US Wabbit Nationals at Richmond YC

by Erik Simonson on 25 Sep 2014 Fourteen Wylie Wabbits and crews came together at the Richmond Yacht Club as part of Totally Dinghy and their National Championship over the September 19-21 weekend. While that may not seem huge in other classes, keep in mind the Wylie Wabbit fleet is spread out nationally but concentrated locally. Originally built in 1982 as a simple trailerable boat you could tow anywhere with the smallest family car, Tom Wylie's response to the ongoing fuel shortage from oil embargo at the time, the wabbit developed a cult following by those who sailed them, and a small family of devotees followed.

'We generally see 9-12 at these reagattas' Says Melinda Erkelens who has been sailing the Wabbit since their inception and along with husband Bill has owned several of them over the years 'This year we decided to coincide the event with the Totally Dinghy for several reasons, one of which is a quality Race Committee and great courses' Melinda, was sailing the event with a crew of Keith Stahnke, Rusty Canada and Jim Watters over the weekend. Part of the family of Wabbiteers that meander about the state in search of good times, fun racing and long established family of friends. Its ease of trailering made the Wabbit a favorite for families of serious sailors that liked road trips, with minimal hassle, and regattas from Huntington Lake, Whiskeytown Lake, Tomales Bay and Santa Cruz became part of the landscape.

'Great people to sail with, and the boats are just fun!' Melinda adds 'The performance over cost is hard to beat, they just respond so quickly and it just takes a little puff to get up and start moving! On Friday's long distance race which started at Southhampton shoal, went west to Blackaller, then proceeded over to Harding Rock, reached across to Blossom Rock and then back to South Hampton the conditions were 'Perfect Wabbit Reaching conditions' Melinda exerted 'We had low 20's and a nice ebb and a few really fun ferry wakes to surf down!' Their boat with Jim Watters and Kieth Stanhke crewing was blasting along in first after rounding Blossom when things went south, they crashed hard and ripped the kite.'It was still awesome fun and Kieth said it was the most fun sailing he could ever remember!' Melinda Click here to read more.