The Charleston Maritime Festival gets under way next Thursday at the Maritime Center downtown. One of the annual events is the family boat building competion, and spots are still available.
"We have 10 families booked now and 10 more spots available. It's two days of bonding with your kids while building a great little wooden boat. The cost is $350 because half the fee is sponsored, and you take home the boat for your own use," Meaghan Van Liew of the S.C. Maritime Heritage Foundation said.
Tall Ships Charleston is also part of the festival this year. Tall ships from around the world will be in town, and boarding passes are on sale now at the foundation's Web site, www.scmaritime.org. The cost is $10; there is no charge for children under 10. The passes are good for Friday-Sunday. All the shore-based activities are free.
Governor Mark Sanford will greet the ships and on Thursday evening honor the captains and officers at the Governor's Celebration of Sailing. Then next Friday, the 20 boats competing in the "C2B" race will start their 777-mile voyage to Bermuda. I will be sailing aboard Ocean Sailing Academy's entry E's Alee and sending daily reports from sea to The Post and Courier.
Classic Boat Rally
The annual SBC Classic Boat Rally made its way up the water-way toward Charleston from Savannah this week, but Subtropical Storm Andrea caused it to be cut short. After reaching Edisto, they decided to haul out the boats and call the race. The awards ceremony went on as planned at Carolina Yacht Club in Charleston on Wednesday night. The top three racers, with only one point separating them, were:
1. Chuck Carmichael from Hardyville, Va., sailing a Cape Dory Typhoon; 2. Woody Norwood, Atlanta, sailing a Herreshoff 12 1/2; 3. John Martin, Atlanta, sailing a Cape Dory Typhoon. See www.classicboatrally.com for more info.
Sailing programs
CCS SUMMER PROGRAMS: There are a variety of programs that Charleston Community Sailing Inc. will be offering this season, but space is limited so participants need to sign up quickly. Classes include Beginner Sailing, Intermediate Sailing, a High School Racing Camp, the Monday Night Masters Series and new for 2007 is a Beginner Team Racing Clinic. Information and registration are available online at www.charlestoncommunitysailing.org. For more information call Jessica Koenig at 843-607-4890.
GIRLS RULE - WOMEN ONLY CREW!: Ocean Sailing Academy is offering a women's only crew on their Colgate 26 to race in the CORA Summer Series (Wednesday night races), which starts June 6 and runs through August. The first class is scheduled for May 25-27, taught by Karen McDonald. As part of the Women's Sailing Program, OSA will offer Women's Basic Keelboat classes on the last weekend of every month. Cost of participation is $45/race, or $250 to crew in the six races of Summer Series I or II. Space is limited, so contact OSA quickly (866)971.0700 or email info@osasailing.com.
Results / Coming up
CORA Sheriff's Cup (Charleston to Rockville and return), sailed offshore April 28 and 29 (Class, winning boat name, type, skipper): A Fleet: EmOcean, J/120, Bill Hanckel; C Fleet: Goldfish, Heritage 1 Ton, David Hackney; D Fleet: Destiny, Endeavor 35, Frank Slater
SATURDAY: CORA Spring Harbor Race, 1 p.m.
MAY 17-20: Charleston Maritime Festival, Maritime Center (downtown Charleston)
MAY 18: Charleston to Bermuda Race, noon, Maritime Center
Reach Will Haynie at willh@thepickledish.com.
