Does Racing Rule?

[Julie]

Either your into it or your not

One either likes the competition and challange or one doesn't like it.I don't like it. In my opinion there is no such thing as friendly competion just polite acceptance of defeat. If your very lucky the victor is gracious; if you are unlucky you get called names and fall in the pecking order and then the ridicule really starts. I didn't get attracted to sailing for that sort of thing.I would rather be a sloppy and happy sailor than a tortured competitor. I have never seen a competitor stop any race to admire the sunset or the view. I stop frequently, often slow down; I don't have any place to be or any special time to be there. If I have to get in quickly I turn on the motor and head for safety.I know that certian personalities thrive on competion; my personality is not one of them. My personality thrives on peacfulness, thoughtfulness, kindness, contemplation and admeration of our blue and green spaceship called earth.Shucks, I have to get off this soapbox I'm getting dizzy. Thanks for letting me vent.Fair Winds and gentle seas,Julie

 

[Gary B.8224]

What a crock!

As host of the Catalina 25 Nationals this summer......which are being relatively POORLY attended by the way......I think most people who don't race are intimidated by the starts, or by the "rules". I was always a mediocre sailor until I began racing. I LOVE cruising too, but NO QUESTION, racing will make one a better sailor! Send those Catalina 25s and 250s my way! For those who won't try racing, we have a FUN FLEET for non-racers.....(we'll start slow...). See the link to fleet 94Gary B.molika@teleport.com360 687 2048 near Portland, OR

 

[Bob7291]

Somebody done ya wrong, Julie

You don't have to stop the boat to enjoy a sunset, and you don't have to win to enjoy a race. At my club no one puts anyone down, and the winners are quick to help the also-rans get better. While running 2nd in the last race of a series, we turned back to fish out my crew's cap, which had blown off. I knew it had some sentimental value (and that we probably weren't going to catch the leader, if you must know.) Then we tried real hard to get back up to second, but had to settle for third. No biggie, and he still has the cap.

 

[rycsailor]

once upon a time

I raced for a period of time until the pressures of "competition" became excessive. When done purely for fun, ie, a brush, or in the spirit of good natured friendship it was enjoyable. Unfortunately, the spirit of competition, much like in Pop Warner junior football, became too intense with near(and actual) collisions, fist waving and protest flags. Then, of course, came the Kevlar and Graphite/Mylar sails followed by deck ape uniforms and all of this for bragging rights at the pedestrian level of "club racing". Trimming for speed and awareness of weather may be learned by racing, but real seamanship is lacking in many club racers. I have seen far too many racers carry sail in conditions far beyond what common sense warrants. Watching a multi-thousand dollar Kevlar main blow out because the owner thought it macho to push beyond prudent limits is a sight to behold,

 

[BTXpress]

To Race or Not to Race

Very interesting comments. I started racing one designs, which is still my favorite venue. Sure, some sailors dump a bunch of money into dinghies. But, I have found good sailors with basic gear do very well in club competition.Speaking of which...I was sorry to hear so many comments about bad experiences with "competitors". We've all met a few jerks on the race course. By and large, I think most racers will help others rather than demean them. Handicap racing often have fleets for those not quite into it as much as others. My club, for instance, has a Silver Fleet for the novices. If you win the Silver Series then you automatically get bumped up to Gold Fleet to give someone else a chance to collect some hardware or just get out on the course.Two reasons to race, you will get better, and there is a commraderie around racers that is not always the same a cruisers, who tend to do their own thing. I love to cruise and raft up with others, who tend to be racers taking a day off.

 

[s sauer]

Choose Your Competitive Level

I still prepare our 1986 Hunter 28.5 for racing every season. Wetsanding the botom, tuning the rig, inspecting and repairing anything that may become a problem is my normal springtime setup. Last year I don't believe I entered any races, although I usually run non spinnaker or cruising division in The Epilipesy Cup or the Hospice Cup or for some other similar good cause. Maybe I'm just ready for the Alzheimers cup myself. My point is that you can choose an appropriate level of competition or choose to cruise in a perfectly set up boat and enjoy yourself. We needn't chose up sides as racers or cruisers.

 

[Bill Hall]

Small boat racing improves big boat skills!

Most successful big boat racers have raced small boats (Tillman, Cayard, Connors). The reason is that small differences in trim, angle of heal, fore/aft balance, sail draft placement make noticeable difference in performance. Such subtle differences are not noticeable on a big boat (you don't go swimming, or lose two boat lengths within 20 seconds of an error). Nor do you worry so much about how the bottom looks on the day of the race in a big boat. Take these small things, and implement them on a crusing boat, places more joy and a sense of accomplishment to the art of cruising. Cruising then becomes both art and science. The art of knowing what needs to be done, and the science of how to do it. The reasons I sail are because I like to fix things that are wrong. A sailboat that tries to go faster, is always wrong...trim sails to go faster and you have also changed the direction and speed of the relative wind. Then you need to trim again. It's always broke! By knowing these things, your cruising boat performs better, and gives one a sense of accomplishment at having mastered wind, conditions, and boat handling. Racing/cruising,...love it all.

 

[Meinerts Reef]

Backing Up Gary's Comments

As the current Catalina 25 National Champion of 2003, I truly support Gary's views. This last Fthers' Day we held our second annual regatta. The first was last years Catalina 25 Nationals her in Syracuse, IN. I had tried for years to get our club members into racing and they would just sit and bitch and drink beer. Ever since the Nationals last year we have form Catalina Fleet 43, have an extremely active race program, and some members are even starting to be a challenge to me and my crew. This year I am pulling out to Portland to defend my title, and 3 other club members are footing their own way to join me. Not because of my skill, but because racing improve them as sailor, racers, and humans. The skill of racing is a dieing sport for several reasons including cost. But when the pros are able to buy titles and use the mighty dollars to scare us little guys off, it effects other people will to race. I say lets take back America's Cup and glory, lets start from the bottom and train and build the average racer into another super hero. Any computer nerd today can make money, but it takes hours of racing, to learn how to sail safetly.

 

[foredeck]

continuous learning

I began racing 15 years ago to become a better cruiser - one beginner's boating decision that turned out to be a good one...I know dozens and dozens of "cruisers" who will insist they've"Ben sailing for 30 years" and have lots of war stories - what they don't realize, is that those listening rapidly see another sailor who learned for the first month, and has been making the same mistakes for 29 years...I would be misleading you if I didn't also admit to knowing lots of club racers who are almost as bad...It IS a great way to learn, and you know what? If all you do is go from last by a mile to last by half a mile against the same folks - you've become a better sailor, and you know what else? That's where and how we all started...Give yourself a break... have some fun... get back on that learning curve...Foredeck

 

[Rick D]

Interesting Thread

There are some strong feelings out there. I do think the various "Cruising Classes" have saved many regattas in SoCal. With exceptions, distance race attendance is generally way down, which is I guess understandable given time/logistics issues with real working people. Cruising classes have propped up many of them. "Real" handicap races generally regard the cruise class racers with some contempt, tho. It isn't "real" racing, which is understandable from the point of view of people who have optimized boats for competition and have worked hard to develop skilled and dedicated crews. Personally, I race a couple of races each year, but don't try to do a series. I actually do reasonably well in cruising class despite a tough rating. However, I couldn't stomach serious racing with all the heavy batteries, ground tackle, cushions, gear, tankage and missing a full complement of sails.Still, I have to agree that the press of competition is just the right thing to help you assess your boat tune, sail trim and helming. I think one of the hurdles is the starting process and that might be addressed by a timed-course approach similar to rallying. Since you are racing to handicap anyway, boat to boat results matter little anyway except for the fun.The real competition now seems to be in one-design, which is understandable in that it puts limits on sails and gear to make the sport a bit more affordable and reflective of crew skill more than the dollars invested in hardware.Rick D.

 

[Capt. Sid]

I can see the attraction

I can definitely see the attraction to racing as I have a somewhat competitive spirit and often engage in little races with other boats that are going the same direction as I am. Many of these other sailors don't even know that I am racing them! But like others who have posted I sail for the shear pleasure of the quiet solace of wind, boat, and water. Racing competitvely would just make it a whole different thing for me.

 

[Tom D]

Racing is what you make of it

I started sailing with a passion for cruising. I cruised for many years and eventually became involved in racing. When I started sailing my dream boat had bronze ports, teak decks, a bow sprit, a pilot house, and a full keel. Eventually I selected an old J/35 - for me, times have changed.Of all the time I have spent on the water, the days of racing have taught me the most and in the shortest period of time. It has put me in situations, I would not have otherwise put myself into (especially with my wife and kids on board), and it has done that in the most controlled and safe way, possible. Racing demands that you master the basics skills of sailing so that you can focus on more advanced skills - or you won't win. That in itself allows you to make quicker and better decisions on the water as basic skills become second nature. It has made me intimately familiar with the weather patters and prevailing winds in our area and how they change during the different seasons. It has taught me the importance of learning these patterns when travelling to other areas as well. It has taught me about the limitations of the crew, as well as the limitations of the boats. It has given me great confidence in my skills in handling my boat in all kinds of conditions. If I were to have cranked on my motor every time things got a little dicey out there (or every time the wind died for that matter), and headed for shelter, I would never have experienced these situations, and the fear of the unknown would probably still be haunting me.Sure I like to kick back and enjoy the sunset - as I often do. But my passion now, is to be the best sailor I can be. To be self sufficient, to be aware of my surroundings, the wind, and the current. To be prepared to make quick and confident decisions regarding the boat and my guests on board. And most importantly, to not to be dependent on my engine or Sea Tow to get me out of a crisis. The fact that I have an engine and that Sea Tow is available only affords me more options. One day, though, as we have all seen, that engine is not going to fire, and Sea Tow is going to be far away - and I'm sure going to find comfort in knowing that I can beat off a lee shore in 25kts of breeze without missing the sunset or spilling my beer. And for that, I have to credit the race course.

 

[gram1966]

Racing is way to make friends

I have been racing off and on for 50 years. I have been on crews that have won major offshore races and have done informal club races. The most important part has been the camaraderie and lifelong friendships that have developed as a result. The various crews that I have been part of over the years have included rich and poor, young and old, male and female. The great thing about it is that no cares who you are in real life. They only care about your contribution to the boat and that contribution includes helping others and making jokes at the appropriate times, not just pulling lines and certainly not yelling. Although my crewing and racing skills are limited I can generally walk on a racing boat in any part of the country and make a contribution and more importantly meet new friends.

 

[Dan C30]

sounds good but, a shallow

aguement. there is nothing mentioned in the "for racing" comments that I have not encountered in cruising. I dont need an excuse to "get water under my keel", I will get out there alone when no one else is on the water and have a go out it. when I plan a trip, unless a hurricane is blowing in, who cares about the weather. usually Im headed to a certain place, Im constantly "racing the clock" to get there on time. experience and time on the water makes you a better sailor. cruise, daysail, race, it really dont matter as long as your out there doing it! for the record, I taught myself to sail 23 yrs ago on a Prindle 16. when I first got her I raced in the Prindle fleet. there is nothing I learned racing that I wouldnt learned otherwise by just getting out there and doing it. if you love sailing the way I do there is nothing like being out there on a close reach with a "bone in her teeth". dont matter weather you got somebody over your shoulder or not!

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Just Curious?

I've been reading the comments submitted and have a real question in my mind about the way racers think.I have been driving for 45 years and have never been in a car race but I have never been accused of not being a good driver. Been flying for 30 years and have never in a race, but I have never crashed and have always gotten where I wanted to be. Never been accused of being a bad pilot. Rode horses professionally for 10 years, never been in a horse race, but am considered to be a pretty good horseman. Been sailing for 20 years in the inland lakes and waterways, the Atlantic and Carribean. Never sunk a boat, never broke a boat,never filed an insurance claim and always have gotten where I wanted to be, even in the face of storms and adverse situations. Why is it that in this forum, racers think that if you don't race, you can't pilot a boat. At my marina, the cruisers go out with the same frequency as racers if not more so. We usually go out by ourselves and handle our problems, if any, as they arrise. The cruisers and racers party together in the evenings with no class distinction. We are all friends and for the most part one large family. NO BODY CARES WHAT ANYBODY ELSE IS DOING, NOR DO WE SIT AROUND AND CROW ABOUT ANYBODY NOT BEING ABLE TO SAIL BECAUSE THEY DON'T RACE. It's a big world with a lot of water! Again, live and let live.

 

[ex-admin]

Racing makes you a better sailor

Racing definitely makes you a better cruiser. It teaches you how to get from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time, how to trim your sails effectively, and how to handle close boat to boat situations. When I first got into racing in the '70's it was lot's of fun, however somewhere along the way, the price to play got ratcheted up to the point that without a fully trained crew and the latest sails, smoothest bottom, etc etc. you can't consistently be in the hunt. And in the windy races, seamanship goes right out the window, carrying too much canvas in order to be competitive.

 

[mister andyd]

My 2 Cents

I started sailing with a hobie-cat at 16, which led to racing to keep things interesting. Since graduated to 31' cruiser. I truly believe I am a better sailor today (at 40) as I learned much from the early racing days. Also, my fellow racers taught me a lot through sheer interest in helping others. My experience with racing was positive, and I've in turn shared those lessons learned with others.Now that I cruise, those lesons have been invaluable. An occasional race re-energizes the competitive spirit, although I usually crew on a go-faster-than-mine boat. As someone else mentioned, two boats headed in the same direction automatically triggers the sail-trimming and attention to detail.

 

[Chris Burti]

Dan, a friendly and minor disagreement...

First, let me note that I am a confirmed cruiser and have little interest in racing anymore.I don't disagree with your philosophy at all either. I also believe that you are also correct that as far as learning, there isn't much of cruising significance to learn on the course that time on the water and a diligent attitude toward learning won't provide...eventually.But, I did learn one thing while racing back in the early Eighties that I doubt I would have really learned in my (now) almost four decades of cruising.You simply can not know that you are sailing a boat to its fullest potential by 'racing the clock'. To do that, you need to compare it to a well crewed, well rigged boat of similar characteristics, sailed to its fullest potential...head to head under the same conditions. Lots of variables here.The surest way to minimize the effect of variables is to race a against a fleet. You may sail faster than you ever did before but, if you're not beating the boats you should, it is likely you are not sailing your best. Sort of like the talented runner finishing at the back of the pack due to poor technique, yet finishing in the best personal time ever.Likewise, I have heard cruisers who complained about the pointing ability of their boat until they got in a race and blew the socks off of the Wednesday Night Hot-dogs. Their skill had led them to unrealistic expectations for their boat.I particularly value my own racing experience. It was a concentrated course in sail handling, sail trim, helming, navigation, weather and the physics of sailing, focus, mental discipline and pure seat-of-the-pants feel. That experience quickly advanced me to a level that permitted me to learn so much more from every subsequent experience that I doubt I would have anywhere near the skill that I now possess. Not that I don't yet have a lot to learn...Maybe, I am just more aware of what skills I lack and the vast amount of sailing knowledge for me yet to acquire.Fair winds and best regards,

 

[blewispunk]

Racing is just learning accelerated

Hey folks,Thought I'd put in my 2 cents on this as well. I'd never sailed before buying my first boat, a 26 foot columbia, last summer. This boat came with three genoas, 2 spinnakers, a mule, and a drifter. I read sailing for dummies and last summer my wife and I spent many weekends out sailing and learning the ropes and it was great. However, I wanted to learn how to fly all the sails and not just the genoas, so I got into crewing on a J-35 and man have I learned a lot in about 6 months of crewing. I can fly a spinnaker while single-handling the boat now, am comfortable sailing at night after doing the overnight swiftsure race last month, I know a lot more about right of ways, etc. This is all stuff I could have learned by just cruising, but it would have taken a lot longer. I don't enjoy crewing as much as cruising so I've decided not to do that anymore, but the experience was excellent.Now I've taken my own boat out on the Lake Union (Seattle, WA) duck dodge and plan on doing it again today, and next Tuesday, etc. This is a beer can regatta that is very laid back (we did one lap last week then just went off course and headed home so we didn't even finish, but nor did we care), and for me it's just an excuse to sail and get with friends. I'd love to live aboard and cruise all the time, but my wife isn't as into it so for now this gets me my weekly fix.

 

[Tom D]

Motor sailor

Those who fail to understand that racing is simply using the boat as efficiently as possible should strongly consider a motor sailor or trawler. Until you have really learned how to sail the machine you are simply moving around in the wind. Cruising requires maximum safety, racing teaches maximum safety.