2017 Buzzards Bay Regatta Dick Fontaine Distance Race!

Our first major regatta! Crewed by a 100% veteran team of three, Nauti Dog competed in the 2017 Buzzards Bay Regatta Dick Fontaine Distance Race.

The Dick Fontaine Distance Race is its own standalone trophy race within the Buzzards Bay Regatta (BBR) held on the first day of BRR in memorial Dick Fontaine. Points earned during distance race are carried over too day two and three of BBR. BRR is a total of three days starting on a Friday and concluding Sunday afternoon.

Approaching the yellow racing circle late we watched Class 1 start from a distance followed by Class 2 and 3. Thinking we missed the start of the Distance Race only Class we saw the 50 and 53 boats doing circles. So we waited and circled too. Finally we saw all three classes return to finish. Later the Race Committee broadcasted the Distance Race start would start 12:45. Also that Distance Race boat were combined with the other Classes. The course and Lat/Long of the W drop mark were broadcasted and noted in hieroglyphics on the cockpit side. We were assigned to Class 3 thankfully since we only has our homemade Code 3 signal flag. Class 3 started at 12:55 and Nauti Dog crossed after what felt several minutes.

Watching a fog bank rolling in, W mark was nowhere to be seen. Hearing other boats requesting visibility status at the mark and also another boat “guiding” two other boats using their radar I made call to RETIRE given our position was close to our home port than the finish. Changing course we motor sailed straight to the harbor barley beating the fog.

COURSE: U-W(p)-K(p)-H(p)-W(s)-U

DISTANCE: 18.05 NM

CLASS START: 12:55 at Mark U

RETIRED: approaching Mark W