The new AC boat

[Will Gilmore]

Where have you been

I hear ya
But, I was referring to the class of boat owners. Those who own boats they have (get) to sail, those who just steer because everything else is worked out for them and those who just tell their boats where to go and ride.
The question will be, which is the higher class and which is low class?

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[Jackdaw]

I hear ya
But, I was referring to the class of boat owners. Those who own boats they have (get) to sail, those who just steer because everything else is worked out for them and those who just tell their boats where to go and ride.
The question will be, which is the higher class and which is low class?

Get to a certain level and everyone on the boat is a pro. Like the AC.

Sad, but true; it is VERY hard to spend the time to be successful in business, and still have enough time to be a truly world class sailor. Pros rule. Even in the relatively low budget J70 class, the top fully Corinthian boat rarely if ever cracks the top ten.

Most top-flight fleets have no limits on pros. Like the TP52. Others have a owner-driver rule, which makes it very interesting. The current Maxi72 World Champion is Bella Mente, owned and driven by Minneapolis-based Hap Fauth. He is also 1/2 of the money behind the current American AC campaign. But I don't think he (or Doug Voss) will be driving.

 

[Will Gilmore]

I think, to get sailboat racing more popular with the general public, not that I advocate growing a great sport like sailing into a prime time Superbowl event, is to get the interested investors to highlight Olympic sailing in lasers and other affordable high-speed small boats.
When you watch a video of a one or two man crew hiking out on a plane going faster than true wind. There is a real sense of power and finess that I've only seen in athletes like Ingemar Stenmark and Bjorn Borg. When more schools start fielding racing fleets and kids growup looking up to Olympians like John Rhodes and now, Steve and Ben Rhodes.
Small boats are the key, that's why the Opti is the most popular sailboat in the world.
If they could bring the price of a competitive Optimus back down to under $800 per boat, the sport of sailing would take off. But, I'd hate to see popularity and commercialism do too it what it has done to others.

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[Jackdaw]

I think, to get sailboat racing more popular with the general public, not that I advocate growing a great sport like sailing into a prime time Superbowl event, is to get the interested investors to highlight Olympic sailing in lasers and other affordable high-speed small boats.
When you watch a video of a one or two man crew hiking out on a plane going faster than true wind. There is a real sense of power and finess that I've only seen in athletes like Ingemar Stenmark and Bjorn Borg. When more schools start fielding racing fleets and kids growup looking up to Olympians like John Rhodes and now, Steve and Ben Rhodes.
Small boats are the key, that's why the Opti is the most popular sailboat in the world.
If they could bring the price of a competitive Optimus back down to under $800 per boat, the sport of sailing would take off. But, I'd hate to see popularity and commercialism do too it what it has done to others.

- Will (Dragonfly)

Sailing needs community outreach to grow. Individuals with boats cannot do it. It needs a way for 1000+ kids each summer to just ‘show up’ and sail. Want to help sailing in the USA? Donate time or money to a local community sailing center. It’s where it all happens.

 

[Apex]

Sailing needs community outreach to grow. Individuals with boats cannot do it. It needs a way for 1000+ kids each summer to just ‘show up’ and sail. Want to help sailing in the USA? Donate time or money to a local community sailing center. It’s where it all happens.

Jackdaw and moderators: Do we have a section for community outreach or junior sailing programs? JD I would encourage you to continue to update the group on activities through your club to help motivate others here to participate the same. You have given me some motivation to check into the youth program at GTYC and perhaps volunteer.

 

[Jackdaw]

Jackdaw and moderators: Do we have a section for community outreach or junior sailing programs? JD I would encourage you to continue to update the group on activities through your club to help motivate others here to participate the same. You have given me some motivation to check into the youth program at GTYC and perhaps volunteer.

Important stuff for sure. Not sure if anything like you describe exists here, but for sure I'll start a thread (lots of new stuff at WCSC) with updates and see what develops.