PORT TOWNSEND — The boating season always begins early in Port Townsend with the Shipwrights’ Regatta, which provides a casual way for boat enthusiasts to begin their maritime year.
It represents the beginning of the local boating season, which culminates with September’s Wooden Boat Show.
In conjunction with the Port Townsend Sailing Association, the Northwest Maritime Center and the Wooden Boat Foundation are sponsoring the 24th annual race, which begins at noon Saturday on Port Townsend Bay.
“This is a cool thing because it’s cold and you really need to want to go out there and race around,” said Jake Beattie, Northwest Maritime Center executive director, who is participating in the race for the first time.
“The culture around it is fun, friendly and provides a fun chance to kick off the season.”
Beattie is taking out his newly purchased 65-year-old, 40-foot sailboat, Ithaca, with his father as part of the crew.
“It’s always a good event because you never know what to expect as far as the weather,” said Pete Langley, who has participated in several events.
“It’s early in the season, and you can get snow or shirtsleeve weather, and you never know until that morning.”
The latest weather forecast is for a sunny day with temperatures in the low 50s, but as any mariner knows, that can change.
“We never know how many people are going to show up because everyone waits until the last minute,” Beattie said.
“Beyond being informal, the whole thing has an air of benevolent chaos,” Beattie said.
Boats of all construction are welcome to participate.
The race also is open to folks who would like to try sailboat racing but do not have a boat.
The winners receive what Beattie calls “hilarious trophies” such as a football helmet with a weather vane on top, which must be returned.
“No one knows who has these trophies or where they are until they start turning up right before the next race,” he said.
Non-boat owners are encouraged to show up at the skippers’ meeting in the Northwest Maritime Center’s red-colored Chandler Building at 431 Water St. in Port Townsend at 9 a.m. Saturday.
There, they can be connected with skippers looking for crew members.
The entry fee is $25. Registration forms are available in the Wooden Boat Chandlery or upstairs at the maritime center.
Last-minute boat registrations will be accepted before the skippers’ meeting from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
An awards ceremony at the Northwest Maritime Center is planned for 4 p.m. with beer and snacks.
Sponsors advise participants to wear appropriate clothing and safety gear for the often-challenging conditions that come with a February race on Port Townsend Bay.
Several door prizes are planned, as well as a chance for two racers to win a free haul-out.
For more information, phone Catherine Leporati of the Northwest Maritime Center at 360-385-3628, ext. 104; email catherine@nwmaritime.org; or click on “Events” at www.nwmaritime.org.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
Outdoors Columnist Michael Carman contributed to this report.
