Congratulations to Bob Knowles, Peter Welch, and Mary Rommel for organizing the largest PHRF Regatta on Charlotte Harbor.

 The 20th annual Conquistador Regatta had 57 boats registered from Sarasota to Fort Meyers. Thanks to the many PGSC members that helped make the regatta a huge success. Our Vice Commodore, Dave Adkinson has competed in all 20 Conquistador Regattas.   There was an after the race party at the Punta Gorda Boat Club on Saturday with over 200 guests. On Sunday, there was an awards ceremony, followed by a steak dinner with 130 dinners being served by club members and the Y's Men.

John Lange

  

  

We have finished the first 4 races of the Spring Season and saw some minor mishaps and challenges. Only one protest that was solved amicably and all were happy with the results. The next race is April 14th; hope to see you all out on the water racing.

Special thanks to the cooks and crews and all the potluck dishes for the after race picnics, you have really been spoiling us. Reminder, the after race picnics are for the entire club, you don't have to be a racer to attend. 

Hats off to the team for the Conquistador Cup Regatta lead by Bob Knowles and Pete Welch. GREAT JOB Team! Pete wrote a really good article that was published In the March 7th edition of the Waterline Magazine. If anyone wants a link to the article so you can read it online, send an email to john@CharlotteHarborSails.com

Thanks to Pete Welch for spearheading the Saturday Fun Pursuit, GREAT JOB PETE. Unfortunately for us, Pete is going to be traveling this summer and will not be here to run the Saturday races. If another member would like to step forward and continue on, give me a call at 941-380-7152.

Plans are being made for the Race for the Rum on April 21, 2013; keep your eyes on www.pgscweb.com for Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions.

Wednesday Small Boat races are on hold until the Community Sailing Center finds a new home.

Dennis Peck and the Community Sailing Center are planning the Hibiscus Cup on May 11, 2013 for One Design racers up to and including 19' Flying Scotts. Dennis and his team would appreciate any input and assistance that the club members may be able to help out with.

Summer Series is coming up, if you are going to be here and involved in at least one race, please send an email to let me know your intentions.

Once again I challenge each boat to include youth or young adults as crew on their boats. This young talent is eager and has the stamina to do all the things you used to do, if you would just spend some time and take a kid sailing. Contact Dennis Peck at the Community Sailing Center and see if he can make some recommendations.

If you are interested in spending a day on the water, right in the middle of the racing action for FREE, contact Marge Lange 941-380-7153 to participate on the committee boat crew.

The 20th was exactly what founders Dave Hansen and E. David Johnson would have hoped for (except?). The 55 boats entered is great by SW Florida standards but still short of aspirations. There were two great days of racing and three evenings of great social interaction. The original concept of an event for the whole community is still supported by the actions of the Royal Order of Ponce de Leon Conquistadors (ROPC), 25 local sponsors, and the scores of volunteer race officials and party workers.

Hand wringing always sets in a week before the event by weather prognosticators. This year the buzz was "ain't gonna happen" too cold and too much wind. If you backed off because of this you missed some of the best sailing fun and challenge to be had around here.

The morning wind challenged with low velocity, spotty/variable touchdown points on the Harbor and some 50 plus degrees of directional shift. It took a combination of patience, skill, and luck to keep moving in the correct direction.

The afternoon winds approached 18 knots average with gusts perhaps 5 knots greater and lulls 5 knots less. How to pick the correct sail size? Both too much and too little is slow. Boats that could "switch gears" via quick sail changes or continuous manipulation of sail shape and angle profited. Skipper Steve Romaine of "Air Supply" reported three headsail changes from largest to smallest. Feather weight multihull boats that can sail a reach at wind speed had exhilarating hairy closing speeds to course markers and slower boats.

At the end of the day Saturday there were some damaged sails and sore muscles. No collisions or protests were recorded. Like any sport, the stories at day's end are a little exaggerated and very entertaining. The venue for these was the Punta Gorda Boat Club, where there were sailor style parties Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The Y's Men provided hydration and snacks that had people hanging in longer than the usual check of results. It didn't take long before the "bench racing" sound level challenged the PA's ability to bring order. West Marine sponsored a raft of door prizes. Their Punta Gorda store manager, Henry Hoenk, drew tickets to determine the winning skippers. Smiles by the giver and recipients were luminous.                   

Pete Welch

Return To Top

Return To Top