Now that the other election is over, we thought we should have one here. But there won't be any Republicans, Democrats, or Green Party candidates. We'd just like to know what type of sailor you most admire. Candidate A is the racer. He or she is truly gifted in the nuances of sail trim and eking out the last tenth of a knot from any puff of wind. Cruising? Probably not interested. Boat maintenance? Only insofar as the maintenance will make the boat go faster and prevent problems during the race. Candidate B is the cruiser. He or she is is gifted in the navigational and sailing skills required to get to where they want to go and anchor there, coping with just about any weather conditions, and maintenance problems as they occur. Racing? Probably not interested, but would be middle of the pack if they were. The boat is in very good shape, but shows some wear from cruising use. Candidate C is the boat care expert. His or her boat always looks pristine. The varnish is immaculate. The hull shines with a recent wax job. All maintenance is up to snuff. Everything is bristol. Candidate C is mostly a day sailor. After all you wouldn't want to tarnish the boat in a race or by living aboard on a cruise. Candidate D just loves to sail. He or she is out on the boat more than most. Being out that much means some of the maintenance work is deferred and their boat is probably not the best looking one in the marina. Racing? Maybe, but they may not win much. Cruising? Some. But they may be prone to getting lost or dragging anchor or needing to call for help with a maintenance problem. But they REALLY love to be out on that boat. So who gets your vote? All votes will be absentee on the home page and no voting more than once! Share your thoughts on the sailor you most admire and tell us why! (Quiz by Gary Wyngarden)
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Candidate D
would be the one that gets my vote. We all just love to sail. We all go out for the same reason, to clear our minds of the daily grind, to get away from everything but the wind and the waves, and the challenge of everything that happens while we are out.
would be the one that gets my vote. We all just love to sail. We all go out for the same reason, to clear our minds of the daily grind, to get away from everything but the wind and the waves, and the challenge of everything that happens while we are out.
write in vote
I will have to put in a "write in vote" and say that I would vote for the preson who enjoys his/her boat the most.It could be all the candidates or any combination of them. After all the whole boating thing is suspossed to be about relaxing and unwinding however one does it !
I will have to put in a "write in vote" and say that I would vote for the preson who enjoys his/her boat the most.It could be all the candidates or any combination of them. After all the whole boating thing is suspossed to be about relaxing and unwinding however one does it !
I vote for TP
TP and his wife shared a floating dock with me in Newport RI on the labor day weekend. My friends and I aboard my Cal 33 offered them some pretzels and beer, he graciously accepted and said let me treat you guys for dinner, took his dinghy chased a lobster boat coming in, and created a feast on the dock, with shrimp scampi, lobsters and bellini's (peach martini's?) by candlelite. My girlfriend became my fiance that night and loves sailing. TP transcends classifications a-d.
TP and his wife shared a floating dock with me in Newport RI on the labor day weekend. My friends and I aboard my Cal 33 offered them some pretzels and beer, he graciously accepted and said let me treat you guys for dinner, took his dinghy chased a lobster boat coming in, and created a feast on the dock, with shrimp scampi, lobsters and bellini's (peach martini's?) by candlelite. My girlfriend became my fiance that night and loves sailing. TP transcends classifications a-d.
D...for sure.
Otto is my most valued crew member. Very much a cruiser...have never won a race with him. Yea Otto isn't much for boat maintenance and although consistant on the helm he is not for adjusting to wind shifts and really needs some assistance when it comes to navigation. Otto never complains about the rain or cold though and is always there to take the helm when I need a head break or retreive a beverage. Yup, Otto Pilot has been with me through thick and thin....yes really thin... ran aground one time although he wasn't steering at the time. I think I'd rather have Otto Pilot with me more than just about any other crew.
Otto is my most valued crew member. Very much a cruiser...have never won a race with him. Yea Otto isn't much for boat maintenance and although consistant on the helm he is not for adjusting to wind shifts and really needs some assistance when it comes to navigation. Otto never complains about the rain or cold though and is always there to take the helm when I need a head break or retreive a beverage. Yup, Otto Pilot has been with me through thick and thin....yes really thin... ran aground one time although he wasn't steering at the time. I think I'd rather have Otto Pilot with me more than just about any other crew.
Infectious D
While all the types are fun to talk to, it is Type D that inspires me the most. Sailing doesnt at first glance seem to have much practicality to it, amid the day to day struggles. The happy, frequent sailor, though, seems to debunk that impression. The point of working is to make enough money to be able to enjoy the extravagance of a joyful life. The happy sailor seems to be the patron saint of that.
While all the types are fun to talk to, it is Type D that inspires me the most. Sailing doesnt at first glance seem to have much practicality to it, amid the day to day struggles. The happy, frequent sailor, though, seems to debunk that impression. The point of working is to make enough money to be able to enjoy the extravagance of a joyful life. The happy sailor seems to be the patron saint of that.
Candidate B
While I admire the racer and the performance he or she gets from their boat. I have observed that they spent their life going in circles. I admire the boat care expert as well, his or her boat is always sparkling clean and in tip-top shape. But again, I have noticed that their boat never leaves the dock. I admire the frequent sailor as well for they are constantly out on the water with the wind in his or her sails, enjoying life. But again, I have noticed that their horizons are too near and their dreams not big enough. But the cruiser is out there day after day chasing his or her dreams, sailing for far off horizons, watching the sun set over new islands, waters and lands. He or she braves the storms and the calms, going days without sight of land or another boat for the pure joy of living with the wind and water and going wherever it takes them. So I must vote for the cruiser.
While I admire the racer and the performance he or she gets from their boat. I have observed that they spent their life going in circles. I admire the boat care expert as well, his or her boat is always sparkling clean and in tip-top shape. But again, I have noticed that their boat never leaves the dock. I admire the frequent sailor as well for they are constantly out on the water with the wind in his or her sails, enjoying life. But again, I have noticed that their horizons are too near and their dreams not big enough. But the cruiser is out there day after day chasing his or her dreams, sailing for far off horizons, watching the sun set over new islands, waters and lands. He or she braves the storms and the calms, going days without sight of land or another boat for the pure joy of living with the wind and water and going wherever it takes them. So I must vote for the cruiser.
Novice Who's an Expert
I vote for Category D My husband and I bought a 2 yr old MacGregor 23X in 1999. I made him wait almost 2 years after we saw the listing in the classified. I thought; Wow, its a lot of money and he doesn't even know how to sail her! I tried offering him my basic books on sailing, but he said experience was the best teacher. I got so exasperated when he asked (every time) "What point of sailing are we on?" Well, after a few close calls, once at dusk when a fierce storm swirled up miles from L.Superior's North shore, and another time when a novice crew member let the jib sheet fly and it wrapped itself around the motor shaft: he handled both situations which required emergency handling, expertise and skill at the helm. I was amazed, and not so apprehensive again about his 'sailing knowledge". I grew up sailing, and wonder if I could have handled myself in peril as well as he did. I am also proud to say that he is an active member of the US Coast Guard Auxilary, where perhaps that small seed of good seamanship was planted.
I vote for Category D My husband and I bought a 2 yr old MacGregor 23X in 1999. I made him wait almost 2 years after we saw the listing in the classified. I thought; Wow, its a lot of money and he doesn't even know how to sail her! I tried offering him my basic books on sailing, but he said experience was the best teacher. I got so exasperated when he asked (every time) "What point of sailing are we on?" Well, after a few close calls, once at dusk when a fierce storm swirled up miles from L.Superior's North shore, and another time when a novice crew member let the jib sheet fly and it wrapped itself around the motor shaft: he handled both situations which required emergency handling, expertise and skill at the helm. I was amazed, and not so apprehensive again about his 'sailing knowledge". I grew up sailing, and wonder if I could have handled myself in peril as well as he did. I am also proud to say that he is an active member of the US Coast Guard Auxilary, where perhaps that small seed of good seamanship was planted.
I pick
They Sunfish sailor of the world! They have it all with the least about of work and money! Darn Smart I'd Say
They Sunfish sailor of the world! They have it all with the least about of work and money! Darn Smart I'd Say
D
I vote D but it is very close between B and D. Where I am it seems like most of the boats never move
I vote D but it is very close between B and D. Where I am it seems like most of the boats never move
A's, B's need to chill; sympathy votes for C, D
It will be interesting to see whether people vote for those who are most like them or those who they are most trying to imitate, but most of us from real life resemble the C's and D's. Us C's spend time working on the boat because we lack confidence in our sailing skills and want to do what we know how until they improve; or perhaps the idea of owning such a machine is daunting and we feel a responsibility to keep it up. D's are usually people who have experienced being A's in their youth and know how to use their skills without the need for speed. Straight type A's and B's have a tendency to be alienating without understanding that they are. The racing-oriented magazines convey a distinct sense of impatience with people who aren't ready to get serious about the minutiae of technique that possesses them. The boats and rigging are expendible trappings to their experience, which is a totally different mindset from the reverence us B-C-D's bestow on our boats. The articles in Cruising magazines are all written by a narrow clique of the same dozen or so cruising couples whom I term "professional cruisers". They get to have a lovely time plying their leisurely trade and boring us to death with their detailed navigation information about places their readers can't ever get to. I feel sorry for some of these people because they are obviously in need of the perspective that living a real life on land would provide. Like their alter egos the A's They tend to be cranky and dogmatic about things sailing because they've lost the feel for their pastime as a special refuge from the cares of daily life, which we must all return to to be whole.
It will be interesting to see whether people vote for those who are most like them or those who they are most trying to imitate, but most of us from real life resemble the C's and D's. Us C's spend time working on the boat because we lack confidence in our sailing skills and want to do what we know how until they improve; or perhaps the idea of owning such a machine is daunting and we feel a responsibility to keep it up. D's are usually people who have experienced being A's in their youth and know how to use their skills without the need for speed. Straight type A's and B's have a tendency to be alienating without understanding that they are. The racing-oriented magazines convey a distinct sense of impatience with people who aren't ready to get serious about the minutiae of technique that possesses them. The boats and rigging are expendible trappings to their experience, which is a totally different mindset from the reverence us B-C-D's bestow on our boats. The articles in Cruising magazines are all written by a narrow clique of the same dozen or so cruising couples whom I term "professional cruisers". They get to have a lovely time plying their leisurely trade and boring us to death with their detailed navigation information about places their readers can't ever get to. I feel sorry for some of these people because they are obviously in need of the perspective that living a real life on land would provide. Like their alter egos the A's They tend to be cranky and dogmatic about things sailing because they've lost the feel for their pastime as a special refuge from the cares of daily life, which we must all return to to be whole.
I am a D
*box OK then: It's a warm summer day, The breeze is light at 10 to 15 knots and steady. Low humidity, partly cloudy, get out off shore 5 to 8 miles away form the mosquito PWC's. No engine, some music you enjoy on the CD, set the sails, balance the boat, pour the beverage of your choice: Man you are livin'! I'm a "D" sailor all the way.
*box OK then: It's a warm summer day, The breeze is light at 10 to 15 knots and steady. Low humidity, partly cloudy, get out off shore 5 to 8 miles away form the mosquito PWC's. No engine, some music you enjoy on the CD, set the sails, balance the boat, pour the beverage of your choice: Man you are livin'! I'm a "D" sailor all the way.
A B wannabee
I'm trying hard to maintain the life of a D, but, oh how I want to be a B. Work, save, retire, sail away... Two more years, just two more years...
I'm trying hard to maintain the life of a D, but, oh how I want to be a B. Work, save, retire, sail away... Two more years, just two more years...
The Not Even D's Yet
It is such a joy to watch the eight and nine year olds out on their own. It may only be a pram they are sailing in a protected bayou but to the thay are Columbus or Cook crossing an un chartered ocean on the Santa Maria or the Endevour. It is also fun to watch because they look at times like Gilligan on the Minnow.
It is such a joy to watch the eight and nine year olds out on their own. It may only be a pram they are sailing in a protected bayou but to the thay are Columbus or Cook crossing an un chartered ocean on the Santa Maria or the Endevour. It is also fun to watch because they look at times like Gilligan on the Minnow.
B wannabe but wll probably always be a D
I yearn to be a "B" but my wife says she'll never "live" on a sailboat. So I'guess I'll always be a "D" - on the lake.
I yearn to be a "B" but my wife says she'll never "live" on a sailboat. So I'guess I'll always be a "D" - on the lake.
Here's a lone C
I hate to admit it, but I'm a lone C here. I love puttering about on my boat, making sure everything is in its place and it sparkles. Don't get me wrong... I love to daysail too, but my boat is about the only thing in my life that I can have exactly like I want, and no one else messes with it!
I hate to admit it, but I'm a lone C here. I love puttering about on my boat, making sure everything is in its place and it sparkles. Don't get me wrong... I love to daysail too, but my boat is about the only thing in my life that I can have exactly like I want, and no one else messes with it!
Funny similiarity
I love woodworking and have a built a few peices for our home. Funny thing is whenever my wife drops in while I am working she invariably finds me making some jig or shop aid to help me perform some function on the pice I am building... Now she just says I don't actually do wood working but rather I "make things to make things with" So the question is... is it the sailing or the tinkering with the boat? For me it is both... we love sailing but I also love puttering on the boat, improving things, adding jewellry etc. D.
I love woodworking and have a built a few peices for our home. Funny thing is whenever my wife drops in while I am working she invariably finds me making some jig or shop aid to help me perform some function on the pice I am building... Now she just says I don't actually do wood working but rather I "make things to make things with" So the question is... is it the sailing or the tinkering with the boat? For me it is both... we love sailing but I also love puttering on the boat, improving things, adding jewellry etc. D.
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