Overdraft on Rum

Written by Thijs Nicolas

History repeated itself on 31 March, when OVERDRAFT took the rum in the last race of the season again. It was a good evening for a sail, with a decent Northerly, and 15 boats joining the race with 22 grads between them. Green lights on the startbox and 23 on the courseboard; this was going to be good!

Overdraft is a Farr 727, Farr design number 53 from 1975, a 24’ sloop and designed under the IOR ¼ ton rule. Being the production version of world-famous ‘Fantzipantz’, the 727 is slightly longer with broader sections aft, less rated sail area and again rated ¼ Ton. It still contains cruising compromises which resulted in a useful small cruising yacht as well as a WC winning race boat.

Originally bought and named by fellow Dutchman Frank de Vries (EBYMC), Overdraft was raced around the Wellington Harbour extensively and in other parts of New Zealand. Dubbed recently as ‘the most aptly named boat in the club’, it should come as no surprise that at the time Frank did indeed take out a loan to buy her in 1976. When sold, Overdraft relocated to the Bay of Islands and later Auckland, where I bought her from.

Back to the race where on board were grads Olivia Pearless, Lance Fowler, regular Ed Reid and myself. Every race with grads on board starts with a safety briefing, as a 727 is quite different from the Muirs and Pugwash; it is sometimes a lot like dinghy sailing. At some point it looked like both Olivia and Lance thought we were kidding when we explained how to ‘sit on the rail’ with legs out – but then they got it once we got underway.

We had a decent start hitting the start line 10 seconds late, but clear air for the reach to the White Lady. On a small boat, being in the many bigger boats’ dirty air quickly loses appeal. We were running a full main and a #3, with the kite ready for the downwind. We surfed on Gucci’s wave for a few moments, which understandably excited the grads – the wind up, the water close, Overdraft feeling fast.

Of course, plans change and as we rounded the White Lady, we left the kite for another day but goosed the jib instead. We started the run ‘in safe mode’, with all crew aft, which made Overdraft feel sluggish. After a while we redistributed the weight and all of a sudden, she was in her element, surfing the smaller waves. With the grads now involved in boat handling, we talked through the upcoming gybes and about the approach to the mark. With 4 POB we did not need a reef in, so rounding 25 was pretty straightforward as we turned for the finish.

The upwind back around Jerningham was busy, with many boats beating up Evans Bay. Every tack gave the grads an opportunity to practice moving around with little room and me an opportunity to calibrate against the other boats. We were doing well, pacing bigger boats. Inevitably we ended up with our starboard right of way not being honoured and we had to dip. For good measure I called a protest but with no intention to follow through; it is a Rum Race after all. Then it was around Jerningham and a mad dash to the line to see if we could make it there before Annie and Update – who were in hot pursuit.

Back at the wardroom, there was vibe going that you find in good boating clubs the world over. Busy at the bar, many people sticking around, drinks, food, laughter. We join a table, meet new people, and have a chat. One skipper singles me out for drinks and apologies on the port/starboard thing and we have a chat. Then there’s the prize giving where Dave is rightfully awarded the first bottle of rum for all his efforts with the Grads. Good on you Dave and thank you! Then there was the big bottle of Mount Gay to take back to the shed (thanks Lola Stays) for finishing second on club, but first boat yet to win the rum.

For a Friday night, and a Rum Race, and a drink at the club, it doesn’t get any better than that.