The 42nd Annual Moore 24 Nationals

Hood River, Oregon
August, 2018

The Set –

Straight outa Wikipedia – Hood River is considered a “sports mecca” and offers some of the best spots for windsurfing, kitesurfing, Moore 24 Racing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, skiing and mountain biking—all for which it draws considerable national attention from many media outlets, such as Sail Magazine, Pressure Drop and Sailing Anarchy.

Moore 24 Nationals in Hood River, Oregon, one of the most consistently windy places to sail in our country and if half of what is written above is true one of the most fun and active towns you can imagine.  A sailing venue I always think of with a little trepidation in the weeks before – why are going here – man that’s a hassle to get down there – it’ll be too hot and too windy – things are going to break – we are going to wipe out. You know, all the normal stuff to be worried about.  We’re going somewhere to race that the Opti’s don’t sail at, where the only keel boats to have a one design regatta at the venue is the Moore 24’s and where the sailboards and kiteboards shine and rip around in places with names like Swell City – but then you get there and take in the scenery as you are welcomed in and get to welcome in all the different players in the theatre that is a Moore 24 Regatta.  The Sailing is always great, the wind is usually incredible and the sailors in the fleet are top notch, but it’s the players, the actors in this regatta that make it what it is.

Advertisements

Moore 24 Nationals 2017

Holy bejeezus that was good times! My affinity for the little old Moore 24 is no secret and her infamous beginnings not with standing she’s proven to be a boat that brings together some serious fun loving people. I mean seriously, who would have thunk that a sailor that ruined a good mold burning party by stealing the mold would end up making modifications to this remarkable boat that turned it into an unparalleled inshore and offshore platform that over 40 years later is still capable of taking a serious beating for 3 straight days while bringing together sailors that are more like family than on course rivals.

Anyway, I digress… We had the privilege of competing in the 41st Moore 24 Nationals August 25th thru the 27th and what a Nationals it was! Hosted by one of our favorite California yacht clubs, Richmond Yacht Club, it was certainly one for the record books. Arguably not one of the best attended Nationals in history with 16 boats but certainly memorable and super challenging for everyone that made it out.

Six Pack Sailing

Affectionately christened the Six Pack Series back in the 80’s Monday night racing off Shilshole Marina has evolved through a partnership between the Sloop Tavern Yacht Club and the Shilshole Bay Yacht Club into a solely Sloop Tavern Yacht Club event and participation continues to climb.

Often described by some as the salt water bumper boat racing akin to Duck Dodge or that silly fixed mark racing the yacht club down the road does – STYC’s Monday night racing continues to evolve and grow and has certainly outpaced and moved beyond the oft heard negative comments.  With 64 entries in the 5 race evening Ballard Cup Series #1 the Sloop easily doubles the entries of the [considered by some] more serious keel boat buoy racing, offered by Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle, mid-week off the same marina.***

Hippie Island Drag Racing

Ahh Winter Vashon – lovingly sitting at the forefront of sailors minds as they think longingly all year long about this balmy jaunt around the last stronghold of hippiedom in the Pacific Northwest, Vashon Island.  At Just over 30 miles, it’s an easy 6 hour sail with those consistent south sound winds the area is known for and with our 8 hours of light this time of year finishing in daylight is even a possibility!  Right?  Well it was this year!

Moore fun @ PSSC

11 Moore 24’s made it out for a regatta in Seattle and I got to be one of them!  We had a hell of a time, a good amount of tomfoolery, a large dose of Yee Haws and some great comradery and laughter.  But the experience got me to thinking about the people, the boat and the class that has kept this boat not only viable but downright fun to sail and race over 40 years after the concept first hit the water – it’s time for a public service message.

Moore 24 sailors have a bunch of hairball stories of taking these boats offshore, out in big breeze venues and planning across finish lines in front of much bigger, faster and more expensive boats.  Most look to be sane and normal sailors, but I know the truth and you should too – before it is too late.

Sun & Fun for PSSR

If you didn’t return to the dock with a smile on your face it’s time you quit sailing and take up horse riding! It simply does not get much better than the two days of racing that showed up for this year’s Puget Sound Spring Regatta, hosted by Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle. 55 boats made it out April 12/13 for two of the most stellar days of the year for sailing in the Pacific Northwest.

Blakely Rock Benefit

“That was a Great Day!”  You may chuckle a little at that comment.  Even though it was grey, even though it rained a bit, even though it wasn’t warm and even though it wasn’t windy enough to plane – it was a great day.  It was great that 89 boats made it out racing while the waters of the Midwest are still under ice.  It was great that 89 boats were out sailing while most of the NE fleet is on the hard and it was great that 89 boats got off the dock and helped raise money for Sail Sand Point, the beneficiary for this year’s Blakely Rock Benefit.

Hosted by the Sloop Tavern Yacht Club, their annual benefit race always brings ‘em out in droves with 2 solid no flying sails classes and 12, count em, 12 PHRF flying sails classes.  Everything from the Cal 2-24 with a rating of 273 all the way up to the J/145 rated -21 along with 4 pickle forks in the Multi-Hull Class.  The Blakely Rock Benefit crosses all lines of sailing and just gets boats out sailing and gets the party rolling at the club (yes it’s just a tavern) after sailing.