Hard to believe, but it is that time of year. Our annual meeting and dinner will be held once again at the Bristol Yacht Club in Bristol, RI, on Friday, April 7th, at 6 pm of this year with drinks from the bar followed by a delicious buffet-style dinner.

Lou and Herb from last year

I have always found the event thrilling. Trading outlandish sailing stories is always fun. When I say my boat can fly, the reply is often “Sure. So do pigs”. But, really, she can:

And Lulabelle is not a pig.

I also love renewing sailing friendships. And I love meeting fellow sailors who love their sea sprites. There are so many of us around. The boat and new owners over the years have created a sea sprite diaspora that spreads across the US even into Canada. I wish we all were closer so the Spring meeting could be HUGE!

Bardell yakking. They are not all his beers.

It is a fun event. Amos House will put on another delicious buffet dinner of Mediterranean salad follow by chicken marsala accompanied by rice piaf and seasonal veggies and ending with dessert. Cost is around $20 for early sign-ups, around $22 if one signs up later. For reservations, please contact Chris at Bristol Yacht Club at their contact page on the website byc contact list, Click on his name to use the club’s email list (his preference), or call him at (401) 253-2922. You actually pay at the event.

Bring the family. All are welcomed!

Emma Radeka talks with Harold Tucker and her father

The MacKeiths

See you soon.

Dockside at the Herreshoff

I hope you are thinking of cover removal, varnish, and bottom paint these days. There is, truly, a whiff of Spring in the air (maybe it is the odor of the varnish).

This post is a continuing request for spare parts. The Herresmhoff Marine Museum in Bristol runs a great sailing program. They own a fleet of Herresmhoff 12 1/2’s, and are expanding to include added bigger boats as the school grows to include more advanced sailors, older folks, and even rentals for the day. To that end, last year they accepted in donations three SS23’s to add to their growing boat inventory.

As you know, our boats are older craft, and often in need of repair. Kirk Cusic, Director of the Herresmhoff sailing program welcomes any spare boat parts you can spare. This might include blocks/winches/shackles, old lines, standing rigging, sails, special racing gear, or anything else used over the years and no longer needed.

Your donations will be made to the Herresmhoff Marine Museum, a non-profit organization, and are tax deductible. To coordinate a donation or to ask questions , please contact Kirk either by email at k.cusic@herreshoff.org or by phone at (401) 253-5000.

We will be racing in Bristol Harbor every Wednesday evening in Bristol Yacht Club’s Millard Series for 12 evenings beginning May 30. In addition, there will be 2 weekend events. The Sea Sprite Regatta for SS23’s will again take place at Bristol YC Sunday this year on Saturday, July 28th.  On Saturday, August 24, we will have our yearly informal race around Hog Island followed by a cookout at the Marino’s home in Bristol. The Herreshoff Classic Boats Regatta, will be held August 23-25 with one-design racing on Friday. A similar schedule last year drew only one sea sprite, and it is considered unlikely that this year’s event will draw more interest.

Tthe Nancy Belle award will be based on which boat scores best in scheduled races including the Sea Sprite Regatta, ‘Round The Hog, and the Millard series. Other racing shall be considered as well. Specific guidelines will be promulgated before the season begins.