Does anyone sail ??

[SPARTAN2161]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrbY4hsNh64

"Ahoy, i sail now"

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by gwalker

We used to do Hobie Cat Regattas in Wildwood,NJ. Now those were fun. Now I mostly just sportfish and not really into sailing. I still have the HobieCat but it's rough shape. I purchased a new Contender 33T in a few years ago after selling my Contender 31. Not meaning to hijack or get OT.

sorry couldnt get the pic up

[Paladin]

No more sailors???

[316lad]

Yep, I sail a 1979 Westerly Pageant. She's lovely, very strong and sea kindly.
The old boy at the helm is my dear old late father who amongst many other things taught me a love of the sea and sailing.

I'm entering the Jester Challenge in 2014 - single handed Plymouth to the Azores in a boat under 30 foot. Yikes!

[Andad]

I was never in your leagueguys but raced flying 15's in New Zealand in the early '70s.
They were an inexpensive entry into some good times.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by 316lad

Yep, I sail a 1979 Westerly Pageant. She's lovely, very strong and sea kindly.
The old boy at the helm is my dear old late father who amongst many other things taught me a love of the sea and sailing.

I'm entering the Jester Challenge in 2014 - single handed Plymouth to the Azores in a boat under 30 foot. Yikes!

Vey nice seaworthy boat. Twin keels right?

Wow...you English and the single/double handed thing. I could never quite understand the fascination. Singlehanded around England ???

Maybe it's a homage to the unparalleled feat of seamanship displayed by Cpt. William Bligh after that nasty HMS Bounty incident.

Good luck and god speed to you on that one.

[conrail]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Come to Boston, multiple sailing schools, multiple places to sail, really reminds you of natures beauty and power being out on the ocean. Like our watch hobby it's not an easy avocation for the financially challenged however you really don't need to be rich to sail, you just need to be rich to own a top line boat and keep it in shape.

x2 There's a ton of great, relatively inexpensive public sailing centers.

[316lad]

Originally Posted by Paladin

Vey nice seaworthy boat. Twin keels right?

Wow...you English and the single/double handed thing. I could never quite understand the fascination. Singlehanded around England ???

Maybe it's a homage to the unparalleled feat of seamanship displayed by Cpt. William Bligh after that nasty HMS Bounty incident.

Good luck and god speed to you on that one.

Yes, Bilge (Twin) keel. Captain Bligh was an outstanding sailor - much misaligned by history.

The Plymouth to Azores trip is this way...an Island group in the middle of the Atlantic...About 1800 nautical miles...not round England...which would be impossible because you'd have to sail around England, Scotland and Wales...

Thanks for your blessings - I'm really quite nervous about it - but now the sailing season is upon us I can get out there and start preparing and getting ready...Rolex Submariner is Ship's Chronometer, of course, backed up by some serious GPS, etc.

[Alcan]

My Ranger 22 is smaller than most, but I've had fun with it for 30 years. We do ok with it in mixed PHRF fleet racing.

[Paladin]

With all the yachtmaster and yachtmaster II owners and afficionados here on TRF, I am surprised there are not more sailors

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by Paladin

No thanks mate...i know better. I spent enough time in heavy weather at sea in the navy. If we were to take the boat to Oz, it would be transported by ship. Not worth the risk or wear and tear of an on the water delivery.

Fair enough, the other viable option is being a ship hand on someone else's yacht doing the Sydney-Hobart I guess:) but the race is surely a grueling one!

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by cruvon

Fair enough, the other viable option is being a ship hand on someone else's yacht doing the Sydney-Hobart I guess:) but the race is surely a grueling one!

I think I might rather stand in my shower under cold water for a week while someone beats me about with boxing gloves and I tear up $100 bills...

No doubt that Sydney-Hobart the most grueling of established off shore races other than one of the "round the world" races. I have a number of good friends who have done the race and every one was happy to have simply finished.

My best friend has raced it twice. He was strategist/tactician on Kialoa III (first to finish, first in class "A" and first overall) and watch captain on Ballywho (first to finish). His two comments reflecting on the Sydney-Hobart; "it feels so good when it's over" and the "Quiet Little Drink ROCKS!"

So, in short, I prefer to limit my racing at my advanced age to inshore bouy racing and short offshore stuff to Mexico or Bermuda.