Muskegon, MI
When the wind really blows…
HOBIE
CATS FLY!
Months of preparation…emails and phone
calls…announcements at regattas… postings on the internet…now it was time.
John
Bauldry and I arrived in Muskegon moments after the park was opened to sailors,
around noon on Thursday. We backed the trailer onto the beach adjacent the
parking lot, and proceeded to park the RV in line with the others who had
arrived before us. The first thought that came to mind was “Oh my God, what a
venue!” The beach stretched for about 200 yards in depth, from the edge of the
parking lot, to the edge of the incoming waters of Lake Michigan.
The
beautiful beige sand stretched as far as the eye could see to the north and
south. Dune grass protected the sand hills along the stretch, giving the
landscape contrast and beauty. As we unloaded the boats, the wind was blowing
like snot…a foreshadowing of what the weekend would bring. As everyone set up
their boats, the sand slowly wore away a layer of skin on their ankles – the
wind blowing it into drifts along the pavement of the parking lot.
My
nephew Andy and I set up my 16, while John worked on the Tiger. To be honest, I
was in no hurry to assemble. With winds blowing this hard, I had no intentions
of taking Andy out for his maiden voyage. Well, to be honest…I had no
intentions of sailing in those conditions myself. The waves were crashing on
shore, remnants of 4 to 5 foot swells. As a lone Nacra hit the water, we all
watched as it took off through the surf Worrell- style. I thought to myself,
“Wow…Idiots”.
Within
a couple hours, the winds had subsided, and I told Andy that it was time to hit
the water. With light winds, it would give me an opportunity to tell him what he
needed to do for the weekend. Unfortunately, though the wind was light, the
waves remained, and we were unable to get the momentum necessary to make it
through the surf. One tack brought us back to the beach. I was happy not to
break off a rudder or two in the attempt.
Late
afternoon brought more campers and sailors. The parking lot filled with
cats…more Hobies…some NACRA’s, Inter’s, A-Class. Tornado’s, etc.
RV’s the size of tour buses, tents the size of a skipper and crew…you name
it, it was there. By late afternoon, the wind picked up again. Keeping the tent
stakes in the soft sand was a challenge…especially for me. Unfolded paper
clips would have been as effective. We eventually tied one end to a picnic table
– surely that would do it.
Later
that evening, as we fleet members sat outside John’s RV, we all bear witness
to the Dorothy Wind. The tent had been battered about like a
moonwalk ride at the local carnival. The frame had given way to the winds,
bending in and sucking the 6-man tent into the size of a 2-man version. When all
of a sudden, a strong gust came (henceforth referred to as the Dorothy
Wind) and levitated the tent a few feet off the ground. It stayed there
for a moment, before settling back on mother earth, in perfect form. It looked
like the picture on the box it came in. We all looked at each other in shock.
The Dorothy Wind.
We
enjoyed each others company as more Fleet 276 members arrived. Gregg, Andy, and
I spent some time on the water, body surfing and trying to use John’s
surfboard. This was certainly providing some entertainment for the folks on the
beach! We snacked and drank through
the evening. John cooked some brats on the grill, and then soaked them in beer
and onions. We ate like kings. Life was good. It was great to see friends
arriving from all over…Canada, New York, and from all over the state of
Michigan.
Friday
brought the early morning arrival of some more folks and boats. The skippers
meeting ended with talk of winds of 10 mph. Not 10-15, or 5-10. Just 10. As the
wind filled in, just 10 became just 20. Swells were 4 feet or so, and the racing
was wild. The Tigers were screaming downwind, and the 16’s and 18’s had
their rudders humming the Hobie song.
We
were able to get 4 races in on Friday before returning to the beach for the
evening’s festivities. John had some solid races, as did Paul Krutty and all
of the fleet members had a chance to get around the course a few times. For
some, it was thrilling to hear their sail number being called by the committee
boat as they crossed the finish line. We pulled our boats up on shore and
enjoyed some free beer until it was time for Margarita’s! John cooked up his
special recipe concoction and we enjoyed some fleet conversation throughout the
night.
Saturday
brought predictions of similar wind…5 – 10 mph. We were greeted by flat
water and a light breeze. This was a nice relief from the extreme conditions of
Friday. The wind built for the later races, and shifted constantly, causing the
race committee to readjust the course. This resulted in long delays and limiting
the number of races on the day.
Saturday
night was the big party sponsored by Mount Gay Rum. Many fleet members took
advantage of the drink and food opportunities! A pig roast and unlimited Rum
drinks for $10 ended up being a good deal for some…Jim Vander Jagt’s
appetite was again strong – just like it was in Angola, NY. From what I
understand, the food was awesome, and by the looks of the number of collector
rum cups, the drinks also went down well!
John,
Hubert, Gisele and I deferred the dinner and made some vegetable burritos at the
RV. With beer from the beer tent, and a shot of Tequila to celebrate my first
place finish in the first race of the day, the night was off to a good start! As
fleet members returned to the RV area, we all sat around and shared stories of
the day. We had a great time! This fleet has some of the greatest people! Claire
cracks me up – one of the most delightful kids I have ever been around!
Sunday
morning, I awoke to the sounds of light rain hitting the top of the tent. After
last night’s festivities, the rain sounded a bit loud! Stepping outside the
tent, the rain was indeed very light and the skies looked to be breaking up a
bit. The CRAM Commodore delivered the typical line: 10 mph wind. However, this
time, he added that they might be more like 10 – 20. Laughter turned to quiet
thoughts of Friday: waves, swells, and upside-down boats.
Indeed,
as we sailed out to the course, the winds built quickly. The swells moved in at
least as strong as they were on Friday. You couldn’t just loiter around the
committee boat, waiting for your fleet flag to signal the starting sequence. The
waves moved us up and down and side to side. We were better off with some
forward momentum. Going out on the trapeze became a risk-reward thing for the 16
sailors, and a necessity for the larger boats, including the F18.
Rudders
were humming all over the course: upwind, downwind, the speed was amazing. Boats
went over…one even tossed its crew aside…floating into shore unmanned! It
was the most physical day I have ever experienced on the water. John Bauldry
capsized in his Tiger – the first time that he has ever done that! Many people
found themselves upside down over the weekend. In fact, Hubert attended a turtle
club meeting, where he learned the following question and answer:
Question:
“Hubert, have you ever turtled your boat?”
Answer:
(In Swiss Accent) “You bet your sweet ass I have.”
Hubert’s
accent made it all the more funny. More people would join the turtle club on
Sunday…however, they escaped the embarrassment of the ceremony! While I had
turtled myself back on Friday, I somehow escaped the turtle club myself! Sunday
would bring more fun though, as I collided with my closest competitor in the 16
fleet.
Andy
and I had hunted this boat all weekend. They already had first place locked up
by the time Sunday rolled around. But it was vital that I finish ahead of all
the other boats to secure my place. In race one on Sunday, we nearly caught
these guys as they rounded the weather mark for the final time. As we headed
downwind, Andy and I worked hard to get all the speed we could.
By
staying inside a bit, and using the waves, we caught them at the C mark. Seeing
John upside down just past the buoy, I knew we had a chance to move between
John’s inverted boat and the mark. Our competitors had to go outside John’s
wreckage and it gave us the advantage. We sailed side by side back into the
wind. I continued to push him out…waiting to tack for the finish line when I
thought it was the right time.
Well,
he got tired of waiting and decided it was time he head for the line. He started
to tack, got caught midway through and stalled right in front of me. I tried to
turn to the right and go behind him. As I turned , the wind lifted my sterns out
of the water, taking steering control away from the rudders, and my port bow
went over his sterns…over the rudder arm…over the other stern…ugh.
I
was out on the trapeze at the time, and my head narrowly missed smacking his
boom. I tumbled over his tramp and into the water. I pulled myself up onto my
boat and I was thoroughly tangled in my mainsheet. They began to yell and ask if
I was O.K. I responded with a yes as I tried to gather myself. We immediately
jibed because it was easier, and made a course for the finish line.
Our
competitors waited for us to pass them and luffed their sails so that we would
win the race. I yelled back to them to come on and pass us. We argued as we went
toward the line… you go…no you go…they finally relented and pulled in
their sheets. They crossed the line in front, and we both headed to the beach to
inspect the damage.
I
put a nice dent in his 4-week-old boat…on the lip of the stern. It’s not a
structural problem, but its not new anymore. My boat came out with just some gel
coat damage. Best of al, I was O.k. We shook hands on the beach and apologized
to each other. They felt bad for blowing the tack and I felt bad for hitting
them. We have boats with battle scars and memories that will last forever. It
was a great race. A big body of water like Lake Michigan, and we are battling
side by side. Pretty awesome!
We
hung around shore so long that we missed the start of the second and final race
of the day. Paul Krutty had stopped by as well, since he had witnessed the crash
from afar. We all crossed the start line, but I made a B –Line for the beach.
My spot was secure and I was tired. Paul raced a bit, and then retired to the
beach as well. The field had nearly a lap on us, so there wasn’t much we could
do. Mark Colby took advantage of the situation, and took home a bullet (1 st)
for that race.
I
have never had as much fun as I did sailing in those extreme conditions. It
tested your nerves as well as your skills. We all experienced good luck and bad.
John suffered a broken trapeze wire, sending him into the water like a depth
charge. Mark went turtle and needed assistance. Andrew blew out one of his
dagger boards. The wind destroyed my main clew on Friday. It was like a war
zone.
Best
part of it all was how helpful everyone was. People chipped in to help repair
other people’s boats. We helped each other set up and tear down. It was a
great fleet event. I think everyone improved his or her sailing. Best of all, we
solidified our friendships. After all, that is what is going to keep this group
together through the off season, and help it grow in the Spring.
Here
is a bit of a summary. If you want specific results, go to www.websitemagic.com/cram
and go to the “results” link. There are photos available there as well, and
more on the catfight website: www.catfightrace.com
John
Bauldry: 7th in F-18 Class (2 – 2nd, 1 – 3rd,
1 – 5th, 1 OCS (on course start) ) Great finish for someone who
sailed only 5 races out of the 9. Had he been healthy, he most likely would have
continued his early success.
Paul
Krutty: 1st in Medium Portsmouth (6 – 1st) absolutely
great sailing. Dominated 18’s as well as all of us in medium Portsmouth
Andrew
Teichman: (1 – 1st, 2 – 2nd, 3 –3rd, 1
– 5th) Outstanding racing for someone who has had very little race
experience; especially in those conditions. 2nd fastest 18 of the
weekend.
Tim
and Clair (1 – 4th, 1 – 5th, 2 – 6th, 1
– 9th) this duo did a great job. Tim drove the boat well and Clair
has more courage than many adults. Add to that, a great sense of humor, and you
have a great kid – the future of sailing.
Mark
Colby (1 – 1st, 1 –3rd, 2 –4th, 2 – 5th)
pretty solid considering Mark didn’t have a crew. Sailing a 16 by yourself in
those conditions is not easy. 5th overall in the medium Portsmouth – a good
result.
Jim
and Jan Vander Jagt (1 – 6th, 1 – 7th) These guys
should be proud of their showing. They braved the conditions and made decisions
based on their comfort level. They screamed around in the worst of it, and they
will improve because of it. In the races that they competed, they showed that
they are getting the hang of this racing thing.
Kurt
(1 – 10th) Kurt had a little bad luck to start the weekend. His
crew, his daughter Cameron, did not feel well for most of the weekend. Add to
that, some boat problems, and Kurt was not able to get out on the course much.
He sailed solo in the big waves and will look at the weekend as a learning
experience. He was brave enough to jump aboard Gregg’s Hobie 20 for a wild
ride on Sunday.
Gregg
– A tough weekend for Gregg and Rocio as well. Gregg’s fill-in crew on
Friday was a sailing novice. That made it difficult to drive the boat. When
Rocio arrived, the conditions grew to the uncomfortable level and they made the
decision to pass on some races. Bad luck continued as Gregg speared the port
hull of an A – Class Cat who was sitting in the starting area. Gregg never saw
him and pierced his bow like a can opener into a tuna can. Although it was the A
Class owners fault, Gregg still had to think about that all weekend. No one
would feel good about that.
Hubert
(2 – 1st) As the only boat in the high Portsmouth division, Hubert
kicked butt. He finished two races and also joined the turtle club – not a bad
weekend. Those conditions were tough for a narrow hulled 14. Hubert sailed well
– spending some quality time on the wire. All that experience he gained in the
Carolina’s a few weeks ago really paid off.
It
was indeed a great showing by Fleet 276. You all have much to be proud of. It
takes some commitment just to throw your boat on the trailer and go; let alone,
haul up the sails and head out into the swells of a great lake that has been
brought to life by an unrelenting breeze. I thank you for your support of Hobie
sailing and your support of Fleet 276. You guys are the best.