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01.28.2010
Swans Dominate NARC Rally
The NARC Rally emphasizes that it is not a race since the boats are loaded with cruising gear, much of it newly installed and many of the crews are sailing short handed. Racing encourages risk and delays reefing. However, put any two boats in the water heading the same general direction and you have a race. Line honors for both legs would have gone to the Hylas 54 Freestyle owned by newly retired Don Cody and ably crewed by his two sons Craig & Jim and friend Bob Small. On corrected time, if the rally kept track of such things, the winner would have been Tony Iacona from the very well sailed J-42 Affinity. Both Don and Tony can commiserate over that fact that there are no prizes for finishing first.
Despite the economy, a record thirty-one boats sailed in the fleet. Three Swans were being delivered for free with paid crew aboard. Why so many boats this year? The rally was FREE. With no entry fee (but a small per head fee to pay for the socials) the fleet enjoyed discount dockage, four parties, free weather routing, waived head tax in Bermuda ($35 per person) and a daily radio net. The Rally organizer, Offshore Passage Opportunities, also offers a free crew networking service and over twenty OPO members were sailing in the fleet. Rally participants can request extra crew for their offshore legs from a pool of OPO members who sail for free and often pay their own way to and from the boat. This Crew Networking Service is always free to any Swan owners looking for crew to move their boats anytime.
The fleet gathered at the Newport Yachting Center the last week in October. Dock master Chuck Moffat and crew did an outstanding job of accommodating the fleet while also getting ready to put the marina to bed for the winter. Social headquarters for the week was the Rhino Bar and Grille, steps away from the Yachting Center in downtown Newport. This year the fleet was able to depart on time after getting the go-ahead from local weather router Susan Gennett of RealWeather. Some boats made it to Bermuda in less than four days and on one tack. The Gulf Stream was tamer than the approach on day two. With a quick passage and no delay, the fleet enjoyed a long layover in Bermuda to work on their boats and enjoy the hospitality of the St. Georges Yacht & Dinghy Club.
All the Swans had great passages as this is what they are built to do. Sail Offshore. Andy from the Swan 44 e-mailed after the rally “Many thanks for organizing a great rally and a great social gathering. It was terrific meeting new sailors from around the Caribbean and catching up with old friends. Laughing Lady had a great time on both legs”
The S & S Swan 40 Teregram was fresh from a refit this past summer and was using the rally for the first leg of her passage to the Med to participate in the S & S Classic Swan Rendezvous. The Dutch Swan 46 Blue Fin was a late entry as the boat was newly purchased in America and sailing south for a Caribbean Season before sailing to Europe in May.
The smaller boats that took longer to reach Bermuda had a rougher time as they were caught out the last day or two with bigger winds in to 20’s and low 30’s out of the southeast. Several boats hove to or deployed sea anchors or drogues to get some relief. Three boats had steering problems and the 42 foot Steel Ketch Rights of Man was thankful to get a long tow in from a large boat also heading to Bermuda.
Bermuda Radio and the Customs and Immigration folks in Bermuda spoil the expectations of North Americans as they are so accommodating and helpful to visitors arriving by sea. They even stamp sailors passports with a special “Arrived by Sea” stamp to commemorate ones passage. Bernie, the unofficial greeter would answer new arrivals questions and explain docking options. For the NARC Fleet that meant discount dockage down at the club for much needed showers, laundry and happy hour.
On Saturday the sailors were rewarded with a much appreciated “Dark-n-Stormy” party on the club balcony with the BBQ fired up and manned by Commodore Brian Oatley and the all-volunteer crew of the Dinghy Club. Sunday’s banquet was down below in the new (second year) “Polaris” Restaurant where owner and chef Abdul conjured up some of the freshest Fish & Chips ever, miraculously never ending as it was all you can eat.
For the first ten years the rally was designed to let boats linger in Bermuda if it was their first time visiting and they wanted to stay longer. However next year the organizers plan to host a final destination party in St. Martin in order to keep the fleet together on the second leg. If need be, boats can still elect to sail directly to the BVI if they wish. This year the second leg had the fleet divided into two fleets as some boats elected to stay longer and others decided to take advantage of a closing weather window and depart right after the “Gala Fish Fry” on Sunday. Those leaving early had strong east winds for two days making good time, but then had head winds for the next four or five days of the trip. Not the most pleasant tactics. The second fleet group on this leg had lighter winds. More than one boat needed, asked for and were accommodated with a fuel drop from other vessels.
If you are interested in getting your boat moved to or from the Caribbean for free or want to join lour rally next year please feel free to contact us anytime. And you are always welcome to call us for free crew for any passage with you or your skippers.
Regards,
Hank Schmitt
Swan Board
Avocation Swan 48
Organizer of the NARC Rally
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