This is the announcement that Sun Cat Class racers have been awaiting with baited breath, or at least that’s what their breath smelled like to me. The 2011 Sun Cat National Championship Regatta will be held on Charlotte Harbor on November 5th and 6th this year. We’re hoping to get in more than one race this year, but I suppose it could turn out to be zero races if we have even less wind than last year.
Notice of Race
Sun Cat National Championship Regatta
November 5-6, 2011On Charlotte Harbor
Sponsored By: Com-Pac Yachts, Gulf Island Sails, and Tropical Boating
This is a competition to decide the National Champion in the Sun Cat Class. As Head Jib Trimmer In Charge, I have decided that the Sun Cat Class will be an unlimited development class – you just have to have a hull that is arguably a Sun Cat hull to qualify. Choice of rig, sails and number of crew is entirely up to each skipper.
Rules: The 2011 SCNC Regatta will be governed by the current Racing Rules of Sailing as best the participants can remember them, as altered by future Sailing Instructions to be made up before (and possibly during) the races. The only really important rule is: do NOT hit Whimsy under any circumstances.
Fees: The Regatta fee is $20 per adult participant, and includes a steak dinner to be cooked by Scott, this time using both arms.
Sailing Instructions: Have fun! There will be others, but that’s the prime directive for now.
Regatta Site: On Charlotte Harbor wherever Tom anchors Whimsy.
Skipper’s Meeting: 5 pm Friday at the residence of the Head Jib Trimmer In Charge. Attendance is optional, as this is more about drinking and munching, but Tom S. will probably insist on passing along some instructions of some kind anyway.
Trophies: Last year, sponsors Com-Pac Yachts and Gulf Island Sails gave us some nice hats!
Schedule of Races
Saturday, November 5, 2011: First race to start at 11ish, or whenever Charlie feels like showing up. Racing until the wind dies, the race committee gets tired of it all, or both. Awards dinner to follow.
Sunday, November 6, 2011: Harbor tour day for those who did not get enough sailing the day before.
Tom Scott says
NOTE: All participants are advised to make sure your engines are tuned and fueled. If there is absolutely no wind, we may still hold the Suncat Powerboat Nationals – a one mile course at Wide Open Throttle. (…Think tugboats with sticks.) Oh yeah!
– Signed: Race Committee Guy
Jib Trimmer says
We ALWAYS have wind here in November! 😉
Tom Scott says
…now you’ve jinxed us for sure!
Charlie and isy says
I think a Horizon Cat hull can unarguably be considered a sort of SunCat hull for the purpose of racing in the SunCat Nationals and if we get frowned at we will be racing amongst you anyway in the “Broken Bobstay Memorial Division” of the SunCat Nationals. All participants in the BBD of the SCN’s of course must have, at one time or another broke a Bobstay on Charlotte Harbor (witnessed, of course by reasonably sober members of the Sailing Charlotte Harbor Social Club or by anyone on a boat who can stay upright long enough to attest that the incident did indeed happen). Isy and I will be there if the crick don’t rise. Glad to see that the starting time is going to be at a more reasonable “ish” ish hour this year. Starting the races on time last year without prior warning to participants may be, in large part what led to the scandalous and much talked about outcome. Looking forward to seeing the usual suspects again and maybe meeting some new folks. Hugs and smoothes from Canada. Charlie and Isy.
Jib Trimmer says
Your Horizon Cat is grandfathered in as a Sun Cat Class racer, or we can just redesignate it as the Bloody Mary hauler.
charlie and Isy says
Well, I am glad that we are going to avoid expensive legal wrangling and we are buying bloody Mary’s for the crew of the last place winner. 🙂
Butch Erny says
TAX?? The only site on the web that charges TAX to enter a race! This sailing stuff is getting WAY too expencive. At least he won’t be able to charge us for use of the wind. He doens’t seem to know how to supply that!
Steve Jaffess says
Hi Tom – We are “snowbirds” from Cape Cod. I have a Suncat daysailor moored on Lake Weir (near Ocala) I don’t think I will be able to trail it down to Charlotte Harbor, but I would like to come down and possibly crew and meet the group. I am fairly new to catboat sailing. I have an O’Day 27 in Cape Cod. I would like to see any alterations that people have made to their suncats and get some tips on catboat sailing techniques. Is there a motel nearby that people are staying at? Looking forward to hearing from you. Steve
Jib Trimmer says
Hi Steve, we look forward to seeing you! Details in email!
Steve Mainster says
Hi,
Hi, I’m another steve with a Suncat! Thanks for the invitation, but I don’t think that my Suncat’s trailer is in shape to travel to Port charlotte from Homestead. Any chance I could be crew on someone’s Suncat for the Regatta? I’d enjoy being part of it all, and maybe help out a single hander!
Steve Mainster
Jib Trimmer says
Hi Another Steve! Homestead is not all that far at Sun Cat racing speeds! Just sail it around! Details on the event in an email to you, too.
Steve Mainster says
Hi Jib Trimmer,
Thinking of your idea of sailing around makes me sure that getting my trailer in shape is the right way to go! I have an idea… I could ask the other Steve if he would crew for me and if he agrees (so I don’t have to single-hand) I could get my trailer checked out, bring my boat and we could each benefit! That is if the other Steve doesn’t mind racing with me, as I have never raced before!
Jib Trimmer says
Sounds like a great idea to me!
Paul Scribner says
Ahoy committee boat!
Here’s hoping you need a little sloop as a subcommittee boat. Maybe it could replace a drifting Boston Whaler or even a buoy as a race point. Anyway we can
help you can count on us. Your broad shoulders can only hold so much responsibility.
Scott Widmier says
I am looking forward to suncat nationals. I have a brand new Suncat sail I am.looking to sell if anyone is interested.
Jib Trimmer says
Bring it down with you, Scott. Someone may want it.
Larry Rickett says
We are looking forward to the “Nationals”, and will get the “Cat” out of the garage and head to the harbor for a fun day of sailing.
Larry & Cathy
Indy Anna
Glenn Macleod says
I can understand “why” you don’t want REAL Catboats in the races. Even given a handicap..
Chances are.. A Marshall 18′ or 22′ would (wind or power)…
still take the horn???
Jib Trimmer says
Glenn, we would be happy to see old number 78 at the Sun Cat Nationals, just as long as nobody on board cares about who takes the horn. Handicap? To calculate one, I’d have to care who wins, which is in violation of the spirit of this event! 😉
Steve Jaffess says
Hi Tom Looking forward to the weekend. We are coming down on Friday afternoon. I understand we are having a get together on Friday night. Is there an address so I can put it in my GPS. Are there other wives who won’t be sailing? My wife doesn’t trim the jib too well, but she is an accomplished shopper. She could also go on the chase boat. Steve
Jib Trimmer says
Hi Steve,
Check the “maps” section above and click on “Property of HJTIC” (that’s me!) As far as I know, the other wives are trimming jibs, except for mine, who will be driving the chase boat. Looking forward to seeing you!