Day 2 of the Races

Again, we took our dinghy across the rough harbor to see the races. We did watch part of the C class race sitting by the leeward mark, which was very exciting. Unfortunately, Two Friends was out on Thursday and Friday, but did race again on the final day.

This was the worst day for Bul Reg, as they came in 7th. After we got back across the harbor, we did watch the Class A boats round the leeward mark. These are the largest boats, with the most people aboard – very exciting to watch.

Day 1 of the Trophy Races

This is the Maritani X (otherwise known as the boat that Kalik Beer bought) arriving in George Town. We had shared dock space with it in Nassau.

The trophy races began on Thursday the 23rd. There will be three races each day. One for the A class, one for the B class, and a combined race for the C and the few D class boats together. Points are given each day based on the boats placement in the race and totals combined. Awards are given out on Saturday evening.
The winds are still very strong and are expected to be in the 20 plus knot range through next week. So, the boats used their medium sails. We took the dinghy over to watch the start of the morning race, it was choppy, but not near as bad as our afternoon ride back to the boat on the other side of the harbor. We were drenched. By Friday and Saturday, we gave up and took the water taxi across the harbor.
In the C Class race, Two Friends broke a pry and then she was T-boned when she had the right of way. Bul Reg, however, came in FIRST! What excitement. Graham on Hot Latte-Tudes got to sail on Bul Reg.


Me waiting in the dinghy for the boats to arrive at the leeward mark
It was an exciting day, though sad for the cruisers who supported Two Friends.


Bul Reg rounding the mark


Clay, off Carleigh, and I watching the race from the third level of a mail boat


Me, Clay, Bob and Penny


Lew, Allison, and Caroline off Aly Cat


Buzzie and his "winning" crew coming back to the dock

In the B Class race, Lady Sonia broke a shackle that held the sail up and did not race again. It will be fixed for the Long Island races in June.
Parties along the dock took place all night long. Luckily, we were on the other side of the harbor, or we wouldn’t have gotten much sleep at all if we had been anchored near the dock.


Lady Sonia while still in the race


B class boat rounding the mark


Line up of the C Class Boat


Buzzies boats at anchor waiting for tomorrow's races


The winning team for the Junior Race - Buzzie, his two sons and Graham on Hot Latte-tudes


Racing Boats being delivered to George Town by Ferry

And the race is on!

We've been enjoying all the races this week. There are four classes of boats - A (largest with 2 sails) to D class (sindle sail). Since I painted the names on the cruisers boat - "Two Friends" and two of Buzzie's boats- "Lady Sonia" and "Bul Reg" (Buzzie is a boat builder of these boats and also runs Porgy's Place on the beach) we've been rooting for these boats.

The weather was really calm the week before the races began, but the winds picked up to 25 knots for the entire week through the races and beyond.


Bob helping Pat and others Step the mast on "Two Friends."


Test run of "Two Friends"


This was our anchorage before the winds picked up to 25 knots for the rest of the week including the race.


Bob running the dinghy


There were a bunch of food fenders to feed the hungry crowds each day. This man is preparing conch. They put the vendors that had conch on the water side and they would tie 5 together, that way they would not wander off until they were needed.

The first race was the "Junior" race. Buzzy, his two oldest sons, and an American cruiser, Graham on Hot Latte-tudes, were the crew. The two adults were along only as coaches. The boat they raced was "Bul Reg" - it came in first!!


Start of the Junior race.

We watched some of the races from the third deck of one of the mail boats that were in. One of the A class boats had been out for a test run and was coming back in when I took this photo. It gives you a good view of the size of the A class boats and the larger crew that it takes to run it.


A Class boat


The boat was too far to toss a rope, so a man swam out with a rope to bring them in.


This was the first mark in the President's Cup Race of C Class boats.


Two Friends being towed in following the President's Cup race

Unfortunately, Two Friends broke on eof the prys that the crew sit on and dropped two people in the water and had to go back for them. Then, another boat T-boned them causing the damage below.


Photo of damage to Two Friends


The end of a pleasant day

Rake and Scrape

The music of the Bahamas includes a band with some homemade instruments, such as a saw, washtub, etc. Buzzy had scheduled an evening of Rake and Scrape music at his bar, Porgy's Place, along the harbor. It was a fun evening - so fun, there is to be another one tonight!


Remember Chris, Buzzy's son, who was my helper painter? Well, here he is showing off for the camera.


Chris getting a lesson on how to play the washtub


Sorry, this is the best photo I have of the man playing the saw


Bob and I dancing to Rake and Scrape in our "Bul Reg" T Shirts that Buzzy gave us


Shirley off of "Cat's Paw" dancing the Rake and Scrape


Bob and Allison, off of "Aly Cat" dancing the rake and scrape

Family Island Regatta Continued

Well thinks are really gearing up for the regatta around George Town now. I had helped to paint a boat that was a joint effort between a Bahamian and the cruisers. Following that, I was asked to help paint three other boats owned by Buzzy, who also owns "Porgy's Place" on the harbor. I painted the lettering on "Lady Sonia" and "Bul Reg" (named for Buzzy's father) and the numbers on three boats. Donna on "Two Pelicans" painted the lettering on "Touch me Not."

For a description of what the regatta is all about, you can check it out at this link:
http://www.nationalfamilyislandregatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78:national-family-island-regatta-and-homecoming&catid=31:articles&Itemid=103


Donna painting "Touch me not."


Me by "Lady Sonia"


Photo of the boat including the number


One tired, sunburned painter by the finished "Bul Reg"

The next day, when they had put the boats in the water, we crossed the harbor from where we were anchored to see how the lettering was holding up. I only have Acrylic Craft paint with me and not some real good enamels, so I was afraid that the lettering would come off. On the way back, we were against the wind and waves and were absolutely drenched - but the letters are holding up fine.


Lady Sonia in the water awaiting the mast and rigging


Here is "Touch Me Not"


Here is "Bul Reg"


And here is "Two Friends" with full rigging

One of the purposes of the regatta is that it is also a "family reunion" of sorts. We've been watching a "shanty town" being built along the water front where food and drink will be served.


Photo of some of the food and drink buildings

Regatta Preparations

The cruisers supported one of the boats for the regatta this year. I volunteered to help with the lettering on the boat. The boat's name is "Two Friends." Once I finished this boat, I was asked to paint another one - word had spread - so I painted the lettering on "Lady Sonya" and "Bul Reg" (the name of the boat owners father.)

Here are some of the photos of our efforts.


Rita-Kay had printed out the lettering on her computer and here I am tracing it onto the boat.


Another lady painted on the design on the front of the boat


Photo of her finished product


Donna, off Duchess, painting the location of the boat's owner on the transom


Me with Pat, the boat's Captain


We had lots of quality control!


And a ton of "sidewalk supervisors"


Donna and Toby off "Duchess" with Pat the Captain


Painting the other side


Photo of the front of the boat

I have many more photos to post, but am short on time. This will be a crazy week here in George Town. All the boats are now arriving from the other islands, and the traffic has already picked up. There are now a bunch of shacks put up by the harbor and government dock that sell food and drinks from each of the competing islands. I'll have a lot to show you after the races take place this week. Take care.