Who Else Loves The Bruce Kirby Sonar?!
- Thread starter Simon Sexton
- Start date
That it does, sir! I raced them for three years in the summer season and I don't think I've steered a monohull so nimble!
I've seen them raced in a NYYC hosted event in Newport. I've seen them race in Olympic Class Regattas in Miami. I've seen a paraplegic named Brad, leave able bodied sailors in the dust in one of those. Sonars have quite a following.
Fun boats. We have a OD fleet of them here. Fun fact, the boat was originally designed as a 'sit inside' boat by rule, but then keener sailors got involved, and now they allow sitting on the rail. EVERY boat is faster if you hike. Every one.
Bruce Kirby is a legend. Look at a list of the boats he designed, including the Laser (200,000 builds according to SBD). Mirage 25, Kirby 25, some of the small San Juans. Quite a portfolio.
There's a small fleet in the Stewart area of FL as I understand from local Snow Birds. They have a lot of fun with them. Easy boat to take out and match wits with your friends. OK maybe hike a little if indicated.
There's a small fleet in the Stewart area of FL as I understand from local Snow Birds. They have a lot of fun with them. Easy boat to take out and match wits with your friends. OK maybe hike a little if indicated.
It was the disabled Olympics boat for London 2012. A friend and member of WYC was on the team. He passed away last year. Amazing guy. RIP Bert.
John Rousmaniere's video version of his "Annapolis Book of Seamanship" uses the Sonar for the daysailing segments. Must view. Includes elementary spinnaker instruction.https://vimeo.com/ondemand/annapolisbookseamanship/192147478?autoplay=1
Sorry.....this link is trailer. ...couldn't find free version of complete video
Sorry.....this link is trailer. ...couldn't find free version of complete video
They are great boats. I used to sell them, fix them and race them. First built by Seidelmann Yachts, they went through a number of manufacturers through the years. They have an 11' cockpit and with class sails are easy to trim and race. Very stiff in a blow. I remember at WYC years ago in 40 kts winds the only boats in the vast variety of fleets that could fly a spinnaker were the Etchells and the Sonars. All others stuck with working sails. When they were first introduced into our area by the dealer I worked for, we had Jerry Gavin from North Sails on the boat for a maiden voyage on a very windy day. We tried to broach the boat, but couldn't - even with the spinnaker.