We were lucky enough to get on a winning catamaran called “Wow” last year during the 2022 Musket Cove Regatta. This year we arrived the day before the regatta and did not have a chance to secure a position for all three races.
There are over 100 sailboats in the anchorage and on the moorings. It is packed! About 80 boats signed up for the regatta this year. But that does not necessarily mean that all 80 boats are racing. For example, we signed up Sugar Shack but we don’t plan to race our home. We signed up so we can participate in the challenges, games, opening and closing night dinners.
This is a great shot (taken by Musket Cove) of the Island Bar and the boats in the marina.
Day 1
Day 1 of the Musket Cove Regatta is the Beachcomber Pirate Date Race. This is definitely the most fun race as anything goes! We were lucky enough to secure a spot on a beatiful Fountaine Pajout catamaran called “Salty.” We know Mel who is crew on it and she invited us on after we bribed her with jello shots and cookies.
Such a different experience from last year. We were in party mode the minute we stepped onto the boat. Everyone was carefree and jovial and ready for a good time. With that said, we were still in a race and managed to get a pretty good position off the start line.
Like last year, we did not have much wind so it was a motor sail (anything goes in this race). We sailed right past the marker with a bird who was just watching the excitement go by. Matt tries to inflate his pirate sword and we arrive to Beachcomber island after 2hrs. I think we were 5th in the catamaran category.
Once we get to shore we are immediately taken as prisoners. They shout at us to behave or we will end up in the sandy grave yard.
We walk across red hot coals and are forced to take our rum vaccination. Can’t have a pirate day without rum!
Everyone dresses the pirate part.
The crew at the Beachcomber.
Funtabulous Time
This is Viki from Island Cruising, she is the organizer of our South Pacific Rally.
Cruisers like any excuse to dress up and drink.
My favorite pirate.
And then the silliness occurs…
Do I make a good sea monster?
Meet the “salty” crew.
Fijian Dancers
Such beautiful expressions
And the fire dancing
They really stepped up their show compared to last year!
The Salty crew successfully conquered Pirate Day!
Stay tuned for Part II of the Musket Cove Regatta 2023! Coming soon
Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind actual live events. This blog post occurred in early September. Did you read our very cool post on Yadua and Yadua Taba?