WoodenBoat and the local chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association (TSCA) held the second annual Small Reach Regatta in Brooklin on Eggemoggin Reach this past weekend. About 50 small craft gathered to celebrate the joys of oar and sail boats in all their diverse glories. There were designs from as far away as the Bahamas and Norway. Great stuff.
Julia and I again served as a chase boat, shadowing the fleet in the Katie D in case help was needed. Not likely on Friday as a foggy start gave way to clearing skies and light winds.
Quiet start to the day. Fog lifted as we approached Brooklin. We started in dense fog, navigating four miles from the Landing via radar and GPS. The first land we saw was the tree tops on Little Babson Island.
Tom Jackson, Editor at WoodenBoat, ghosting along in his new boat. Note the dipping lug main. This sail needs to be set to leeward of the mast every time the boat tacks.
Authentic Norwegian faering using the traditional square sail. They row very well which came in handy during the light patches.
Julia and the fleet at Torrey Island for lunch. One neat boat after another. All worth a stop and chat.
Breeze filling in. Nice prospect for the afternoon session.
Forum friend Steven Bauer sitting forward on this beautiful Caledonia Yawl. The other boat’s not too shabby either. Looks like it would be fun to potter around the islands, exploring in comfort. No Boss Lady, but still comfy looking.
We had a wonderful time, stopping several times with the engine off, drifting along in the sun, keeping an eye on the fleet. At one point we were at the head of the fleet off Conary Island, with boats sailing down wind toward us, passing on each side. Ahhhhh, finest kind of day.
We skipped Saturday’s session but returned to WoodenBoat for the lobster feed. Enjoyed renewing friendships and making new ones. Julia and I made the acquaintance of Patrick Xavier, a Forum member from Wellington, New Zealand, up for a couple of sailing classes at the WoodenBoat School. We were driving over to WB and turned down Naskeag Road by the Brooklin General Store. I saw someone standing on the corner and recognized him as Patrick. I rolled down the window and said “ aren’t you from New Zealand?†Talk about serendipity.
Great job TSCA and WoodenBoat