Thank you to everyone who’s provide feedback on the racing program for Andiamo either via the survey, or through conversations and emails. Your feedback has been helpful and helped steer my focus on what to do this year.
My Feedback
My general feeling is I’d like to have a year of sailing and racing that is more focused on fun in 2010 – which means more cruising, weeknight sails and a cutting a few events common in previous years sailing.
Camp Cruises
I haven’t included cruises on this calendar – but my hope is to do at least one (perhaps two) camping cruises – where we use Andiamo as the ‘bus’ for a group of up to 8-9 (include Sarah, Ainsley & me) and sail between destinations where people can camp overnight. This would likely be a two to four day excursion anywhere from the Sound South (Olympia) to the San Juans.
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2010 Schedule – My Suggestions
The Puget Sound is one of the most active sailing areas on the planet – so it’s no surprise that there are 100-200 events that we could sail this year. I’ve looked at feedback and below are my suggested event’s for 2010.
* Wednesday Evening Series (April 7 to Sept 8, 2010; $295 Entry for Entire Season)
The most popular and common event on our schedule – the competitive handicap racing starting around 6pm outside of Shilshole and wrapping up between 830-930pm often with drinks/dinner afterwards.
* Blakely Rock Benefit (Saturday, April 10, 2010; $25 Entry)
A competitive but more casual race around Blakely Rocks hosted by Sloop Tavern YC.
* A Middle-Long Distance Point To Point Series – Either:
Center Sound Series (Saturdays – March 6, 13, 27 – $100 Entry)
A series of three races that get progressively longer… starting with Blakely Rocks, then Scatchet Head (aka South tip of Whidbey) and finishing with Three Tree Point (almost DesMoines). Time limits are 8-9 hours.
Pros: these are very well attended, competitive races that are fun and often include decent though at times unpredictable wind (welcome to Seattle).
Cons: cold weather of March, can be rather long races.
OR
Tri-Island Series (Saturdays – April 24, May 8, June 5 – $100 Entry)
A series of 3 longer races that start long and get progressively shorter. Smith Island is up and around an island in the middle of the Strait of Juan De Fuca (80mi?), then the next race is around Vashon (40-50mi?) and the final race is around Blake Island (25mi). It’s very likely that 2 of these will include sailing at night, and these will require better prepared crew and boat to meet safety standards for night racing. However, these have a great feeling of accomplishment to them for having covered so much distance. Time limits for the races are 30, 19 and 8 hours respective.
Pros: crewing more positions due length of race; night sailing; warmer weather than Center Sound
Cons: potentially more fickle wind; need more time; cost of safety gear/prep.
* Four or Five Duck Dodges (Tuesdays – May to August – Free*)
Intensely fun races with themes like Pajama night, Pirate Night, Tropical Night (free beer tiki hut buoy), etc. Very few rules – except for not hitting others and having fun. * Techically they are free but remember these require delivering the boat from Shilshole to Lake Union and – something that takes 2 hours minimum – sometimes due to bridge schedules it requires the entire afternoon.
* Foulweather Bluff (Saturday, October 2 – $60? Entry & Moorage)
The October race starting and ending in Edmonds that we missed in 2009, but won’t miss again.
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2010 Other Potential Races/Events
I’ve left these off the calendar – but with convincing I could either bring them back or swap them for other events.
Puget Sound Sailing Regatta/Championships (April 17, 18 & October 9, 10 – $75 ea. Entry)
These are two day ‘around the bouy’ style regattas with 2-5 races per day depending on weather with well matched classes of boats. Very competitive, and a great boot camp for skipper and crew – but require larger crews of at least 8 total to be competitive. {I left this off the calendar due to low interest and turnout in past years}
Swiftsure (Memorial Day Weekend – $250 Entry ; $500 to 1,000 for Boat Prep)
The flagship event for Pacific Northwest Racing – start in Victoria sail to the Pacific Ocean and return. This is a great adventure but requires a dedicated, well prepared crew and a well prepared boat – which would mean a further investment in safety gear, etc. In addition, it requires crew and boat to arrive on Friday evening and plan to return Monday. {I left this off the calendar due to expense and time; personally I think I’d rather spend three or four days island hopping in the San Juans with friends/crew}
Ballard Cup (Monday Evenings – $75 for the season Entry)
A competitive, but more casual series of races on Monday evenings. An alternative to the Wednesday evening series. {Frankly, I like Wednesday’s night competitve, professional vibe better than these – but I might be open to swapping them}
Downtown Sailing Series (Thursday Evenings during Summer – Free*)
A more upscale version of the Duck Dodge with a party at the Elliott Bay Marina after each race. *Requires delivery of boat to Elliott Bay of about 1 hour each way.
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NOW IT’S YOUR TURN… Tell me what you think of the schedule:
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