Bluebird (yacht)
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:34 pm
BLUE BIRD.
Anguilla's traditional sport is undoubtedly boat racing, with almost everyone on the island having a keen interest in the races, which have become very competitive. There are three classes of boat, A Class (28'), B Class (23') and C Class (15'). Recently the emphasis has been on the A Class boats and typically twenty are expected to race.
Boat racing evolved from the days of fishing boats which, after a long day of fishing, would also often race back home. Fishermen set their pots and fish from these boats as far north as Old English Bank where fishing is still done today.
1940 was the first August Monday boat race. There were five classes of boats at that first competition, the largest being 19 feet in length and the smallest 13 feet. Most of the boats at that time were used for fishing as well as racing but as the fishing boats started using outboard engines and more sophisticated equipment, the racing boats became more specialized.
The Anguilla racing boat is unique to the island in the way it is fitted and handled. There is no decking, the boom is very long and there is no external ballast on the hull; large smooth rocks, iron, lead or bags of sand are used. This is often changed during a race and thrown overboard as deemed necessary. There are usually nine to eleven men in the crew of the Class A boats which are 28' long, 9' wide and have masts of up to 40ft.
The usual boat race has two racing marks; a run to leeward, rounding a stake boat and then a beat to windward, back to shore to a buoy a few yards from the beach, which is the finishing post and must be touched by one of the crew.
Some of the races in August week are from one point to another, e.g- from Sandy Ground to Island Harbour on the Tuesday and from Sandy Ground to Blowing Point on the Wednesday. On Anguilla Day, May 30th, the A Class boats race right around the island, this is a long race taking anything between five and seven hours, depending on the wind. Other races are arranged on most public holidays or to commemorate special events.
Boat racing is an important part of Anguilla's culture and many Anguillians are involved in the sport. The sport has developed over the years, the boats are now larger and have taller masts made of aluminum, and sails of Dacron instead of sailcloth, but the basic design of the hull and sails is the same. The boats are quite costly to build and some are now built as a community effort.
Phil Hanley, Log Book.
Anguilla 1992 SG893/4
Anguilla's traditional sport is undoubtedly boat racing, with almost everyone on the island having a keen interest in the races, which have become very competitive. There are three classes of boat, A Class (28'), B Class (23') and C Class (15'). Recently the emphasis has been on the A Class boats and typically twenty are expected to race.
Boat racing evolved from the days of fishing boats which, after a long day of fishing, would also often race back home. Fishermen set their pots and fish from these boats as far north as Old English Bank where fishing is still done today.
1940 was the first August Monday boat race. There were five classes of boats at that first competition, the largest being 19 feet in length and the smallest 13 feet. Most of the boats at that time were used for fishing as well as racing but as the fishing boats started using outboard engines and more sophisticated equipment, the racing boats became more specialized.
The Anguilla racing boat is unique to the island in the way it is fitted and handled. There is no decking, the boom is very long and there is no external ballast on the hull; large smooth rocks, iron, lead or bags of sand are used. This is often changed during a race and thrown overboard as deemed necessary. There are usually nine to eleven men in the crew of the Class A boats which are 28' long, 9' wide and have masts of up to 40ft.
The usual boat race has two racing marks; a run to leeward, rounding a stake boat and then a beat to windward, back to shore to a buoy a few yards from the beach, which is the finishing post and must be touched by one of the crew.
Some of the races in August week are from one point to another, e.g- from Sandy Ground to Island Harbour on the Tuesday and from Sandy Ground to Blowing Point on the Wednesday. On Anguilla Day, May 30th, the A Class boats race right around the island, this is a long race taking anything between five and seven hours, depending on the wind. Other races are arranged on most public holidays or to commemorate special events.
Boat racing is an important part of Anguilla's culture and many Anguillians are involved in the sport. The sport has developed over the years, the boats are now larger and have taller masts made of aluminum, and sails of Dacron instead of sailcloth, but the basic design of the hull and sails is the same. The boats are quite costly to build and some are now built as a community effort.
Phil Hanley, Log Book.
Anguilla 1992 SG893/4