Caribbean 1500 News for the 2006 Event

Wrap Up Report

This year's event drew a record number of boats from the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. The start was delayed two days by adverse weather. A foggy, light air start turned to brisk winds following the Gulf Stream crossing, and was then followed by nearly two weeks of light shifty winds with more than its share of southeasterlies. Fuel management was an issue for nearly everyone and the chats often revealed the fickle nature of the winds with boats near each other reporting winds of widely differing strength and directions.

Gil Smith's Farr 50, Joy for All, was first to finish. The handicap winner came from class 5 as Ray Dionne's Pacific Seacraft 40, Hi Yo Silver, slipped in to the lead. The winners of 4 out of 5 classes finished within 3 hours of each other on corrected time.

Special awards were presented for the best performance within each of the four largest classes. The Island Packet Award went to Guy DiTommaso's IP485, Sogno Mio, the Beneteau Award went to Jay Rickett's Beneteau 523, VicRic2, the Jeanneau Award went to Rick Moore's Jeanneau 50, Sophisticated Lady , and the Hylas Award went to Tim Robinson's Hylas 54, Thumbs Up. The Fishing Trophy was also awarded to Thumbs Up for landing a 90 pound tuna.

Ray Dionne (in blue) with crew, Hi Yo Silver, Overall Winners

          Gill Smith, Joy for All, Line Honors

Rick Moore and Terri Trickett, Tempest Trophy Winners

Hunter and Devi Sharp, Clean Wake Award Winners

Ann & Miles Poor, Hal Sutphen Seamanship Award Winners

Overall Results follow. Corrected time in hours and minutes is the total of elapsed time plus engine time minus an allowance based on handicap. Boats in the Cruising Class do not compete and are recognized for safely completing their ocean passage.

November 30th

Anne Poor reported that Pace è Salute, Little Hawk, and Eyrie had arrived at Village Cay Marina. Since then Novatrix and Special Delivery reported completing their passages following a stop to make repairs.

November 24th

All of the boats that sailed directly to Tortola have arrived safely. Novatrix emailed that they were leaving Bermuda today to continue the trip south.

November 22nd

Cassiopeia arrived with their wonderful jury rigged gaff replacing the top 10 feet of their main sail. Since then Island Time came in over night and Dog Star arrived this morning. Meanwhile 35 boats have gone to Virgin Gorda for a party hosted by the marina there. Cygnus is expected next, followed by Dog Star.

November 20th

Quest arrived this morning and three others are expected this afternoon. They are being helped by brisk easterly winds providing fast reaching conditions. The remaining 2 boats still sailing directly to Tortola are expected in the morning. Getting on line to update the web site has been nearlyimpossible. We will list all results as soon as we are somewhere with access to the internet, but the very short version of the news is that the rally class has been determined and the Overall Winner was Hi Yo Silver, Ray Diones Pacific Seacraft 40. First to Finish was Gil Smith's Joy for All. Clean Wake Award recipients were Hunter and Devi Sharp. Tempest Trophy winners were Rick and Terri on Sophisticated Lady. The Hal Sutphen Seamanship Award was presented to Dr. Miles and Anne Poor on Karina. Much more soon, I hope.

November 19th

The first of several awards presentations took place last night at a Mount Gay Party hosted by Road Town Wholesale at Village Cay Marina. More Awards will be presented this evening at the second Mount Gay Party. Results will be posted after the presentations are complete. As of noon today there were six boats still on the water plus the three that stopped in Bermuda. Cassiopeia took the morning position report and relayed that they had 150 miles to go. All but Cygus and Dog Star are expected before tomorrow noon and the last two may take another day. All have sailed in mild conditions and are conserving limited fuel. Caribbean weatherman Chris Parker presented a class on tropical weather to the group this afternoon.

November 18th

08:00 EST - Well we have Internet again so here is the MORNING report and positions which show that the bulk of the fleet is in or in striking distance of the finish (if they are not still pit-stopping in Bermuda). Those guys on Thalia are just 94 miles from this finish this morning. We expect NEARLY everyone to make it for dinner tonight - though some might be running up the dock to get to it and others might have to join in at the end! NOTE!! - Boats listed in alphabetical order to the SOUTH of Village Cay are IN. We spaced them out so you could find them! Zoom right in to read names.

Positions on the morning 18th - HERE

2006 in Pictures

November 17th

18:00 EST - Oh the joys...... No SSB as the boats are too far away. We had planned to get you positions tonight gathered in Tortola - but guess what - no Internet either..... Though most of the fleet are knocking at the door and should make the Awards dinner on Saturday!

06:30 EST - About a third of the fleet are in Torotola at this time. We expect another third through today Friday and most of the rest throught Saturday. This morning we have updated last night's position chart to reflect new information on positions and finishers at 18:00 last night.

November 16th

18:00 EST - A dreadful night for radio - Over a quarter of the vessels were unreadable but on the morning of the 16th we were able to get updates from Tortola - so we have corrected the chart on the morning of the 17th to accurately reflect positions and finishers. Things are looking good - the trades are here and boats are bowling along in the right direction for the first time in a while. Engine use today was almost non existent.

Positions on the 16th - HERE

06:00 EST - Steve Black called in to report that the Trades have arrived and the tail enders are catching those at the front. A flurry of arrivals is expected through today from the leaders.

November 15th

18:00 EST - Radio is getting tougher as the fleet get further south and people have to keep their news compressed to get the roll call complete. Four of the fleet are Bermuda bound for fuel/crew changes. Pied a Mer reports they are in sight of Four C's

So tonight we would like to feature Thalia - sailing along in ENE light trade winds under the command of Tom and Karen Grimmett. You may recall that earlier in the trip they had a crew member medivac'd so they have been a bit short handed. Tim Hasson reports that their sons Caleb and Zack (with a "k") have been running the radio schedule and generally stepping up to the plate and making up for the boat being shorthanded. They have also been a bit disappointed to find they are not on the web based chart. Guys (I know you are reading this) - it is a long story about the programming for the charts being prepared in advance, not having your details at the time and the rather enormous task of reprogramming the whole chart to squeeze you into the system at this point. So here is the deal - tonight and just for you - we would like to acknowledge that you are in position 25 22N, 67 23W, you have 445 miles to go and that you are so close to Aqua Vite's position that you would overlap each other if you were on the chart. In fact - you must be in sight of each other because we calculate you are about 10 miles apart!

Faraway Eyes should finish within an hour or so, Little Hawk anticipates a pit stop in Bermuda tomorrow.

Positions on the 15th - HERE

November14th

18:00 EST - A dreadful night for Radio Conditions as the solar flares do their thing and as the fleet moves further away - albeit slowly! Some positions are relayed, some are previous posiitons and some are Tim's best estimate through the mush of static. This is what the phoetic alphabet was invented for!

Between the Sheets is just six miles from the finish (but they left two days early!). Many boats report no wind at all. Hi Yo Silver got a flying fish - so someone is getting tropical! Fuel is now the issue and Eyrie and Little Hawk join Pace e Dulce in diverting to pick up some in Bermuda.

Captain Ed on Cygnus was presented with a cheescake for his birthday tonight.

Positions on the 14th - HERE

08:00 EST - Cygnus would like to wish Captain Ed a Happy Birthday, he's 65 today

November 13th

1800EST - The jest in the fleet tonight is that this is the Caribbean "Trawler Trek" 1500 as everone motors slowly on. No one has broken for Bermuda yet with the exception of Pace e Salute who has crew members who will be late big time for other appointments if they try and go the distance. Blue Jacket is safe in Hampton for repairs. With nothing else to do but practice fishing - some are getting good at it! Song is being "sporting" and playing catch and release. Prima is offering to trade tuna for diesel. Finally Wingerie reports that it is so calm there is no need for hairspray. Makes one wonder what they are doing with hairspray aboard a yacht???????

Positions on the 13th - HERE

0900 EST - With a slack low pressure system sitting off Virginia and another out to the East in the Atlantic they are generating conflicting SW and NE air streams respectively. For the guys sitting between them - it means the wind is boxing the compass, fickle, light and rarely getting above 2-3 knots. Until one of the low pressure systems moves on - the trade winds are not going to establish themselves in this wind field. That is not forecast to happen for another two days. Oh well - at least the fishing is good!

November 12th

1800 EST - There isn't much wind, people are motoring slowly to conserve fuel. People are catching fish - except Heaven Can Wait who is still only catching seaweed! Roll on the arrival of the Trade Winds........

Positions on the 12th - HERE

November 11th

18:00 EST - Tim Hasson who keeps the radio schedule is thinking of opening a fueling dock at around 30N 70W It is just a matter of who gets there first. Tim or the motoring fleet who must be getting low on fuel in their endeavor to make it to the trades further south. Line honors leader Thumbs Up who is furthest south (excepting the early starters) has found the fish and BIG time. A 4ft 8in Yellow Fin Tuna took their lure today and they are eating big tonight. Spirit and Cygnus got more than one Mahi-Mahi today.

Positions on the 11th - HERE

15:00 EST - Four C's had a boring afternoon dealing with 200ft of commercial hawser that got caught around their propellor. A series of snorkel dives finally freed it with no apparent damage to the yacht or her stern gear.

09:20 EST - Steve Black reports a quiet and light wind morning with most of the fleet motoring Southwards seeking the trade winds. They are not expected to reach them for a couple of days. So fishing lures are out and hopes are high.......

November 10th

18:00 EST - Fishing lures are out but the results are mixed. Artic Tern reports a Mahi-Mahi while Cataway reports harvesting more seaweed than they care to admit to! Blue Jacket's damaged main sail has the better of them and they are headed into the Hampton for repairs.

Winds remain moderate - generally from the NW and a quiet night is expected for the fleet.

Positions on the 10th - HERE

08:00 EST - Some excitement in the fleet this morning when Thalia had a medical emergency which required a medevac which was succesfully accomplished with the assistance of the US Coastguard. Sophisticated Lady stood by during the evacuation.

November 9th

18:00 EST - The expected quiet evening for the fleet has turned out to be anything but! Winds are very firmly in the N thru NW in the 20 knots and up range. Great for progress in the right direction. Not so good for some sails. Qunitessence has a mainsail at the top of the mast that won't come down. Blue Jacket 's main is down - but in two pieces!

Positions on the 9th - HERE

12:00 EST- Steve Black reports that the Rally had their first mid-day chat on the SSB to compare notes and see how things are going. For most of the fleet they are having a great sail as they learn to "rock and roll" crossing the Gulf Stream where the water flow is at a right angled cross flow with the NW winds which flicks up a bit of a chop! Special Delivery is diverting to Annapolis for repairs to her autopilot and rudder - but all is well aboard. As the yachts clear the Gulf Stream the wind is lightening but staying in the NW - which is expected to stay that way through the night. Nothing on the fishing front yet!

November 8th

18:00 EST - The Fleet are off! This evening they practiced their first roll call. The record entry of 75 boats meant it took Tim Hasson on the shoreside a good 55 minutes to get through the entire fleet.

Positions on the 8th - HERE

12:00 EST - Commanders Weather issued a forecast for favorable conditions for the start for the rally today - Wednesday. Wabi Sabi may be delayed as they wait the arrival of crew. Janeva and Britanya plan coastal routes due to shortage of crew. Occam's Razor did not make it to the start. Skippers and crew were eager to get underway following the passage of a vigorous warm front in the early morning hours Wednesday. George Day, circumnavigator and founder of Blue Water Sailing has joined the crew of the Hylas 54 Thumbs Up for the sail to Tortola .

The start took place in light Northerly air with fog banks drifting by. The cool air was caused by a mixture of the fog and the tail of the low pressure system which was heading off to the NE as it left the bay. Between The Sheets and Faraway Eyes have been moved to the Cruising Class as they started early..

November 7th

The fleet are waiting in Hampton till at least Thurrsday to let the weather pass. BETWEEN THE SHEETS and FARAWAY EYES decided to sail independently and at 11:00 today BTS emailed the following report:

"We are having a great sail, but I would not do it in any smaller boat. We are 300 miles out already with plenty of headwind as of midnight.

Position N3304 W7400, winds 122 true at 25-30 and gusting higher, boat speed 8.5 knots. We are close hauling due south until the wind clocks through the south and then we will tack east until winds behave.

We had a miraculous stream crossing - only 40 miles wide - entering at N3527 W7458, right off Cape Hatteras."

This evening Faraway Eyes reports:

Position: 35-02N 073-45W. "We are hove-to for the evening, riding out the gale. We're getting the <expletive> kicked out of us, but all is under control.

November 5th, Meteorologist Ken Campbell presented a detailed weather briefing today and recommended delaying the start scheduled for November 6th while awaiting the passage of a low pressure system developing in the southeastern US. Further guidance will be provided for a morning briefing on Monday.

Cruising Rally Association : 2930 Chesapeake Avenue : Hampton : VA 23661 : USA
Tel and Fax +1 (757) 788-8872 : steve@carib1500.com