There’s Just Something About Lake Fenton…

It’s hard to explain. The ice just left the lake a few short weeks ago. Typically, the air temperature is probably warmer inside your refrigerator. But yet, there is a pull to this event. Perhaps it’s because we haven’t seen water in its softer form for many months…or maybe we’re just nuts.

 Whatever the reason, Hobie sailors came in amazing quantity, from regions near and far, to take part in a rite of spring…much like the Masters in Augusta. From a sailing perspective, Lake Fenton is no Augusta National. Instead of Amen Corner, there is Crane’s Cove…just another odd-shaped part of the lake that forces the wind into skipper-confusing shifts.

 Saturday morning brought blue skies and the promise of enough wind for a day of racing. Sunday forecasts were for thunderstorms, so the race committee intended to get enough races in on Saturday to declare a winner in the event of a second day washout.

 Winds fluctuated between nonexistent to occasionally double-trap strength. 12 Hobies were lifted over the seawall and into the chilly waters, with a total of 19 boats hitting the starting line in two separate starts. The F-18 class, with Hobie Tiger sailors John Bauldry (Giselle as crew) and Mark Batchelor and son Chris hit the starting line first while the open class took the starting gun 5 minutes later.

 Hobie sailors in the open class consisted of Matt Bounds, Mark Colby, Tim Holton, Ken Brewer, Henk, and I were all piloting our Hobie 16’s. Andy Teichman and XXX sailed their 18’s, while Gregg Kittinger powered up his Hobie 20. We all spent the early races shaking out the sailing cobwebs: blown starts, blown tacks, etc. But here, it doesn’t really matter. We all have the best excuse possible: skipper hibernation.

 Saturday’s winds were typical: unpredictable, variable, and shifty. The cream of the crop always rises to the top on a day like that. John Bauldry sailed his Tiger to a couple of firsts. Matt Bounds showed his sterns to the other 16 sailors, and the 18 sailors battled all over the chilled waters.

 A hot bowl of soup and some chips split the race day and a great thanksgiving-style dinner greeted the sailors when they came off the water for the day. The usual conversation took place inside the Lake Fenton Sailing Club…”did you see that 40 degree wind shift coming?” and “if only I would have…” The evening was concluded with a raffle…with fleet 276 members cleaning up with all the sailing boots.

 With Sunday racing in question due to the forecast, some folks had already packed up their boats and headed for home. Those who left their boats assembled on the grass at least took the time to partially break them down…just in case. Andy and Mark had brought their tents and were uncertain whether Saturday night would be as comfortable as Friday night had been.

 Arriving Sunday morning, the sailors were greeted by dark skies and cool temperatures. The start was delayed by an hour or so, as light rain moved through the area. However, the clouds were moving through, and the revised forecast called for improving conditions…including winds of 15+ mph! Sure enough, as the boats pushed off into the lake, sailing conditions were superb. Double-trap conditions prevailed much of the day, and you couldn’t have asked for better wind direction – directly from the south.

 A south wind provided warmth, as well as the ability to run a windward – leeward course, taking advantage of the length of the lake. Matt Bounds sailed well, but it was impossible to overtake the Nacra 5.5 uni, sailed by xxxx who took advantage of the superior pointing ability of the 5.5. Matt ended up with a 2^nd place overall in the open class. His downwind speed, utilizing the rudder up technique popularized by the Puerto Ricans was impressive.

 In the F-18 class, John and Paul continued their first day success by putting on a Hobie Tiger match race, going tack for tack around the course. John’s victory in race 1 and 2^nd place in race 2 gave him the edge overall. Paul is continuing to improve his speed on his Tiger, as they become more familiar with each other! The NACRA F-18 sailors could not keep up, leaving John and Paul to pick up the first and second place awards at the trophy ceremony.

 It was another great Multihull Madness event. The weather turned out better than predicted and the Lake Fenton Sailing Club members are always good hosts. Once again, the beer was warmer than the water, and the air colder than we’d hoped. But it’s the opening event of the year, and I wouldn’t miss it.

 Hope to see everyone there next year!

 Jeff