Second Annual Tampa Bay Good Old Boat Regatta

St. Petersburg Sailing Assoc. logo

Sponsored by Good Old Boat Magazine
Hosted by St. Petersburg Sailing Association

January 22, 2011
St. Petersburg, FL

Good Old Boats for Good Old Folks

2001 Tampa Bay Good Old Boat Regatta

After rounding the windward mark, many of the fleet bear away to the second mark of the 12-mile triangle course.

by Dick Dixon

While most sailors were only dreaming of being on the water in January, those in the Sunshine State ignored strong north winds, falling temperatures and overcast skies to participate in this year’s second annual Good Old Boat Regatta. Sponsored by the St. Petersburg Sailing Association, the race’s 11 a.m. start went without a hitch, sending boats built by good old manufacturers including Morgan, Cal, Tartan, Catalina, Hunter, Hinckley, Swan, C&C, Bristoln and others charging toward the first mark. Nearly every design possible — sloops, ketches, yawls, and catboats — was represented.

Tampa Bay buildings offer protection

Impulse, Robert Abberger's 1967 Bristol yawl, races across the finish line as downtown St. Petersburg looks on in the background.

Given protection provided by St. Petersburg’s downtown buildings, moderate wave, wind, and temperature conditions in the nearby starting area lured some sailors into believing similar conditions existed farther out on the bay. While many sailors prepared for the 12-mile triangle course by conservative sail selection and reefing, others hoisted every thread.

As competitors drew nearer to the first mark, approximately 2 miles north of the starting line, the wind and seas grew considerably, creating challenges for many sailors familiar with the normal “ballroom conditions” of the bay. Greg Crowner, owner of the 35-foot Pearson, Blue Moon, said “ballroom conditions” are characterized by flat water and good breeze. Conditions for this race, however, were far from typical.

Hard over in 20-knot winds

Bob Holsbeke's Windancer, a Bristol 40, (foreground) trims for speed as Eric Hausch's 1981 Pearson 365, Mosey, (background) attempts to pass to windward.

Faced with jibing conditions in cold 20-knot-plus winds, competitors swiftly rounded the first mark and eased sails for the sleigh ride to the leeward mark in the open waters of the bay. Sunshine pierced broken cloud cover and graciously warmed chilled sailors as they encountered higher wave and wind conditions. Although risk of collision or equipment damage was great while approaching and rounding the fixed mark, these experienced sailors made it look like child’s play as each boat made the turn, trimmed sails, and set a course for the finish line several miles to the west.

Toward the finish line

Bob Myer's San Juan 28 Nauti Wench (left) bears away to round the windward mark as Bob Wakelam's 1988 Morgan 41 Adastra (right) maintains course before making its turn.  Following close behind, many more of the fleet approach the windward mark.

For most, the course from the leeward mark to the finish line, located in the lee of downtown St. Petersburg just off the landmark Pier, was a beat requiring several tacks. Regardless of boat age on this windward leg, the tactical edge came down to boat design and pointing ability. For spectators on the water or onshore, it was a beautiful sight as one good old boat after another crossed the finish line, each strutting its stuff in the stiff winter breeze.

Race Results

Racing Classes

  1. Spinnaker – Shady Lady/Steve Honour/ Cal 34/BCYC
  2. Spinnaker - Warrior/Grant Dumas/Tripp 38/SPSA
  3. Spinnaker - Backoff/Tony Barrett/Soveral 26/SPSA
  1. Non-Spinnaker – Eclipse/Ron Kinney/Chrysler 27/ SPSA
  2. Non-Spinnaker – Acadia/John Zumwalt/Naltor Swan 47
  3. Non-Spinnaker – Wings/John Martini/Tampa Sailing Squadron
  1. Cruiser – Elise Rose/Tug Graves/Allied XL 242
  2. Cruiser - Sanity Clause/Donald Rogers/Hunter 37
  3. Cruiser – Into the Mystic/Mike Wessel/Heritage W.I./SPSA

Good Old Fun Awards

At the turn

Peter Watts' 1974 Ranger 26, Sazerac, rushes towards the finish line as Mike Wessel's 1976 Heritage W.I., Into the Mystic, fast approaches from astern.

  • Lost Soul Award (Last Boat to Finish) --
    Island Time/Bob Camel/Irwin 28
  • MS Congeniality Award (Last Across the Starting Line) --
    Special Liberty/John Ulm/Sabre 28/SPSA
  • Alpha Don (First Across the Starting Line) --
    Jenny Light/Tim Stark/Flicka/BCYC

Overall Special Awards

  • Show Boat Award (Most Decorated Boat)
    Acadia/John Zumwalt/Naltor Swan 4
  • Pharaoh’s Barge Award (Oldest Boat in the Fleet)
    Mystic/Larry and Candy Pritchett/1964 Rhodes Swiftsure 33
  • Ancient Mariner Award (Oldest Skipper)
    Calypso/George Mason/Erikson 35
  • Yankee Clipper Award (Most Beautiful Boat in the Fleet)
    Nadine/Gregory Clark/Catboat
  • Odyssey Award (Boat and Crew That Traveled the Longest Distance)
    Wing’n It/Brent McLarly/Precision 23
  • Party Animals (Rowdiest Crew)
    Wing’n It/Brent McLarly/Precision 23
  • Fashionistas (Best Crew Uniforms)
    Woodwind/Jay Wood/Hinckley B40-3/SPSA
  • Best Neighbor Award (Highest Contributor to Neighborly Care Network)
    Shady Lady/Steve Honour/Cal 34/BCYC
  • Catalina Award (Catalina-Built Boat Finishing Highest in Its Division)
    Fantasy/Richard Gunnell/Catalina 30/SPSA
2011 Good Old Boat Regatta, Tampa Bay

Strong northerly winds greet the fleet as they avoid a fixed hazard prior to reaching the windward mark.

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