What You Need To Know
- Twilight Opening Day – Thursday May 28th is cancelled (detail below). The first Twilight of 2026 will now be Thursday evening June 4th. First gun is 7PM. You’ll find the SIs here.
- First Party – Saturday May 30th The first party of the new season will be held after sailing at the home of Anne Marije Veenland and Bryan Lee. The invite went out a week ago.
- Time To Register – Registration is open for everything so get it done. Links below.
Last Week’s Racing
There was no Twilight this week.
Out on the MRA line, the weekend forecast was anything but festive. Saturday’s forecast was cloudy skies, temps in the 50s and a chilly NE breeze, and that was pleasant compared to Sunday. Sunday’s forecast predicted temps in the high 40s, building breeze with puffs in the 20s and soaking rain. Not the jovial opening weekend we had in mind, but it happens. In fact, and I hate to say this, we’ve probably had more crappy Memorial Day weekends over the years than nice ones.
But 2021 was a washout both days, while this time around MRA rightly held racing both days. Saturday proved to be a decent race day while Sunday less so. Of course, I know about Sunday only from looking out the window while sipping hot coffee, because my days of racing in 15-20 with high 40s temps and soaking rains are long past. Apparently, I wasn’t alone as the rest of Fleet 5 took a raincheck too. For the record, six hardy Etchells and five IODs braved it. Tip of the cap to them, and to PRO Steve Herman and the BYC RC volunteers who happily gave up their Sunday for what surely was not a pleasant day on the water.
Saturday featured the return of old friend Susie Schneider running the South Line, which she loosely interpreted as being over by Satan’s Rock. For the first time I can remember, both the Etchells and IOD fleets showed in greater numbers than Fleet 5 – each had six boats while we had five. We also would have had six, as Team Martini was seen rigging and planned to sail, but they never made it to the starting line. And we’d likely have had seven had this gentleman not been otherwise occupied. Anyway, rounding out the fleet were two J105s and two Vipers for a total of 21 boats.
Our five teams included the usual suspects of Lane / Heffernan and Pandapas, but also three teams worth highlighting. First was Team Shoreman / Reynolds, which included young Wyatt Reynolds as their third. Huge welcome to them, and particularly to Wyatt, who we hope to see out there regularly. The second team was a new collaboration sailing a new boat. Walter Colsman has teamed up this season with 2024 National Champ Kathleen Lane, which promises to be a boat worth keeping an eye on. I expect them to be especially quick sailing Walter’s newly acquired 1210, which he purchased from old friend Peter Frisch. And yes, he’s renamed it Tahoot. Finally, and admittedly bringing a tear to my eye, Saturday featured the triumphant return of Team Pendleton / Raisides, whose very presence on our line made it feel like 80 degrees and sunny. I’m so excited to welcome them back.
We got in two races – the first in 10-15 with an absolutely ripping current on the incoming tide. The current was running top-to-bottom, so pushed the bow down on starboard. Combined with the building seas and short starting line, you couldn’t get over the pin from the middle of the line, which made for a crowded boat end. The wind moderated and clocked a bit in race 2, which should have increased the current influence, but didn’t. In both races, the strategic question was whether to stay left in the shallower water with relatively less adverse current or bet on the forecasted persistent righty. In both races, and despite the gradual trend right, left paid, bearing out the wisdom of old friend Norm Cressy who always insisted that if the wind is NE, head for the beach. The wind was more like 90, but he was right anyway.
So taking 1st on the day in mid-season form was Team Lane / Heffernan with a 1-2 for 3 points. Starting right where they left off. Well done! Finishing 2nd was Team P. with a 3-1 for 4 points and taking 3rd was Team Pendleton / Raisides, who rolled a 2-3 for 5 points – not bad for their first day out in a brand-new boat. Honorable mentions go to Team Shoreman / Reynolds, who took 4th on a tiebreaker with a 5-4 for 9 points, and Team Colsman / Lane in 5th with a 4-5, also for 9 points.
So in Cup competition, we’re just getting started.
Top 10
| Rank | Team | Sail # | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Team Lane / Heffernan | 2623 | 3.00 |
| 2nd | Team Pandapas | 982 | 4.00 |
| 3rd | Team Pendleton / Raisides | 1680 | 5.00 |
| 4th | Shoreman / Reynolds | 722 | 9.00 |
| 5th | Team Colsman / Lane | 1210 | 9.00 |
| 6th | Everyone else | 12.00 | |
| 7th | |||
| 8th | |||
| 9th | |||
| 10th |
Week 2 racing will include the 2-3 races of MRA Series 1 Day 3 this Saturday May 30th.
Please note that there will be no Twilight race on May $28^{th}$. Due to circumstances outside his control, PRO David Graham was forced to cancel Twilight 1-1 on Thursday May $28^{th}$. The first Twilight of 2026 will now be Thursday evening June 4th. First gun is 7PM.
If You Spin, Send It In – As in year’s past, to promote fair sailing, sportsmanship and keeping it on the racecourse, we’re continuing ‘If you spin, send it in.’ There were no spins this week so we remain tied at zero. If you spin, please send an email after racing to kpandapas@comcast.net and let me know how many fouls you committed for which you exonerated yourself.
GOAT
Introducing the G.O.A.T. This season, Fleet 5 is introducing the G.O.A.T. Trophy (Goes Out All the Time). We plan to track the number of race days each team sails over the course of the season, which will include MRA, Race Week and Twilights. We’ll begin showing you the top 5 standings next week, and will honor the eventual winner with a suitably appropriate G.O.A.T. Trophy at our Fall awards party. Who will be the G.O.A.T.?
Other News, Notices & Miscellaneous Scuttlebutt
Time To Register – If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for? Here are the links.
- Fleet 5 & R19 Class Association
- MRA
- East Coasts
- Race Week
- Nationals
Race Week Registration Reminder – The Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta, will be Thursday through Sunday, July 23-26. Your MRA fee covers the entry fee, so you don’t have to pay an additional fee, but you do have to register.
Fleet 5 Summer Kick-Off Party – May $30^{th}$ – Our first party of the season will be generously hosted by Anne Marije Veenland & Bryan Lee. Rich & Rosy Denton will deliver a fully stocked fleet bar, so it’s doubtful anyone will go thirsty. Rumor has it that Rosy is cooking up another of her signature cocktails, and of course, none of us want to miss that. The party will be potluck, so please let the hosts know what you plan to bring when you RSVP. The invite, which went out last Friday, includes the details.
No ‘Sail Newport’ Regatta For Us – You’ll recall that Sail Newport was kind enough to offer the R19 class a start at their 2-day Sail Newport Regatta on July 11-12. However, they have now cancelled the R19 start due to lack of registrations. Apparently, old friend and class president emeritus Mike Hebert was the only boat to register.
Measurement Editorial from the Fleet Captain – Even if you don’t plan to race East Coasts or Nationals, you’re still required to maintain a current certificate. If you don’t have a certificate, or if your certificate is out of date because you made alterations to the boat since the last time you were measured, please email fleet measurer Stefan Thibodeaux at sithibodeaux@gmail.com to schedule a measurement.
Fall Classic Nominations – New this year on September 19 will be a Marblehead Harbor sailing championship, which will bring together the top finishers from each of the MRA fleets for a day of fleet racing in Sonars. The notice of race is here. Fleets are asked to nominate two teams to compete in the event, and nominations are due by July $27^{th}$. The question is, what criteria should Fleet 5 use to nominate. Some options include, 1) top two in cup standings, 2) top two in Race Week, 3) top of the ‘spin’ rankings, 4) subjective vote of registered fleet members, or 5) just let the leadership decide. Send your thoughts to kpandapas@comcast.net.
Time To Get WhatsApp – A final reminder that Fleet 5 will lean into WhatsApp this season, with the goal of promoting better and more timely communication between all of us. Stefan Thibodeaux has volunteered to be our WhatsApp czar, and will be our source of all WhatsApp related info. He has made it a no brainer to get on the Fleet 5 group by scanning the QR Code below. Any question, call or text him at 317-372-4689.
West Marine to Reorganize – On May 17, West Marine filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to pursue a restructuring. While I’m sure this is not what the private equity owner had in mind when they acquired it 2021, regrettably, PE acquisitions going south is not that uncommon. It’s probable that the restructuring will result in the closing of many of their underperforming stores and hopefully Marblehead isn’t among them. You’ll find more info on their web site, and you can read the company’s letter to customers here.
Keep Our Ocean Clean – MRA Chair Dan Himes asked that we distribute this.
- MRA races are registered, once again, as Clean with Sailors for The Sea. As you prepare your boats, please keep contaminants out of the ocean:
- Use the right cleaners, labeled as biodegradable and non-toxic. If you are stuck, look for those containing oxalic acid.
- Wax to protect your hull. It avoids repeated heavy cleaning, which is the worst thing you can do.
- Prevent runoff – Work in a shaded, gravel or grass area. Avoid cleaning directly beside the water if you can.
Thank you for your help keeping our oceans healthy and beautiful.
Notices
For Sale – Race ready boat for sale. Calgon (1686) was campaigned from 2018 to 2021 after a ton of work, including keel, bottom, new lifting rings, floorboards, etc. The package includes boat, trailer, and multiple suits of sails, including a new lightly used set. Contact Jocelyn Cook at jocelyn.n.cook@gmail.com.
Race-Ready Rhodes for Sale – Old friend Ian Peebles is selling O’Day #2688. The boat is optimized and turnkey – ready to race. You’ll find more information here.
MYC Club Rhodes Needs Sails – Marblehead Yacht Club has launched a club boat program with Rhodes 257 and needs sails (see mailbag below – more info here). If you have old sails to donate, contact Eliot Shanabrook at eliotshanabrook@gmail.com, or 617-653-8358.
Mail Bag
MYC Club Rhodes – We got this from Marblehead Yacht Club’s Eliot Shanabrook.
“We have some exciting news to share with the local R19 Fleet. Oday #257 was donated to the Marblehead Yacht Club by the Marcy family. We will start our club boat program in June. It’s very simply rigged and currently not raced. We’ll see what the future holds for the program. Either way, I think it will be a good feeder/connection, similar to how the townie connection works with our club.”
That’s awesome Eliot, and Fleet 5 stands by to help however we can.
He followed up with this:
“We’ve launched our R19, which will soon be our club boat for member use. She came with an old set of sails but we would be very receptive to a donated set including a spinnaker. She’s also missing a spinnaker pole. A mainsail cover would be nice too, but don’t want to ask to much!”
You’ll find Eliot’s contact info above.
We got this note from old friend Eric Cressy:
“Hi Kim – thanks for posting in the R19 newsletter that I needed sails and a rudder. I ended up buying a new main and jib from Tomas, and Mike Lane gave me a 1970s rudder. Perfect! All set – thx!”
Complaints Department
Got Gripes? Don’t be shy. Unload at kpandapas@comcast.net. The buck stops here. -kp