Sports
The October Month of Catboats
Cayman Catboat Races
H. E. Ross
Maritime history in the Cayman Islands hasits physical manifestation as the Cayman Catboat. And that pieceof history will be shown in the form of 11 vessels, ranging insize from 14' to 19', some with stayed masts and jibs, some inglass fibre, some with Olympic crews, some crews Police, otherswomen.
The 11 Catboats will be racing off Seven-Mile Beach and out ofHog Sty Bay. They will be participating in the Heritage Day andPirates Week festivities. The Cayman Catboat is back for the thirdseries of races and their number is on the increase.
There are 14 Cayman Catboats that can sail and 17 needed justa little work to sail on Grand Cayman. Two Cayman Catboats arereported on Cayman Brac.
The development of the Cayman Catboat lays at the doorstep ofCayman Brac boat and ship builder, the late, Daniel Jervis.
Mr. Jervis, in an attempt to facilitate the capture of the HawksbillSea Turtle, decided to bring the stern to a point, like whaleboats, Peapods and other fishing boats of North Eastern Americaand Canada.
In putting the mast in the bow of the vessel, to get it out ofwork's way essentially, he named the vessel a catboat. Catboatsare defined as having the mast in the bow. The other name forthe rig is the English, Una Rig, a river racing over-canvassedboat first introduced in 1852.
Jervis' stern differs from most other double-enders in that itis sharp where the others are usually full bodied. Local opinionhas it that the sharpness allows both the vessel to reverse courseinstantly, as well that when leaving reef channels less drag iscreated aft and it is easier to get clear on the rise of a wave.
The lack of much keel, which is the main sailing problem for mostof us, was incorporated as a means to easily and swiftly beachthe boat. The keel was usually built of hard Cayman mahogany fordragging up ironshore barcaderes.
The lack of keel depth usually allows a vessel to be pushed tothe side by the wind, or in seamanís terms, to lee (awayfrom the windís source). A normal keel creates enough resistanceto side movement that the boat can maintain more of a course straightahead.
The movement of ballast inside the vessel in the form of sandbags, stones or even bodies is the method inwhich the Catboathandler compensates for the lack of keel in maintaining a course.
The yoke and yoke line is the original way to steer a rudder insailing development and is still used in Asia and preferred amongstmost sailing fishing craft throughout he world.
It is the only form of steering allowed by the Cayman CatboatClub for the Heritage Class of Cayman Catboat. The yoke is a boardwith a rectangular hole cut in it that fits over the rudder'shead. Two lines, one on each side, pull the yoke and in turn therudder to one side or the other.
During the $10,000 Best Cayman Catboat Competition boats and crewswill be judged on utilising the Cayman Catboat's distinctive characteristicsin traditional duties. Rowing and sailing manoeuvrability willshow off the reasoning for and against the lack of keel.
Turtle retrieving (done with a dummy turtle) will test the designregarding crankness and crew co-ordination. This latter eventwill be where swimsuits will be needed.
The weight carrying capacity of each Catboat will also exhibitthe ability of the Cayman Catboat to carry loads most would thinkimpossible. Of course the speed and beauty of the vessels willbe on display on a special course, during the races and on thebeach.
The Cayman Catboat Club wishes that all will come and judge theboats, experience the sight of them and and become a part of aproud history that the Cayman Islands still has on the sea.
The Races will begin at 1PM sharp off the Royal Palms Beach Barfor the first two races, October 14th and 21st. On the 21st theCayman Catboat Club will be joined by the RCIP and the NationalDrug Council for a Family Day event, with games, refreshmentsand entertainment. Both Royal Palms Races will have live musicprovided by R-Mystis. Live radio broadcasts will highlight theraces, as well as TV coverage.
The eleven Catboats will enhance the atmosphere at the openingof Pirates' Week with a race starting a 1PM on the 28th just priorto the Pirates' Landing party. The boats will be in evidence duringthe landing providing a great photographic opportunity. Therehave also been promised Tornado Catamarans and J-22s to speedaround quietly in a display of a water borne basis for the Piratecelebration and the Cayman Islands ongoing nautical heritage.
For maximum spectator viewing the course for these two races willfollow the George Town city front to and from Sunset House. Thewinner of the races and the Best Cayman Catboat Competition willbe announced by the Judge at the Trial of the Pirates.
During the Heritage Days the Cayman Catboat Club will endeavourto bring a Catboat to the district events with the hope of encouragingeach district to sponsor a competitive design for upcoming races.
Wouldn't it be a great thing to see an East End Catboat racingWest Bay and North Side against Spot Bay's finest?
For further information on the October Monthof Catboats contact Tower Marketing at 946 6000, Phil Bush at949 8469 or H.E. Ross at 949 0944.