FBYC History....
Twenty-some years ago, Den Roberts frequently contributed to the Log his reports on the Mobjack fleet of which he was an active and accomplished member. Rather than dull and lifeless prose, his colorful screeds were laced with witticisms and self-effacing humor. On the Mirth Meter, his inimitable style hovers somewhere between Dave Barry and Roger Dangerfield. Written in the third person, the following article typifies his commentary on the state of Mobjack competition existing over two decades ago.
Jere Dennison, Historian
FBYC MOBJACKER BOMBS OUT AT NATIONAL REGATTA
Den Roberts
FBYCs lone entry in the 1982 Mobjack National Championship Regatta held August 20, 21, and 22 at Lewes (Delaware) Yacht Club failed to place among the winners. Den Roberts, who place fifth at last years Nationals did not disclose how he finished this year, stating only that it was "down in the pack." Roberts, however, was quick to point out that he had led the fleet at marks during the first and fifth races but an "inadvertent" spinnaker jibe broach-capsizing and a tiller extension which parted from his tiller 10 seconds prior to the starting gun of a heavy weather race "didnt help" his effort to improve upon last years finish.
Hank Strother, of Potomac River Sailing Association won this years Regatta making him National Champion for the fourth time.
Roberts, last years FBYC Baker Bowl winner, is also defensive about his poor showings in this years club events. FBYCs Case Whittemore, sailing with former Commodore Fred Williams, dominated this years Annual Regatta an event won last year by Roberts. Further, Roberts currently finds himself in third place in the clubs Fall Series behind Jere Dennison and Jim Poindexter. Roberts claims that he has not been sailing "dumb;" rather, he alludes to "crew problems" and the need to begin working on his in-laws for a new jib.
He notes that his "moderating success" can also be traced to the "maturing of Case Whittemore as a sailor and as a human being" and to a "personal thing" that developed between Roberts and Jere Dennison who sails with his ten year old son. Roberts states "Jere is all over my back every off-the-wind leg. Its really beginning to bug me. Anyway, there should be a rule against a guy sailing and winning with a 75-pound crew."