Susan Hood, 75 Mile over night race on Lake Ontario
June 1, 2009 — EdWell Guys, Black Diamond is back in Toronto….It was a grueling two weeks, stepping the mast down in Catskills, NY and after navigating 33 locks through the Erie & Oswego Canals, then an all night crossing of Lake Ontario, lengthwise about 125 miles (200 km). We stepped the mast back up on Thursday, the day before we entering the Susan Hood (The Susan Hood is an all night race from PCYC to Burlington to Niagara-on-the-Lake and back to PCYC). Doing all this work in one shot felt like a marathon. I can definitely see my self in a trawler when I get tired of all this.
Cezary took this picture while we were stepping the mast just before the Susan Hood.
While stepping the mast up, Cezary took this picture half way up our 60 foot mast, standing on the spreaders and taking a little picture of me on the fore deck. Look at the dark water, what a contrast to the Bahamas. Anyways could not have had the boat ready in time if it was not for the help of the crew, namely Cezary and Kate Thomas. Cezary even installed a new HD TV Dome on the mast while it was down, what a trooper. Also thanks to Uncle Paul Thornton for making sure all the wiring was connected properly.
Start of the Susan Hood at Dusk, the calm before the storm.
My father George took this beautiful picture at the start of the Susan Hood race on Friday May 29th. The race started at 8PM, just before dusk. At the starting gun, a squall rolled across the lake, 25 knots of wind (50km), and a down pour of rain ensued, everyone got soaking wet before the race even started. For awhile there, we had less than 10 feet of visibility. Then we proceeded around the lake without much sleep all night, arriving by 11:02AM on Saturday, 15 hours later, and 1 minute faster than last year. We should have been far faster with the extra wind, and the use of a spinnaker this year. We lost almost 2 hours due to a strategic error, we choose to stay in shore between Burlington and Niagara thinking there would be more wind. In addition to not providing any more wind, this increased our sailing distance. Oh well live and learn. We’ll be back next year and give it another shot. We are now looking forward to Monday night racing around the bouys at PCYC.
Safe Arrival to Toronto, Home port of PCYC.
May 26, 2009 — EdJust completed close to a 1,000 kilometer trek back to Toronto. Continuing up the Hudson River to the now familiar Hop-o-nose Marina in Catskills, New York. Very friendly, professional staff and ownership. The only place I would recommend on the Hudson for stepping your mast and storing your wooden mast supports, or even building them right on site. We had left ours here for safe keeping in the barn. I found them just as we left them. I was on my own now for a couple of days, and it took me about 1 day to set up my mast supports, take down my sails and boom, disconnect all the mast wiring and electronics. Then the very capable and always willing to help staff stepped the mast down for me in no time. I was ready to leave the next morning.
My next stop was Albany, NY. This is where the new crew would be meeting me to assist in navigating the Erie and Oswego Canals back to Lake Ontario. The crew this time around was my mother in-law, Mary Hook and her sister Judy Horvath. I had pretty much tapped out all willing and able crew personnel from the Black Diamond crew bank. So these ladies were nice enough to volunteer their services. We had successfully made it through 33 locks, escalating a total of 460 feet above the Hudson river, and then back down about another 100 feet to Lake Ontario.
At first I wondered if these ladies could handle this, but Judy was one of the best fore deck hands for going through the locks you could ask for. And my mother in-law, well you could not have a better cook in the galley stirring up your favorite meals one demand. All in all, I think we enjoyed the trip, the weather was perfect for the whole trip through the canals. We made a few stops in a couple of towns. But mostly kept a steady pace back to Toronto.
We arrived in record time of 5 days from Albany to Toronto. On day 4 we started at about 10am, and went straight through for about 8 hours to Oswego, and just kept on going without stopping from Oswego at about 6PM straight across the lake to Toronto in 19 hours for a total of 27 hours non-stop motoring. It took us 22 hours last summer to cross the lake, this time in 19 hours. This record time was due to a 20 to 25 knot wind on our back, 6 to 8 foot seas pushing us along from behind, hitting speeds of 8 knots under power. I felt like I was back in the Ocean, it all looked to familiar. However the seas were 4 degrees celsius, almost freezing, and it was a cold windy ride home right through the night and most of the next day.
The next couple of days I plan to step the mast back up, unload some cruising toys, clean her up, and on Friday night we are entered into the Susan Hood Race. This race is from PCYC Mississauga, to Burlington to Niagara and Back to PCYC. This is a 75 knotical mile non-stop, over night race, starting at 8PM and finishing sometime the next morning.
Cruising the Caribbean and then without missing a beat, arriving just in time to hit the Toronto Racing scene. I love this sport!
New York City to Toronto here we go…
May 19, 2009 — EdI arrived Saturday May 16th, in the evening, just enough time to have a nice dinner in Nyack, I love this town. Maybe its just because I have been here so many times now, it feels almost like home. The restaurants are great, and the people are friendly. It has the old US homey town feeling. The boat was waiting for me in the water at the dock. Peterson’s Boat yard, hauled the boat, painted the bottom, and tuned up the motor amoung other service items.
The next morning, I completely cleaned the boat inside and out and was on my way to Haverstraw. I had a wonderful sail tacking up the river on jib alone. Nice tunes on the XM radio, cold drink in hand, 20 knot breeze, sailing 6.7 knots topped out at 7.5 on jib only. That’s speed over the ground, I may have been with the tidal current. But I did’nt care, I was going to be on time for Dinner with friends in Haverstraw.
The next morning a couple of friends joined me, Mary Zuidema and her friend Julie Brandt from a Church I attended down here in New Jersey. They will accompany me to Catskills, NY, where we will take the mast down.
We landed at the town dock in Highburgh, NY. it’s still off season, so no charge. We went for a little stroll on the board walk, had dinner at a beautiful restaurant in view of the boat on the patio. Went back to the boat, and watched a nice movie, then we turned into bed early. Don’t worry we all had separate cabins, no kinky stuff going on here.
Safe arrival to New York City
April 26, 2009 — Ed
Cezary helming one evening with a beautiful evening breeze.
Taking in a little relax time in the cock pit while on auto pilot.
Amazing sunset offshore on the Atlantic. - (c) Copyright 2009
We arrived safely with no injuries or damages in New York City on Sunday Morning at 5AM. The trip started out as a wild one. Just north of Charleston about 50 miles or so, we went through a wild thunderstorm. Sustained winds of 35 knots, gusts topped out at 47 knots. That’s near 100 kilometers per hour! I can’t believe it myself. It was on the starboard quarter, we reefed earlier, and eventually completely took the main down, and double strapped it. With only a 1/4 of our furling jib out, we were sailing at over 10 knots, surfing at 13 knots. Swells were 10 to 20 feet. Luckily 30 seconds apart due to the flat seas the day before.
Now I won’t blame you if you don’t believe this next statement, but one of the 20 foot high swells and waves we actually topped out at 19.5 knots of surfing speed. Luckily that only happened once, we were not prepared for that. I do carry two sea anchors/drogues, and if that continued we would launch one out the aft to slow us down so that we would not pitch pole. Pitch Poling happens when the boat is going so fast that it actually passes the wave ahead of it, in this situation the bow could get buried in the wave, diving under water, and the whole boat could flip over onto itself in a forward cart wheel motion. Losing your mast, holing the boat, and sinking it most likely. The boat handled wonderfully, in total control, and we sailed through it on Auto Pilot, adjusting manual overrides as needed.
The rest of the trip was not so exciting. A high pressure system moved in and we had no wind for the next 3 days. We basically had to motor for 48 hours straight. We were only able to do 5 knots, and this was very painful to deal with. We were down to less than 1/2 a tank of fuel by Atlantic City, and decided to play it safe and pull in there for fuel.
Looks like a perfect time to try some fishing!
Chris and I agreed, I had a really big one on the line!
I need Cez's help to reel this baby in. Unfortunately we lost it, it bit right through the steel leader line.
We all enjoyed some beautiful sun sets.
Cez's relaxing in his usual bunk on the port side.
Ed, Skipper & Galley Chef. Cooking up some good grub!
An amazing dinner, all things considered. We enjpoyed pasta and meat balls with a nice glass of wine! Herb the Auto Pilot on the helm.
Chris & Cez having a little snack.
Atlantic City & the Trump Marina & Hotel
We arrived at 3AM, and waited for the fuel dock to open. Very disappointing city and the Trump Marina & Hotel was even a greater disappointment. I would never desire to go to Atlantic City again even if you paid me. Anyways we wasted another 8 hours in Atlantic City, delaying our trip further. We arrived at the fuel dock of the Trump Marina & Hotel at about 3am.
Trump Marina & Hotel Casino.
We tied up there, which is a custom to do so when waiting for fuel. The sign said they were closed, which was expected at this hour. So we walked up to the Trump Marina Casino. We found very sad looking people gambling the night away, entered a little cafe like restaurant inside the Trump property. There were about 4 people on staff, 3 of which told us that they only had one waiter. The other 2 were managers, managing the one waiter, and the 3rd was the cashier because I suspect, they did not trust the manager or waiter with the money. Ohh yeah, and there was also a security guy watching over all of them. We waited about 15 minutes for service, then ordered some bagels and coffee, so did the scantly glad girls at the next table, they looked like they were also on duty, for other types of services albeit. After another 15 minutes, the one waiter came to inform us they are out of bagels. So we decided to leave, and so did the working girls. I don’t know how this place makes any money other than the gambling.
Taj Mahal Hotel & Casino.
We then took a junket type bus over to the Taj Mahal, similar sort of experience, so we decided this town was not for us, we just headed back to the boat and waited for fuel. At about 8AM, I asked the security guy when the Marina office opens, and when we could get fuel. He said he knows nothing about it, he suggested we talk to the Hotel front desk. Speaking to the Hotel front desk was a greater disappointment, they did not know that a fuel dock even existed. I said we are docked in front of it by the Marina. “Marina?” She asked. I said yes the Marina right in-front of the Trump Marina & Hotel. “Ohh, that Marina.” She said she knew nothing about it either, and that I’ll need to wait for their office to open, and she had no idea when that would be. I checked back at 9AM, then 10AM, and finally at 10:30am the manager finally decided to get out of bed and make his way to work. After waiting about 10 minutes while he chatted to some guy about nothing. I interrupted and asked when will the fuel dock open? He rudely replied, “In June!”, which is over a month away by the way. I said, “June” in shock, “I have been waiting for it to open since 3am” Apparently it’s under construction and there is a closed sign and everyone knows that, he explained. I explained to him that I was not from around here and closed to me means closed until the next morning. I suggest they put up a sign that says, “Closed for Construction” or “Closed until further notice”, or “Closed until June” etc. He again replied rudely, “Your lucky I don’t charge you for over night dockage then, be on your way immediately” I explained that I have been asking people all night about the Fuel Dock and the Marina and no one knew anything. I asked, “This is the Trump Marina & Hotel is it not?” He quickly responded, “This marina is owned by the city and has nothing to do with Trump, he just put that on his building cause it looks good.” I mumbled as I walked away, “Well it is not looking good for him now!” We fueled up across the channel, and the lady there said she had heard similar stories time and time again. The manager just shows up to work when ever he pleases. That their service is actually really good for their business.
Chris past out in the cock pit while on watch.
Have you ever seen the Atlantic Ocean so calm? Not what you want when you are sailing.
We thought we spotted a white tip shark about 50 miles offshore, feeding on seagulls.
Cez & Ed studying for their CPS Offshore sailing exam while on route in the Atlantic.
Just another mast shot for good measure. - (c) Copyright 2009
Once we fueled up, we set out. Once again no wind, there was a few puffs that lasted an hour or two. But mostly motored all the way to New York City. Arrived Sunday morning at 5AM. All in all an exhausting trip. Definitely no vacation. We all agreed that we would rather have the 40 knots of wind to deal with than no wind at all. At least that keeps us pumped and excited, and you are actually getting somewhere. All in all, we still got to New York City from Charleston in 4 days and 16 hours., including our lay over in Atlantic City. Last fall we sailed all the way to Florida in 5 days and 3 hours. Regardless, we are docked now in a Yacht Basin at the foot of the World Trade Centre Site. You can see the new construction of the Freedom Tower going up.
Verrazano Narrows Bridge, entering the Hudson near Manhattan. This bridge can be seen 50 miles away. (c) Copyrights 2009
The crew got off and all caught flights home today. Except for Craig, his wife surprised him! She drove down to meet him in NYC with the whole family. He got off the boat at 5AM and caught a taxi directly to their hotel. Lucky Man!
I am still stuck here, could not continue further without some sleep, and waiting for a tidal current to take me up the Hudson to Nyack, NY. Where I will leave the boat until May, when we continue up to Toronto. I’ll clean the boat up today and tomorrow, and catch a flight out tomorrow evening.
We docked at the foot of the World Trade Center Site, Financial Yacht basin.
Saw the initial construction of the Freedom Tower going up. (c) Copyright 2009
Black Diamond to New York City
April 21, 2009 — Ed
Our crew for the Charleston to New York City offshore passage. Craig, Chris, Ed and Cez!
Yesterday prepared for a long haul non stop to offshore voyage New York City…We planned on leaving then, but the forecast called for 70 knots, 2 inch hail and possible tornados. The decision was a tough one to wait it out. ; ) We are leaving today, the bad weather never came, the forecast is pretty good. You can track us right here on the GPS page. We are facing 10 to 25 knot winds for a wild ride up. Need to watch the rounding of Cape Hattaras its one of the worlds most dangerous capes, search google for Rounding Cape Hatteras, there are 600 ship wrecks. Let you know how it went when we arrive in NYC. The ETA is 3 to 4 days Skipper Ed and Crew Cezary Makowski, Craig Russell, Chris Bonner, Charleston Native.
Cez was hoisted to the very top of the 61 feet mast, a full 6 floors up, he inspected the entire rig and halyards.
Black Diamond at Charleston Race Week 2009
April 20, 2009 — Ed
The new Charleston Bridge is becoming an icon and symbol of the city. – (c) Copyright 2009
Ed posing in the Regatta Village, Charleston Harbor Marina & Resort.
Charleston Race Week Black Diamond Crew, Ivan, Chris, Ed, Dubie, Derek and Craig. - (c) Copyright 2009
The Black Diamond Team has arrived in Charleston. Ed Radonic, Craig Russell, Derek Pressmen all of PCYC, along with Ivan Vulicevic of Bronte and Charleston Native, Chris Bonner and Dubie & Will due to arrive from North Carolina and Atlanta.
Competitors leaving early at about 7AM for the race course offshore in Charleston - (c) Copyright 2009
Charleston Light House - (c) Copyright 2009
Other PCYC competitors at Charleston include Sandy & Rob Butler (Formerly a Thayer) racing their Melges 24, Eager Beaver. We even have a PCYC and Canadian Celebrity in our midst, Mike Wolfs a Canadian Olympic Silver Medallist in our sport of Sailing. Mike is sailing a brand new Melges 20, along with Phil Sustronk and Tom Cumming. Mike will be promoting the Melges 20 in Canada this year.
Shot from the bow, flying an Asym spinnaker. - (c) Copyright 2009
Flying the Solid Black Spinnaker. - (c) Copyright 2009
The Black Diamond crew is here to have fun! We will do our best to be competitive among the accomplished crews. We are a novice and amateur crew, with a heavy ladened boat from cruising for the past few months in the Bahamas and the Floridian coast. But that won’t stop us form giving the other boats a run for their money, and having the times of our lives.
Very Competitive racing at Charleston. - (c) Copyright 2009
Ed helming from the leeward side. - (c) Copyright 2009
The Crew relaxing after hours. - (c) Copyright 2009
Black Diamond has had a tremendously busy cruising calendar. Immediately after the Regatta, we are heading up the coast, offshore non-stop, next port of call, New York City! On Route to Toronto for a busy Summer cruising and racing circuit in our home town.
Another view of the crew shirts. - (c) Copyright 2009
SAILORS and SPECTATORS DESCEND ON CHARLESTON
Waterfront abuzz with activity as racers get ready for Charleston Race Week
CHARLESTON, SC (April 15, 2008) – The activity has begun in earnest at all of Charleston’s marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs as 174 racing sailboats and more than 1,000 sailors from as far away as Norway and Canada prepare for Charleston’s biggest regatta of the year, which starts Friday. Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. summed up the City’s feelings well: ”We’ve been so pleased to see Charleston Race Week develop over the past decade into one of the most important sailing events in the entire Southeast” said the Mayor. “Charleston Harbor is the city’s life blood, and we’re delighted to share this great waterway and the unequalled beauty and warm hospitality of our unique city with so many accomplished sailors from around the globe.”
The cool, sunny weather has been a boon for the racers, who typically take a day in parking lots or boatyards to reassemble their racing boats after the long trip to Charleston. “We heard that it could be terribly hot here, but thankfully that’s not been the case as we rig the boat,” was the buz from the sailors in Charleston.
Above was a clipping from the Charleston Race Week Web site.
Racing among many container ships. - (c) Copyright 2009
Our Second day we saw the calmest conditions, so we took a break for a beer (not illegal to drink underway in Charleston, SC) - (c) Copyright 2009
We are actually ahead of all these boats. - (c) Copyright 2009
Black Diamond Passing a boat with Ivan in the pit manning the main sail. - (c) Copyright 2009
Sailors face Wild conditions for first day!
April 19, 2009 — Ed
Photo from the Charlestonraceweek.com website! Photo by Meredith Block.
SAILORS FACE WILD CONDITIONS FOR DAY ONE
Wild breeze 20 to 25 knots (Almost 50km) and massive waves 6 to 8 feet, bring wild racing and breakage!
CHARLESTON, SC , Competitors are nursing sunburns and sore muscles this evening after spectacular weather made the start of 2009 Charleston Race Week something to remember.
Race Committee members on the offshore courses faced some of the hardest conditions of the day as they pitched around setting marks and start/finish lines. “The seas started off only three feet or so, but by the end of the day they were consistently at 6 feet to 8 feet, with four second periods,” said mark set officials.
There was plenty of wind, but it was pretty consistent and great sailing breeze,” said Jeff Worobel, sailing on the B-25 ‘Red Hot Chili Peppers. “In fact, there wasn’t any drama at all until we broke our rudder!” Worobel expects to be ready to race again in the morning.
The Beneteau 36.7 Blueprint crashed into a competing boat and destroyed its bow pulpit, but they didn’t let it deter them. “We made a call to the local Beneteau dealer, and have a look yourself – the new part is already on and we’re ready to go again!”
Black Diamond had no breakage, we came within 2-3 feet of another boat, a bit scary in these conditions, its not at all like Lake Ontario racing. Our crew never sailed together or on Black Diamond before, so today was just getting use to each other, the boat and these conditions. So we did not do that well, and a couple of the crew got sea sick, so we had to abandon during the second race and did not start the 3rd. race. Despite this, we still raced for over 4 hours straight. We hope to do far better tomorrow.
Hot Racing in Charleston
April 18, 2009 — Ed
Phoot by Bob Thayer at PCYC, Lake Ontario. Charleston Race Photos to come once available.
Keeping an eye on the tell tales. - (c) Copyright 2009
If containerships were not enough, don't forget to dodge the cruise ship as you head for the windward mark. - (c) Copyright 2009
Forecast Bodes Well For Hot Racing
Dozens of different boat designs will race in thirteen divisions on four courses, but one thing all racing boats have in common is the need for wind, and tomorrow’s forecast promises plenty of it. Up to 20 knots and 6-8 foot waves will propel these racing machines down their courses, guaranteeing smiling faces and an adrenaline-filled day for all. “There’s nothing like big waves and big breeze to show off what these boats can do,” said official videographer Peter Crawford. “The racers will have a great day, and that means we will too.”
Hey why is everyone in the cockpit! - (c) Copyright 2009
”People think of sailboat racing as a slow, boring sport – but they couldn’t be more wrong,” said official videographer Peter Crawford. “Anyone who comes out and watches 35 identical boats screaming in to a racing mark in strong winds will be shocked at just how fast, exciting and adrenaline-filled it can be.” Crawford’s Penalty Box Productions will show just how exciting that is, creating daily highlight videos that will be available each evening at www.charlestonraceweek.com
Perfect Conditions End Race Week with a Bang!
April 16, 2009 — Ed
Charleston Harbour Marina at dusk. - (c) Copyright 2009
PERFECT CONDITIONS END RACE WEEK WITH A BANG
Locals, visitors unanimous in praise for competition, weather and event organization
CHARLESTON, SC (April 19, 2009) – With numerous battles on tap this morning between 174 race boats across the 13 divisions that made up 2009 Charleston Race Week, mother nature ordered up a sparkling day with near-perfect sailing conditions to close out the memorable event.
“This is probably the best place I know to race,” said local sailing coach Ryan Hamm. “We just don’t have a lot of days without good wind – not a bad reason to live here if you’re a sailor.”
The harbor courses saw 12 knots of wind at the start of the day quickly increasing to over 15 knots, lifting the sporty Melges, Viper, and SB3s out of the water at full planing speeds while providing plenty of power for the big J/24 and J/80 fleets. Alton Brown, crewing on the J/24 ‘Slingblade’, said that after Friday’s intense racing, he “felt like he’d been beaten with a bamboo stick,” but that today’s Southerly wind was “just incredible.”
College of Charleston sailor Terry Ensick had a special method for finding the most powerful wind – she wore a pair of bunny ears her crew bought for her Saturday night. “They were my secret weapon,” said Terry. “It let me feel the gusts much sooner than without them.”
Craig taking in a little down time. - (c) Copyright 2009
Craig can't make up his mind what he is doing. - (c) Copyright 2009
Over a thousand sailors party every night after racing. (close to 200 boats participated) - (c) Copyright 2009
Showing off those crew shirts in town. - (c) Copyright 2009
Ivan, Ed, Dubie, Derek, Craig and Chris. - (c) Copyright 2009
