Boats made from thin plywood and duct tape may not sound seaworthy, but they’re the only vessels allowed in Schooner Wharf’s 35th Annual Minimal Regatta.
This wacky Memorial Day Weekend regatta shoves off at 1:30 pm on Sunday, May 24, in Key West’s Historic Seaport and is heralded as a Key West “Not-to-be-Missed” event.
Here’s the deal: only the most minimal boat-building materials are allowed. Teams can only create crafts made from a single sheet of 4’X8’ plywood, two 8’ long two-by-fours, a roll of duct tape, and a pound of fasteners. Caulking and adhesives are strictly forbidden, but epoxy paint is permitted.
Sounds impossible, right? Well, for some sailors, it is.
Because Schooner Wharf Bar encourages contenders to wear costumes and to create themed-related vessels, entries are often more scenic than seaworthy. Past regattas have included all kinds of crazy vessels — from a Red High Heel Shoe, a Steamship Paddle Wheel, and a funky Pirate Galleon, to boats fashioned as Alligators, Flying Saucers, Guitars, and Wine Bottles! However, some teams’ clever designs far outweigh their seaworthiness.
Recent regattas have included a tiny Tiki Hut that overturned mid-course, as well as an unsteady entry whose captain, costumed as a park ranger, went down with his ship!
The key to winning is to keep the crudely crafted “boats” afloat long enough to complete a short course in Key West’s Historic Seaport. Each team can have up to six members, but at least one “designated passenger” must crew the vessel throughout the regatta.
Racers get to vie for prizes in multiple categories, which makes the regatta all the more fun. Even the losers have a shot at winning the disheartening “Sinker” Award, which is presented to the hapless teams unable to stay above water.
In addition to all of this wack-a-doodle-ness, the Minimal Regatta also includes a terrific Memorial Day Weekend BBQ with a ton of classic summertime eats and great live tunes.
It all happens at Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St in Key West’s Historic Seaport. More info at 305-292-9520; schoonerwharf.com.
