Marblehead/Halifax Race July 2023- open discussion

[JCoggs]

After being cancelled (actually modified) due to COVID in 2021 it looks like there is good interest in the Halifax Race this July with 60 boats already registered. I'll be a first timer with my J-121 Ceilidh. Curious to hear any thoughts on plans this year's edition a well as experiences from those who have done this event in the past. Yes, I'm aware of all the reports of cold water, pea soup fog, and the race being a crap shoot due to the tidal currents associated with the Bay of Fundy. But not enough to keep me away.

 

[jackolantern]

We are bringing the Xp44 to play in the foggy stuff.

Broke the record in 2011, broke a whale in 2013... I'm hoping for a quiet race this time around.

 

[v-max]

The race is not a "crap shoot", but it does have different legs to it and they all must handled well to win. The Bay of Fundy, and it's associated tides, are but one of those elements.
The J-121 is a perfect boat for this race. Good luck and see you there!

 

[JCoggs]

Ok. Maybe "crap shoot" was too harsh a term. But a perfectly sailed and routed 36 footer who comes up to Brazil Rock with 3 knot foul current for 3 or 4 hours is going to have next to no chance to save her time on a 55 footer who was poorly sail but got there 6 hours earlier and had a 3 knot boost.
I'm still looking forward to it. You just sail your best and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[JCoggs]

The Halifax Race just got it's 80th entry. In most recent edition back in 2019 (2021 was a COVID abridged out and back race) only 65 boat took the line off Marblehead. Pretty encouraging to see such interest. Entry fee goes up at the end of this month if you have been on the fence.

 

[jackolantern]

Stoked to see the numbers shooting up. Going to be a pretty competitive fleet all things considered. I know of some performance 40+ footers still waiting in the wings so once they do it'll be a ding dong drag race to Canada.

How many J/133s need to enter before those boats get their own class?

 

[JCoggs]

> I know of some performance 40+ footers still waiting in the wings <
It's less than the cost of a few bottles of good rum but entry fee for them goes up tomorrow night. Hope they come. Should be a good tussle with a lot of performance boats in the 40-44 foot range.

Been 7 weeks and I'm still waiting for my ORR application to be processed. I never should have indicted I didn't need it until July.

 

[Southside0608]

Anyone know the lat/longs for Brazil Rock, please? I see some conflicting locations. First timer... Thanks!

 

[JCoggs]

I have seen 43° 21' north, 065° 26' west published and to be more precise Navionics places it at 43° 21.521 north, 065° 26.854 west. Remember, it's not a mark on the course. People have been known to cut inside - at their own peril. The Bravo Light at the entrance to outer Halifax Harbor is a mark on the course and must be left to port and is at 44°26’37.0” 63°27’33.0” according to the NOR.
What boat are you on? I'm also a first timer. Nice to see 80 boats registered.

 

[MauiPunter]

I am interested in this race. I am also racing in the Downeast Challenge Ocean Race, but Halifax has been on my radar. Good times.

 

[JCoggs]

We were going to do the Downeast Challenge last year but decided to pass when they shortened it from the traditional Boothbay finish to Portland. Just wasn't worth the time and expense to come up from south of the Cape. Maybe next year if we don't do the Bermuda Race. Downeast seem like a good feeder race to do some cruising in Maine.

 

[MauiPunter]

We were going to do the Downeast Challenge last year but decided to pass when they shortened it from the traditional Boothbay finish to Portland. Just wasn't worth the time and expense to come up from south of the Cape. Maybe next year if we don't do the Bermuda Race. Downeast seem like a good feeder race to do some cruising in Maine.

It is. That's why we do it. We usually head up the coast over the following couple weeks. We have been wanting to sail over to Halifax as well.