The October 31, 2009, Stede Bonnet Regatta sponsored by Maria and Paul of the Provisions Company was a total pirate success. John Boy Crawford, Jerry Gable and I acted somewhat like a Race Committee on "Wayfarer". There were 34 sailing pirate vessels entered with 8 die hard pirates finishing the Regatta under sail. Scott Kaseman and crew on "Lucky "Stumbler" finished second in the non-spinnaker class for our best finish. Ed Schrum and his "Lucky Tiger" crew finished fourth in the Spinnaker Class under sail, but no cigar. Last seen Ed had a pirate wench in tow headed back to his trusty pirate vessel. Bob Griffith and his Kelly Allen pirate crew lost steerage before their start time and had to withdraw and accept a tow back to their slip. The real story was rumored to be they had already run out rum and had to replenish stocks, plus Bob was caught last year using his engine so he knew we had his number. The party and band at Provisions was great fun and the food was better than most pirates deserve.

SPINNAKER CLASS:

First Place   --    Nugget  ----  Capt. Bob Cowan ---- Wrightsville Beach Ocean Racing Association

Second Place --  Mr Dog  ---- Capt Jamie Deale ----  Southport Sail & Boat Club

Third Place --   Sundance ---- Capt Murray Seidel -- Wrightsville Beach Ocean Racing Association

NON-SPINNAKER CLASS:

First Place --   Jive ---  Capt Claude McKernan     ---- Bald Head Island

Second Place --  Lucky Stumbler - Capt Scott Kaseman - Cape Fear Yacht Club

Third Place --   Blue Water Melody - Capt Steve Fogerty  -- unaffiliated

Double Boob Award (Be careful with this one) Maybe the Double Coconut Award?

Russ Ferris, the Protest Chair, was awarded the Double Boob Award for getting his prop tangled up in a towline or marker line while helping the sailing vessel "Kalayaan" Captained by Kevin Ramsey that had run aground at the start line. Russ gets to maintain the award until next Regatta and then he gets to present it to some highly deserving pirate.