Team Raptor and the Kelowna Blossom Time Regatta

Well we did it, Team Raptor hijacked Rocket Science with the blessings of Al Barnes and Anthony Dutton , added some Decals from some leftover vinyl and sailed the KELONA BLOSSOM TIME CHARITY REGATTA. It was an excellent and well-attended event with 31 boats racing in four divisions.

The wind gods were not real helpful and while trying for the race committee to get fair races off, but race we did. Our fleet consisting of a nicely equipped Dash 34, three aggressive Laser 28’s, and a Sonic 30 that lives up to its name, a brand new Rocket 22 just delivered to its new owner and us. This was a very aggressive hard fighting group on the course but a great bunch on the dock and a big thanks to Dave Hayes for coming up with a batten to replace the one that got punted into the lake during set up.

My crew, I, Al and anyone that stood around (Fred Troutman) got dragooned into helping prep and install the brand new mast for Rocket Science. We got it done Thursday night. Friday afternoon Al and I stepped the mast – yes two people can drop the mast without a lot of trauma (carbon fiber is wonderful) tied up the loose ends and drove to Kelowna,

My full crew helped put the rig up on both Rockets but two people could do it, it’s quite neat. After Al did a preliminary tune of the rig and wasn’t watching we added our graphics for the race – Martin works for Back Alley Designs and they love boat graphics. None of us except Martin have ever sailed a new Rocket before but I thought that since it looks quite similar to my boat it shouldn’t be too much of a step. Well new Raptor (Rocket Science) compared to old Raptor (my boat) is a completely different weapon. While easy to sail it takes some adjusting to get it to really go and most of that adjusting is of the mental type an added plus is that with three people on a powered up 22 foot boat we did not ever hang off the rail, feet in all the time, kind of different than what I’m used to. While we didn’t take home any hardware overall we did pull off a second and a third in individual races, which showed the boat can do it and if we weren’t close to the front, we new it was probably us. It was truly a great time in Kelowna and I recommend the Regatta to everyone. As for the boat I had to respond to everyone that thought I got a new Rocket that regrettably, no it wasn’t mine and I wish it were and to anyone that can afford one….do get one….. for the price it has to be one of the faster, easier handling fun weapons Oh yeah, I towed it easily with my 1989 Toyota truck.