There’s a place on that very smooth Oregon coast where the water indents to the land, Yaquina Bay at Newport. Lucky for us the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club hosts two sailing regattas per year. The bigger of the two is held annually on Columbus Day weekend.
We want to tell you that it is a very fun place to sail. First, you have the Yaquina Bay Bridge: a lovely arching bridge built by the Conservation Corps back in the 30’s that launches from an escarpment on the North, rises to a peak mid span, and then gently descends to the South Bay lowlands. It’s always a beautiful site to behold as you sail.
Then there’s the sea life. Sea lions barked a greeting from the breakwater on the North side as we sailed our boat from the boat ramp to the Embarcadero Marina. What are they saying we wonder? As we race, they surface and exhale with a grunt. And, seals come up and do the periscope. Before heading out to racing one morning and right from the dock, a sailor was taking time to harvest his crab pot; a full moon and a big tide helped make the harvest plentiful.
The other thing that makes this such a fun place is the current. At the height of the tide change we were registering 2.0 knots of current in the channel. So it paid to be in it when you wanted to go with it, and somewhere else when not! Of course, we tested the edge of the bay by touching bottom. We followed a bigger sailboat into the shallows! We have been to Newport so many times that to not touch and go would be boring; having a swing keel helped take the worry out of the equation.
The racing commenced with three fleets: PHRF, Santana 20, and C-15s. We sailed our vintage San Juan 21. The wind the first day was ideal. To do well, we needed to keep a sharp eye out for crab pots and the corresponding skiffs with locals doing what they like to do best while tolerating what we like to do best! We learned that contrary to our fantasy, a boat pulling a crab pot has rights over a sailing vessel and, hooking a crab pot is definitely a speed-killer.
All in all, day one was a fine day for us. Day two was another story. The day broke with sunshine for our walk with the dog on the beach, and this gave way to low-hanging clouds with not a breath of wind. Anchors were thrown prior to the start of the first race as we waited for the wind to come up. Two hours later a small breeze filled in.
Tactics were even more critical due to the light air and current. A bad decision, OK two bad decisions, added to out point total tremendously. However, we finished the day with a smile. We dropped off one of the crew at the Embarcadero to shuttle the car over to the launch ramp and the remaining two of us sailed leisurely across the bay.
As we were crossing the channel, all of a sudden we heard a very loud BEEEEEP. We looked and saw an 80 foot Coast Guard ship towing in a boat. We realized the horn blast meant: “I’m way bigger than you, and very busy, so please tack immediately and vacate my waterway!”
Later in the day, it was recounted how this Coast Guard vessel, with its bow and probably stern thrusters, took the boat in distress right into the marina, and nestled it right into the slip. Wish we could have seen that!!
As we reflect back on the weekend we know a good time was had by all. There were some close races and some upsets. But the Friday night bonfire on the beach, the Shrimp Feed Saturday night, the racing, and the chance to spend time with very good friends, makes this regatta one that will always be on our calendar. Thanks to Yaquina Bay Yacht Club for another great year.
Joe and Myra Downing,
Photos:
The crew of Cheap Sunglasses, our Newport hosts, also waiting on day two for the wind to come up.
Ed Emrick, foredeck on Marsalla waiting for the race sequence to start.