April Tools 2013: Multi-hull Mayhem!
Recap & Media Gallery
Just a typical spring day in Pender Harbour
- April 29, 2013 Torrential would be an appropriate description of the rain that opened April Tools 2013, but that did not stop the 12 hearty teams of builders from plunging into planning mode at 10 AM when they got the news of their latest challenge. No plastic this year, but yes there will be screws, 2 sheets of plywood, plenty of 1X2s, and caulking to help staunch the leaks. However, the boat must be a multi-hull (at least 2), all the hulls must be the same size, and they must be mounted at least 1 foot apart. And, of course, this must be accomplished in only 3 hours using hand tools and battery-powered screw guns…and a shelter might help! Three hours of frantic labour later, 12 amazingly varied craft were sitting in the warm sun being admired by a large crowd that seemed to materialize out of nowhere as the clouds parted. 
At that point, the builders took a break while the youth teams got their fantastically-painted boats into the water. After a tight finish, the grade 12 team "Undecided" took the trophy. The Fun Race again had Undecided in 1st place, although a lot of spraying water, overturned boats and a heroic swimming finish by Ship Happens added to the action.
The adult races that followed saw an unprecedented number of sinkers---and multi-hull boats LOOK so stable! As it turned out, any boat that actually made it around the course ended up in the final, since 3 boats in each preliminary heat didn’t manage to do that! In the end, the Fireflies reclaimed their number 1 title with Cheap Oars in the most unique boat of the race in the number 2 slot, and last year’s winners Bud 2 in third. The graceful but very small freeboard boat by Clearwater Secondary took the Spiffy Skiffy Award, and the Caterpillars’ swimming finish overwhelmingly won the judges’ choice for the Broken Paddle Award. 
The little kids also seemed to be in the multi-hull mood, and the swimming pool where they float their boats was so jammed that there must have been at least a 1 sailing wait to get in. Getting their faces painted, painting pots and doing potato prints seemed to keep them distracted, however (take note BC Ferries…).
So in spite of the rainy start, April Tools 2013 turned out pretty fun. Take a look at the pictures to get a true feeling of the day and check out the results sheets below for all the race details. And please patronize our fabulous sponsors! Rona, Sunshine Coast Credit Union, PH Rotary, Pender Harbour Diesel, Twentyman’s Tea and Coffee, the Grasshopper Pub, Prudential Sussex Realty, Bobbi and Bernie Bennett, Marketplace IGA, Marina Pharmacy, Oak Tree Market, and Sunshine Coast Resort. Without them and a whole raft of volunteers, it wouldn’t have happened. April Tools 2013 ADULT TEAMS
DNF indicates that boat did not finish the race April Tools 2013 YOUTH TEAMS
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- Boat-building, activities, displays
Youth Races
Adult Races
Awards
News ArchivesApril Tools 2013 Is Coming- February 2, 2013, Pender Harbour
Well, we’ve decided on a ‘twist,’ a date has been made to build a prototype, and we’ve begun talking to sponsors--that must mean that April Tools 2013 is approaching! The date is April 27 and the place is Millennium Park (aka, the Government Wharf) in beautiful Pender Harbour BC. Builders will arrive at 10AM and have 1 hour to consider whether they really can get around the course with the materials provided. From 11AM to 2PM the hum of hand tools and battery-powered screw guns will combine with team conferences and some muffled expletives as the boats take shape. Once the ‘tools down’ command has been given, it will be time for the youth racers to run the boats they have been working on after school in the shop. Their ‘trophy race’ will be followed by the ‘fun race,’ (perhaps better described as a submarine race…) And after that, the adult racers will compete for serious cash prizes and dubious trophies. Throughout it all the little kids will hammer away on mini-boats and enjoy a whole bunch of other free activities, and the Rotary BBQ and PHLHS baked good booth will feed us all. It’ll be a day not to be missed, so get your team of up to 4 buddies together, send in your entry form (below) and fee ($160 per team, $140 if received before April 1!), and be prepared for a great Pender Harbour classic! |