November 25, 2007
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Harvest Moon Regatta
Having some free time, now that I’m no longer a resident, is weird. I actually have time to ponder doing something besides working and studying. Wow. How novel! So, is it any wonder, I’ve lived in Texas for four years, now, and had no clue about the Annual Harvest Moon Regatta?
This image of the 2004 Harvest Moon
Regatta is shamelessly stolen
from http://www.remedyandcrew.com/rxcruises/cruise2004/Harvest%20Moon04/race08.jpgHarvest Moon Regatta
This open offshore regatta was founded in 1986, and takes
place in mid-October each year. There is room for more than 200 yachts,
although about 100 boats typically participate. This Category 3 event is open
to all racing, cruising, spinnaker and non-spinnaker sailing craft with a
minimum length of 27 feet, and a minimum crew of four able-bodied people.Unlike races that head out across the open Gulf, this event
stays close to shore. The starting order for the race is set by the speed of
the boats, which allows the fleet to remain closer together. With an event
designed to keep all the yachts, in a group close to shore, it is much safer
for all participants than many other races.The starting point is located at the Flagship Pier in
Galveston, on a Thursday, and the regatta ends in Port Aransas, on a Saturday.
This is a course of about 150 miles, which is usually about 20 to 25 hours of
sailing time. There is an informal race home on the following Monday, or boats
can return whenever they choose.This blurb is copied verbatim from http://www.therealgalveston.com/Harvest-Moon-Regatta.html
References:
1. There are more gorgeous pictures of the 2007 Harvest Moon Regatta and the tall ship Elissa sailing at http://flickr.com/photos/nsaum/1752331893/ and http://www.pbase.com/gtrinklein/hmr2007.
2. Regatta rules at http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/NORS/2007_HMR_NOR_718.html
3. Information for the 2008 Race at http://www.harvestmoonregatta.com/
