Ken Johnson, Commodore

Our large weekend racing events have been attracting fewer participants. Over the past two years, Center Sound Series registration dropped from 82 to 66 boats and PSSC Large Boat registration dropped from 82 to 75 boats. PSSC Small Boats registration saw a small increase from 54 boats in 2010 to 60 boats in 2011 before a drop to 50 boats in 2012. Only PSSR registration has stayed relatively flat with 70 boats registering in all three years (well, 71 in 2011). A good part of this decrease is due to fewer boats racing each year, a decline generally felt nationally. In Ocbober 2012, Bill Blodgett, our Fleet Captain, decided to try something different for PSSC by including moorage and complimentary hoist use in the registration fee. Thanks to the Port of Seattle for its cooperation. And of course we had our normal Friday night activities going—so there was much happening at the Clubhouse.

Here is one letter received from an out-of-town sailor—Andy Schwenk of Anacortes—and with responses like this, we clearly need to continue to do what we can to attract more boats to race in our key racing programs.

“I have been sailing in Seattle based regattas since the early 1980’s. I remember when the fall regattas in Seattle drew a large number of boats from Victoria, Vancouver, Bellingham, Anacortes and elsewhere. The PSSC regatta, hosted by CYC Seattle, Oct 13 and 14, went a long way toward renewing some of these memories.

“After a wild day beating through 25-30 knot southerlies, compounded by an incoming tide resulting in 4 to 6-foot waves off Point No Point, to deliver the boat on Friday, we were warmly greeted at CYC with hot showers, warm food, cold drinks and a big screen TV.

“The racing was tight and there was plenty of it, two courses and many starts. Free moorage, great trophies, complimentary use of the hoists, absolutely excellent hospitality! If you want to have some fun on your boat in the Seattle areas, point our bow to Shilshole and CYC.”

Thanks to Bill for his innovative ideas and to our Friday social activity staff – it is efforts such as yours that will help us keep us sailing at the highest levels possible!