2018 Stone Horse Builder’s Cup

METAPHOR prevailed over the three races, after once again sailing neck & neck with ABLE throughout the day. METAPHOR’s Skipper, David Neumeyer of Marion, held off continual challenges by Dave Kane’s ABLE for a win in two of the three races and the overall 2018 Builder’s Cup on August 11. Dave Kane’s win in the final race ensured that his bragging rights remain intact ’til 2019. WINDFALL, BUTTERFLY, and BLUE JAY all registered one 3rd Place finish, with Mattapoisett’s, Vern Tisdale, sailing BUTTERFLY, to a 3rd Place finish overall, edging out Phil McGlave’s BLUE JAY by a single point. “Also ran”, WINDFALL, skippered by Tom Kenney of South Dartmouth MA, rounded out the fleet with a gentleman’s finish.

Forecast of thunderstorms and a torrential downpour at the 9:00 am Pre-race Meeting could not dampen the enthusiasm of skippers and crews who unanimously opted to not only race, but to get on the course for an earlier start to complete multiple races despite the weather. The decision to go forward was rewarded by a near perfect day on the water; a respectable 10-12 knot breeze varying from East to Southeast for all three races, a calm sea, and an occasional “refreshing” shower.

The day started was a relatively long upwind/downwind run from the Padanaram Breakwater to “G7 Fl G 2.5 Gong” at the entrance to Main channel into New Bedford Harbor, followed by two short and spirited sprints around the NBYC racing marks off of Nonquitt. The light wind of the first race made for slow progress up the first leg, with boats almost at a standstill at times and a two-hour elapsed time for the winning boat, METAPHOR. The breeze increased for the short-course second and third races, keeping the boats in close proximity to each other, and shortening elapsed times to 20 and 25 minutes. Several skippers commented that short courses should be a feature of next year’s Cup.

Competitors in order of Hull number were:

METAPHOR, Wareham, MA

David Neumeyer, Marion, MA (Skipper)

Bill McBrine, Malden, MA

Kathy Parker, Mt Pleasant, SC

Lauren Stein Falls, Melrose, MA

WINDFALL, Padanaram, MA

Tom Kenney, South Dartmouth, MA (Skipper)

Ellie Whelan, South Dartmouth, MA

Tommy Kenney, Seattle, WA

Mary Brown, Saranac Lake, NY

ABLE, Newport, RI

Dave Kane, Newport, RI (Skipper)

Mairtín Rowland, Ballycroy, County Mayo Ireland

Fiona Rowland, Ballycroy, County Mayo Ireland

Kathy Rowland, Ballycroy, County Mayo Ireland

BUTTERFLY, Mattapoisett MA

Vern Tisdale, Mattapoisett, MA (Skipper)

Josh Orr, Cambridge, MA

Ship Orr, Centerville, MA

Whit Bodman, Austin, TX

BLUE JAY, Westport MA

Phil McGlave, St. Paul, MN & Sakonnet, RI (Skipper)

Tom Hohenstein, Sakonnet Point, RI

Rip Hastings, Booth Bay, ME

John Balletto, Hamilton, NJ

Dave Kane’s crew, Mairtín, Fiona and Kathy Rowland, all hail from Ballycroy, County Mayo Ireland. Mairtín discovered his love of sailing six years ago when he met Dave Kane while working in Newport RI for the summer. The following year Mairtín crewed for Dave at the 2013 Stone Horse Builder’s Cup. Wanting to share his experiences with his sisters, Fiona and Kathy, they all visited this year in order to participate in the 2018 Builder’s Cup. Aboard ABLE, Mairtín worked the foredeck; Fiona, with previous experience sailing at the Bellacragher Boat Club in Claggan, Ireland, served as tactician; and Kathy, a first-time sailor, took up position on the weather rail, where she instantly proved herself a natural and a valuable member of the crew.

Very special guests at this year’s event were Jane Duff Gleason and her husband Bob. Jane’s dad, Peter Duff, was a founder and the managing partner of Edey & Duff. Jane was genuinely moved by the sight of the Stone Horses her father built still sailing on Buzzards Bay and by seeing how much joy he continues to bring to so many. For many it was a chance to renew old friendships, for others a chance to start a new one; capturing the essence of the Stone Horse community.

And, a shout out to Jane and Bob Gleason for also serving on the Race Committee with Bill Ferguson and Denise Duffee.

Post race festivities were again hosted by Ann and Tom Kenney at the New Bedford Yacht Club. A special thanks to Gregg Child, skipper of the support boat, TOBIAS, out of Newport, RI, and Walt Suchon, of Dartmouth, who worked as the event photographer.

The Stone Horse Builder’s Cup is a one design race limited to the 23′ Stone Horse designed by S.S. Crocker and built by Edey & Duff, formerly of Aucoot Cove, Mattapoisett, MA. Edey & Duff built 151 Stone Horses between 1969 and 1996.