From Buccaneers to Bieker Designs
From Buccaneers to Bieker Designs
The 2011 Sperry Top Sider San Diego NOOD will see Buccaneer 18 sailors making like pirates and the debut of a new International 14, the Paul Bieker-designed B6.
Just booked my flight for the Sperry Top-Sider San Diego NOOD, which begins next Friday, March 18. Last year, I got an up-close look at the Beneteau 36.7 class aboard Bo Kopaniasz's Sorcerer. I also made some friends in the Capri 22, J/105, Flying Tiger, and Weta classes.
This year, I've already got word from two of the 20 classes racing out of the San Diego, Mission Bay, and Coronado yacht clubs.
Buccaneer 18
"The Buccaneer class would be pleased to have you join us for some pirate revelry," says Emory Heisler, whose Erin Morgan is one of six Arizona YC boats competing in the Buccaneer 18 class next weekend. "We've got boats coming in from NorCal, Central Cal, Colorado, and Arizona," he says. "We'll be having a little party Saturday after racing at one of our fleet member's condos near MBYC...feel free to stop by and say ARRRR!"
International 14
I heard from Brad Ruetenik, skipper of the International 14 Astragalus, out of San Diego YC. "We were one of the original dinghies to sail the NOOD," he says. "I think this is our tenth year at the regatta."
The Sperry Top-Sider San Diego NOOD serves as the class's West Coast Championship and will see the debut of Paul Bieker new I-14 design, the B6. "Kris Henderson of Henderson Boat Company in Seattle is the builder," says Ruetenik. "He was on the Oracle build teams for several AC boats. Joe Bersch is the owner and principle pusher for the build. He's trying to build a very competitive and more affordable I-14. Joe was the 470 training partner for Charlie and Jonathan McKee at the 1988 Olympics in Pusan, South Korea."
For more about the B6, check out this thread.
