Advertisement

David Hearsch and Jim Old of Sandusky and Jim Watts from Forester were part of a nine-man crew on Skipper Jim Weyand's 'On the Edge' in the NA 40 Class. With strong winds right from the start in Port Huron on Saturday, July 12, and all the way along Lake Huron on the 250 mile race, On the Edge earned a 'flag' for its finish in 37:00.24, crossing the line at Mackinac Island on Sunday morning at about 1:30 a.m.

For Hearsch, a veteran of eight Mackinac races, and Old, completing his third race, it was their first flag, the award for placing in the top three in any of the several boat classes. Watts has sailed in 18 Mackinacs overall and has been involved in top-three finishes.

"This was the probably the fastest Mackinac ever," cited Hearsch. "This the earliest finish we've ever had despite, on a prior, occasion, going on a shorter route.

The course on this 84th Port Huron-to-Mackinac Race, sponsored by the Bayview Yacht Club, heads up Lake Huron to a weather buoy located 22 miles offshore from Alpena and then turns west/northwest towards the finish line.

Hearsch said the sailing was wild and furious much of the way with the strong winds behind them.

"As one person said, this was like falling down a stairs for 36 hours. We all got our share of bumps and bruises," said Hearsch, an attorney in Sandusky.

Facing eight-foot waves crashing over the bow, there was no time for food or rest, except for two crewmembers that became ill, according to Hearsch, who said the Sanilac County part of the crew came through hale and hearty.

Old, also from Sandusky, and another crewmember, spent five-to-six hours mending a torn sail, which almost led to an early end of their adventure.

Hearsch said that before race even started, one of the sails ripped.

"After we got that sail down," he added, "five minutes before our start, another boat - Eagle One - turned in front of us and we t-boned it - we hit right in the mid-section."

He then added, "Although there was some sizeable damage to both boats, it was nothing that effected our seaworthiness. We got going... and we did well."

The third place finish was especially satisfying for Weyand his crew. Weyand, out of Livonia, had sold his previous sailboat and a new one would not be delivered in time for this year's race. So, he leased On the Edge, a boat that had finished last in its class in four previous races.

"We were pretty happy (placing third)," said Hearsch. There were seven boats in all in the NA 40 Class.

Two area Skippers won their sailing class in the Mackinac race. Dave Replogle of Port Sanilac guided his boat, Montombi, and his crew to a first in the NA 40 Class, finishing in 33:48.12.

Meanwhile, Charles Williams of Lexington, captured first on Rebel, which competed in the IRC G Class. Rebel finished in 35:33.35, placing ahead of 16 other boasts in the class.