[C320-list] Volvo Race - Was Zarcor

[Allan Field]

Hi Warren - Thanks for the info on the UCC and how to deal with Zarcor.  

I am surprised that I have not seen anything on the List regarding the Volvo
race so I'll give it a try.  Our personal experience with the race was one
of the most incredible days I have ever had on the Chesapeake Bay.  Bruce
and Norma Stumpp plus friends Sam and Starr Levine joined us for the day.

The race started at 1 PM about 2 miles north of Thomas Point Lighthouse and
tacked north into a NW wind for 4 miles to the Bay Bridge then turned and
came south.  Gary Jobson and another person from Spinsheet Magazine
broadcast the race on VHF-17 and the broadcast was like listening to ESPN -
with the race 6 miles away, we still felt like we were engaged.  We
positioned ourselves at the Lighthouse, mistakenly thinking we could get a
good seat but keep out of harms way.  The good seat we got...

The boats tacked north right through the spectator fleet, estimated at
3,000+ strong.  Once they rounded the marker, up came the chutes, chutes the
size of 2 tennis courts.  They had to be seen to be believed - absolutely
spectacular.  The racers favored the eastern shore so that is where we
vectored SE to meet them.  I was at the helm of Sea Shadow and overshot the
estimated vector point so once there, turned north directly at the racers -
we were in the path of Pirates of the Caribbean (the US entry from Roy
Disney) and, I believe, Brasil.  

Winds were about 6-8 true and these boats were sailing at about 12 knots
down the Bay.  What we were not prepared for was so many power boats
motoring along almost next to the racers.  When I realized that we were
headed right into the maelstrom of power boats and racers and could not even
find room to spin the boat around, I realized what Custer must have felt
when he looked up and, with his last words, asked, "Where did all them
Indians come from?"  You know those industrial size washing machines at the
Laundromat that you always wanted to put your little brother into just to
see what would happen?  After last Sunday, I think I know.  The wakes from
all those "Indians" tossed our little C-320 around like a rag doll.  While
we were motor sailing, it truly was white knuckle motor sailing.  Linda and
Norma were on the bow hanging on for dear life while Bruce and Sam stood on
either side of the helm as lookouts, periodically yelling, "look out" for
whatever imminent danger was about to run us down!

During a brief break in the oncoming traffic, we did get Sea Shadow spun
around on its own axis and now at least we were heading in the direction
that everyone else was going in - just a heck of a lot slower than everyone
around us!  While motor sailing at about 6 knots, the racers passed very
close, especially the last 2 boats, and Norma was able (God only knows how)
to get some really great pix.  She even got one of a guy at the top of the
mast of Pirates!

While I have no sailboat racing experience, I do have many years of road
racing up to the marathon distance.  I liken what we saw last week to
runners running a 100-mile race a day and doing it day in and day out.  To
put it into perspective, I could not race 5K day in and day out!  These
boats, with virtually no wetted surface below the waterline other than the
canting keels, are nothing more than dinghy's with 10 guys hanging on with
the hope of keeping the things pointed in the right direction.

Bruce and Norma brought along a pirate flag about the size of a small desk
which we flew it from the flag halyard.  While sailing back to Herrington
Harbour South later in the afternoon, the best line of the day was, "Do you
think they noticed our flag?"

A truly wonderful day on the Bay and something to look forward to in another
4 years.  Baltimore and Annapolis have a lot to be proud of for the part
they played in the Volvo Round the World Race 2005/2006 edition!

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 1:43 PM
To: Catalina 320 Mail List
Subject: [C320-list] Zarcor.com

Heard you had quite a time watching the Volvo racers.  Norma showed us her
pictures on Sat.

I don't know where Zarcor is located or if the UCC (Uniform Commercial Code)
counts for anything these days; but, if they are doing business in a UCC
State, it is actually illegal to charge a customer until the title passes
which is generally at the point of shipment FOB shipping point.

Of course, you are protected by your credit card company if you don't get
the merchandise.  Remember the deal re. free sail covers?  They were free
because they had an advertisement on them.  A few actually got them, most
didn't.

Warren
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