Charleston Race Week - 2021
We were registered for the 2020 event, but COVID cancelled that …
So, 2021 Charleston Race Week was April 8-11 , 2021. Although the hats proclaimed it to be the 2020 event. Thank you Gosling’s Rum!
Crew - 6 people, although with the 0.2 NM leg lengths (4 leg races), a 7th person would have been a hit for the sets and take-downs. Everyone was busy.
Buster Pike (driver)
Ben Towery (main trimmer)
Hank Williams (jib/kite trimmer and fellow Rhody Ram)
Chandos Erwin (jib/kite trimmer)
Erik Pike (Pit/Halyards)
Mimi Denton (Bow)
Logistics:
Launched and hauled at Cooper River Boatyard - Kyle helped make the organizing easy. The crew with the crane and forklift made launch and standing up the rig easy.
Berthed the boat at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina. Great spot, but COVID basically eliminated the post race parties. Slip A2 - highly recommend staying further out if possible - the current while docking made us all look like fools.
Team housed at Hyatt House Mt. Pleasant. Good spot, 2 people per room, kitchens, etc., plus a pool. Hotel was about 5 minutes from the regatta base, but not a big restaurant selection in walking distance. Staying at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina was about twice the price, maybe next time, would simplify the logistics.
Restaurants:
Saltwater Cowboys - great spot, although a bit crazy the night we went (I think this was the night the restaurant covid restrictions were lifted in South Carolina)
Home Team BBQ - Thank you for the recommend from fellow Rhody Ram, Will “Shred” Schaller" - Fantastic spot - definitely a repeat destination. We went to the Sullivan’s Island location - great food, great time.
The Racing:
Short story - total success, moments of glory, but never put the moments all together in a single race. Basically the first time we’ve raced the boat with a full crew and breeze. Fun. Need more hiking, maybe the 7th would help upwind. Top speed 15.8 knots after a burst of breeze and speed after one of the finishes.
Upwind speed was tanking the first couple races - we basically were feathering up too much in the puffs as opposed to easing trav/mainsheet and knuckling down for better speeds. Speed difference between the two modes was around a knot. So, trav down, knuckle down to keep the boat moving. Thank you polars!
Crew work was great, a couple late takedowns, but mostly my fault due to indecision on take down timing, which buoy to round at the gate, …
Current - yep, plenty of it in Charleston. We sailed on the course closest to Ft. Sumter inside the harbor. Current leads to some debacles - crowds under-standing the mark and others way overstanding … fun dynamic.
Competition was a couple Melges 32’s, a Melges 30 and 1D35. Melges 32’s were fast, hard to catch. Melges 30 was much more in the same race, the 1D35 was quick too. Downwind, we needed to sail hotter angles to get faster/lazy planing. Next time!
