Page 1 of 1

2014 Marblehead Harvest Moon Regatta

PostPosted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 7:36 pm
by breakwater
Greetings EC-12 Skippers.

On Double-Deck after Tilghman & the NCR comes Marblehead Model Yacht club's first-annual Harvest Moon EC-12 Regatta. We're thrilled to introduce the class as a lovely well balanced model yacht, and really the polar opposite in hull design when compared to what the club is most known for.
We will welcome the EC-12 on October 4-5, 2014 for two days of racing in a setting that should allow skippers to enjoy a great fall atmosphere in and around Marblehead. Our typical South-West breezes fill in this time of year, which hopefully will come straight down the pond nice & warm from the street side.

We hope you will join us, and please be on the lookout for a NOR and entry form in no-time-flat.

For those staying in the area, Just an idea... but it may be a great opportunity to stay an extra day and check out the early Halloween festivities, Salem Maritime, gaze out into Marblehead harbor from Fort Sewall, stop in GLOSTAH for some fresh Haddock, Essex for clams, or let dawn break over Marblehead light! (he he) The city of Salem is extremely busy in late October, fortunately we made the schedule so you can enjoy it before the crowds really come in by the busload!

Check out all the club has to offer here:
https://www.facebook.com/MarbleheadMode ... =bookmarks
and of course don't miss the 2014 Marblehead 50-800 NCR album from last spring here!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 319&type=3

Fair winds!
See you Soon!

Re: 2014 Marblehead Harvest Moon Regatta

PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:56 pm
by breakwater
Ok Folks, our NOR and Sailing Instructions have been mailed out this evening to be uploaded to the class website.

We will be sailing in fleets of 12, with HMS if required. The event is limited to a maximum of 24 entrants.
MMYC has sailed with 15 Marblehead's "on the line" safely, (and do consider the Marblehead is a 50" long boat, with an 86" Tall rig in itself...so that claims quite a bit of pond real-estate) but will sail in a fleet of 12 to stretch our legs a bit in the regatta.

See you soon!

Re: 2014 Marblehead Harvest Moon Regatta

PostPosted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:56 pm
by breakwater
Hi Everyone.

Well, I hate to say it, but the Harvest Moon Regatta is unfortunatley in serous jeopardy of not being able to sail. Not due to lack of turnout, but rather our pond is turning into dirt. :oops:
The nice part is that we will be sailing EC-12s, which don't draw much, but there is a point of ridiculous. The area has experienced a significant drought in the past month-and-a-half and things are running dry. Redds Pond is a naturally fed pond, and if it rains an inch, our pond typically goes up by two. At this point it's going to take a major league soaking to get us back to where we need to be, because in the same regard if nothing comes in... it tends to drain at the same exponential rate.

In the spring, the pond sees Marbleheads which draw up to 20" of water racing comfortably, but with a lack of precipitation we're entering danger-zone for the CR-914s!

I was thinking of making a final assessment by this weekend, which will leave 1 month before the regatta is to be held. That way we are not squarely up against a deadline on a last-minute cancel.


Heck, even some of the local reservoirs are running dry. No rain combined with #ALSicebucketchallenge has things looking pretty dry in that regard. Ive seen things in the local reservoir I can't recall seeing in years.





Sorry folks.
Doesn't happen often, but this may be one of those years.
Let's hope it is not.

Re: 2014 Marblehead Harvest Moon Regatta

PostPosted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 10:08 am
by breakwater
Sadly, I'm electing to cancel the 2014 Harvest Moon... Choosing this weekend as 1 month prior to the event, and hopefully providing enough advanced notice.

I drove to the pond yesterday afternoon, and after one significant rainfall once this week, the pond is still down a total of 16"
I know because I actually measured it with a Tape-

Considering that we recommend the Maximum draft Marblehead 50-800 be sailed in the spring to be 23" max draft, and subtracting the 16" the pond has retreated, that leaves 7" of draft before some bumping or scraping can occur on the ledges.
And, considering that the Max Draft of an EC-12 is more than that, at 7.875", things could get quite ugly.

If we don't get some rain soon, things could be over for all of our classes for the year- but there's 7" to go before Redds is a parking lot. (I measured that too!)

Frankly, we may possibly be able to sail if we forced the issue in the present state of affairs, as the sailing areas on the race course could yield some ability to race without hitting, but I also need to consider the launch and retrieve areas, and, well, they are beyond finite at this stage unfortunately.

I hope that we get some significant rainfall in the next month, and I end up to be completely wrong in the assessment, but, as with life, sometimes you have to know when "Enough is enough" to call it quits, and just look forward to the next one.... Frankly It's not worth the risk to ask our friends from surrounding states to make the travel, and financial commitment for something that could possibly leave a sour taste in skippers mouths. :oops:

August has been beyond dry, and besides a few spot thunderstorms in the forecast.. I just don't see the saturation we need to get back to normal.
When it does rain these days- The manhole covers are popping off!


So, Regrettably, we're off for this year.
Sorry Folks.

Re: 2014 Marblehead Harvest Moon Regatta

PostPosted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 1:00 pm
by Capt. Flak
Really sorry to hear about this Eddie. I posted the cancellation news on the Class site and schedule page. I don't supposed there is a chance a nearby fire hydrant might have a malfunction? :wink:

Re: 2014 Marblehead Harvest Moon Regatta

PostPosted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 1:55 pm
by breakwater
Yeah. Shame, but "it is what it is" no sense to force the issue- Thanks for the schedule update.

If only we could contract these guys!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U00KlsTZ5fA