The 2015 Master Mariners Regatta proved to be an exciting if not a difficult race. There was a little of the first and a lot of the second with a strong flood ripping through the gate.
MARTHA was fortunate to have a great after guard of local bay talent with our crew member John Callahan, San Francisco Yacht Club Staff Commodore Bill Melbostad and the respected Skip Allan helping to provide tactical info about wind and current.
There were 8 boats in our class but the two we really had to keep an eye on were ELIZABETH MUIR, start time 12:45 and PURSUIT start time 13:05. Meaning we had to reel in the fleet in front and try to keep PURSUIT in range. Our plan would be to hold her as close as possible on the weather legs and to out reach her with a Kite and Golly.
We had a great start and stretched out from PURSUIT on the way to Little Harding; but PURSUIT crushed us on the weather leg to Blackaller. We had a clean jibe set with the chute and it was time to set the Golly; unfortunately we snagged on something and tore the Golly during the set.
With the Golly out of commission we went on the hunt and reeled her in on the reaching leg to SouthHampton Shoals.
PURSUIT (remember her mainsail was built by Sean Rankins of NorthWest Sails) is well sailed and powerful, they would not let us over the top and we couldn’t sail through her lee. We had the inside track and rounded just ahead of her and it was quite a sight to see her wind up to weather and step out.
In the end we couldn’t hold her and she sailed to first place.
MARTHA sailed into second place and third place went to ELIZABETH MUIR.
Thanks to the Encinal Yacht Club for hosting MARTHA and the Master Mariners Regatta and to the Master Mariners Benevolent Association for putting on such a great event.
See our Facebook page to view videos from the race. Remember, you don’t need to be a Facebook member to see photos and videos.
