EPITAPH - March 2025 Volume 53, Issue 3

Epitaph Staff writers
Mar 1
8 min read

Updated: Mar 17

Greetings from the Commodore:

February has been quite a weather roller coaster! We have seen snow, nighttime temperatures below freezing, and 70-degree days - sometimes in the same week - and everything in between. The wind gods were active for most of the month, with an av-erage this month (so far) of 8.96 mph in the New Bern area, and a gale warning on the 16th (though I don’t think it quite got there). The Rules Seminar was a popular chilly Saturday event on February 8th, with a large crowd getting sometimes overwhelmed with the complexities of right of way rules when boats meet on the racecourse. Many of these rules hold true even when boats aren’t racing, as general “rules of the road”.

Our thanks to Jerry Thompson for such an informative session! We’ve already asked him to come back again next February. Another seminar, addressing sailing skills and tactics, is planned for Saturday, March 1st. Hopefully, this too will be an annual winter event. Don’t forget that March 8th is our semi-annual Workday. As a mostly “member-maintained” club, it is one of our few requirements that every member pitch in on some improvement or maintenance project. Watch for a “Sign-up-Genius” link to see what projects are on the list, and choose one in which you wish to partici-pate. It’s a great way to meet other members, as well as gain the satisfaction of contributing your efforts for the good of the Club. The lunch is always fantastic! I think we’re all about ready for Spring!

Fair breezes,

LuAnn

Open Boat 2025!

A popular social event at Blackbeard Sailing Club has been the Spring Open Boat. It’s like an Open House, but on a boat! We’ve not had this event for several years, and because we have some new members, we thought 2025 would be a great time to revive this fun social. This will be an excellent chance to meet and greet members of the Club, new and old. It gives members a chance to get onboard those boats you’ve admired from the docks. And, it’s a great way to see what clever solutions captains and crews have devised. Who knows…maybe there is an idea YOU could use!

Saturday, April 26, 2025

2 PM to 5 PM (rain date: Sunday, April 27, 2025)

If you are interested in becoming a “host boat” for this event, please contact Beth Hiner by April 1st, (717)-919-9550 or email johnbeth4656@gmail.com

Remember, we need “host boats” for this to be a success!

*Please note: The Menger Cat gathering will be going on at the same time, and we hope those folks will join in the fun!

Open Boat Committee

Chairs: Beth Hiner, Joni Floyd & Nancy Woods

NYRA Commodore’s Regatta

In like a lamb, out like a lion! The February 15 event saw a chilly sun and light air at the start of the first race, causing PRO Stephanie Davies to shorten the course for spin boats. By races three and four, it blew over twenty under overcast conditions.

NYRA Commodore’s Regatta The Navigator Class, with 4 boats, started first on a 10-mile course. After about 2.5 hours, Arch Alt-man in Mighty Fine 2.0 finished just 4 seconds be-hind Steve Sherwood in Wind Dreamer, who fin-ished just 52 seconds behind Cliff Lennox in Lati-tude Adjustment. Newbie Regina Ali finished first in Crescendo with Mark Weinheimer crewing. Regina is a quick learner in a quick boat, the Pear-son 10M. The five spinnaker boats managed four races. There was certainly no need to shorten course on the windward/leeward courses after the first race. A couple of wind shifts moved the windward mark right and left, but generally it blew straight up from Cherry Point creating a brisk chop. Despite a longish starting line, several boats were over early and had to restart. The 111 to 264 handicap spread was not ideal; but with a small fleet, there is not really much choice. Given these conditions, the corrected times were surprisingly close. After race #2, Blue Note asked the Race Committee for some extra time to change to a smaller sail, and I noticed several others doing the same. Dave Gillespie’s Zen Tuna, a Santana 20, headed in after the second race. I think Blue Note was the only boat to fly the spinnaker in every race. In race one, Blue Note corrected into first, but Tom McKnight in Anathema, Ed Doughty in Bad Fish, Dave Gillespie in Zen Tuna, and Charlie Nelson in Water Phantom all corrected within a single minute of each other. Race two was a little more spread out, but still close. Anathema had some sail issues and was be-hind. Race three, minus Zen Tuna, was also spread out some, with Bad Fish having some sail problems that resulted in a late start. Race four was the tightest for first place. Blue Note corrected over Water Phantom by one second to take it. In the end, Blue Note, soaking wet and whipped, won all four races by making the fewest mistakes that I could see. The hot spiced cider tasted vey good on the sail back in. Ed Doughty had two ETYSA sailors on Bad Fish, and he bragged about how well they did, doing everything right! by Mark Brennesholtz Water Phantom at the NYRA Commodore’s Regatta The Navigator Class, with 4 boats, started first on a 10-mile course. After about 2.5 hours, Arch Alt-man in Mighty Fine 2.0 finished just 4 seconds be-hind Steve Sherwood in Wind Dreamer, who finished just 52 seconds behind Cliff Lennox in Lati-tude Adjustment. Newbie Regina Ali finished first in Crescendo with Mark Weinheimer crewing. Regina is a quick learner in a quick boat, the Pear-son 10M. The five spinnaker boats managed four races. There was certainly no need to shorten course on the windward/leeward courses after the first race. A couple of wind shifts moved the windward mark right and left, but generally it blew straight up from Cherry Point creating a brisk chop. Despite a longish starting line, several boats were over early and had to restart. The 111 to 264 handicap spread was not ideal; but with a small fleet, there is not really much choice. Given these conditions, the corrected times were surprisingly close. After race #2, Blue Note asked the Race Committee for some extra time to change to a smaller sail, and I noticed several others doing the same. Dave Gillespie’s Zen Tuna, a Santana 20, headed in after the second race. I think Blue Note was the only boat to fly the spinnaker in every race. In race one, Blue Note corrected into first, but Tom McKnight in Anathema, Ed Doughty in Bad Fish, Dave Gillespie in Zen Tuna, and Charlie Nelson in Water Phantom all corrected within a single minute of each other. Race two was a little more spread out, but still close. Anathema had some sail issues and was be-hind. Race three, minus Zen Tuna, was also spread out some, with Bad Fish having some sail problems that resulted in a late start. Race four was the tightest for first place. Blue Note corrected over Water Phantom by one second to take it.

In the end, Blue Note, soaking wet and whipped, won all four races by making the fewest mistakes that I could see. The hot spiced cider tasted vey good on the sail back in.

Ed Doughty had two ETYSA sailors on Bad Fish, and he bragged about how well they did, doing everything right!

Water Phantom at the windward mark in the NYRA Commodore’s Regatta February 15 with Steve Youngson at the wheel and Charlie Nelson on the main. They finished second in the regatta (C. Davies photo). Two Navigator Class boats shortly after the start of the Commodore’s Regatta. They sailed a 10+ mile course. Regina Ali finished first in Crescendo (C. Davies photo).

Ensigns and SJ21’s Set Joint Spring Season

Ensign Fleet 19 and San Juan Fleet 8 have agreed to a combined series, but scored separately. The racing will be on Saturdays beginning March 29, continuing every Saturday through May 10. NORs will be published separately. The objective is to get more boats on the water, and make more efficient use of Race Committee and equipment. Hopefully this format will be a success, and carry over into the Fall series.

Big Changes for the Ensign Spring Series

Ensign Fleet #19 is pleased to announce their Spring One Design season is changing and growing. Our Ensign Fleet starting date is March 29th, MOVED from our traditional Thursday starts to Saturdays at 12:55 pm for first signal. Along with that, we are excited to have the SanJuan 21 Fleet #8 join us with 5 boats at our Saturday races! Each fleet will have its own SI/NoR, with the key difference being that the San Juans do NOT have to be "wet sailed.” Our courses will remain similar to those of previous years, with just a few more boats on the water. How fun!! We are also excited to have our own Piccolo as our RC signal boat, headed by Stephanie Davies as our PRO. Her highly experienced team will oversee our races ensuring accurate race procedures, scoring and safety. Thanks from all our sailors for their volunteer efforts. Please follow the results and photos on our BSC website under the SAILING menu and sub-menu item RACING. Also, watch for crewing opportunities on the website CREW FINDER section on the Home page, or email me and I will help you get on a boat. See you all on the water! Blake Sohn Ensign Fleet #19 Race Captain

Tree Trimming at Blackbeard

Let’s Cruise!

Ahoy, Mateys!!! The Cruising Committee for this year includes Jason Heald, Jessica Huddle and Scott Huddle. We put together a cruising schedule, while trying our best to avoid major conflicts, such as The Big Rock Tournament, Mother’s Day, etc. Some cruises are classics from the past, and we tried to think of some new destinations as well. We will send out reminder email blasts about a week beforehand to remind you. No sign-up is required and all are welcome to join! Simply mark your calendars now to save the date. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions at this point. Looking forward to seeing you off the dock and on the water! by Jason Head

BSC Spring Work Day (date TBD) - Pirate Island raft up party

MAR 15-16 - Clubfoot Creak APR 11-13 - Oriental (Boat Show)

MAY 24-26 (Memorial Day Weekend) - River Dunes

JUL 4-5 - New Bern

AUG 1-4 - Cape Lookout

AUG 30-SEP 1 (Labor Day Weekend) - Oriental

BSC Fall Work Day (date TBD) - Pirate Island raft up party

DEC (date TBD) - Coastal Christmas Flotilla New Bern

* Dates and/or destinations subject to change depending on weather conditions. More details on the fun cruises will be emailed to members as the dates approach.

Jason Heald bluejay4676@yahoo.com

Scott Huddle scott.c.huddle@gmail.com

Clubhouse Deep-Cleaning Spring

Neuse River Regatta 2025

After a hiatus, the Neuse River Regatta will be run again this year with FHYC as the Organizing Authority and Stephanie Davies as Race Officer. There will be three classes, Navigator, Spinnaker and Non-spinnaker. The Navigator Class boats will sail a medium distance race using ATONs as the marks. The Spinnaker and Non-spinnaker Class boats will sail round-the-cans courses using either windward-leeward or triangle courses (or both). The Wilkerson Cup will be presented to the winning boat from Fairfield Harbour in the Navigator Class. There will be a party afterwards at Red Sail Park in the Harbour.