The Florida Wedges were the most interesting group as the three Mothists each had different rig ideas. Jeff Linton had added shrouds to his freestanding rig but the rig was loose and a multi forestay purchase allowed the mast to rock forward offwind. He used a web mast puller at deck level to keep it in column upwind. Jamie Rabbit had a freestanding wing mast made by adding foam to a carbon mast while Rod Koch had added diamonds to his freestanding carbon rig and had some enormous aluminum strap contraption at the mast base to provide over rotation control. Each Wedge had a different cockpit layout with Jamie sporting a severely reverse cut stern section. Light airs did not doom the Wedges; getting the helm's weight in front of the dagger board (a'la the Laser) seemed to be the key. As a group, the Florida contingent were consistently in the front group and they seem to be ready to hatch some new hull designs this winter, though there is no consensus among the three about the right direction to go.

Last years champion, Mark Saunders, seemed to be digging himself out from the middle of the fleet early on in most races. Mark would have won handily if there was an award for passing the most boats during the regatta. Only in the last race was there the wire to wire battle between Mark and Jeff Linton.

Joe Bosquet was the only sailor to beat Jeff Linton with a good win in the penultimate race. Joe held the home built/restore record with four of his hulls in attendance (one Mistral, two Shelley's, one Maser).

The Mistral continues to be the most populous design. I count seven at this years nationals; Mark Saunders, Joe Bosquet, Walt Colllins, Joe Courter, Greg Duncan, and Mike Parsons. Mike Parsons was the newest hull there with a patriotic stars and bars deck motif. There should be a class rule about the proper presentation of the decks; either varnished or with an interesting painted design. Most Mistrals are rigged simply. Mark still likes the untapered aluminum Dwyer mast.

There were four Shelley designs registered; Rich Wallio sailing Joe Bosquet's high rise model, Eric Albaugh in a Joe Bosquet humpy-deck model, Bob Patterson in his restored Shelley and Bill Boyle with his modified Shelley. The design is still competitive with Rich Wallio driving one to a good result in his first regatta.

Rod Mincher sailed Ted Causey's Energizer (Stockholm Sprite) which is a narrow deep V throughout. Rod filled up in the breezy races but the hull is getting a second look by those who want to build a narrow chine hull.

Two Masers were represented. Joe Bosquet had a very pretty looking one sailed by Lizzie Gladney and Bill Schill had one sans enclosed foredeck which had problems self rescuing in the breeze on Saturday.

One Mint design sailed by ? was doing extremely well and in the breeze of Saturday he was just nipping at the heels of the top five.

Well done to Jeff Linton. Most races he was in front early on and never looked back. This included a very difficult morning race on Sunday where there were large windshifts and a few holes.

Thanks again to Erky Gregory and John Pugh for their hospitality and the Museum of the Albemarle for their dinner and sponsorship of Saturday's races. It constantly amazes me how the town of Elizabeth City gets behind this regatta.

Rod Mincher
Annapolis