Evan: After a one year delay, the 50th Buccaneer 18 North American Championship (BNAC) kicked off in Solomons, Maryland, with great fanfare. We had just purchased Artful Dodger in the last month from Jeff Nuerater (previous owner was Steve Kiemele), and I could not pass up the opportunity to participate in BNAC. After spending our previous three years landlocked in central Mississippi, we were itching to get back out on the water. I had given up dreams of Olympic glory a long time ago and now want to share the experience with the family, Liz and our three kids. Fun is now the goal with the only real race that counts is the race to get on the water first─some would argue that it’s the first to get off the water but that’s a YouTube worthy “discussion”. I was very excited to race with Liz for the first time and see folks I hadn’t seen in quite a few years, even the Kenosha Kids from Fleet 15!.

Liz:  We loaded up from DC and headed south on a short trip to what would become a weekend we will never forget. As a newbie to the world of competitive sailing, I was intimidated by the idea of a racing weekend. We had not been able to practice as much as we would have wanted due to work schedules and kids, which meant that this was very much a “learn as we, more so I, went” weekend. Evan had sailed numerous other regattas and knew what we were getting into. I was most apprehensive about meeting and being around so many people who had so much more knowledge, concerned I would look silly. But those fears faded quickly as everyone I met was there for the same reason─to share the love of the sport and to help it grow. The entire weekend was spent learning from others and being encouraged, so much that it gave me the itch and desire find the next reason to get out on the water.

Day 1

Evan: Well, of course, I couldn’t expect to be “on time,” but the process of unpacking/rigging the boat was helped by the awesome SMSA volunteers as we were the last ones in the yard on Friday morning. We had just dropped off the kids at Mimi and Papa’s, thankfully nearby and very graciously hosted the kids for weekend, and hightailed it to the local Ace Hardware for the 40’ floating towline─Derby rope works great. The weather was perfect for everyone, ranging from 10-15 knots throughout the day with just a slight bit of Chesapeake Bay chop. The weekend’s river current was generally low to high tide through the middle of the day, resulting in current generally right to left on the courses─that’s what I saw and I’m sticking to it! Going into the regatta, we decided to sail in B Fleet for several reasons, including fewer boats at the start since this was my first time driving the Bucc in a BNAC, zero pressure to beat anybody from Alaska─the esteemed lady and gentlemen from AK were all in A Fleet─and finally, we get to sail longer than A Fleet! My goal for the races was to have fun, keep Liz healthy and happy, and go fast every once in a while. Hopefully I met all three, right honey? After racing, the Class had a dinner at the Pier restaurant, combined with the Class meeting, run by our Vice Commodore, Kyra Tallon and Commodore, Dave Spira. Many thanks to the work all the Class officers have done, especially through COVID! ARRGGGHHH! And to wrap up the evening, there was a required trip to the Tiki Bar to celebrate Jimmy Yurko’s birthday!

Liz: Talk about a whirlwind morning! Getting on the water was especially a bit nerve racking for me, seeing that it had been trying to rain, and the sky was gray and it seemed extra windy,  at least to me and my newbie abilities. But it ended up being a

great start to the weekend. Evan held up his end of the deal keeping me safe, and I only came back from the weekend with a few souvenir bruises and, best of all, new sailing gloves, something I now consider a “must have” in ones sailing bag! I learned a lot that first day and went to bed exhausted, sore but most off excited for what the rest of the weekend would bring.

Day 2

Evan: A stereotypical Maryland summer day, with nearly zero wind to start. There was enough concern about making the start that Ed Montano even considered dropping his mast, sneaking the boat across the road, and dropping it in the river to avoid the transit out! Thankfully, the breeze stayed shut off to allow everyone to make it out before any start sequence. A special thanks for the RC support folks who gave us a tow out that saved my bum right shoulder! The RC managed to sneak in a start with a southeasterly breeze coming through the river’s mouth and later got another full start/finish with new southeasterly pressure. As a “pincher”─not a belly itcher!─I had to be very careful to keep the boat moving and happy throughout the light winds. I tend to go in a pointing mode subconsciously so our boat speed was less than desired throughout the day. Thankfully the pressure stayed light enough to show Liz how to use the spinnaker.

Liz: As Race Committee waited for the wind to fill in, that’s when the real Buccaneer fun began. Between water gun broadsides and threats of boarding attempts, all of us enjoyed the postponement, especially after Friday. This was the perfect day for a newbie to get to learn how to use the spinnaker. Even without all the races completed, it was a successful day on the water. That night, Southern Maryland Sailing Association hosted us and the entire club for its Annual Crab Feast. They did a bang up job hosting this great dinner for the sailors and the community.

­Day 3

Liz: Sunday, final day of racing, was similar to Day 1. The wind was back! Since it was the last day, the goal was to fit three races in so that there would be time for the awards ceremony and so out of town sailors could get on the road. This again was a no spinnaker day for us. As Evan put it, “I don’t want to kill my wife on our sailing weekend!” Smart man he is, and we continued to use this time to work on tacking and trimming techniques and general boat knowledge for me.

Evan: Another awesome day to be on the water. Great folks all around with great fun, including a mysterious toy chicken that found its way into Artful Dodger. With the wind pressure back on, the upwind legs were shifty enough to allow for great comebacks and lead changes throughout. Getting back to the dock was the last real race of the day, to get the boat packed away for the road trip home. Without a doubt, the wait was worth it from 2020, and I am glad to be in the Buccaneer 18 Class. The boat continues to impress. It is fast and maneuverable to whet our racing appetite, trailerable to great locations─Clark Lake 2022, here we come!!─yet simple enough to teach our kids how to sail. Thank you very much to the race organizers and other sailors out there, all with the awesome Buccaneer attitude that comes with every experience!

ARRRGGGHHH!!

Evan and Liz Scott