First test for 'Toad' and the new rig would be a major one

The first test for Toad and the new rig would be the annual Key West Rendezvous regatta. It is a little less than 100 miles each way with a weekend stop in Key West. I would rather have had a few sea trials or a local buoy race first, but there was no time. It would have to be trial by fire.

A good, experienced crew was the most encouraging part of the scenario. On board would be myself, Three Sheets, Krusty, Spring Bok, Tapeworm, Mama Gia and, up from St. Thomas, Bowline and MC Island. Mr. and Mrs. Happy would come by car and act as mother ship with the heavy gear needed for our stay in the keys.

As we left Marco that Thursday, all of the weather predictions called for 5 to 10 out of the southeast with flat seas. As we watched the manatees and dolphin play along the side of the boat in the Marco River, we did not realize how wrong they would be. After heading out the pass into decent-size rollers, we turned into about 20 knots of wind and started beating to Gordon Pass for the start. The meteorologists were calling for light winds out of the southeast and we were in 20-plus out of the northwest. Could they possibly have been wrong?

After a wet ride to the start, we eased off, set out GPS's, figured out our course and talked about strategy. We won the start and were first over the line. We were in a good place to be, but there was a long race ahead. The wind had some west in it now and we decided it was just shy to use the spinnaker. Some of the opposition chose to fly the chute with varying results. A few were constantly broaching and soon putting a jib back up.

With an untested rig, I decided to stay with the jib for now and just get the boat in the groove.

All of the boats in our class had waterline on us and typical in a drag race, they soon moved slightly ahead. After two hours, I gave the helm to Krusty and the hour shifts on the helm through the night began. As dusk came, a jack line was rigged and the crew changed into their night gear one by one. The wind was in the mid-20s with a few gusts near 30.This was not the conditions I was hoping for to test the rig, but we do not always get what we want. The wind and seas did not lay down after dark. They would stay with us all night.

Around 2 a.m. the wind had swung around enough for us to put the spinnaker up. The chute was soon up and flying and the sled ride continued.

Krusty and I discussed quite a few times how glad we were that we were not having to beat into these waves and winds. Spring Bok was on the helm as the sun rose and we soon saw our first mark of the course, Smith Shoal Light. We had just enough to reach up and fetch it with the chute.

Then we eased off for our next mark, Green One, at the mouth of the Northwest Channel leading to Key West.

The channel is about 12 miles long and, with prevailing easterlies, it is usually a dogging beat up the channel. As Bowline says, "There is the race and then there is the channel." However, this time it looked like it would be a spinnaker run straight down the gullet. The wind had lessened considerably and the tide was against us. We soon moved abreast of Tank Island.

After contacting the race committee as instructed, it was just a quick fetch to the finish with the jib. After a successful sail change, we were able to cross the finish just ahead of Shady Lady, another boat in our class. Since we owed her time, she would correct over us, but it is always a mental victory to cross the line first and beat them boat for boat.

We got a great slip at the Conch Harbor Marina and the Happys were there within minutes with our gear. Soon everyone was in or around the pool with a well-deserved ration of grog. We made it down in about 15 hours and the boat and crew did well. It was time for a little rest and relaxation.