I have two boats. One, the 27, is my dedicated cruiser and the other is my
racer.
My view point is that Racing sailboats are equivalent to NASCAR, NHRA and
the like. While not a profit sport (Except high $$$$ racing) like NASCAR
etc, the racers serve a similar purpose. How many of the cars you drive have
safety, speed and handling devices that were originally developed for the
race track?
I also look at racing as a way of learning how to get the most out of my
boat. Techniques I've learned racing have allowed me to navigate narrow
channels with the minimum number of tacks, made a dock/pier/harbor before a
storm hit, or other things that help my cruising boat perform more
efficiently.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Lance Jones
Cruising Captain, Barefoot Sailing Club
Catalina 27TR SN 5455 Gaelforce!
Capri 25 SN 411 Scottish Rebel!
----- Original Message -----
From: "tim ford" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: Tongue in Cheek comment .. was ...Weekend on
Chesapeake Bay
Ralphalope, I'm in agreement that it is an assinine, useless and totally
idiotic sport.
Agree whole heartedly.
But it's also one heckuva lot of fun! Out on the foam with yer mates and
matettes and
all working as a team, joking around and laughing and enjoying a few adult
beverages afterward and falling down in the parking lot and losing your
wallet
and waking up feeling like hell and going out and doing AGAIN in a driving
rainstorm blowing 25-30???? DOES LIFE GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT???
I ask you.
I have a friend who is vehemently anti-race....he says it's antithetical
to sailing! But is it?
Coaxing your boat to go as fast as possible is intrinsically tied into
maritime history, both in
matters of warfare and commerce. There's nothing "wrong" with racing,
though, I admit, it's
not the most relaxing way to spend time on the water for most sailors.
But the addiction factor is high and there must be some kind of payoff for
we nuts who live
from weekend to weekend, waiting and getting geared up to go out and
punish our bodies
and our self-esteems for ridiculously little demonstrable reward...a
pickle dish, a plaque, a
cup maybe.
It aint about the hardware....it's about the gestalt.
tf
still bruised
