A Cat's Meow

Last Saturday, we were fortunate to watch some of 

the BBYRA  A Cat race.  These beauties are unique

to the Barnegat Bay and the class has had a 

resurgence over the past two decades.  For a long time,

there were only four on the bay, but there are 12 now. 

I believe Raven was the only un-reefed boat that day

and they seemed perfectly able to keep the boat upright.

Note the massive sail area.

  This was taken during the summer of 2002

on the same downbay racecourse.  Mary Ann, the bay's

oldest A-Cat, was built in 1928.  My Old Man crewed

on her that summer.  He's the fourth from the bow.  It's

definitely the last competitive sailing he did before he

crossed the bar.  That summer, for a number of reasons,

we didn't put our boat in the water, but left it on the

trailer all season long.  Dad drove down from Lancaster

County every Friday night, climbed up a ladder, and

slept in our boat, on the hard, just to be ready

every Saturday to sail on Mary Ann.  

Torch

Vapor

Lightning

Raven, with the tanned shirtless guy who obviously

knows which way to go.  My Dad told me never to

point while racing.  With my arm.

Witch

Starboard tack to cover

Spyder and Witch, farther ahead of Raven than it looks.

Witch blasting to weather.

 At one time,  I was also a human boom vang.

As fate would have it, Witch, Raven, and Spyder

finished one, two, three.

Lotus Rounding the mark

Tamwock bearing off and pounding to the weather mark.

Tamwock, the Ocean County College 

sponsored boat,  rounding  

Could someone do something about the halyard?

Earlier in the day, we raced, as guests, with the Tall Oaks

Yacht Club.  Based out of the Forked River area, these

folks race, cruise, overnight, and just plain enjoy sailing

and each others' company.  No clubhouse, no bar,

nothing fancy.  Perfect.  Afterward was a pizza party

and as always, a good time was had by all.

Beans, Beans, Good for the heart

I'm thinking these berries are from NJ.

I'm feeling comfortable with the mission statement.

Commodore Bill with the 50/50 tickets.  Treasurer

Paul to the right looks on.  Good Sportsmanship

prevailed as the winner rolled the winnings back into

the club.  Admirable.    

Haydens' Hound

Forked River sunset.

Thanks to Cathie for all of the great shots.

You're hired!