<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<META NAME="Generator" CONTENT="MS Exchange Server version 6.0.4630.0">
<TITLE>Frenchman's Bay Racing</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<!-- Converted from text/rtf format -->
<BR>
<P><B><FONT FACE="Arial">FRENCHMAN'S BAY LUDERS FLEET</FONT></B>
</P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">The addition of the Frenchman's Bay Luders fleet to the national Luders website is welcomed news indeed. Luders racing on this beautiful, still relatively pristine bay goes back to 1946 and the Bar Harbor Yacht Club. It has here, too, that the founding national championship was held in 1947.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">Though the Bar Harbor Yacht Club no longer races Luders, and has not for some years, the class has regrouped 3 miles across the bay in Sorrento and Hancock. The recent addition of two glass boats from distant places, together with four others here should make for lively racing this summer. The fleet is evenly divided between glass and wood hulls - all of which are in pristine condition. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">Were it not for Lawrence DeMilner, who last hailed from - yes - Nepal there would be no Luders revival. All Ludersdom owes this man much thanks for his enthusiasm - and purchasing prowess!! A very welcomed addition for all of us.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">Frenchman's Bay is dominated by the panorama of Mount Desert Island - most notably the conspicuous range of blue mountains - the highest on the North Atlantic coast - which rise directly from the water's edge. The bay is entered from open sea past the high-cliffed, wooded Porcupine Islands, all of which have, remarkably, remained unsullied by building or human encroachment. Frenchman's Bay proper is deep, scenic and open. Off in three directions are lesser bays - each smaller, shallower and contrasting in differing ways. Remarkably, even on the best of summer days, one is apt to be the single sail visible. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">There are four yacht clubs on Frenchman's Bay; Bar Harbor, Hancock Point, Sorrento and Winter Harbor. Gone are the days when Bar Harbor (in 1903) raced a dozen 50-foot long Herreshoff one-designs. But racing has survived and thrived and this season promises much. This summer will witness the national Flying 15 championship, the 100th anniversary of the Winter harbor Knockabout class and - nicely - the revival of serious Luders racing. FB Luders racers are mindful, too, of the large Luders fleet on the southern side of Mount Desert Island. Too far away for regular mingling, still the two fleets are hopeful of at least one joint activity this season.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">Here is a brief summary of activity:</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">1) Bar Harbor. Yacht racing in this once posh resort dates back to the late 19th century. Over the decades BH's successive yacht clubs have seen a checkered history. Only one of the BH YC's earlier Luders remains on station - here moored, rather nicely, off the last of the colony's grand estates. Another original Luders is held in storage for eventual restoration. One other Luders, a recent import, is kept in use.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">2) Hancock Point. This lovely peninsular jutting into Frenchman's Bay has been a quiet summer colony for well over a hundred years. Tennis is the favored sport, but sailing is popular, too. Though this club maintains its own identity and sponsors an annual regatta and sailing instruction, it has long participated in the Sorrento yacht club races. Four of the active FB Luders are kept here.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">3) Sorrento. Like its near neighbor, this tiny town is a long peninsular jutting in Frenchman's Bay. With a winter population under 300 and no stores or schools, this community is a quiet one. Sailing is a major activity here and the club was founded in 1925. Up until the second WW, two classes prevailed - Wee Scots and Herreshoff S-boats. Now Flying 15's hold sway with desultory fleets of Mercury's and Alerions (and the ubituous Optimist Prams). The Saturday handicap class is a popular adjunct and dominated by two 1912 A-class sloops and an S-boat (now 70 years in the same family). In the 1970s Luders raced independently in this fleet, but in the handicap class in recent years. This season they will compete in their own series.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">4) Winter Harbor. This august club was founded about 1890. Its sprawling, immaculate club house was designed by a noted Philadelphia architect of the period. In 1907 Burgess & Packard, of Marblehead, were commissioned to design a new class of one-designs for the club. Six were built. Two others were added in 1922 and 1924. Though 7 of 9 boats were sold away for an interval, all have since been returned to the club, restored, and are now in active competition. There is also a large fleet of plastic Bullseyes which race on different days. The Saturday Knockabout races are preceded by a club luncheon and, afterwards, tea (read cocktails). In previous decades hired men would ready the Knockabouts during lunch and would sail in on clue and pick up their owners. Rather grand motorboats have always been a tradition here and the resort's major domo keeps his 120-foot yacht tethered to Club floats - adding a conspicuously weighty presence. The Club's spiffy committee boat likely has no rival in New England. Winter Harbor is remote, tiny, beautiful and exclusive. They wish to keep it this way. This is good. Peeking at other worlds is not without its adventure.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">Centenary Knockabout races will be held this summer - one can assume a bit of a show.</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">NOTE: The author crews of Knockabout #3. He tip-toes to and from the dock, scarcely daring to breath. (But, ahhh, the re-telling !!)</FONT></P>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
</BODY>
</HTML>