The Classic Boat Rally
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Catboats Dominate in the 2010 Classic Boat Rally

The Classic Boat Rally had five days of racing, including the first day in Beaufort and then the four-day round trip to Savannah. Eight boats competed in Beaufort and six competed to Savannah and back. Aside from the one day from Hilton Head to Savannah, the cruise was mostly reaches and runs which favored the large single-sail gaff-rigged classic catboats. In the end it was Beaufort locals Roy Crocker and Andy Corriveau in Marshall catboats that took first and second place overall. Chuck Carmichael, a multiple-time winner in his Cape Dory Typhoon, Creampuff, took third. Chuck and his crew Herb Davis call Hardyville, VA their home port. Fourth was Butch Damon in a Mariner 19 from St. Stephens, SC. Woody Norwood, from Atlanta and Beaufort, in a Compac 16 finished fifth, and John McIntosh followed him in his Bristol 24, hailing from Cincinnati.
 

In the Concurs d’Elegance judging, Chuck Carmichael’s Cape Dory Typhoon, Creampuff, won “Most Bristol”.  The “Most Authentic” was judged to be a Joel White Marsh Cat, “White Swan”, owned by Buddy Sharpton from Savannah.

The weather cooperated nicely. One day had some rain showers, but there was never any thunder or lightning. The winds were a bit lighter than ideal at times, but the fleet was at the destination every day by 5 PM.

The prevailing wind at this time of year is from the southwest, and sure enough, there it was on the day the fleet sailed from Hilton Head to Savannah. This also happened to be the day in which the tide direction was running generally in an adverse direction. The biggest challenge was in the crossing of the Savannah River. The entrance on the Georgia side north of Elba Island would require not only crossing but also working about a half mile up the Savannah River against the current. With a full moon, the tides were particularly strong. In Savannah the tides were a very unusual 11 feet from the high to the low. The river current was about 4 kts as the fleet tacked back and forth for over an hour in light winds trying to find the key to getting across. Roy Crocker found the key on the West side where the current was a bit less. Roy would take a starboard tack toward the shore until he reached a 4-foot depth and then tack to port and sail out to a 20-foot depth. Back and forth he went, gaining a little distance up-current until he finally reached the cut on the far side.

Chuck Carmichael tried a different route. Chuck tacked back and forth up the east shore until he sensed a wind increase, and he used the puff to advantage, crossing into the cut on the Georgia (west) side.

Andy Corriveau was also successful in getting across, following Crocker up the west side. Norwood, Damon, and McIntosh had to crank up their engines and therefore dropped out of that race.

The Rally had two races scheduled each day of the cruise. On the final day, sailing from Windmill Harbour on Hilton Head Island to Beaufort, there was no wind in the morning, so the fleet motored out into Port Royal Sound and waited for the sea breeze to develop. This was a cloudless day, with the temperatures warming into the high 70s. As the land heated up, the 10 kt sea breeze developed around 1:30 PM out of the South, and the last race was started. Although the tide was ebbing down the Beaufort River, the fleet charged up the river on a run. The distance of the race was 10 miles, but against the ebbing tide, the fleet actually sailed over 13 miles through the water. Woody Norwood and his crew JD Shiver seemed to be having the most fun, doing the entire 3 ½ hour race with the spinnaker flying. What a wonderful way to end the Rally.

The Objectives

The objectives of the Classic Boat Rally are:
1. To share a safe but interesting and fun sailing adventure for the participants.
2. To share the comradery among individuals who have a particular appreciation for classic boat design.
3. To promote general interest in the ownership and use of classic boat designs in recreation, adventure, and racing.
4. To enable "shore crews" to immerse themselves in the rich history or the area by car and on foot during the day, and to be with the participants each evening and at night.
5. To encourage the development of interest and skills in sailing among young people through donations to the junior sailing programs of yacht and sailing clubs that serve as hosts of the Classic boat Rally.

The 2010 Classic Boat Rally (Summary)

Saturday, March 27: Arrive Beaufort, launch, set up, practice, cocktail reception

Sunday, March 28: Concurs d'Elegance judging, race around the buoys. Dinner at Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club.

Monday, March 29: Sail Beaufort to Hilton Head Island. Dinner at a near-by restaurant.

Tuesday, March 30: Sail Hilton Head to Savannah. Dinner in the Historic District.

Wednesday March 31: Sail Savannah to Windmill Harbour, Hilton Head Island. Dinner at South Carolina Yacht Club (jackets and tie required).

Thursday, April 1: Sail Hilton Head to Beaufort. Victory Party / Awards Banquet.

Friday, April 2: Homeward Bound

Interested or have questions? Get in touch with Frank Pontious, fponti@islc.net or
Woody Norwood

Phone: 404-352-9536