Tradewinds Regatta 2005

photo credit: Jake and Bonnie

Both Team SEACATS F18's traveled to Key Largo to race the Tradewinds/NAMSA Nationals Regatta this past weekend (Jan 14-15th 2005). All of us were pretty anxious to get back to Key Largo and out on the water and see how we faired in the large adn very competitive F18 fleet. This was the second time in a month that both Team Seacats F18s had made the drive to Key Largo, FL. Fellow sailor, Eric Arbogast, informed us that making two separate trips to the keys in a month qualified us for honorary Florida resident status (that's over 48 hours on the road for each team!).

photo credit: Roy Laughlin - www.floridamultihullsailor.com

Saturday was overcast with 8-15 knot winds from the NNW, and temps in the 70's. We sailed 4 races with in a steadily building breeze that provided the last race with about 12 to 15knots of breeze. Trying to find a competitive leg up, Jake and Chris experimented with less mast rake since they are a little heavier than some of the other teams. They were quite surprised to find out how sensitive the Nacra F18 is to mast rake as they suffered around the race course not being able to sail as high into the wind as most of the other F18s. Dave and Cary sailed well. This F18 fleet was terribly competitive with well known and talented sailors competing. Jake and Chris were carrying an onboard camera courtesy of Adventure Online TV but unfortunately the tape ran out 3 minutes before they capsized in race 1 when a gust hit right after setting the spinnaker. It was an unusual capsize too as Chris managed to stay on the high side of the boat 8.5' out of the water while Jake righted it! Chris never got wet! Meanwhile, David and Cary, making a conservative but wise decision, left their spin in the snuffer until we rounded B, then it was a fast run down to C. David and Cary had dinner with Florida Multihull Sailor Photographer Roy Laughlin while Jake and Chris cooked out and entertained a few other sailors back at the motor home.

Dave and Cary getting swatted

Photo Credit: www.catsailor.com

Sunday started off around 15-18 and the forecast was building winds, cooler temps, and overcast skies. After two races in a gusty 15knots sustained breeze, the weather started to flex some muscle! With the top of the choppy waves 'cat-pawing' we started what would be the last and final race of this regatta. Many teams had difficulty and capsized as the wind built to 18 to 20knots with gusts higher. The two Team Seacats boats had a long and fun duel around the course trading places back and forth several times before David and Cary rounded A mark ahead of Jake and Chris but were slammed with a huge gust of wind. At times like this, it feels like God has a fly-swatter and and has smacked your boat! They went bow down and the boat tripped over it's nose (we call that a 'pitchpole'). The above picture was captured by one of the race committee persons and appeared on the front page of the Key Noter! (one of the largest local newspapers in the Keys).

Jake and Chris getting swatted (but surviving!)

photo credit: Roy Laughlin - www.floridamultihullsailor.com

The chart below shows the wind speeds around Molasses reef, a little ways away, but still indicative of what we saw on Blackwater Sound on Sunday.

More Photos in the Team Seacats PHOTO GALLERY!

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