Ahoy
Mates! It's time to clean the bottom and
pile on the sails.
This all-in-fun race series recalls the tradition of the wreckers in
the Key West of the 1800’s. Vessels laden with rich cargoes from Gulf
and Caribbean ports often became victims of storm and the unmarked
reefs off Key West.
The first wrecker to reach the site
had the responsibility to save the passengers and crew---but they also won
the right to salvage the cargoes. Some historians have written that it was
not unusual for 20 or 30 boats to race to a wreck.
The Captains’ Meetings are held on the upper deck of Schooner Wharf at
7:00 p.m. the Saturday before each race. Captains enjoy complimentary Pusser’s Rum punch and Schooner Wharf Galley hors d’oeuvres while
reviewing race procedures.
The Awards Ceremony & Party is held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, race day.
The
popular Wreckers BBQ is served to captains & crew while they view film
footage taken of the race by the official race committee boat and dance to
the popular rhythmic steel drum sound of the Island Time Duo! Trophies
and prizes are earned by the top 3 vessels in 7 classes --schooner,
multi-hull, classic, monohull 29' and under, monohull 30-39 feet, monohull
40 feet and a Hobie Cat class! At the race
start Key West harbor is a magnificent sight, filled with colorful sails
and spinnakers on vessels ranging from 16 feet to 120 feet.
This original nautical event is another creation of Schooner Wharf Bar
owners, Evalena and Paul Worthington, and is enjoyed by visiting yachters,
local private boats and Key West charter vessels. You don’t need a boat of
your own to participate, book passage and crew on one of the charter boats
in the Wreckers’ fleet.
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