Almost time for the 61st annual Family Regatta!

Many of the players have arrived on the scene with more coming before Tuesday's skipper meeting.  There are quite a few cruising boats here that plan on watching the races and the "happenings" and we are excited to be here for our first regatta in the Exumas.

We can't wait to see this class sail!

As we go through the week we will provide pictures and "on scene" updates for everyone.  In the meantime here are some preliminary photos.  The wind has been blowing the dog off the chain for the last 2 days so we haven't been off the boat.  Going into town would have meant a salt water bath in Dingh-go and right now we are getting a nice downpour from a localized squall but now Nati is much cleaner.

A view from Regatta Point overlooking the harbor

At the regatta site, we basically have a "fair" being built for the one week of racing and partying.  We went over when it was going up with 2x4's, plywood, nails and tar paper.  We will go back and look today if the rain lets up.

Building the regatta scene

Regatta viewing stands

More construction in progress

Some of the smaller class boats come by ferry and the bigger Class A boats will be sailed in and they are probably en route right now.

Class C boats

There have been a few boats out practicing but not too many.  We seem to be in a good location to watch the races and we hope the wind stays around but the forecast isn't too good.  Light winds for most of the week may cause the party atmosphere to be larger than the racing………we'll see.

Getting her set up for the race.

This  Class C boat "Keep an eye on 'em" went by yesterday, headed downwind in 20+ kts of wind and when it was time to jibe…….yep, right to the bottom of the bay.  It's only 10 feet deep so the crew borrowed a couple of masks, took the rig off the boat and towed it (while floating underwater) to shore.  An hour later they sailed her back into port.

sv "Keep an eye on 'em"

Making back to port after a hard day on the water

Stand by for further updates!!