Cub scouts thrilled with their first Mack race

By Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki

July 14, 2014 at 4:23 pm Mackinac Island

Six boys ages eight to 12 were perched on the cabin top as they docked after their first Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race.

They’d just finished their first Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race – but these sailors are a little younger than most of the sailors. They’re six boys from a Grosse Pointe Park Cub Scout troop, ages eight to 12 years old, sailing the race with six dads.

It was’t an easy first race. But when asked if they’d do another Mackinac race, all six boys raised their hands and shouted, “I would!”

They sailed through winds up to 30 knots and waves of six to eight feet. But it didn’t worry these kids. They were bragging about who got the most spray coming over the bow.

The father-son group sailed on Christina With A Sea, a Beneteau 49.5 that kept it’s bimini on as a concession to the young crew.

They had one more chore once they docked. Their boat had received a safety inspection before the race, because of their young crew. But the race committee planned to do one more safety inspection at the dock.

This inspection was for the boys. The safety inspectors were going to let the mini-crew answer their questions and show them the equipment.

Meanwhile their mothers were waiting on the shore, and there were a few tears as they saw their children arrive.

“The tears can stop now,” said Becky Caulfield of Grosse Pointe Park, whose 8-year-old son Tommy was part of the crew.

Joyce Fletcher, also of Grosse Pointe Park and mother of Stuart, age 11, spoke for the group.

“I’m so proud. I just couldn’t be more proud.”