The Sailboat Thread!

[DavidD]

Those shots were from a J-32 during the 100 mile race on Kentucky lake. It is a "cruising" J for sure but definitely is able to show it's pedigree when pushed. The J-105 is an awesome boat and I'm sure you and your dad really appreciate the design compared to the Santana and its IOR design, especially off and down wind! I have raced on many J's, 22's, 24's, 30's, J-80 (my least favorite by the way), J-92's, 105's and have been sailing lately on a new J-100. They make a fast, stable and incredibly easy boat to sail. The 32 was designed with the same mind set as the 29, for cruisers who want to get there fast. I have not had the pleasure to sail the 44 yet but I here it is very comfortable. I have a friend in West Palm Beach who has just recently bought one and hope to take a trip to the Bahamas next year. We'll see.
I personally have a cruiser, or "condo" as some might say. I was never really a Hunter fan, this is my first, but have really enjoyed my '89 30. It's easy to sail single-handed (which I do often), has plenty of room and was relatively inexpensive for the year and size. Kind of "the most bang for the buck." I just got a new full batten main and wow, what a difference. I can point a couple of degrees higher. Well worth the investment.

I have adopted the racing philosophy of :
1. No more dinghies! Lightnings, Dutchman's etc. are for those younger and/or in better shape. Don't get me wrong, I learned a lot on a Lightning and it is an incredibly competitive class, but all that damn hiking. I now only race "big boats. I do however consider the J-22 in this "big" category, even though it's basically a dingy with a keel. Lasers are fun and just for play.
2. And this one is real important, ALWAYS RACE SOMEONE ELSE'S BOAT. I'll helm, trim the main, trim the jib, fly the chute or do foredeck. Hell I'll even be rail meat if you ask. Just don't ask me to pay for that new Mylar/Kevlar sail or broken carbon fiber pole.....

I'll keep an eye on the race. Give the crew of Stinger my best and let them know that a sailor in Tennessee is rooting for them. They'll probably think you've lost your mind, a sailor in Tennessee????

Dave

[sailork]

I grew up in Oklahoma and Dad learned how to sail on Grand Lake of the Cherokees. We race against plenty of great racers from inland lakes. Generally the winds are much lighter down here then they are 'where the wind comes sweeping down the plains' in OK.

It looks like a miserable hot windless regatta at the moment. Thanks for the support.

k

[DavidD]

It looks like a miserable hot windless regatta at the moment.

Around here, we say it's a "sweat n bobb". You know, lots of sweating and bobbing around. Tell dad to stock up on ice and plenty of beer.

Dave

[sailork]

Yeah, we did a fair amount of sweating and bobbing. Far more beer was drunk then seems at all safe or reasonable. I'm several shades darker and redder than I usually am.

We won the trophy we were after so it was a very successful week.