June 27–29, 2025 Lake Waccamaw, NC

Weta Trimarans took the stage at the Waccamaw Sailing Club’s Summer Series event this past weekend, with a spirited fleet descending on one of my favorite sailing venues. With warm hospitality, dependable lake breezes, and top-tier local knowledge, the event proved to be both a tactical warm-up and a community-building weekend ahead of the North American Championships later this year.

There is momentum at Waccamaw Sailing Club as they have gone from zero to four Weta’s within their membership this season.  Lately, Waccamaw Sailing Club has been a popular stop for Weta sailors, and this weekend reinforced exactly why. From friendly hospitable members to prime camping accommodations—like Friday night’s campout “upstairs”—and lakeside rental houses offering cool, hero-worthy rest, the venue delivered on all fronts.

Friday offered a preview of what was to come, with a casual afternoon sail in a developing sea breeze.  In…

Five Weta sailors competed in the 6th East Coast Championship (ECC) held in conjunction with the 2025 NC Governors Cup Regatta, June 14-15.

There was a mix of monohulls and multihulls on the course, prompting the Race Committee to set a windward-leeward (WL) course with a reaching finish. To accommodate the wide range of boat speeds, RC used three separate weather marks: the far mark for the Weta, Isotope Catamaran, and Thistle; a middle mark for most monohulls including the Flying Scot, Buccaneer, and Wayfarer; and a short mark for the 420, ILCA, and Sunfish fleets.

The timing worked out well, with all fleets finishing within 15 minutes of each other, allowing the next race to start without delay. Weta courses typically ran 45 to 50 minutes. Successful race strategy centered on finding wind pressure, managing shifts, and steering clear of other fleets, especially avoiding the downwind of a parad…

On the weekend of May 31/June 1, 5 Weta sailors descended upon Lake Townsend Yacht Club for the 48th Mayors Cup. Unfortunately for one sailor, Tom Bews, a broken ankle would keep him from competing. That left the competition to Alan Taylor, Chuck Carroll, Myself, and Bruce Koch. 

Saturday was an extreme day. A prevailing wind of 12-4 knots was irregularly interrupted by wind shear of 20-25+ knots. The shorelines of the famously small lake became funnels, sending wind vortexes spiraling into the course. Each puff could come from as far as 45 degrees from the prevailing winds. They were survival conditions, a test for the tough. First race showed us who’s been practicing the most, Chuck started ahead and stayed ahead, despite some late challenges from Alan. I myself pushed the extremes of how far a Weta could tip sideways without capsizing (at least 45 degrees), while Bruce accompanied…

The 2025 Weta West Coast Championship made a triumphant return as part of Eugene Yacht Club’s “Live on the Edge” Multihull Regatta this past weekend, June 7–8. This marked the first West Coast Championship for the Weta fleet since the 2017 Nationals in Hood River, and anticipation was high among competitors and organizers alike.  EYC hosted a fantastic even with camping or RVing, easy launching off the lawn/beach, delightful, nutritious, and filling meals starting with Friday dinner and ending with leftovers after the Sunday awards.  The race committee did an amazing job keeping the fleets moving and adjusting the SailGP or AC type course as needed.  With a reaching start, turning mark and gates at each end of the course, splits and tactics were challenging and just like as seen on TV, or YouTube, these days.

Racing Recap

Saturday delivered classic Fern Ridge conditions, with moderate winds allowing the race…