Dickerson Rendezvous '08
The 41st Annual Dickerson Rendezvous was held in Oxford MD on June 13-15, 2008 over the traditional Fathers Day weekend.
Dickersons ranging from 40-year-old 35 ft. "woodies" to the newer 36, 37 and 41-foot fiberglass yachts were at the event. A new comer to the Rendezvous was Dave Fahmeier who recently purchased 41 ft. ketch "De Novo". The Dickerson that sailed the longest distance to join the festivities was "Crew Rest", owned by Barry Creighton of Virginia Beach.
On Friday we were all concerned that long time member Bill Burry-who was injured by a spinnaker pole while sailing from Solomon's to Oxford-might not make the race. But thankfully he recovered quickly and saw to it that his 41 ft. ketch "Plover" crossed the starting line.
The traditional Friday night reception was full of Dickerson yarns. John and Sandy Stait proudly showed us pictures of their 30 ft classic "woody", "Moon Shadow", which John and his partners completely restored. He promised to sail it to the '09 Rendezvous. We were honored to be joined by David and Mary Ann Hazen, who in their 35 ft wooden ketch "Ynot", helped to start this historic organization over 40 years ago. The Hazens are great sailors setting a record of winning the Commodore's Trophy six times. The delightful reception came to a close in the early hours of the evening with David and Mary Ann discussing who was the better sailor.
The race began in earnest Saturday morning with several boats leaving Mear's Marina dock by 8AM for a last minute "tune up". The race committee-recognizing the brisk southwest wind-decided on a 19-mile course with one windward leg and two downwind legs-twice around. "Imagine" was first across the line on a risky port tack followed by "Irish Mist" and "Crew Rest". The more conservative sailors started on a starboard tack to ensure their "right of way" advantage. "Irish Mist" looking for a private breeze took a tack to windward and that was her demise. John Freal of "Rainbow" played it just right by taking a long tack to leeward -beating "Irish Mist" soundly.
The highlight of the race was the duel between Dick Clarke's 37 ft. sloop, "Imagine" and Barry Creighton's 37 ft "Crew Rest" for the entire course. "Imagine" was two minutes ahead on the windward leg only to be passed by "Crew Rest" on the first down wind leg. Fate intervened and on the second time around -with decreasing winds-the Race Committee with-- gentle persuasion-- shortened the course. "Imagine" won by only two seconds and Dick Clarke became our new Commodore. Other winners included John Freal's 35 ft. "Rainbow" and Eric White's 41 ft. "Compass Rose".
Race experiences were shared and pictures taken at the jovial reception and awards dinner at the Mast Head Restaurant following the race. Many thanks to Commodore Bill Toth and Secretary Dick Young for another memorable Dickerson Rendezvous.
In closing remember to come to the West Shore Dickerson Rendezvous now scheduled for September 13, 2008 at the West River Sailing Club. Randy Bruns- Tel 410 544-5571 E: mail rbbruns@verizon.net will be sending out flyers on this event. So put it on your calendar, please! We had a great time last year with an afternoon race, reception and dinner at Galesville's famous Pirates Cove Restaurant.
View more photos here.