As many of you know, 505s participated in Bermuda Race Week up to the late '70s. Several Bermudans are very interested in re-starting a 505 fleet in Bermuda. Our attending Race Week is probably the best way to support this. Bermuda also hosted the 1975 505 World Championship. 505 sailors who attended Bermuda Race Week in the past have described it as the best regatta.... ever.
Here is some further information provided to me by our contact, James MacDonald:
"The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is certainly keen to have the 5o5s take part. The process from this point is to have interested parties submit an application for invitation. I can send to you by fax (and directly to others if that is convenient) the Club's form for this purpose.We need to confirm the details of boat shipment. I believe that Chuck can give you details on this if he has not already done so. Competitors will also need to book their flights to Bermuda.
Traditionally competitors are hosted in private homes during Race Week, but obviously this is subject to availability of suitable accommodation. Therefore the sooner we have an idea of who is attending the better.
As you probably know the event is to run from April 26 to May 3. The racing schedule is flexible to some extent, e.g. there can be double race days, or single race days, as the class prefers., and lay days. Usually there is no scheduled races on the Friday, although it is available if the minimum number of races is not completed otherwise. I will get the current schedule for the other classes to see how the 5o5s can fit in. The current plan is to have the 5o5s on the "keelboat" course (i.e.. Etchells, IOD's and J-24s) which is bigger as compared to the dinghy course for Lasers, JY-15s, Comets and Snipes.
The basic entry fee will be about $150 which includes a couple of cocktail receptions and a BBQ at the club, in addition to the racing. We might charge a supplement to cover any special events for the class, but we can discuss that.
In summary:
- please inform people that the event is on for the 5o5s
- please distribute the application form which I will send you by fax
- I will forward information concerning shipping of boats, race days and housing ideas as soon as possible.
My telephone contact details are:
office 441 299 4950 fax 441 292 4720 e-mail jmmacdonald@cdp.bm
home 441 293 8270 fax 441 293 7243 e-mail jmacdona@ibl.bm"
Please let Ali know by alimeller@aol.com e-mail if you are going, or are interested...
Thanks,
Ali
The RBYC is in the harbour, about 2 miles from the usual racing area in the Sound. The Dinghy Club (RHADC) is another half mile into the Harbour. I would not worry about hanging out your wet clothing at either club.
The water should be about 67 F, and depending on your tastes you may not need a wet suit. Bermudians traditionally don't swim until May 24 when it should be above 70 F so we will be in "protective gear"!
I will be sending out shipping details within a few days, but it will be from somewhere in New Jersey. There may be a ship from Jacksonville Florida if anyone has a boat down south for the winter. Only 20 foot containers are allowed into Bermuda (not enough room on the docks or the roads for 40 foot containers) so unless 20 foot containers can be used, boats should come by trailer.
I am pleased to respond that the RBYC changed its rules some years ago and accepts women as members. Women are allowed in the bar. In the interests of full disclosure, I must report that women are not allowed in the billiards room, but that is a small room which is not used for any social events. I would hope that women would find that they are welcome to all events at the Club, as that is certainly the Club's intention. Having said that, we can certainly arrange social events for the class away from the Club. Most classes do so during the week.
I confirm that the entry fee is $150 for double-handed boats such as the 5o5. Racing is scheduled for Sunday to Tuesday (inclusive) and on Thursday with two races back to back starting at 11 a.m., and with one race on Friday morning. The class can set its own schedule within these limits, but is asked to race in the morning/first race if it wants to do only one race on a double race day. (All day Wednesday and the afternoon on Friday are set aside as spares in case of blow outs.)
I will report on shipping later, but I believe that Snipes are being shipped 2 to a trailer for $500 round trip. Shipping is from the east coast (New Jersey I believe).
James MacDonald
Applications for Invitation... print off and fax to James MacDonald, or e-mail a complete response to him.
Unfortunately I had some incorrect information about shipping prices from Port Elizabeth. The correct rates are:
one boat on a trailer $500 round trip
two boats on a trailer $700 round trip
three boats on a trailer $800 round trip
four boats on a trailer $900 round trip
These are the same prices as have been quoted for the Snipes. I hope these are acceptable. Please let me know if you agree with this pricing (not that there is any room to negotiate).
Ships leave weekly on Fridays and arrive Sunday. Trailers should be at the port by 2p.m. on the Thursday. For those in a rush to get their boats back for the next regatta, it may be possible to get returning boats on the return ship on Sunday, May 4 if the boat is packed up early on the Friday afternoon.