WBF Shipwright’s Race – 2019
We had a very fortunate weather window for this year’s Shipwright’s Regatta:- no rain, reasonably steady 11 knot SSE wind, and temperatures soaring into the mid 40’s. 26 boats registered, 20 participated and 18 finished. The course was twice around a roughly 2 mile triangle. Perpetual Awards -The First Wooden Boat to Start and the First Wooden Boat to Finish. ---------- 505, Zaya, -The Last Boat to Finish. ---------------- Gloucester Gull Dory, Taswens -The Best use of Misspent Energy. (For only managing to start after a few boats had finished the first lap). ---------------- Stephanie E -The First Boat [...]
WBF Shipwright’s Regatta Results
26 th Annual Shipwright's Regatta - Feb. 25, 2017 This year’s Shipwright's was greeted by light southerly breezes. A long triangular course was set so that if the wind didn’t pick up boats would have a good distance to travel within the 2 hour time limit. If the wind picked up they could sail the course twice around. The start was postponed for 20 minutes while there was no wind. The wind remained light so the course was shortened to once around. This worked out well as the fastest boat finished less than a minute short of one hour, and [...]
WBF Shipwrights’ Regatta Results
This was one to remember – for the great turnout, the good wind and weather, the close competition and the awards party. It was an excellent start to the 2016 Port Townsend racing season, let’s hope it was a foretaste of races to come. For more photos please see the pictures page! […]
5 Tips: How to Survive a Squall When Racing
What sort of weather will see at the Shipwrights'? Who knows. But in case we have a repeat of the boat buster that came up several years ago, here are some thoughts on dealing with a squall when racing from Yachting World. Things get complicated when dark clouds build to windward and the horizon looks more like night than day. There’s breeze under squall clouds, but could it herald a major change in the weather? Can you survive with the sailplan or should you change down? While you may be fine under current conditions, doing nothing risks blowing out sails [...]
25th Annual Shipwrights’ Regatta
25th Annual Shipwrights' Regatta, February 27, 2016. 25th Annual Shipwrights’ Regatta to be held February 27th! The 2016 sailboat racing season opens with the Port Townsend Shipwrights’ Regatta on February 27th. A well-loved regional tradition is celebrating its 25th year. This year we look back and celebrate 25 years of winter sailing, in snow and sleet, gale force to flat calm, Port Townsend Bay has seen it all. This friendly regatta is sponsored by The Northwest Maritime Center (NWMC), Wooden Boat Foundation (WBF), Port Townsend Sailing Association (PTSA), and Edensaw Woods. Boats of all construction are welcome. As [...]
2015 Shipwrights’ Photos
Mt. Baker watching the fun on Port Townsend Bay as the 2015 Shipwrights’ Regatta took place under sunny skies and a good breeze. Photo by Helen Leenhouts. A great day brought out lots of boats and some wonderful photographers to capture the fun. Photos by a number of photographers follow. To see all the photo’s click the link below. […]
24th Annual Shipwrights’ Regatta – February 28, 2015
Post courtesy of the NW Maritime Center The 2015 season starts February 28th with the Shipwrights' Regatta. The sailboat racing season in Port Townsend opens with the Port Townsend Shipwrights’ Regatta in February. The Northwest Maritime Center & Wooden Boat Foundation, in conjunction with the Port Townsend Sailing Association, present the 24th Annual Shipwright’s Regatta! Boats of all construction are welcome. As always, the race is open to folks who would like to try sailboat racing but do not have a boat. Non-boat owners are encouraged to show up at the Skippers’ Meeting and be connected with skippers [...]
Shipwrights Regatta Kicks Off 2014 Sailings Season With A Smile
Photo courtesy of the Northwest Maritime Center Twenty five boats came out for the kickoff of the PTSA 2014 sailing season and were treated to a great day on the water. Yes, there was a little rain, and even the occasional snow flurry. But the wind was light and steady, the course was fun and the company delightful. There's something about being on the water and working together to make the boat go that lingers with you long after the dock lines are once again tied. They're the little memories of the day that bring a smile to [...]
Light Air Sail Trim
Today’s forecast for Saturday is on the lightish side. Just in case that actually turns out to be the case, here’s some tips on light air sail trim from Chuck Skewes of Ullman Sails San Diego and Seattle. Light Airs.2-8 Knots. We will start with light airs upwind sailing. Something that seems unlikely at the moment but with summer coming we will soon be drifting around evening racing and struggling to get back to the line. The most important thing to remember is there are no hard and fast rules. Whatever works for you and your boat will not be [...]
Skipper looking for Crew
We've been having some problems with the Crew Listings so until we straighten it out we'll just put them up as a post. Here's an opportunity to get a ride on a very sweetly restored IOR Half Ton for this Saturday's Shipwright's Regatta. Skipper Looking For Crew form has been submitted on Port Townsend Sailing Association. Date: 2/13/14 First Name: John Last Name: Raymond Phone Number: 3854760 Boat Length and Type, for example 26ft Thunderbird: 30' IOR Half Ton Number of Years You've Been Racing: 50 I Race: Casually. Winning is nice, but lets keep it fun
22nd Annual 2013 Shipwrights’ Regatta Perpetual Awards
From Ace Spragg, the hard working Waterfront Programs Manager at the Northwest Maritime Center Special thanks to the regatta sponsors: Port of Port Townsend • Port Townsend Brewing Co. • Sunrise Coffee • Sea Marine • Northwest Marine Center of Excellence TAKU AWARD: First wooden boat across the START line: Won by: Sirocco PEG LEG: First boat across the FINISH line: Dew Flicker THE HOOK: Last boat across the FINISH line: Idrill THE GOLDEN TRIDENT: Saltiest boat or crew: Deadwood, who capsized 3 times! DIRECTIONAL HELMET: not awarded, since everyone made it in safely in a squall! WACK-O-MATIC: Best use [...]
More Shipwrights’ Photos
Craig Wester sent in some great shots of the 2013 Shipwrights’ Regatta. There’s a large collection to check out on the other side of the continued link. Scott Walker in TZIEU working hard to keep it upright. Photo by Craig Wester […]
Shipwrights’ First Pics
More fun than a barrel of monkeys. Wind went from 5 to 35, good part about the rain was it washed the salt off your face. Fun times indeed. It's gonna be a good year. Thanks, Wendy Feltham for the first shots. More pics and information to follow. Before the start ... The front starts to show up on the first beat to windward ... Hello ...
Shipwrights’ Regatta Delayed One Week
With gale warnings and one of our chase boats broken, the Shipwrights' Regatta has been delayed one week. The forecast for next Saturday looks more promising. Same schedule, 9 AM Skipper's Meeting, twelve o'clock start. Calls like this aren't an easy thing to make, lots of phone calls, staring at widely divergent forecasts, etc. As always, the final decision on whether to untie from the dock is each skipper's individual decision.
Shipwights Decision by 8 AM Saturday, Feb 23rd
From Ace Spragg, Waterfront Programs Manager, Northwest Maritime Center... Special Notice: Due to the high wind and seas warning, there is a chance the race will be postponed. We will make a decision whether or not to race by Saturday at 8am. Please call 360-385-3626 x103 at 8am Saturday, or check the web site here or here. If the race is postponed, we will hold it Saturday, March 2nd; Skipper's Meeting at 9am, race at 12:00.
Shipwright’s Regatta on weather standby…
Special Weather Notice: The 2013 Shipwright's Regatta is being threatened by some pretty severe wind and sea state predictions. Stay tuned for further information. We will post an update Friday at 4pm. If we decide to wait and see, the final decision will be made Saturday morning at the 9am Skipper's Meeting. If the race is postponed, we will hold it Saturday, March 2nd; Skipper's Meeting at 9am, race at 12:00.
Shipwrights’ Regatta – February 23, 2013
Time to wash the green off your deck and your crew, the first event of the 2013 sailing season is right around the corner. The Northwest Maritime Center & Wooden Boat Foundation, in conjunction with the Port Townsend Sailing Association, present the 22nd Annual Shipwright's Regatta! Door Prizes! Perpetual Awards! Chance to win a free haulout for two lucky racers! Boats of all construction & crew without boats welcome. • Skipper’s Meeting at 9 am at the NWMC • Complimentary coffee provided by Sunrise Coffee • Race starts at 12 noon on Port Townsend Bay • Awards ceremony & refreshments [...]
Ladies Who Launch: Ship Christening Photographs from Delaware Valley Shipyards
Ship launching ceremonies have been recorded as long ago as 3,000 B. C. Although modern ceremonies no longer include such ancient customs as animal sacrifice to the gods, the sentiment behind them is the same as in ages past: to officially name the ship and bless it on its voyages. In America, women became the preferred sponsors of ships around the 1840s, charged with breaking a bottle of spirits over the bow. Champagne eventually became the libation of choice for its effervescence. Local shipyards documented their ceremonies with photographs of the participants, leaving us a record not only of the [...]
Matthias Pliessnig Show at the Renwick
What looks like a knockout show the Renwick Museum of American Crafts in DC. Matthias Piessnig using boat building techniques to produce some sculptural seating units. More images at his site here.
19th Annual WBF Shipwright’s Regatta February 20th
Mark your calendars for the WBF Shipwright’s Regatta, this coming February 20th Start your boating season with this traditional Port Townsend regatta. Lots of fun prizes and wacky awards. Boats of all construction welcome! Skippers Meeting at 9 am at the NW Maritime Center/Wooden Boat Foundation. Race starts at 11:30 on Port Townsend Bay. Awards at the Shanghai Restaurant at 4:30. There will be a Racing, Cruising, and Inshore small boat class. […]