Downwind in Sandy Bay; photo courtesy of Marblehead Studios the March 2018 What’s where As the prez sez Around the fleets...... page 2

Spring is just around the corner, or so promises the weath- erperson. Hockey, skiing, and curling are out, and is back in. Use this time to get boats shipshape and cash in on nationalscosts, and (currently as Jim points we out,provide they $50 are perthe boatbasis or of $1,250,our the sailmakers’ winter deals. whichever is higher). It is difficult for smaller fleets to cover boats that are almost race-ready but in need of some TLC to I am aware of. Please let me know if I’m missing anyone. national class. Another idea is to provide loans to owners of Jim WeTaylor welcome replaces a number Kim Pandapas of new fleetin Fleet captains, 5 (Marblehead), at least fve ideas to get more and younger sailors into the class are get them back into service for either sale or charter. Also, SouthDartmouth), Robert Paterson replaces Jim Lidington Ikein Fleet Babbitt 36 (Sandyreplaces Bay), Gary Ellen Juvinall Gray in replaces Fleet 9 (Padanaram/Patrick Hanth always welcome. We do now provide discounts to juniors in Fleet 46 (Hingham Bay), and Winters replaces participating in nationals and some regional events. say 2018on that, is shapingas will Rocky up to Sanchezbe a busy on year. the Theupcoming East Coast nation - Championshipals in New Orleans. is back, and Ike Babbitt will have more to Martin Vernick in Fleet 49 (Savannah). Many thanks and Since I’m at ground zero for the nationals, I can say that goodLet’s wishes continue to those the newdiscussion and departing of how to officers, manage and our we a great team has been assembled, and they’re hard at it nationalknow everyone treasury, will which support amounts them toin $47,every 000, way more possible. or less. planning and preparing. some portion of it for the greater good. A rainy day fund is That’s not a large sum of money, but maybe we can leverage An old friend of the fleet, Tom Long, is our regatta building, Mother Nature, or unforeseen opportunities? chairman,him as PRO. and Nathan Adams is a longtime R19 racer who vital too, as who knows what might happen with boat has moved into a new track, and we are fortunate to have great case for increasing our per-boat stipend for hosting a (continued on page 2) Some good suggestions have come in. Jim Taylor makes a

The official newsletter of the Class Association • www.rhodes19.org and the prez sez more

working We have on that the bestend. partyIt will planners be a great on time! the planet, sturdyis behind R19 us that now, someone and we lookwould to caredouble to donateenrollment to our to Tommy and Karen Taggart and Tom and Thena Carville, nonprofit, please give me a ring. The entire community

although I have I it can on makemy list an to educated delve further guess. into what Jim over 100 kids. TaylorI’m calls particularly Fleet 5’s excited very successful to be going “fleet into bar” our concept,second As I have yet another (!) birthday coming up, this full season with the new youth sailing program in old joke tickled me—“Old sailors never die; they just get a little dinghy.” —Rick McGregor Have fun sailing, all! Havre de Grace, Maryland. If anyone has a line on a

Marblehead, Massachusetts typical season. Peter Frisch and Seamus Hourihan Fleet 5 continues to thrive here in Marblehead. We had didn’t do quite all of them, but they came reason- twenty-eight registrations for our regular Marblehead ably close, and they won our overall Rhode to the Racing Association season, and we have been thrilled Cup award. Three different boats won one of the to have a number of younger sailors join us over the four MRA series, and roughly one-third of the past few years. Recent college sailors are fine with boats registered won at least one race. The underpowered boats that all go the same speed, toughest event to win in any year here is Race because they appreciate the fact that keeps the fleet Week, as the fleet is always big and deep and the close together and the competition tight. The talent event runs four days. This year, Ben Richardson level has never been higher in Fleet 5, and the racing sailed to an impressive win in a very competitive can be intense but still friendly. Our numbers were down fleet of twenty-eight. just a tick from 2016, but they have remained remarkably Fleet 5 hosted the nationals at the Corinthian Yacht stable over the years at the same time numbers in some Club in 2015 but stepped up to host again in 2017, when other fleets have either fallen dramatically (E-22 and other plans fell through. This time, the event was chaired ) or have vanished entirely (J-24, , and J-22). by two of our recent college sailors, Matt Hooks and Nat There are a lot of reasons for the continued popu- Taylor. There were twenty-nine entries, and in an especial- larity of the Rhodes 19 and the stability of Fleet 5. One is ly good showing, eight of those came from out of town. the boat itself, as it is inexpensive, a great family boat, and Despite a remarkable August “fog out” on Saturday, Susie well suited to racing with just two people, which is a huge Schneider’s Eastern Yacht Club race committee got in advantage when crew can be hard to find. The most seven good races. Ben Richardson was in the money to important attractions, however, are without doubt the back up his Race Week win in the nationals, but in the end people who have led and supported Fleet 5 over time and he was outdueled by Tomas Honos and crew, who won the priority they have put on holding social events three races and threw out a fifth in their remarkably throughout the year. These are held regularly, in and out consistent win. Hardworking cochair Matt Hooks didn’t of season, so members can enjoy each other’s company even get to sail (who schedules weddings during sailing —even if they did have a memorable recent disagreement season?). It is a huge challenge to find enough bandwidth at a leeward mark. Whoever thought up the fleet bar to both MC a big event and compete in it, but Nat Taylor concept, which is an obvious attraction at each Fleet 5 dug deep for a big win in the last race and finished a event, is (or was?) a genius who should be toasted at creditable fourth overall. Two nationals in three years every opportunity. asked a lot from a large number of Fleet 5 volunteers, and we are looking forward to competing in New Orleans. We enjoy an embarrassment of riches in Marblehead —Jim Taylor in that we can compete in sixty-five to seventy races in a When all the points winter, the members of Fleet 7 managed to get were tallied, it was In spite of some very cold weather over the Rocky Sanchez in Lickety Split win- inAllstate a little Sugar racing Bowl over Regatta the winter on Sunday, months. Back inDecember early December, 3. The sailors the fleet were participated treated to mildin the season and the temperatures and gentle breezes, which ning the overall allowed the race committee to get in three good races. It seemed to be to Rick 2017director’s “Cock of McGregor’s liking, as he sailed Pog Ma Hon to chair forthe the Walk” third year in a row. Joining throughout the series was Jim Rogers as Rhode Hard him on the podium was his threetook the bullets bridesmaid and an overallposition win. with Chasing three seconds. him crew, Christy Carney, who Rhode Hawg the Year award. Rounding out the top three was L.g. Sullivan on was given the 2017 Crew of with 3-4-3 finishes. It was a great end to the to sail in New Orleans Yacht Club’s annual Mardi Gras annual2017 sailing party season.hosted, once again, by Rick and Margaret Race With Week, the which end of was the held winter for inone-designs sight, the fleet on the elected The fleet also celebrated the 2017 season at the and then rain, but fortunately they were wrong again, McGregor, held in early March 2018. As always, Tom weekend of March 17 and 18. The forecast was for fog and Karen Taggart organized a wonderful event with plentywinners. of Thesefood and were drink. the season’sAfter everyone awards. was full, the and theIt was fog good lifted to with get aback light out southerly again and that shake eventually the awardsLickety were Split given out, and there were plenty of rustbuilt off. to 10 Also, to 15it was with great temperatures to welcome in ourthe newest70s. member, Rj Trejo, who purchased one of our old regu- lars and is bringing her back to life! If this weekend was RU Sirius —Rocky Sanchez: Bordelon, second; Zimmerman, first; Andrews, second; McLellan, first any indication, Rj will be quite formidable in short time. The series quickly became a two-boat duel between Rhode Hard—Steve Salzer/Robert Brennan: Bordelon, first; Andrews, first; Grevemberg, second Hallelujah —Jim Rogers: Bordelon, third; Zimmerman, second; Andrews, third Rj and Tom Carville, who had Rocky Sanchez sailing Andrews, third with him. The lead went back and forth in the first two Excel —Dwight LeBlanc, Jr.: Zimmerman, third; races, with Rj taking first in race one and Tom taking Shiraz racelet go, two taking in a photothe win finish. and the In theseries. strengthening For third place, breezes —Tom Carville: Grevemberg, first ofRick race McGregor three, Tom outdueled jumped Andy into an Wilson early forlead a spotand neveron the Rhode Hawg —Kevin Harris: Grevemberg, third podium. —L.g. Sullivan: McLellan, second forward in preparation for hosting the Fleetnationals 7 is activelyin October. moving Look for the NOR coming out by early April, with registration to follow. We are putting together a fun, backdrop of New Orleans in the fall, celebratingcompetitive 300 event, years, and how with can the you not make this a must event for We2018? will We make hope sure that of you that all if tryyou and come!come down to “pass a—Rocky good Sancheztime.”

Top, left to right: Dierdre Pecquet, Tommy Taggart, Martine Faget Sladovich, Karen Taggart, and Lisa Millar.

Left, left to right: At the bar are Joann Rogers, Jim Rogers, Peter Sladovich, and Andrew Wilson. Host Rick McGregor is the photographer in the .

Padanaram

Fleetconditions 9 is excited and competition. about hosting the East Coast Championship this June. Racing will be held June 22–24 on Buzzards Bay, which should provide some great . Please register early to help us plan the best racing and social The registration page is now live at http://www.regattanetwork.com/ event/16243 atevents ikebabbitt possible. at gmail dot com. If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to Ike Babbitt Chicago, Illinois

Fleet 12 celebrated another season by gathering right John Durlak. They then decided to partner on the boat after New Year’s at Chicago Corinthian YC with food, and that John would coach Tim on how to own and drink, and music by our very own Stan Knapczyk, all skipper a boat. By the end of the season, Tim was organized by Gretchen Hartke and others. skippering entire races, and he talked John and Gretch- Recognition for efforts was given to Sally Hamman, en into going to the nationals. Tim has since moved to who again took of care of Race Committee volunteers; San Diego, where Sprinkles has been sailing the waters to Marc Culler, who designed and gave the club his of Mission Bay—likely the only R19 to have sailed in the scoring system; to Bob Bernstein, who gave his time to Atlantic and the Pacific plus the Great Lakes in 2017. coach many of us on our boats; to John Durlak, who Many of you know from nationals how the name assisted many of us with fixing or upgrading our boats Sprinkles came to be, but if not, when you are in San and rigging; to Dick Dunne, who volunteered to take Diego, look up Tim and ask him. care of the anchors and chains for our race marks and Stan Knapczyk won the Starboard Light Sportsman- then put them in; and to Gary Scott, who volunteered ship Trophy for his enthusiasm and generosity to the his welding skills to many of us. fleet. Stan is a real student of the game, constantly Five specialty awards were then made. trying to up his skills by going over the strategies of the races over a beer after every race. He also was quick to The first award, the Gear Buster Trophy, is really a volunteer when asked whether he would be an instruc- very dubious award. In any other year, John Walter’s tor in the new adult sailing program, and he has done Sweet would have a lock on this award because a rather presentations about the Rhodes fleet in crew school. He significant hole on the starboard side of the boat even jumped into the cold Belmont waters to take a appeared in one of our Wednesday night races. Instead, swim test in April. Sweet was outdone by Captain John. John Pattinson’s boat was in Wisconsin, all tied up to a dock, when an Stan Knapczyk then presented the Dedication to the electrical storm came through and struck the boat with Fleet Award to John Walter and all the people who were . It blew the deck off the boat, started a fire, part of the formation of the adult sailing school pro- put a large hole in the front, and nearly dropped the gram, including Dick Dunne, who facilitated the pur- into the lake. All’s well that ends well, as within a chase and upgrading of the boat; John Durlak; Patrick short time, he found another boat stored in some barn Joy; Stan; and Dick Watson. The school has been a great in Wisconsin that looks great and had a great price. success due to many people jumping on an idea whose time had come, and it is already in the throes of signing The next award went to the Crew of the Year. up new sailors for the 2018 school. Gretchen Hartke presented this trophy to Julie Friend, her longtime friend who volunteered to race with Next came the series trophies, engraved pint beer Gretchen when Rhubarb became available. Julie has glasses from Wisconsin. The first winner was team been part of the Rhubarb team for some time and this Windigo and Pat Crosby for the third-place finish in year stepped up her game by taking on the spinnaker Championship B. Team with Marc Culler took at times. home a set of glasses for their first-place finish in Championship A. The overall trophies are based on the Most Improved Skipper went to Tim Haines. With- average of finishes for the fourteen Sundays of racing out much sailing experience, Tim bought a boat from that cover both the Championship A and B Series. Third this year were Bob Bernstein and team White, who had a first in the Championship B and Sunset Series. Second San Francisco was team Rhubarb—Gretchen Hartke, Stan Knapczyk, and Julie Friend—with a third in Championship A, a the April to October warm season is always second in the Evening Series, and a second in the Sunset great,Sailing with a steadyR19 on afternoon San Francisco sea breeze Bay during west- Series. First overall was team Sweet with John Walter, erly winds and warm temps ... yes, we are Liz Johnson, Patrick Joy, and Kevin Twerry. They were spoiled. second in Championship A, second in Championship B, Winter sailing is another issue. As is to and third in the Evening Series, with Liz J winning the be expected, the normal winter winds on Sunset Series. The first three boats finishing overall have their names placed on the new John - Vonnegut Fleet Championship the bay are less sea-breeze driven such that trophy, designed and created by there well be nice sunny afternoons, but the low-lev Harold Herring and Bill Simpson. el wind regime will be light and variable for sailing. Compounding the expected cool-season lighter/ And finally, Stan Knapczyk, variable winds are the tidal currents and speeds. acoustic guitar in hand, sang a problem. Sailing Personally, the R19 in I thethink higher being winds out on associated the bay in a song he wrote with lyrics withsoutherly a passing gale withlow pressure/frontal higher gusty wind system speeds can and be a specific to the Rhodes 19 pay attention to the current forecasts. boat and waveAll heights things canconsidered, be viewed the as local tempting sailing fate. this So, past I racing. summer was enjoyable, with some occasions of In late January, several Fleet beer-can type racing with the “don’t cost nothin’” 12 members Oakland-Alamedaestuary ready to go estuary by noon R19 on fleet.most Typically,Saturday or manned the thereSunday were afternoons. three or four keel R19s out on the CCYC booth at the Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show, always We anticipate doing the same kind of sailing a great place to drum up new members for the club or sailors for the CCYC sailing schools, and some, we hope, eventually for the Rhodes 19 fleet in the soon-to-come activities during the warm season 2018. Sadly, the springtime. ­—Dick Watson R19 continues to be the rare boat out sailing on the bay. The four R19s in our group were all build in the early 1960s. Nevertheless, we still get passing comments from other boats—“Hey, you in the R19 ... we used to have one of those way back in 19xx!” Yea, right ... still, youMainsheet gotta luv. it. —Bill Clune Sincere best regards to all involved with the R19 fleet HQ and the

Sailing a boat calls for quick action, a blending of feeling with the wind and water as well as with the very heart and soul of the boat itself. Sailing teaches alertness and courage, and gives in return a joyousness and peace that but few sports afford.

— George Matthew Adams Sandy Bay, Rockport, Massachusetts Fleet 36, as I’m sure many are, is March is the cruelest month: wrestling We get daylight with a couple saving time, only it’s of significant too cold to paint. issues—the We get the equinox, only it’s followed recruitment by a spring snowstorm. (Well, all right, four and retention blizzard-strength nor’easters.) of younger We get crocus and birdsong, only they’re on the members toes of a nor’easter. and the racing format You think spring is here. But it ain’t. to add to the Fleet 36 is interest in looking the fleet. forward to a These issues great racing appear to be season this popping up year. Last year everywhere. was some- We will be what marred talking about what we might do to diversify the by having a racing format. Some suggestions are trying the third of the collegiate model of lots of short races in a day and fleet being maybe destination races, but logistics are always injured one the issue. We have about fifteen boats in the fleet, way or anoth- and about half of them are racing regularly. A er. A broken guesstimate of the average fleet age is 60. So we foot, a spinal are spending some effort encouraging a number of fusion, a younger folks to come race with us. We are also in broken hand, and a couple of other medical issues contact with sailors at other clubs to talk about were what various members had to deal with. consolidating racing efforts. If anyone has ideas for Reports from those skippers are that they are all addressing these issues, it might behoove the class healed up and ready to go on Memorial Day. to promote them. As part of becoming fleet captain, I promised to Other than that, we are in anticipation mode try to increase communication within the fleet, here in the Northeast. —Robert Paterson especially during the off-season. I’ve published a photo calendar with monthly images of fleet members and their boats to help them think about the upcoming season, and I started monthly news- letters with fleet information, links to go-fast sailing articles, and data about issues raised at the fall meeting. All this was to facilitate informed discus- sions and decisions in the spring. The fleet doesn’t do too much in the winter months—some are up north skiing, and some are down south sunning.

Upper left—Rob Paterson’s Tuxedo Upper right—The fleet’s loaner R19, sailed by Alex Levin Lower right—Kirk Williamson, 2017 season winner Photos courtesy of Beth Leahy DOYLE

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Doyle 2018 R19 Mainsheet.indd 1 3/19/2018 12:48:15 PM