Association Forum - Catalina Owners Interesting Thread

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Catalina Owners Interesting Thread

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Gary B.
Admiral

Member Avatar

USA
969 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/22/2004 : 01:52:19

Friends,
Richard Hazelton, the editor of the Pacific Northwest sailing mag. 48 North, has recently written an editorial in which he says that racing will make you a better sailor.

The Catalina Owners group started a thread on the topic, with a FEW people saying , "no", that they "don't like yelling", etc. or that they "sail for the peace and quiet". I doubt that those who say they don't like it really haven't tried it. My response a was terse, "WHAT A CROCK!"

To see the conversation , here's the URL, but you may have to create a log-in:
http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/rview.tpl?fno=21&uid=73210472917&rid=2004173211700.3

I think much of the negativity is often rationalization based on the fact that they haven't tried it. The VAST majority of people who have actually TRIED club racing agree that involvement in racing is what has given them the skills to be a better, safer sailor when cruising. I know it's true for me; I still have a lot to learn, but I have learned more about sailing since I started racing just a couple of years ago than in MANY years of just cruising.....

Contrary to some people's thinking, the National Regatta/Rendezvous next month in Portland could be a GREAT introduction to racing your boat. We will explain things and work with you so you LEARN. Nobody will be mocked because they have a problem, and there will tons of folks there to help out, answer questions, and teach YOU how to be a better sailor.

Sure, a "National Regatta" sounds intimidating, but this is NOT the America's Cup. No getting in the way of Melges, Mumms, or even J Boats.

IF you are really not ready to try it now, join the FUN FLEET. After you watch a race or two, some of you will try going around the buoys....I almost guarantee it. We could get some experienced folks to sail with you in the Friday night Beer Can, and before you know it, you will see what these sailors are talking about. .

Most people who try racing in a situation like ours LOVE it, and stay with it., even though it's a little frightening at first. It doesn't mean you have to give up cruising. You just may stop being the last one to your destination!

Think it over. We'd love to have more boats.....and trust me....MOST of the participants are (or were) just where you are just a short time ago.......but they took the risk, and are glad they did.

Gary B.
Vice Commodore
s/v Encore! # 685 SK/SR

15 boats registered now.....hoping for 30! NEED 250s and TRs especially to fill the fleets!!

Edited by - Gary B. on 06/22/2004 03:39:25

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1595 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2004 : 11:54:04

I agree. Although I dont race now I have in the past. I must say I learned a lot just from being on the water, watching and copying the move the better sailors made. I would follow their lead and possitin my sails like theirs. It made a big diferance in my sailing . With regard to the yelling . I have never had that problem . There is no yelling on my boat, never has been and never will be . I can understand those who do and why they do but have found no need for it personaly . The biggest lesson I learned was to get over worrying about what other thought and just have fun . I do recomend prizes for those in last place as well as first and perhaps for those whe have improved the most.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2004 : 12:17:32

I agree with Doug about yelling. I think that it is totally unnecessary and usually makes any situation worse. The only loud words heard on "This Side Up" (a tall rig with a low boom) are "heads down" as we tack or jibe.
Derek

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2004 : 12:36:27

Truth be told, I think there is often more "yelling" on cruising boats that don't get out there very often. When people are inexperienced they tend to yell when things surprise them. FEAR is more often behind "yelling" than anything, I think.

Gary B.
Commodore of Vice
s/v Encore! #685

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2004 : 20:37:56

I agree with Gary. Most of the yelling I have come in contact with has been do to fear and uncertainity as to what to do.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2004 : 22:26:51

Some people thrive on competition, others on relaxation... Sometimes they can be mutually reinforcing, and sometimes mutually exclusive. Around here, the racers tend to get on their boats only race, and then race back to the yacht club after the races. That's it. I crewed with some--often wishing I could speak up when the captain was losing it for us... I watched husband-wife teams with steam coming out of their ears as they returned to the dock... Perhaps one-design is just that much more intense, and match racing even more so. (Many of these folks are Wall Streeters.) I was in one race, crewing on a big C&C on a windy, rainy, dark night, in big seas, when I felt that the entire crew's safety was compromised by the captain's decisions.

I've decided it's the antithesis of what I want from my boat.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/22/2004 22:33:14

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2004 : 22:56:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 I've decided it's the antithesis of what I want from my boat.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Or any boat. Ego = Yelling skipper = Bad day on the water.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.