Big wind at 2016 Friendship Chowder Cup

By Nina M. Scott

For Points East

“Perverse.”

“Punishing.”

These terms applied to the wind conditions in Friendship Harbor on Aug. 6 during the 2016 edition of the Friendship Chowder Cup sailboat race, in Friendship, Maine. It was a memorable blow that had many saying, “I shouldn’t be out in this!”

The wind was perverse because at the start it blew a kindly 8 knots, but ratcheted up to 22 knots in minutes, catching many boats without a reef and necessitating shortening sail under adverse conditions.

Nineteen boats over 18’ raced the longer course, at least two of which broke a shroud; thirteen boats 18’ and under started, but only five completed their shorter course. That’s how punishing the conditions were.

Battered skippers and crews limped to the post-race potluck dinner and compared stories of near disaster or all-out euphoria.

Traveler, a 36’ Cape Dory Cutter owned by Robert McClane, had sailed many previous races without winning. A heavy boat, “it takes a small gale to make her perform like this,” McClane observed. “With 22-25 knots she just plowed through the waves, often at a 45° angle.” McClane, who lives in Salt Lake City, added, “I’ll bet it was the only boat with an all-Utah crew.” No contest.

Chuck Thompson, aboard the Colgate 26 Triple Lindy, recalled reefing “in about 15 seconds,” as he had his wife and children aboard. In spite of the hairy day, when Timmy, six, accepted the family’s trophy at the dinner he stated clearly, “I really enjoyed the race.” Wow.

Peter Armstrong, an experienced sailor and exceptionally strong man, felt that conditions on that day tested the outer limits of himself and of his 16’ Friendship Catboat. He and his crew “shipped a lot of water and had no time to bail.” Gybing was out of the question, so to get around Gull Rock he had to tack and swore that when his boom finally came around, “it cleared the island by about 3 feet.” Was he ever tempted to pack it in? “Good God, no,” Peter exclaimed. “Why would I do that?”

Corrected time trophies went to Caroline and Bill Zuber’s 1902 Friendship Sloop Gladiator (A) and to the Zeitlin family’s Rhodes 19, Dawn Treader (B), whose crew included three generations of Zeitlins — plus two dogs.

LBI honors and the can of chowder went to Jim Crowell in his 19’ O’day Mariner, Flurry.

The handsome navy and white T-shirt was designed by Dave Hubbard, a middle school art teacher, and sold out.

Irv Lash generously carves and donates a Friendship Sloop half-hull every year to our raffle, the proceeds going to a local scholarship fund. Eliot Arons won it.

Supporting cast: Eileen Shaughnessy and her interior decorating team; photographers Nancy Todd, Sarah Spencer and Polly Jones; race organizers Charlie Witherell and Bill Shaughnessy. A hearty thanks to all who help to make this quirky race as wonderful as it is.

Please consider racing in the 38th annual Chowder Cup, which next year takes place on Aug. 5.

Full Results:

Class A: Robert McClane, Traveler, 36’ Cape Dory Cutter; George Baker, Summer Love, Pearson 30; Alan Hill, Born Free, 40’ Hinckley Yawl.

Class B: Chuck Thompson, Triple Lindy, Colgate 26 (overall winner); David Jones, Zalamera, 23’ Blazer; Irv Lash, Blue Heron, 24’ Bristol Corsair.

Class C: Peter Armstrong, No name 16’ Friendship Catboat; Creighton Armstrong, Lydia P, 16’ Friendship Catboat; Jono Armstrong, Wanna Be Red, 17’ O’Day Daysailor. Lest you think this is a family mafia, you are right!