Frostbite 3 Story by Mark Barr

Fun Racing and Camaraderie at Frostbite #3

Story by Mark Barr

I have to admit that I was a bit concerned prior to race day on February 5th. The third and final race of the Frostbite Series was scheduled for that Saturday at the Afterbay, partly at my suggestion. Earlier in the year I had argued with some in the club that folks were tired of too many events at the Forebay. However, there were several potential negatives to using the Afterbay.

Water levels can fluctuate widely from day to day, resulting in impossible launching conditions at times.
There is only one dock, so competition with power boats, jet skis, duck hunters, etc can be problematic.
Shallow spots can cause problems for bigger boats and these sandbars move from one year to the next.
Docking can be challenging on "big days" when the wind is from the south.

There are also some real positive aspects to sailing the Afterbay.

It's almost three miles long from north to south with numerous coves and islands to explore.
There is a huge variety of wildlife including deer, bald eagles, beaver and waterfowl.
The long fetch creates a nice chop on any day blowing over 15. It forms 2-3 foot waves when the wind hits 25!
There can be a current running when the farmers are irrigating (making some fun race scenarios).
There are no launch or parking fees!
There are no launch or parking fees!
There are no launch or parking fees!

As Richard Silvera and I pulled into the parking lot at the boat launch, I was immediately relieved on several points.

The water level was full to the brim!
There was already a light northwesterly breeze filling in.
There were no water skiers, jet skis or duck hunters visible as far as the eye could see.
Best of all, we had 4 other BSC members there rigging when I pulled in with my Thistle.

The day was looking better and better. We all visited while rigging our boats. Doug McWilliams showed off his new Windmill sails. Pretty! Paul Ritchie had his new spinnaker sock rigged and was flashing that beautiful bright chute of his. Brian and Chad Hamilton were rigging up there 505 on the sandy beach by the boat launch. Kevin Muir and Bruce Gillette were getting everything on Kevin's West Wright Potter set up nice and orderly. Of course Rear Commodore Dave Neilsen and Jody Christopherson were there. They almost never pass up a chance to sail Dave's Windmill.

We decided on a simple "round the bouys" type race course, using the North Island for one mark and an empty blue water jug as another mark. Richard and I launched first, so we could sail southwest a few hundred yards to set the bouy mark. By the time we got back, everyone was launched and ready to race. We had only 5 boats, so the starting line was set between two of the 5 mph bouys near the dock. At about 11:15 the first race was off. We used an informal "live voice" signal to anounce "Three minutes ...Now!" ....then "Two minutes".... and finally "3-2-1-Go!"

It was my kind of racing. Nobody yelled at anybody, everyone started and finished smiling and there was plenty of time to sip my diet coke whenever I felt the need. It was thisty sailing, too. Richard and I even had time to take a few photos from the boat. Here are a few photos from race one:

And a few more from race 2...

The results table includes results from race 1 and 2 at the Forebay on January 16th. I hope everybody had as much fun as Richard and I did. It was a great day on the water. If you can come out to the Afterbay on Sunday, Feb. 20th for the 10 Miler, I would encourage you to give the Afterbay a try. You won't regret it!