2014 UPPER KEYS CATBOAT REGATTA IS HISTORY

FEBRUARY 14, 15, 16

 

The Upper Keys Sailing Club hosted the third annual Catboat Regatta that  drew  participants from Maine, NJ, Massachusetts, Vermont, Wisconsin, New York and from all points of Florida. All manner of Catboats were represented, Sandpipers, a Handy Cat, Nonesuch, Sanderlings and a few home made varieties. 

The  first day was a sail around on Buttonwood Bay, under light wind conditions and a beautiful day. The second day included another sail with a twist, called the "Rum Run". Each boat, while sailing around would have to pick up a card from five designated anchored boats, after obtaining the required number cards, the sailors returned to the clubhouse and exchanged the blank cards for five playing cards. The Captain with the highest hand was awarded a half gallon of fine Barbados Rum. The third day was a day of racing on Buttonwood Bay, then closing ceremonies.

 

A fine dinner on the second night was the highlight of the Regatta, 79 participants in attendance for a spectacular dinner cooked and served by the Sailing Club members.

 

Fifty foot Sharpie showed up to join in the festivities

Sanderling, Roland Barth Captain.

Approaching the Upper Keys Sailing Club

 Marshall Sanderling

Paul Smith, NJ, one of my crew

15' Sandpiper

Ibis, with a full crew

Handy Cat with a relaxed Skipper

Felix, Capt'ns Lindi and Davy

Falling wind

Searching for the wind, which never did return

Beautiful Sharpie headed to NJ

Light air sailing

Checking for the wind direction, what wind?

CB relaxing

A little wind at the start

Ibis

Felix

Usual Suspects

Lindi and Davey

Happy Cats

Blowing of the Conch at Sunset

Handy Cat and her Skipper before the wind layed down

Nonesuch

A Nonesuch joins the action

 

Catboat Tag

IBIS and PUFFIN playing on the Florida Bay

 

In the afternoon, I spied Roland's Catboat IBIS heading out of the Harbor, at the time I was having lunch with some friends on their balcony overlooking the Bay. They could see the look in my eyes, so they said,"go ahead we'll see you later". In a flash I was in my car driving home and in another flash I was on my boat sailing out of the Harbor.

 

After two hours and taking two separate courses we met up and had some fun playing in each others wake. It was a great day on the Bay,the conditions were perfect and the resulting sail was one for the books.

 

Here are two pictures that Roland took from his vessel, showing the proximity of the two boats, homeward bound.

 

My boat PUFFIN approaching from astern

Roland's cockpit with daughter Johanna at the helm,
I'm not far behind