Scott Dunsworth Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 Winter used to be my favorite season when I was younger. NOT NO MORE. I need a electric coat and socks, cotton in my ears, gloves and a good hat. Some of you will say winter is building time. Well your right mostly. If it wasn't for having to get out to go to my day job. I have to shovel snow, scrape ice, warm the truck up and slip slide to work. Then do the same thing to get home. Day after day after day and so on!!! I think thats what got me thinking about the great race in July. I am planning on going even if my Belhaven is not finished. It just sounds like fun and a adventure. Do you that have been before know if my little Penobscot 14 will handle the race seas? How many of you out there are planning to attend? I cant wait to meet some of you and I cant think of a better way than at a camping and sailing trip. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 Do you that have been before know if my little Penobscot 14 will handle the race seas? Its pretty open body of water. Tom would be able to give you a better read on it. But there is always a need for an extra hand. There is usually a runabout or two chase boats that can give you a lift too, Bring plenty of hats and sunscreen. There is plenty of place for bunking after the fact, also. Just give us a mail and let us know how many folks will be with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 These are some teaser shots that Tom took of last years heavy weather conditions. :wink: Sunrise over the campsite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Designer Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 The Great Race has been in transition since Roger Allen left the NC Maritime Museum which hosts the race. For this last race, one of their key personnel was away, and due to a lack of comittment by chase boat owners for the whole weekend, it was reduced to a one day race. What will happen this year is anyones guess? Would I sail the full race in a Penobscot 14? No offense, but, not a chance. Even if Pamlico Sound did not kick up, you would not be able to keep up with the bigger, faster boats, making it a very long hard race. That said there is plenty of good cruising that you can do around here in your boat this summer. While your Belhaven does not qualify, because it has a cabin, when you get her finished you would be welcome to sail unofficially. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Designer Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 Oyster, are you being facetious. I was with Tom when he took those pics. They were definitely under the gentler conditions. I don't recall that year being particularly windy except for maybe the last part of the first day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 I added a wink to it. I edited the reply. I think under the climate that exists in the faultering organization, this race and time frame could include several classes, keeping in mind the weather certainly pertaining to the boat size. I would not do it in a 14 footer, and added in my reply that some chase boats and other boats surely would welcome visiting crew. A good messing about in the eastern part of the world would be a great addition to the other ones that happen in other parts of the country in mid summer times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lathrop Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 Hopefully there will be a "great Race" in the two day format this year. I asked about the race at the fall TSCA meet and the Museum folk said that it was on. I expect to be available with "Liz" this year instead of cruising in Canada like last year. No knock on the Penobscot 14, but I think it could be a hard slog in average conditions and downright gut stretching in more wind. The Sunday leg starts with a typical 22 mile beat to windward into a freshening wind that gets reinforced by the sea breeze. In a boat that requires much hiking to keep on its feet, your gut better be in good form. I expect that the museum might be receptive to opening the race to more kinds of boats but I personally will vote not to let the event be taken over by racing types. The character of the race depends on keeping to the traditional nature of the format. That said, I'd like to see more participants from outside the local area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dunsworth Posted January 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 :oops: Thanks for the input and advice all. I thought the great race was a B&B get together, I didn't understand it was put on by someone else. If I would have done a little more investigation I would have known that. You are right about your gut needing to be in shape. Mine is not but it does make nice ballast. I have been out in 15 to 20 mph days for five hours at a time and done pretty well so far. I think its that ballast above my belt that has always kept her on her feet. The most scary part of those days was running,I had a chinese jib one day that about got me down. I still may show up and tag along the best I can if the weather permits and if I get to far behind or if it gets to rough I will fire up the little gas motor and mess-about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lathrop Posted January 11, 2004 Report Share Posted January 11, 2004 I'm sure that neither I nor Graham meant to scare you off with our tales about the "Great Race". There should be several boats built by these forumites, from the BRS 15 to the CS20 that could sail this event. First to finish of every race since its inception has been won by one of these boats. So, If you hanker for something a little different and more challenging than a Sunday afternoon sail, think about making plans while watching the playoffs and waiting for the epoxy to set in this cold weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Niemann Posted January 11, 2004 Report Share Posted January 11, 2004 Tom/Graham, what is the date for the Great Race this year? Also, do you have a website for the sponsor. I need to plan some vacation time. I am very anxious to have my CS17 done before then and also to see Tom's Bluejacket 24 for which I have purchased plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lathrop Posted January 12, 2004 Report Share Posted January 12, 2004 Since the 4th is on Friday, the race will be on the 5th and 6th and starts in Oriental at or about 9am. I assume you have read the article on the race on Graham's website. The Bluejacket "Liz" has been mother hen for the last two races and, assuming that I'm around here, will be again this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dunsworth Posted January 12, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2004 Tom is there some place I can get a map of the area and sailing course? When we visited Graham last june we stoped by Oriental for lunch and walked about. The weather was kicking up that day! There was some storms moving in and the water looked pretty intimidating that day. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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