Author: bcmsadmin

A multihull (Lightfoot) from Brisbane, Australia participated in the BC Multihull Society New Castle Island sail in on July 16^th.   Owners Graham Shaw & Michelle Riedlinger came to the group picnic Saturday night and shared with us some of their journey adventures.    Other highlights of the event were seeing Richard Wood’s new power catamaran and Mark Coulter’s new triamaran Albatross II.  In spite of the rather soggy weather, twenty five people attended the dinner.   President, Bob Davis managed to get us the picnic site by the main pavilion in which the BBQ pit as well as the picnic tables were under cover.  This was much appreciated as there was quite a downpour at times during the evening.  It was an enjoyable time in spite of the weather since NewCastle Island has lots of walking trails with beautiful views of water and mountains.

The formula 40 catamaran Dragonfly owned by Richard Ackrill of Victoria was once again the winner of the Swiftsure.  This year the fleet had to battle an adverse current for most of the race so many boats did not finish until Sunday afternoon.  Dragonfly finished at 3:30 AM Sunday morning followed by Bad Kitty (BCMS Ron Tomas) @ 1:02 PM, Ruff Duck ( NWMA Maryn Adams) @ 1:30 PM and Sauterelle (BCMS John Green) @ 1:59 PM.  The only other multi in the Cape Flattery Multihull division was Blue Lightning who withdrew after rounding.   On corrected time, Dragonfly was still first but Sauterelle took the second position and Ruff Duck third.

It was a very high tide on the evening of May 21^st so instead of the beach, we had the group dinner and annual meeting at the premier campsite at Pt. Browning Marina that BCMS Director Ron Tomas had managed to snag.  There was a picnic table plus lots of camp chairs and planks to sit on so it was much more comfortable than our usual beach experience.

Fifteen  members attended the Annual Meeting and this constituted a quorum.    The 2010 financial statements were approved as well as the budget for 2011.  Directors elected were Bob Davis, Ron Tomas, Stu Kerr, Wayne Carlson, Alec Mackenzie, Marlene Mackenzie and Jamie McKerrow.   The President asked if anyone else wanted to serve on the board and there were no volunteers.  It was agreed that holding the annual meeting at Pt Browning allowed more members to attend.

The Fun race started at noon on Sunday.  For once there was enough wind for everyone to easily get around the course.  First in the Cruiser Class was Dutch Treat followed by Sweet Heart and Simone.   Sauterelle won the Racer Division, Mad Kiwi was second and Kitty Litter third.   Roy Mills was at the helm of Mad Kiwi for much of the race and it was thought that this might be the reason for her excellent performance.

As usual, the prize giving dinner was held at the Marina’s restaurant Sunday night.  Instead of a set meal or buffet as in past years, we were allowed to just order off the menu.  This allowed a better selection and a more reasonable price.  As well as prizes for the race winners there were also quite a few door prizes for other attendees.

Eight multihulls raced around the bay Saturday April 30th in the first day of the 2011 Semiahmoo Regatta hosted by the International Yacht Club.  First home was the club’s own BAD KITTY crewed by Ron Tomas, Bob Davis, Stu Kerr, Wayne & Ian Carlson, Tim Poustie & Alec Mackenzie.  Other Multihulls were Mustang Sally (BCMS Ray Simpson), Blue Lightning (Mark Gumley), US 247 (Patrick Horner), A Cat (Kim Alfreds), USA 174 (Morgan Tedrow), Cat Sass (Pat Barrett) & Ruf Duck (Martyn Adams).

Preliminary Race Results

Div A Fleet

1st Div A Bad Kitty 49401 Ron Tomas
2nd Div A A Cat 249 Kim Alfreds
3rd Div A Blue Lightning 290 Mark Gumley
4th Div A RufDuck 79112 Martyn Adams
5th Div A A Cat USA 174 Morgan Tedrow
6th Div A Cat Sass 87945 Pat Barrett
7th Div A Mustang Sally Ray Simpson
8th Div A A Cat US 247 Patrick Horner

See video clips from the race taken by club member Tim Poustie.

The next America’s Cup will be held in 2013 and will use catamarans instead of the traditional monohulls as part of an overhaul of yachting’s premier event, organisers announced Monday.

The America’s Cup traditionally uses monohulls. But the last edition held in Valencia February was a multihull duel between the US syndicate Oracle and Switzerland’s Alinghi following more than two years of legal wrangling between the two teams over the rules of the event.

The Labour Day sail in proved to be the grand finale of the club’s 2010 on the water events.  Quite a few former members attended and some of them even re-joined. Gayle, Jacqueline & Robbie Uthoff let us use their property on Saturna Island for group dinners both Saturday and Sunday night. We also got to meet the newest addition to their family  – Karl Alexander Gerhart Uthoff – born July 2010. Tami Harker, Denise Kerr & her friend Suzanne brought their musical instruments so there was entertainment both nights.  Also, Denise demonstrated Maori dancing with lit “poi” (balls attached to flax strings twirled about).  It was quite spectacular and a little scary.  As usual, there was a fun race Sunday afternoon and this year there was just enough wind for everyone to have a good sail.   Winner was Dream Chaser, second Bad Kitty & third Santispac.  Those who crossed the strait mid morning Monday had, in Walter Payne’s words, an “exhilarating” ride home in 4 to 5 foot waves and winds up to 28 knots.

Eighteen multihulls duelled it out at Cowichan Bay on the BC Day Weekend for the  2010 Karl Uthoff Northwest Multihull Championship Cup. The winner was Geneva skippered by Eric Pesty, second place went to Red Shift (Wayne Gorrie) and third Dragonfly (Richard Ackrill). There was also an A Class division with  Kim Alfred’s USA 249 taking first place followed by Screamin Seaman (Jason Arnold) and USA 247 (Morgan Tedra). On Saturday night, sailors and friends enjoyed a Steak BBQ and beforehand the Margaritas  flowed courtesy of UK Halsey Sailmakers  of Sidney, BC.

NewCastle Island offered a beautiful setting for the BC Multihull Society’s July 17^th get together.  Boats anchored in the shallow end of Mark Bay and again some of our more hardy members went swimming. There was an abundance of food to be shared at the group dinner ashore Saturday evening. Gary Astill took on the role of BBQ supervisor and ensured no one’s dinner was ruined by too much time spent socializing instead of cooking.  An enjoyable time was had by all.