Wooden IOM Regatta

In past years our sailing club has hosted some major IOM regattas including National Championships. This year we are changing it up and hosting a Wooden IOM Regatta featuring some very beautifully made boats and some very serious designers/builders.

From Seattle we have David Jensen who is a serial designer/builder and will be bringing two of his latest designs. One will be sailed by Bobby Lewis, who has raced against Martin Herbert in various oversized boats since 1965.

From Vancouver we have Robert Mulder bringing a boat that he designed and built. Robert is an amazing builder of hi tech racing equipment for many sports. He has been building winning boards since 1984 and his foiling wing boards are amazing. That someone who is so successful in carbon fibre construction would turn to wood for an IOM is a testament for the structural features of wood. Check out his web site:  www.robertscomposites.com.  His wooden boats are objects of beauty.

From the big Island we have Art Prufer, a serial wooden boat builder who uses the proven designs from around the world. Last year at the NA Continental Championships one of his builds won the first race in a field of 78 sailors from around the world. That boat was sailed by Jason Rhodes, who will be bringing it to the regatta. Art will also be sailing one of his other creations.

On the local front at least four boat designed and built by Martin Herbert will be sailed by Club members. Our local weekly race day has seen some hotly contested racing over the winter and we are in good shape to make a reasonable showing. The racing should be close and hard fought and is held off F dock, making for great stadium viewing. Club members are welcome to spectate and cheer loudly for the boats of their choice.

Questions?  Contact Martin Herbert, Club IOM Rep (use contact info in yearbook, or contact through communications@saltspringsailing.ca)