If your on Narragansett Bay come have fun this weekend on Sunday. There will be a fun race starting at the Middle Ground marker in Bristol Harbor and going either clockwise or counter clockwise around Hog Island. If you would like to participate and get the course before going out on the water throw an e-mail and I will send you the info.
I came,(all the way from Gaspee Pt.). Capt. Dave McGhie, "Wahtawah" out of Warwick Cove came,(he saw and he conquered!). But the Bristol fleet stayed away in droves! We arrived early and did a harbor tour counting the numerous and beautiful Sprites only to be disappointed by finding only two Bristol boys on the line at 1:30 on such a fabulous sailing day. I will say that although the Bristol fleet was not present in quantity, it was well represented in quality! A tip of the cap to Herb Browne and Bob Catani, and I drop the old Ronstan sailing glove to the rest of the fleet! Look forward to seeing 8-10, hell let's get a dozen boats out for the next event!
Dana
Dana, the Bristol fleet has been a disappointment, I don't know what is happening. Is it that the rules are to strict, is it that people don't want to race, all I know is that we had a whopping 4 boats on the line last wed. , yes some info is on the web site but do we need to have race info from 2007? come on someone please fix the fleet or give the duties up to someone that is motivated. I'm sure It will hurt someones feelings but come on keep us in the loop. I had a call from Chad M about the triangle race on sat but I thought he gave up those duties. we have great boats and have had good times but it looks like things have changed in just one year.
ok rant over
Whats going on with the fleet is a good question and I unfortunately am part of the disappointment. I took on the overhaul of Raven this winter. What did the overhaul consist of? Swing by and check her out once in the water hopefully in the next week or so to make the next triangle race! The work was not done by a shop but rather my father and me. I am certain time on water will be outnumbered by time spent this spring by 25 to 1 as we have 250+ hours in and counting.
Where are the rest of the boats?? I know one boat sits at her mooring without sails after they had another baby and busy with house work. Another is sitting in their yard waiting for a dryspell to get topside paint on in this wonderful weather. One boats mast just went up, one boat is on the hard for sale, and at least 3 others I have heard dont want to pay the $300 to register to race with the club as a non-member. Forgive me if I am wrong on the above and do correct me they are just observations. So that is 7 or 8 boats that should be on the line that arent!
Is it the rules? I hope not. The only rule that was to be enforced for the season was the sail dimensions creating a more level field by eliminating 6 sec/mile of variance between a 135 and a 150. The website is not the most up-to-date but we need someone to step to the plate who has the time and ability to step to the plate. I have tried to give Bob a hand in getting some info put together since he is really busy with work. Charley Tracy has offered to help out as well but more help is needed.
I think the best thing we can do is what it appears Chad M did which is to get on people to get out there!! I just bought the boat a year ago and want to see the fleet grow not dwindle!