Sea Cardinal's Log

Columbus Day Crest

Florida's oldest sporting event afloat, commemorating a small boat cruise made in 1492

LOG OF THE SEA CARDINAL

A Columbus Day Adventure

A story by Casey DeLaurier, Master

The Sea Cardinal went on the Columbus Day Regatta race on October 6-7. The crew dedicated the race to my dog, Cody the Dog, who passed away the day before the race started. The Sea Cardinal is a 24 foot Seafarer sailboat built in 1972 in Huntington, Long Island, N.Y. After months of preparation the Sea Cardinal ventured into an angry Biscayne Bay, full of bad weather and high winds. On board were the following members of the crew: Captain Casey DeLaurier, his Mom Angi, her boy friend Zach and Casey’s grandfather, Pop Pop. The little boat motored to the start of the race off Rickenbacker Causeway. The motor quit just before we reached the starting line but was quickly restarted by Zach.

The Sea Cardinal made it to the start of the race but was impatient and went over the starting line early. The Committee Boat blew its warning horn and the Sea Cardinal had to turn and restart the race. The Sea Cardinal quickly went past most of the other boats in its class as Angi skillfully steered the boat while Casey monitored the GPS and told her where to steer. We finished the race in about two hours. This was the end of the first day of the race.

The second day was even more exciting. As the Sea Cardinal lurched into the bay, it was pounded by five foot seas and heavy rain. Everyone put on ponchos. At the starting line the Sea Cardinal made a perfect start. All was going well and everyone was happy.

Suddenly there was a loud cracking noise! A quick check of the boat showed that the starboard chain plate had broken. Pop Pop said; “we are done!” Captain Casey said; “Don’t worry, there’s always next year.” Everyone felt very sad. Zach and Angi got the mainsail down so the mast would not break and fall into the water, while Pop Pop figured out a way to put up a small sail so the boat could keep sailing, very slowly.

The little Sea Cardinal carefully rejoined the race and continued toward the finish line. After about three hours it came into sight. The first time we tried to cross the line we missed it by 50 feet, the second time by 40 feet, the third time was the charm. At that point, the Race Committee said “you made it” and thanked the Sea Cardinal for finishing the race. Then the Race Committee boat went home!

The adventure was not over yet as the tiny boat had to get back to port, 10 miles away. All was well until rain squalls begin to douse the crew with water. Everyone got wet, even though they were wearing their ponchos. It was so stormy we could not see the markers to go into our own channel. Finally the storms cleared and the Sea Cardinal was able to tie up at the dock. The adventure was over. The crew was safe. The Sea Cardinal and its crew had done a good job!

Next week we will find out how we did in the race!

Signed,

Casey DeLaurier, Master

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