NEWS

State’s ‘biggest little fleet’ splashes at Stillhouse Cove

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 10/11/22

It’s the time of year when boaters plan for winter. There’s lots to do in addition to hauling  including winterizing the engine, removing and storing cushions to they don’t …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
NEWS

State’s ‘biggest little fleet’ splashes at Stillhouse Cove

Posted

It’s the time of year when boaters plan for winter. There’s lots to do in addition to hauling  including winterizing the engine, removing and storing cushions to they don’t become mildewy and if you’re especially concerned, shrink wrapping the entire craft.

Don Wignall had some of those chores on his mind when he visited the Rhode Island Yacht Club Sunday and his Range Tug, a study vessel capable of sleeping six although, as Wignall puts it, the boat is designed for “six for cocktails, four for dinner and two to sleep aboard.”

But he was also thinking of launching a boat. He’s not alone. Wignall said 18 other club members are likewise ready to launch boats.

“This is going to be the biggest little fleet in the bay,” says RIYC Commodore Rich Magnant.  Maybe it’s not the biggest fleet, but it is surely the newest fleet. And the boats are very small compared to vessels tied up or bobbing at moorings at RIYC.

In fact, the boats designed after the Laser, which are day sailors and often raced are hardly three feet long and when disassembled fit neatly in a zipper lined bag that a single person can easily carry. These Lasers are radio controlled. The radio controls two functions on the boat – the rudder for steering and the main sail that can be brought in or let out. The rest is left up to the skipper.

Ready to sail the boats sell for less than $400.

Sailing while standing on a dock was the challenge Monday afternoon as seven fleet members came together for the inaugural race. From the start it was apparent that Roland Aubin had been doing some practice sailing. And that stands to reason.  Aubin came up with the idea of radio controlled sailboat racing and convinced Wignall, if not most of 19, that this would be fun and give them reason to be out and visit the club during the off season.

He was right about the fun. With the temperature bumping 70 and a gusty west wind, conditions were close to perfect for the Lasers that heeled – but didn’t capsize – as they tacked upwind. Off the wind they accelerated with each puff.

Roland and his wife Nancy, who has the title of fleet captain, set up a triangular course that Roland estimated would take about five minutes to sail. That wasn’t the case as skippers were unaccustomed to controls and, as it turned out, sought to identify which boat was theirs.

“I really admit I have very little idea of where it’s going,” said Brian Kiley who named his Laser Gambit, the same name of his much larger J 109 that he races in the club’s summer series.  By the third race, Gambit was finishing in the top half of the fleet and Kiley was getting the hang of it.

So far Linda Demaine is the sole female skipper. Her #4 Laser headed for an offshore dock-like structure that has earned the name of Cormorant Island for the congregation of the prehistoric looking birds with their long necks and outstretched wings. For the longest time before the first race #4 was in “irons” and unable to move. Linda kept her cool and finally  #4 was free of the island although Linda missed the start. She gained on the rest of the fleet but then questioned if she rounded the proper marks.

“I’ve been following the wrong boat the whole time,” she said to the laughs of fellow skippers.

The race wasn’t without mishaps.

Craig Forbes’ yellow boat  -- the only one of that color- snagged a mooring line, stopping it dead. The boat flapped from side to side like a wounded bird. Craig waited for the race to finish before putting in a call to Sea Tow. That’s Nancy Aubin who was ready with an inflatable for just such occasions.  Then as boats crossed the finish line the yellow boat broke free. Nancy was off the hook.

There were adjustments and minor repairs to be made, such as a main sheet coming free resulting in the loss of sail control.

Nancy was ready to start another race when one of those of the dock declared, “fixing time,” to which came the reply “it’s a boat and there’s always something to fix.”

Wignall rigged his boat, but passed on the first races.

What had he learned from watching the fleet?

“You don’t bet on these racers,” he said.

A race day hasn’t been established, but Roland thought it will most likely be Sundays about 11. It should be easy to spot the biggest little fleet from Stillhouse Cove.

boats, laser

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here