And shots of all the speakers. Peggy was hard to shoot - she is so unphotogenic <grin>. One of the "must do things in life" is meeting Peggy. You will really enjoy the time spent with her.
Yaga Report
We have been looking forward to this event since we left Kemah 6 months ago. Debbie flew in from Houston and we left Baltimore Wednesday at 1820 and stopped in Botkin Creek for a wonderful sunset and a good night’s sleep. We were underway for Solomon’s Island by 0620 and were able to sail with Asym Spinnaker on a beam reach with 10 knot winds the 60 nm down the Chesapeake. We were loving it and saw other Hunters running down the bay. We arrived at Zahnizer's by 1600 and side tied to Lee and Dawn Urbani’s 37.5 (hull no. 1) “Dawn” on J dock and out board we had John and Stephanie Day’s new 380 “Fox III” tied to us. We were instantly welcomed into the Hunter family. By the end of the weekend we made many more of those special Hunter Owner connections. The people who own Hunter sailboats have a lot of class no matter what we read on other web sites. From start to finish the Rendezvous and Zahnizer's were also first class. Debbie and I were smiling the whole weekend. Debbie took a picture of me with my favorite HOW celebrity Ms Peggy Hall, who is welcome to sail on “Yaga” anytime. (We need crew in August.) We also met the legendary Dakota Jim and his wife Char. EVERYONE from the East Coast made us Texans feel right at home. Some had read “The Saga of Yaga” here on HOW and had lots of questions including HOW a H40.5 handles a tough Gulf of Mexico crossing. Paul and Pat Brabazon on “Air Ride 2”, another 40.5, were happy to hear we had no problems with the bridges between Charleston and Norfolk (63.5’ mast height + antenna). We learned so much on Friday from all the great seminars and that night, Tom Neale had us in stitches and wanting to unplug (cast off) for the cruising life. “Yaga” made us proud by carrying us to a second place finish in the Hunter Cup Regatta just 45 seconds behind Jim and Joan Seamans on “Java”, an H260. They had everyone at the start wondering if they were serious about racing since Jim had his stereo blasting out “Victory at Sea”! Debbie and I were fortunate to have Rob Irvine “Kailua” as our navigator/tactician since he was a local and as grinders, Jeff Isenhour “Kuu Ipo” and Tom Sharkey (General Manager of Selden Mast Inc.). Couldn’t ask for a finer crew. We really like the photos taken by Regatta Photo from the helo. I’ll post after I get them scanned. Yaga looked like a racer instead of a liveaboard. We had to motor back north Sunday to get Debbie to the airport. She was awarded the sailor who traveled the longest to get to the Rendezvous. Dakota Jim got second. “Yaga” had traveled 2100 nm one way and will return to Kemah Texas in 2 weeks making her the yacht that “went the distance”! Every one should start planning now to be at the next Rendezvous in 2 years. We are.
We have been looking forward to this event since we left Kemah 6 months ago. Debbie flew in from Houston and we left Baltimore Wednesday at 1820 and stopped in Botkin Creek for a wonderful sunset and a good night’s sleep. We were underway for Solomon’s Island by 0620 and were able to sail with Asym Spinnaker on a beam reach with 10 knot winds the 60 nm down the Chesapeake. We were loving it and saw other Hunters running down the bay. We arrived at Zahnizer's by 1600 and side tied to Lee and Dawn Urbani’s 37.5 (hull no. 1) “Dawn” on J dock and out board we had John and Stephanie Day’s new 380 “Fox III” tied to us. We were instantly welcomed into the Hunter family. By the end of the weekend we made many more of those special Hunter Owner connections. The people who own Hunter sailboats have a lot of class no matter what we read on other web sites. From start to finish the Rendezvous and Zahnizer's were also first class. Debbie and I were smiling the whole weekend. Debbie took a picture of me with my favorite HOW celebrity Ms Peggy Hall, who is welcome to sail on “Yaga” anytime. (We need crew in August.) We also met the legendary Dakota Jim and his wife Char. EVERYONE from the East Coast made us Texans feel right at home. Some had read “The Saga of Yaga” here on HOW and had lots of questions including HOW a H40.5 handles a tough Gulf of Mexico crossing. Paul and Pat Brabazon on “Air Ride 2”, another 40.5, were happy to hear we had no problems with the bridges between Charleston and Norfolk (63.5’ mast height + antenna). We learned so much on Friday from all the great seminars and that night, Tom Neale had us in stitches and wanting to unplug (cast off) for the cruising life. “Yaga” made us proud by carrying us to a second place finish in the Hunter Cup Regatta just 45 seconds behind Jim and Joan Seamans on “Java”, an H260. They had everyone at the start wondering if they were serious about racing since Jim had his stereo blasting out “Victory at Sea”! Debbie and I were fortunate to have Rob Irvine “Kailua” as our navigator/tactician since he was a local and as grinders, Jeff Isenhour “Kuu Ipo” and Tom Sharkey (General Manager of Selden Mast Inc.). Couldn’t ask for a finer crew. We really like the photos taken by Regatta Photo from the helo. I’ll post after I get them scanned. Yaga looked like a racer instead of a liveaboard. We had to motor back north Sunday to get Debbie to the airport. She was awarded the sailor who traveled the longest to get to the Rendezvous. Dakota Jim got second. “Yaga” had traveled 2100 nm one way and will return to Kemah Texas in 2 weeks making her the yacht that “went the distance”! Every one should start planning now to be at the next Rendezvous in 2 years. We are.
First timer
Well this is the first time I've ever been to a Hunter sailing Association event and I'm extremly impressed. Everyone made us feel very welcome..Laura dent wouldn't let us sit alone. My personal high point was crewing on Mickey and Debbie's YAGA. I've read about them on this site and it was a real treat to actually sail on the boat. Micky was a great captain and I learned a lot about sail trim and racing in general. I'd like to really thank the organizers of the event and all the other people who made us so welcome. Cheers.
Well this is the first time I've ever been to a Hunter sailing Association event and I'm extremly impressed. Everyone made us feel very welcome..Laura dent wouldn't let us sit alone. My personal high point was crewing on Mickey and Debbie's YAGA. I've read about them on this site and it was a real treat to actually sail on the boat. Micky was a great captain and I learned a lot about sail trim and racing in general. I'd like to really thank the organizers of the event and all the other people who made us so welcome. Cheers.
A BIG thank you to HOW
It's great to hear the kind words from all the folks who enjoyed the event. It makes the planning and work all worth it. HOW deserves a special thanks for helping us publicize the rendezvous, supporting us with door prizes and providing on-line registration service. It was a pleasure working with Phil, Bly and Karisa. I wish they could have been there with us to share the good times. We'll save the good spirit, bottle up the good weather and look forward to seeing everyone in two years.
It's great to hear the kind words from all the folks who enjoyed the event. It makes the planning and work all worth it. HOW deserves a special thanks for helping us publicize the rendezvous, supporting us with door prizes and providing on-line registration service. It was a pleasure working with Phil, Bly and Karisa. I wish they could have been there with us to share the good times. We'll save the good spirit, bottle up the good weather and look forward to seeing everyone in two years.
What a Great Time!!
How do you begin to thank all the people who worked to make this rendezvous the best ever! Thank You.... The weather was perfect, two years ago it was typical Chesapeake HOT, four years ago it rained enought to sail across the lawn. There was wind all four days, we sailors had died and gone to heaven!!! All of the speakers did great jobs, the knot man "Paul" showed some great tricks. One handed bowline!! How did he do that? How many gallons of rum did we go through Sat. afternoon? PainKillers my ass, my head still hurts.... Dakota Jim, thanks for the electric toilet..... If you missed the rendezvous - YOU MISSED IT.... Jim S/V Java
How do you begin to thank all the people who worked to make this rendezvous the best ever! Thank You.... The weather was perfect, two years ago it was typical Chesapeake HOT, four years ago it rained enought to sail across the lawn. There was wind all four days, we sailors had died and gone to heaven!!! All of the speakers did great jobs, the knot man "Paul" showed some great tricks. One handed bowline!! How did he do that? How many gallons of rum did we go through Sat. afternoon? PainKillers my ass, my head still hurts.... Dakota Jim, thanks for the electric toilet..... If you missed the rendezvous - YOU MISSED IT.... Jim S/V Java
Now I know why I only got one Painkiller...
Hey, Jim...that toilet may not be such a great deal after all...you see, when we took it out of the box, we discovered it was contaminated during shipping with a rare disease... You must have missed the "do not touch" sign while it was on display, 'cuz you spent a lot of time playing with it... The only known treatment for it is to have two Painkillers each night, but they must be consumed very slowly, over a 6 hour period, starting no sooner than 3 hours after dinner. Drinking it slowly is VERY important because the treatment can be continuous over this 6 hour period. Failing to do that causes all kinds of things to happen to you--first your hair starts to fall out, starting at the top of the head, then all over your body...then you start doing weird things--like climbing the mast and swinging from the spreaders while rounding the windward mark...and then--if you haven't killed yourself doing that, your teeth fall out. And that's only the early stages of this disease...what comes next is too horrible to describe here...it involves private body parts, and I suggest your wife move out for her own safety. If you haven't already started treatment, I can only say that I was I glad to have met you while I could.
Hey, Jim...that toilet may not be such a great deal after all...you see, when we took it out of the box, we discovered it was contaminated during shipping with a rare disease... You must have missed the "do not touch" sign while it was on display, 'cuz you spent a lot of time playing with it... The only known treatment for it is to have two Painkillers each night, but they must be consumed very slowly, over a 6 hour period, starting no sooner than 3 hours after dinner. Drinking it slowly is VERY important because the treatment can be continuous over this 6 hour period. Failing to do that causes all kinds of things to happen to you--first your hair starts to fall out, starting at the top of the head, then all over your body...then you start doing weird things--like climbing the mast and swinging from the spreaders while rounding the windward mark...and then--if you haven't killed yourself doing that, your teeth fall out. And that's only the early stages of this disease...what comes next is too horrible to describe here...it involves private body parts, and I suggest your wife move out for her own safety. If you haven't already started treatment, I can only say that I was I glad to have met you while I could.
Pictures on the Way
Shipped 35 of the best to Phil . . . his challenge to pick from those <grin> Watch for them.
Shipped 35 of the best to Phil . . . his challenge to pick from those <grin> Watch for them.
Don't forget the food!!!
You are all right about the rendevous being a real BLAST, but we can't forget to mention the FOOD. I don't know how it could have been any better. It was well prepared and served on time. It just doesn't get any better than that. A BIG THANKS to all who made this the best party on the Bay.
You are all right about the rendevous being a real BLAST, but we can't forget to mention the FOOD. I don't know how it could have been any better. It was well prepared and served on time. It just doesn't get any better than that. A BIG THANKS to all who made this the best party on the Bay.
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