Third Annual Good Old Boat Regatta
Sponsored by Good Old Boat Magazine
Hosted by Shearwater Sailing Club
October 5 & 12, 2002
Annapolis, MD
Race Results ›
2002 Good Old Boat Regatta Report
Getting better with age.
by Don Frye
At one point during the first race day's trophy presentation, Good Old Boat Regatta co-founder Charlie Husar said, "This is almost like a religious movement!" And that pretty well described the tent revival like celebration of old boats and the laid back racing attitudes of their skippers. In fact, the enthusiasm lingers on as thank you letters are being received by the event sponsor, Good Old Boat Magazine and the host, Shearwater Sailing Club.
Now dubbed the "GOB", the event has grown from a 19 entry one day affair two years ago to a 53 boat two day regatta this year. But the big story is the growth in variety and size of boats. What began in 2000 as basically a gathering of Tritons, Cal 25s and Catalina 27s, this year, also drew six Tartan 37s, a Bristol 40, a Crealock 37, a Chris Craft Apache 37, a Columbia 40, a Cheoy Lee 40 plus several other designs in the 24' to 40' range.
And the event was blessed by the weather gods on both days with steady 12-14 knot breezes. However, on each day, a 1 knot current added a bit of challenge to the 6+ mile government mark courses.
But the Tartan 37s were the star story of the event. Through the organizing efforts of Rick O'Donnel, the fleet, which was never an active racing group, drew boats from all over the bay for both days. Some spent nearly a day sailing to get there.
Rick's job wasn't easy. "People were concerned about the aggressive behavior associated with racers. Many didn't know what to expect. But once out there, they enjoyed the level playing field of same-type boats. And, afterward at the parties, there was a bonding through discussions of how each handled different challenges on the course."
As last year, the parties were held at Bob & Cindi Gibson's Sailor's Wharf on Mill Creek and were as much of a hit as the races. Navy blazers and khakis affairs they weren't. Instead there was camaraderie, ribbing, razzing, singing and general fun carrying-on. As one older racer commented, "This is like racing used to be like back in the sixties and seventies before it became a combat sport." Cal 29 owners, Alfred and Bebe Poor brought a mandolin and bass and were joined by Charlie Husar on guitar. And according to reports (this old co-founder faded early), the carousing went well into the night. In fact, some crews of newer boats who had competed in another race and were docked nearby took one look and decided to crash the festivities. They were quickly accepted but probably razzed for their choice of boats.
During the second night trophy ceremonies, each time a Cal owner received an award, there were loud chants of, "Cals rule!." But when Triton owner Dave Hoyt received the overall award for Best Performing Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association Racing Boat, a small but vocal chant of "Tritons have ruled longer!" went up. And that's the way it went. Good Old Boat owners just want to have fun.
A big feature every year is the Oldest Participating Boat Award. This year it went to Bill and Mary Blazina's 1963 Alberg 35, Dream Catcher. Hopefully, they will be back next year when Dream Catcher turns 40.
Overall, one of the many e-mails to Good Old Boat Magazine and Shearwater Sailing Club best describes the feeling of the event:
"We wanted to thank you (Good Old Boat Magazine) for sponsoring the Good Old Boat Regatta in Annapolis.
"We participated in the race held last Saturday. It was our first experience with any type of boat race. We got hosed but we had a blast! We can't wait for the 4th annual race next year when Moonbreeze will be 33 years old."
Kip and Beth Hamilton
Columbia 36, Moonbreeze
Sounds like the GOB is satisfying a niche.
Race Results
Saturday, October 5, 2002
- Triton, 4 entries
- Overdraft, Dave Hoyt
- Sea Deuce, Eleanor Holmes
- Sandpiper, Dan Lawrence
- Pearson 30, 3 Entries
- Irish Mist, Roy Ericson
- St. Somewhere, Hagler/Elwood
- Prozac, Warren/Bell
- Cal 25, 11 Entries
- Quintet, M&R Miller
- Ronin, Sheils/ Woodridge
- L'Orange, Tom Corby
- Catalina 27, 7 Entries
- Four Little Ducks, Tom Walsh
- Hi Tide, John Ebell
- Gato, Ross Arnett
- Tartan 30, 5 Entries
- Miranda, Gene Gottschalk
- Windrift, B. Whitehurst
- Beaujolais, Jeff Poehler
- Tartan 37, 6 Entries
- Pelican. D&M Garner
- Solstice, Beth Garner
- Reflections, T. Sensenbrenner
- Fin Keel Handicap, 10 Entries
- Checkmate, Cal 2-30, Bob & Cindi Gibson
- Spring Moon, Crealock 37, Richard & Valerie Tudan
- Killick, Cal 34, John Berens
- Full Keel Handicap, 7 Entries
- Too Tuna, Bristol 40, Mike Cahall
- Dolce Vita, Cheoy Lee 40, Audrey Ross
- Pelago, Columbia 40, Erick White
Saturday, October 12, 2002
- Triton, 4 Entries
- Overdraft, Dave Hoyt
- Sea Deuce, Eleanor Holmes
- Pylasteki, Jim Schwartz
- Pearson 30, 3 Entries
- St. Somewhere, Hagler-Elwood
- Irish Mist, Roy Ericson
- Prozac, Warren/Bell
- Cal 25, 11 Entries
- White Cap, Tim Bloomfield
- Chicken Little, Charlie Husar
- L'Orange, Tom Corby
- Catalina 27, 7 Entries
- 4 Little Ducks, Tom Walsh
- Hi Tide, John Ebell
- 3. Jolly Moon, J&J Richards
- Tartan 30
- (4 Entries in Race #1 Only. Remaining Entry, Miranda, Re-entered in Fin Keel Handicap Class)
- Tartan 37, 6 Entries
- Reflections, T. Sensenbrenner
- Pelican, D&M Garner
- Maighdean Mhara, Rick O'Donnel
- Fin Keel Handicap
- Checkmate, Cal 2-30, Bob & Cindi Gibson
- Miranda, Tartan 30, Gene & Cindy Gottschalk
- Killick, Cal 34, John Berens
- Full Keel Handicap
- Too Tuna, Bristol 40, Mike Cahall
- Dolce Vita, Cheoy Lee 40. Audrey Ross
- Pelago, Columbia 40, Erick White
Good Old Boat Regatta Overall Awards
- Best Performance, CBYRA Racer: Overdraft, Triton, Dave Hoyt
- Best Performance, New Racer: Too Tuna, Bristol 40, Mike Cahall
- Good Old Boat Magazine Perpetual Trophy: Too Tuna, Bristol 40, Mike Cahall
- Oldest Boat Entered: Dream Catcher, 1963 Alberg 35, Bill & Mary Blazina
