Hello everyone, today is the 4th of February and tomorrow Star 924 will leave the shop, ready for launch except for rigging out a mast which will be done before launching the 20th of March. It has been a great six months of work taking a boat that many thought should have been part of a big bonfire and turning it into a beautiful boat ready to meet the challenges of the race course again. It, along with a couple of other boats from our fleet, will be taken back East as representatives of our fleet and SSSS for the 100th anniversary of the forming of the Star Class at the Larchmont YC in 1911. It is hoped that we will be able to take 924 built in 1932 by Blanchard Boat works, 2362 built in 1946 by a private owner, and 4078 built in 1954 by Carl Eichenlaub of Eichenlaub Boat Works in San Diego. We have four other wood boats active but it is doubtful they will be able to make the trip back. We will have our own celebration regatta next year in August for the West Coast boats here in Olympia.
The Star Fleet will be having our annual spring kick off barbecue and meeting here at the shop on March 14th. This year we will be including dinghy sailors and a brief meeting for them as well. It is potluck starting around 1500 with the meetings starting at 1700. I will provide the barbecue and some of the beverage, the rest is up to those that come. There usually is plenty of parking space. If the lawn isn’t too wet we will put the 4x4s on it. Weather permitting, the boats that are stored here behind the shop can be uncovered and inspected, especially those up for sale. If you are interested in the dingy or Star program, please feel free to join us. The address is 9342 Johnson Pt. Rd Ne. Olympia.
Anyone is welcome to come out to the shop at anytime to help or look at the boats. The launch dates are March 20th, April 3rd and April 17th. Other times can be arranged through the Marina.
The last item I have is the Black Star Regatta Planning committee has been busy putting together all the details. The Regatta is scheduled for April 23-25. we have already received some raffle items and commitments for items. The raffle is our sole fund raiser and your support in the past has been great. The Star Fleet is a great supporter of the dinghy program as well. I am hoping to see 25+ boats out again this year and it should be noted we have one of the largest turnouts for a fleet regatta in the US.
Unofficially we are the largest fleets in the country, We have the largest number of active wood boats of any fleet, and our weekly average of boats out a race is near the top if not the top. All of this would not be possible if not for the help and support this fleet has received from all you in SSSS. Thank You.
Bill Brosius, Star 924
Planning for this year’s Black Star Regatta has already begun. Last year, 27 boats entered, with 5 boats racing in the wooden boat division. Each of these classics are 50 years old or older. This year, we are trying to get even more racers out including Lord Bill’s newly refurbished 77-year old Alcor. There are always several perfectly good boats that are left back at the marina on race day. So, if you’ve ever even considered racing Stars, consider chartering a boat just for the race. I’m sure Lord Bill can set you up and even give you some pointers on sailing these wonderful boats.
This year I am heading up the regatta preparations. For the most part, the agenda will be exactly the same as last year with a practice race on Friday night followed by two days of intense racing. We’ll have an awesome raffle on Saturday night at our regatta dinner. Jack DeMeyer has agreed to be the race committee, though his feelings wouldn’t be hurt if someone else wanted to give it a try. We can still use some help with the two mark boats. Stay tuned. More to come.
John Thompson
johnanddora@comcast.net