Chris Museler gives us the scoop on his Archipelago Rally, the innovative and fun Newport-area race that feels like it just started a couple years ago.
This is the eighth year we have run the Archipelago Rally and it still holds as just the silliest coolest regatta of the year in Rhode Island. In brief, this is a “pick-up” regatta where people from 3-75 years old bring anything that floats with a sail and chase each other around some stellar piece of water in Rhode Island. Sailing is always followed by an no entry-fee all-volunteer BBQ, a local beer sponsor and friends playing music.
This year we are sailing on Quonochontaug Pond out of the RIDEM Fish and Wildlife launch ramp there. This is a crystal clear salt pond that has a barrier beach and narrow breachway separating it from the ocean. Like all our locations, we looked at it and said, “man I’d love to go for a cocktail sail on that pond.” And here we are! Jus a quick note about the event and this year, we expext more than 40 kids, most of whom sailed this event at some point as their first ever sailboat “race,” and for many this is the only sailing event they do each year. They all help their parents make a flag to fly and where else would you have a five-year-old sailing with his parents in a wooden Mirror dinghy against catamaran guru Steve Clark in a wood/carbon C-class Canoe? Enough said? If you’re up for a road trip, just show up and we’ll give you a start time. Rally on!
Details:
What? 2013 Archipelago Rally, an annual pursuit race (slowest boats start first under Portsmouth Yardstick Ratings, in hopes all finish at the same time), LeMans start off the beach, with a BBQ/Beach Party afterwards.
When? Saturday November 9, 2013, registration at 10 a.m., first starters 11:45 a.m.
Where? Quonochontaug Pond, Charlestown, RI. Start location and parking at RIDEM Launch Ramp end of West Beach Rd. off Rte. 1 (No Shelter, there will be a Porta Jon). Average depth of pond is 5 feet with 10-20 yards of knee deep water at beach launch.
Who? Anyone! Please bring your dinghy, catamaran, windsurfer etc. and RSVP your boat please with: [email protected] or [email protected]
PHOTO ACTION:
Here’s a pic from last year on 100-Acre Cove in Barrington, the two brunettes are Avery (6) and Victoria Guck (Victoria is married to C-Class Catamaran sailor Lars Guck and is an All American sailor from Tufts) One Mills girl (Her father won the 505 worlds) and a Zani boy (his father is a Team Race champion and is currently moving onto a cruising cat and sailing it to the Caribbean from Gran Canaria to live aboard and homeschool the kids). This is a not-so-unusual mix of sailors and families at the rally.
