How We’ve Fared in Antigua

Classic Race Week was such an experience. Wouldn't have missed it for the world and probably would never do it again.

There are some marvelous photos by an insane guy named Tim Wright at PhotoAction. Check into Antigua Classic Race Week and then Maggie B. My favorite is CLAS06-2355. We are going to buy some with Covey Island to get them up on this site, but haven't quite gotten there. Also you can see his photos of some of the other boats. Check out Endeavor, Ranger, Altair (the most beautiful schooner in the world?), and Mariella. Imagine that I had to call "STARBORD" to Altair as we were doing about 9 knots and she was doing 15 as we came simultaneously to a mark. We missed getting crushed by at least 15 feet.

Tim Wright goes out in a tiny high speed boat strapped to his feet and gets right under the action in all conditions. He also is a really nice guy.

We came in third in the single handed competition, third in the Classics and first in the gig races, men's doubles, in the Reepicheep. But best of all were the interesting and very favorable comments from the best professionals. We had a boat parade in English Harbor after the second race, where a neat local commentator "announced" the boats as we came past. The Maggie B was described as "a wolf in sheep's clothing." What was a real high point was that as we passed, the crew of the Altair (which came in first in the races) lined her rail and gave us three cheers. Totally cool.

There will probably be a lot of press coverage. Boat International had two reporters on for the races and Wooden Boat is doing an article.

But all is not glory. Backing into our slot at Antigua Yacht Club Marina, we caught an anchor line in our prop, wrapped it and slashed up our rudder and king post doing it. The line fused onto the shaft and had to be chiseled off. Right now we are hauled out to fix the damage to the rudder and king post (can't let water in under the epoxy). When we hauled we found that the huge (six inches across) pin for the centerboard had bent its restraints and was in the process of popping out. Sigh. But at least we are on it and it won't come out in the middle of the Indian Ocean or wherever. We hope to be back in the water soon and off to other islands. The current thought is maybe St. Barts, then down to Isle des Saints, Martinique, Barbados, the reefs around Trinidad and then on to Recife.

All is well.