Edited to add: Here’s a link to the article by Joshua Moore in the March/April 2009 issue of WoodenBoat.
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Speedwell made the starting line on Friday and sailed in the three morning races. Despite having the oldest, and probably heaviest boat, I did, in fact, beat a few boats in the first two races. I had a reasonable start in the third one but got hit with a puff soon after and wasn’t quick enough to avoid a knock down. Once these boats get the rail in the water there’s precious little reserve stability and they slide under. Thanks to a tow from a safety boat, I was able to bail her out while standing in two feet of water just inside Swan Point and sail her home.
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Julia was on board the Beaton boat watching the races and heard the rescue. She knew I was alright when she heard on the radio, “he’s OK, he’s smiling”.
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Here’s proof that I actually was in front of several boats. Even managed a couple of crowded gybes.
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Very shifty conditions with a gusty westerly weakening before the sea breeze set in.
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I wasn’t the only one to go over. That’s Erin Beaton and her friend Allison.
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With 65 boats starting there was plenty of opportunity to mix it up. Somewhere in there is Gary Jobson, President of US Sailing and local legend.
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Hove to, chatting with Julia between races. (IPhone pic by Julia.)
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Photo taken by Charlie Best at the party at Mantoloking the evening before the Worlds. The sun is setting over Beaton’s.
Love you man. And great to meet Julia finally. Good show!
I heard the smiling part on the radio too. But I also heard the “he looks about fifty” comment as well 🙂
Well done Russ …… if you went in you were trying!! Looks like a great event off and on the weter.
Graeme
Great post Russ,
Thanks! I was waiting to hear news of the duckboats.
Nice post and pics. I’d not heard of this class until reading about this race on Baydog’s blog. Looks like fun.
Thanks all. It was great fun, dunking and all. Next year I should have a bit of practice under my belt.
I’m going to fit Speedwell with a sliding gooseneck to raise the boom a bit. That should make managing the boat easier and allow quicker tacking and such.
Well done….. Nice boat and work, beautiful presentation and pictures….. Many happy days sailing…