PNW Offshore Update March 10

Pacific NW Offshore Racers, Crew, and Support Teams,

Time for an update. First, we now have 16 boats registered for the race! Our goal is, as it was in 2020, 25-30 participants. We’re more than halfway to our stretch goal with 4 more boats that I know about who will be signing up shortly. Can you say, “pent up demand?” If you are on the bubble, know that we are pulling out all the stops to make sure this race happens. I note that Transpac just published an open letter saying that they are full speed ahead. And, with Covid numbers improving and the fact that we moved the date back a month, we are seeing much more optimism from skippers and even our own Board Members that we’re on track to have the race.

Second, we are beginning the coordination between skippers and inspectors relating to SER compliance. If you have any SER questions either as a registered boat or as a prospective participant, reach out to me and either I or Craig Garrison will get back in touch.

Third, we will be updating the website more frequently that we have been doing including adding photos of boats that have entered with squibs about their perspectives on the race – check back often.

Finally, we have neither published Covid Guidelines or Sailing Instructions for the race to this point given the shifting sands of all things pandemic related. As either of these documents are ready, we will post here and on the website.

Denny Damore
CYC Commodore, Pacific NW Offshore Race Captain

2021 Pacific NW Offshore is On!

Pacific NW Offshore Racers

2021 Pacific NW Offshore is On!

It’s taken some rework of the logistics because of the Canadian border closing and the cancellation of this year’s Swiftsure, but CYC and our title sponsor Schooner Creek Boat Works were determined to make this year’s race happen. And so it is that THE RACE IS ON!

A few bits of news: You will recall we changed our host city last year to Ilwaco, Washington, but never got the chance to experience their great port and the Long Beach Peninsula because of Covid. Well, we’re taking another shot at it this year, and they are excited to host us once more. The other great news is that we’ll be finishing in Port Angeles with the tons of help from the Port Angeles Yacht Club and the city. They are pulling out all the stops to make the finish just as great as it has been in Victoria all these years.

And, we’ve moved the race dates to June 10-13 to allow for more time for Covid recovery. We hope these dates work better for everyone and that you’ll hike up your boots and join us. To register follow this link: Pacific NW Offshore Registration.

Dennis Damore

CYC Commodore, Pacific NW Offshore Race Captain

A Bunch of Bums

Mark McCuddy has entered his Cascade 36, Bums Rush.  While the PHRF number of 178 might make this one of our slower rated boats, it’s unlikely that this group will be bringing up the rear.  Mark has assembled quite an ensemble of “Bums” to see how fast they can make this boat go. In Mark’s own words the crew consists of the “almost embarrassing” group of:

• Joby Easton-legend

• Bill Huseby - legend

• John Colby - Single Handed Legend

• Keith Marco - never sleeps and can drive forever legend

• Piper Easton - youngest Offshore winner legend

• Skipper Mark McCuddy - Has good crew

With all of that experience, look for Bums Rush to do will in this race!

Haven

The cruising class is strong this year with another entry, Haven, joining in on the fun.  Haven is a Wylie 48 skippered by Kevin Flanigan.  While Haven may not have done Offshore previously, Kevin has plenty of experience on the Offshore and beyond.  Haven looks pretty fast just sitting at the dock and is likely to be a formidable competitor, even if they don’t elect to utilize the motor allowance.  However, Kevin is used to getting to Victoria quickly, so we won’t be surprised when the diesel is fired up if the wind dies. 

Balderdash

Balderdash is a Dash 34 out of Tidy Cove Yacht Club in Vancouver, BC. She is campaigned by her four owner partnership of Jeff Curry, Simon Kaulbach, Bob Dewald and Kevin Van Hullebush. This group does many of the local (to them) buoy races as well as Vancouver Island events. Southern Straits is a favorite, probably especially so with a division win in 2016.  They also circumnavigated Vancouver Island in the 2017 VanIsle 360 and say they are looking forward to adding the PNW Offshore to the list.  We are glad to welcome this addition to the already strong contingent of Canadians.  See more about the Balderdash team here.

Defiant

Defiant, the striking C&C 115, campaigned by Rich Ackerman and Teresa Coleman out of Island Sailing Club is coming back for their second Offshore. They claim to have been training hard through the winter in the prestigious CYC Sailing on Sundays race series in Portland.  Don’t let that fool you though, this team has experienced a combined 20 Offshores between Defiant and Cool Change. With all of that experience they report having high expectations of being the fastest home in the race!  I don’t know what to say other than that’s one cool house with those fancy black sails. See more about Defiant here.

Westerly

Our third 70, joining Rage and Pied Piper, is Stuart and Joy Dahlgren’s, Sidney, BC based Santa Cruz 70, Westerly.  Westerly is an actively campaigned race boat, both locally and offshore, having done two Van Isle 360s, Vic Maui in 2016, Pacific Cup in 2018 and is registered for the 2020 Vic Maui. They report that they are looking forward to competing in this race for the first time.  It sure will be an interesting year to watch these 70s fight for line honors.  It is fortunate to have moved the host city to Ilwaco where there will be room for these 70s along with the rest of the fleet! 

Pied Piper

We are excited to welcome another 70 footer, this time it’s Jack Jenning’s Santa Cruz 70 hailing from Niles, Illinois.  The beautiful boat, however, has been here in Oregon for a few months.  Pied Piper created some buzz when she arrived as we don’t get too many 70s in the “ditch”. Rumors were that she is here temporarily, but that they would do the Offshore and other west coast races – and we are happy to see those rumors proving true (at least the Offshore part). Jack describes the foundation of this year's Pied Piper crew as “a bunch of Midwest 'has-beens' that have been sailing SC70's since 1986 who look forward to the sailing challenges of the ORR and the Pacific Ocean.”  My bet is that these “has-beens” will put their extensive experience and impressive race history to good use and will be one to watch for line honors and other results. 

Another Cruising Class Entry - Swift

George Kapllani has entered his Catalina 400, Swift, in the cruising class. We’ll have to wait and see if Swift lives up to her name, but she certainly appears to be comfortable with more creature comforts than some.  Comfort paired with the motoring allowance in the cruising class could make this a pretty desirable ride.  It’s easy to see why Swift has attracted an experienced crew consisting of a Canadian, an Aussie, a New Yorker and a North Carolinian. This well-travelled group has built their combined 35 years of sailing experience in the Great Lakes, the East Coast, the Aegean, the Bahamas and of course Portland.  Welcome to the Offshore Swift!

Entry Momentum Remains Strong

Scott Campbell’s spectacular J/121, Riva, was the 11th boat to register back in December.  11th is, however, not indicative of where anyone should expect to see Riva in the final results, especially after their overall win last year.  When Scott gave up some of the comforts of the old Riva for this new rocketship, everyone expected them to be fast and they definitely proved that to be true.  With a very experienced crew, another year in the boat and with a Pacific Cup on the horizon, expectations are high once again. 

Velocity

Tom Keffer reports that the J/42, Velocity, is always glad to get off the river, and on to the Pacific where she is most at home. Having observed the powerful and solid Velocity charging though the waves in the open ocean, I would agree with this assessment.  This will be Velocity's 11th Offshore and Tom modestly reports “always a bridesmaid, never a bride, she has placed 2nd twice, 3rd once, but never won her division or the race. Good thing we race for the companionship and fun, not fame and money.”  While racing for money would be a losing proposition no matter how well Velocity and her crew perform, some of us have noticed Velocity consistently getting faster and faster and this could be her year to top the podium.  You can learn more about Velocity here.

Aja is Back for More

Entries are continuing to roll in and we are already up to 16 entrants for the 2020 PNW Offshore. Having entered back in December, Rich Elstrom and crew in their Ericson 35-2, Aja, are back for their twelfth Offshore.  If 12 races race wasn’t enough evidence that they enjoy this race and each other’s company, the entire 2019 crew is returning for 2020. Even though Rich and his entire crew are members of the Astoria Yacht Club, they report that they are looking forward to trying out the new Ilwaco venue. 

Rage

Always one to watch for line honors, records, and because she is so pretty, we are happy to report that Dave Raney has entered the Wylie 70 Rage once again.  Of course, we all know that Rage, built years ago by our title sponsor Schooner Creek Boat Works, has participated in many Oregon Offshore Races and Dave says they weren’t about to miss the first Pacific NW International Yacht Race. She is also a veteran of many Swiftsure races and Pacific Cups as well as a Transpac and a Tahiti race.  Rage may be extensively campaigned, but looks as good as the day she was built – it will be nice to have all of the boats together in Ilwaco so we can check them out. This year’s crew will include members of their Pac Cup crew and Portland Rage veterans. Welcome back Rage!

Escape Artist Makes it Three J/105s!

Dana Sibilla and his mix of veteran and first timers on Escape Artist have entered the PNW Offshore. 
That makes three J/105s which means these capable boats will have their own class (while still eligible for the overall).  Dana has been a very active racer on the Columbia River and beyond, having participated in several Offshores as well as Swiftsure and Whidbey Island Race Week.  This promises to be a competitive and interesting class to watch as Escape Artist and Free Bowl of Soup were within sight of each other for the entire 2019 race. 

Psst: Entries are rolling in and there are now three 70 footers registered for the #PNWOffshore! The move to Ilwaco is turning out to be a great call.

Red Sheilla joins The Offshore

Red Sheilla, a Beneteau 49 skippered by Jim Innes out of Surrey, BC, will be joining us for the 2020 PNW Offshore.  Red Sheilla is extensively campaigned and has previously competed in the 2010, 2012 and 2016 Vic-Maui races. In July 2020, Red Sheilla skipper Jim Innes will sail in his fifth Vic-Maui.

In 2019 and 2020 , Red Sheilla’s experienced crew have completed or will be racing on different yachts in Southern Straits, Round Salt Spring,Swiftsure, Van Isle 360, and Round The County. We are glad they are adding the PNW Offshore to the list - Welcome!

Follow Red Sheilla on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/redsheillasailing.

True Love is also back

We are pleased to announce that our 5th entry for the 2020 PNW Offshore is True Love.  If you didn’t get a chance to see this beautifully restored 44’ Spencer 1330 last year, you’re in luck, because they are back for more.  Steve Smolinske and team must really enjoy this offshore stuff as True Love is using the Offshore as a qualifier for Pacific Cup. Welcome back!

Margaret is Back for More

The 2019 Offshore was a first for Margaret and they are back for more having registered for the 2020 Pacific NW Offshore.  It’s easy to see why David Shepherdson and crew are back - they won their class last year!  Margaret is an Ericson 33 based out of Portland and sailing for the Rose City Yacht Club as well as Island Sailing Club.  PS – Rumor has it we already have 10 entries for the 2020 race.