The Boat or the Sailor?

[Tim]

Sailor gets the edge

I voted 60% sailor, 40% design. The boats design is going to determine it's optimum performance capabilities. Even the best sailor is not able to push a catboat beyond it's inherent limitations, as it designed for stability over speed and responsiveness. Actually, I belive it was originally designed for fishing. Last year I bought a 1980 AMF Apollo 16'double handed one-design racer. At first it seemed tender and had alot of controls that I was unfamiliar with, but determined to learn. This performance oriented design has made me a much better sailor, and I can apply my new skills to other boats and get more out them. Last week I passed a laser in my sunfish! So, ultimately, the sailor gets the edge.

 

[Tim]

Response to "Still learning"

How true!My freind and I were learning to sail a double handed racer, and eventually it dawned on both of us at about the same time -the boat will tell you what to do, just listen to it!

 

[Charles]

when either is a dog ...

Boats in the same general category ofprice and peformance will always favorthe sailor, but, if either boat or sailoris a dog then that will be the factorthat dominates. A dog sailor ina great boat or a dog boat with a greatsailor still loses. Those who gave thesailor so much credit need to, first geta life vest, and then go sailing on a cheap boat.

 

[Randy Simmons]

What Da?!?

What kind of questions are those? Can you play an entire golf game with the world's best putter? Can an inexperienced caddy beat Tiger woods if the whole game was played with only a driver? Well, yes,(maybe), but is that the way it's supposed to be done? Are both clubs suited to the game? All I'm saying is that skill counts a lot, but you still need the proper boat for the proper waters, set up for the type of sailing you want to do. From there on out, it's called compromise... What can you live with and still be happy (I know, the grass is always greener with a newer and bigger boat!).

 

[SailboatOwners.com]

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending July 20, 2003:In conditions suited to the boat's capabilities, sailing performance is:   45% said 60% sailor and 40% boat design 36% said 80% sailor and 20% boat design 15% said 40% sailor and 60% boat design 05% said 20% sailor and 80% boat design 1,025 owners responding

 

[Neil Braun]

So far I would say both....

I have a old 16 foot Hutchins ComPac and as far as I can tell its an exelent design...My girlfriend and I have a bit of a thing for storms and here in keywest we get quite a few in the summer. I seriously dought that most people think that 35 knot wind with 45 knot gusts is even remotely what our boat was designed for but it handles it with ease. As for the skill part, its like trying to slither accross a razor blade just to keep the sails out of the water and at the same time keep Donna happy about how far heeled over we are and how fast we are going.... (she is like a red neck at a monster truck pull when she is standing on the the oppisit side of the cocpit up to her ankles in rushing water!) I wouldent say that I am a great or master sailor but we have never had any problems, aside from the hull deforming and a porthole window bursting as a result.I guess I would I would have to say 50/50, if your boat cant handel the weather you are sailing in its going to get wrecked, but also if even with the best design in the world you fail to pay attention for a moment you could have the same result....Cheers!

 

[Tom]

to give the sailor his due

you could say that the first thing that a good sailor does it pick the best boat for the task at hand. A good sailor might use his superior skill to handle an inferior boat in poor conditions. Or the superior sailor might use his superior judgement to pick a superior boat which he uses optimally under the best of conditions.

 

[joe]

surfing on a door

I competed and won in surfing on what was then considered to be a poor design, today would be radical. A new sponser/shaper became frustrated with my anoying attention to detailed measurement said "A good surfer could ride a wave on a door.". To prove this he gave me a used team rider's board that was very different to what I had been riding, I rode it and won on it. I will take talent over technology any day.Aloha

 

[ted]

a bad workman blames his tools

i comment no more.

 

[Bob]

My boat

teaches me something new every time we go out, sort of like an experienced bird dog with a young hunter. She is patient when I learn slowly. Though I am her skipper at present, the day is far off when I will be her master. There are fine moments, though, when we are in tune with each other.

 

[Captain Jimbolio]

Sailor

As I learn more about what my Capri 26 can do, I am able to squeeze more and more knots out of her. I tend to think that the boat design (In my case pointing ability with a wing keel) can be compensated for by sailing experience. Now if only I had some......:O

 

[Robin Zeller]

The sailor

The best designed America's Cup boat couldn't beat a Snark if the Snarl was well skippered and the 12 meter crewed and skippered by bufoons. It is the sailor that gets the most out of the design, even a poor design. No design, no matter how well executed will make a good sailor.

 

[Gillies]

John Henry

nerver forget the lesson of John Henry, yes he was a great railroad spike pounder, but in the end technology won, and he died trying to prove different.