Scuttlebutt Website SCUTTLEBUTT
WEBSITE 		ForumIndex FORUM
INDEX 		Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS 		Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE 		Log in LOG IN         

Forum Index: DISCUSSION: Dock Talk:
Old sailors choosing smaller boats 		Team McLube

 
 


Count Enrico
*

Mar 5, 2010, 8:43 AM

Post #1 of 6 (10656 views)
Shortcut
Old sailors choosing smaller boats Log-In to Post/Reply
The observations by Geoffrey Emanuel (in Scuttlebutt 3041) are so true. I have been given the green light by my Admiral to acquire a 2nd boat that I can dry sail in Wednesday night races. I would still have my Catalina 42 for San Juan cruising out of Anacortes but would have something a bit more fun requiring less crew.

The C-42 is 10,000lbs overweight and the goal when racing is to not be last. Lots of fun but a bit of a beast. Intimidating on the start line but pretty slow coming out of tacks and in the light air.

I am looking for suggestions for a small fun boat that will fit my 6'4" old body. I have raced on a Santana 20 and liked that. I also like that I can get a full race version for $8k or less. What else should i look at that is fun, easy to sail, rates well and that weighs less than 3500 lbs. (our crane limit).


The Publisher
*****


Mar 5, 2010, 11:26 AM

Post #2 of 6 (10654 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Count Enrico] Old sailors choosing smaller boats [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
Here is the post from Geoffrey Emanuel that was in Scuttlebutt 3041:
I recently moved from Maine to Texas and race on a lake outside of Dallas. I sold my fully equpped PHRF 30 footer with a full complement of racing sails. I bought a used Capri 22 that came with just a main and roller furling jib. Initialy, I planned to replace the roller furler with a wire headstay and acquire a new genoa, working jib and an assymetric chute. My mental state was unchanged from my longstanding approach to the sport: gear the new boat up to its full PHRF racing potential.

The first time I raced my boat, I marveled how easy everything was. I only had to hoist and flake one sail. I could race the boat with as little as one other person. I could relax a little on the downwind legs now that there was no chute to set, jibe and douse. In subsequent races, I increasingly enjoyed the lack of complexity, not having to manage a large crew and deal with exponentially higher expenses.

I think I'm sailing better too. Having a lot less to think about, I can concentrate on getting better starts and on the tactical side. Less crew means less weight. Though I need a spinnaker to be competitive downwind, I am not very excited about giving up those blissful downwind legs!

Most handicap and one-design racing has become a lot more complex, expensive and intense. I have always considered myself a very competitive sailor and had always enjoyed the entire process. My new experience has changed me. I conclude that everyone ought to try a simpler, less complex approach to sailing and see what it does for your overall sailing psyche, as well as your results. I highly recommend it.




The Publisher
*****


Mar 5, 2010, 11:27 AM

Post #3 of 6 (10653 views)
Shortcut
Re: [The Publisher] Old sailors choosing smaller boats [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
Scuttlebutt 3042:

Paul Newell, Isle of Wight:
The observations by Geoffrey Emanuel (in Scuttlebutt 3041) are so true. I've been sailing a fractional rigged half tonner with the family for the last 20 years with six head sails and three spinnakers to choose from, runners and check stays to play with and up to 27 ropes coming into the cockpit plus all the maintenance to be done. None of which I mind, but we were recently given a very old and incomplete Tornado cat.

After some time putting it back together with a new trampoline and some cheap second hand sails, we went sailing. The delight from the family was extraordinary. Apart from the speed of the beast, which everyone loves, the simplicity of the rig means that maximum fun can be had with so much less effort than the half tonner and without all the fuss.

We still have the half tonner but the Tornado has become one of the family too and we'll continue to enjoy both with equal measure.


Dean Dietrich, Tiburon, CA:
Regarding Geoffrey Emanuel's discovery of simple sailing in his Capri 22 (in Scuttlebutt 3041), welcome to sailing Valhalla. I purchased an Alerion Express 28 several years ago after racing my J/105, Blackhawk, for 9 years in San Francisco Bay. The sloop rigged vessel comes with a Hoyt boom that makes the jib self-tending and makes wing 'n wing sailing as easy as upwind tacking. I've actually raced single-handed in a one-design fleet and the only handicap was having to open my own beer cans. I call it a "geezer boat" for obvious reasons but it has extended my sailing shelf life for a few years.



The Publisher
*****


Mar 5, 2010, 11:35 AM

Post #4 of 6 (10649 views)
Shortcut
Re: [The Publisher] Old sailors choosing smaller boats [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
Scuttlebutt 3043

From Ted Garman:
Trust Scuttlebutt to provide an association between yacht racing and TV remote controls: less complexity - more satisfaction!

More seriously, Mr. Emanuel’s comments about the benefits of a simplified approach to racing reminded me of one of the most helpful articles that I have ever read, “Think simple thoughts” by Ed Baird, published in the August, 1996 issue of Sailing World. I review it at least once a season and recommend it highly.

Article here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/..._Simple_Thoughts.pdf




whizfish
*

Mar 7, 2010, 9:10 PM

Post #5 of 6 (10613 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Count Enrico] Old sailors choosing smaller boats [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
Small isn't the only way to simplify. When I wanted to move up to a keelboat for daysailing, racing, and an occasional overnight, I chose the Wyliecat 30. With one highly efficient sail, fairly light displacement (5500lb), and a high ballast to displacement ratio (3050lb ballast), I can enjoy very lively sailing, competitive racing, and easy daysailing all in the same boat. No sail changes, no spinnaker hassles, planing down wind in 15 knots and swell. I frequently go out on Monterey Bay alone (not counting the dog) for a daysail in 20+ knots. When racing I'll enter the double handed stuff when I can, but if the fleet is bigger and more competitive, I'll enter the crewed division--but still with just two or three people on board including me. Last month we did well in fresh breeze with just me and an equally skinny friend of mine, plus his 13 year old son. Our combined weight had to be under 400lb, and neither of them had ever raced the Wyliecat before. Just three strings to pull (sheet, flattener, vang), and very easily managed loads. I expect to be racing this boat into my golden years.

Dan Mills
"Katzenjammer"
Santa Cruz Yacht Club


neverwas
*

Mar 11, 2010, 12:09 PM

Post #6 of 6 (10423 views)
Shortcut
Re: [whizfish] Old sailors choosing smaller boats [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
In Reply To
I expect to be racing this boat into my golden years.

Dan Mills
"Katzenjammer"
Santa Cruz Yacht Club


Viewing the Forums: boatpete and 723 guests
 
 


Search for (options) Contact Forum Forum FAQS Markup Tags Forum Rules