The CMBA 1999 racing season opener in St. Pete delivered a big turnout (14 boats) , generous hospitality, perfect temperatures, Moon Under The Water Café, Tampa Bay, everything was perfect but the wind (depends on who you ask about the wind). St. Pete usually experiences moderate to high winds in January, but dealt us summer sailing conditions with a high pressure ridge hovering over the sailing club which blocked the 10 to 15 knot sea breezes, giving the advantage to those with narrow water-lines and those experienced in light airs.
Saturday, 8:00am sharp, armed with coffee and donuts graciously supplied by the Sailing Center, folks began readying the boats, swapping stories and launching. Among the throngs were Warren and George Bailey, and Bill Lee. Skippers meeting began at 9:00am with sailing instructions and tips on tide and wind. Then the drift to the starting line.
Typical triangular course. Wind at 4 knots with an opposing two knot tide. Windmills started first along the same course and the Moths followed six minutes later. Over the line first was Mark Saunders and Joe Bousquet (neck ‘n’ neck) followed by Jerry Carter and Randall Swan (neck ‘n’ neck). By the first mark, Mark Saunders in #48 Triumph had a two boat lead on Joe Bousquet #2681 "Aftermath". Mark clipped the first mark, did a 720, but still managed to run down and overtake "Aftermath" for the win followed by J. Lane Reeves #43 and Briggs Monteith #45. The other story was Bill Lee at 110lbs sailing a superbly restored Challenger Marine Moth #2941 who found the modest winds ideal. Though he didn’t finish, most couldn’t catch him even when he luffed.
The wind died completely ending racing the first day. This allowed time to make adjustments on our moths, talk with some of the local folks and see some of the class boats such as the 49er Olympic class and International Canoe. That evening we were served a fine Italian buffet at the St. Pete Yacht Club and viewed a video of the first day of sailing.
Sunday delivered on the promise of more wind after a three hour delay. Winds were five to seven with a neutral tide and allowed us to complete three more races. Race two winner was Mark Saunders #48 followed by Joe Bousquet #2681, Randall Swan #7, and Joe Courter #40. Race three Mark Saunders #48, Joe Bousquet #2681, Jerry Carter #4067 "(not so) Mean Tangerine", and Randall Swan #7. And the last race, race four was Mark Saunders #48, Joe Bousquet #2681, Briggs Monteith #45 and Jerry Carter #4067.
Upon returning to the docks we were greeted by Aleta Van Sant Spelmier and her husband George. Aleta Spelmier is Capt. Joel Van Sant’s daughter and she spoke and showed wonderful pictures of the very early days of moth sailing. What a treat.
But now it’s pack em up and hit the road time. We thank COMMODORE Donald J. Bogue, VICE COMMODORE Bill Welch, MD, REAR COMMODORE Patricia Seidenspinner, TREASURER Wayne N. "Skipp" Fraser, SECRETARY James Montgomery,Jr., the Executive Committee, the Club Management, Sailing Master Dave Ellis, and all those who made "The Meet In St. Pete 1999" a resounding success for their generous hospitality.
But what did we learn from St. Pete. Is the Mistral now the Classic Moth "leading edge" rather than the "bleeding edge"? How will it fare in "real wind"? Is "Aftermath" the way to go? Did you notice Briggs Monteith 3rd overall? How about Randall Swan with a 3rd and 4th with a Ted Causey Creation? Did you know Mark Saunders has a sailing brother? How about the Warren Bailey Mach III? To find out, experience for yourself the Classic Moth Boat Association 1999 Racing Season!