At the risk of providing TMI, my perspective on racing has evolved over time. I started racing on my Dad’s Cal 33 when I was a kid. We were dedicated racers (and won a lot), which meant at least a full day every weekend (usually Sundays) late spring, summer, and early fall. My Mom was not a sailor and stayed home to care for my younger siblings while my Dad, older brother, and I were out sailing. Over time it resulted in marital discord — I think serious golfers run into the same issue. I decided to not do that to my wife (and marriage), so I stopped racing when we started having kids. You definitely lose your edge if you’re not out there all the time. These days I do the Wednesday FJAM races for kicks, and a few point-to-point distance races annually. It is difficult to put a crew together for spin racing, and we’re all getting too old to run the pointy end. In addition, the Erie fleet now stays mostly in the bay, and my boat was designed to go play in the big waves out in the Lake. If I were serious about local club racing, I’d get a J 35 or something comparable. The 42 is too much boat for short, calm water course racing. To keep a crew, you need to race regularly.
Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 31, 2021, at 10:13 AM, David Risch <davidrisc...@msn.com> wrote: > > > Through tight starts and mark roundings You will learn every dimension of > your boat and how to put it exactly where you want it (or not). > > Sent from my Android. Please forgive typos. Thank you. > > From: Matthew via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2021 10:08:50 AM > To: 'Stus-List' <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Cc: Matthew <wolf...@erie.net> > Subject: Stus-List Re: Racing fleets and getting sailors to participate > > Bill’s assessment is correct. He left out that the Erie Yacht Club Racing > Fleet, which used only race with spinnakers, had dwindled to about 10 or so > active boats. The Chairman at the time (I was Vice Chair) developed the > Wednesday night Family Jib and Main (FJAM) racing, which uses a handicap > adjustment system so everyone can win (sooner or later). Wednesday night > FJAM racing became very popular – so popular that sufficient interest grew in > non-spin weekend racing that we started a fleet for that as well. > > From: Bill Coleman via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2021 12:30 PM > To: 'Stus-List' <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Cc: Bill Coleman <colt...@gmail.com> > Subject: Stus-List Re: Racing fleets and getting sailors to participate > > In our fleet, the Spinnaker is just that, usually on weekends, with a few > races interspersed in the evening instead of the Wed Nite Jams. This usually > only brings out around a dozen entries. > Then, the Wed JAMs at 7 PM, usually with a fixed start at the corner of our > club, occasionally with the Committee boat. Some things that help, are a > good and dedicated Race Committee to get them started regularly, without > delays. We usually get 40 to fifty boats out during the summer. > Also nice are the Programs that start in the early spring, with food and > drink once a month, then occasional Parties during the summer. > Other things to encourage participation, are three La Fem races, strictly > women, and another few for strictly under 30. > You can’t understate the importance of camaraderie, keeps people active. > Sponsors help to fund parties and keep costs down. > > > Bill Coleman > Entrada, Erie, PA > > > > From: David Knecht via CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com] > Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2021 9:59 AM > To: CnC CnC discussion list > Cc: David Knecht > Subject: Stus-List Racing fleets and getting sailors to participate > > I noticed looking at Bill’s link about his spinnaker that his club has three > racing fleets: Spinnaker, Family JAM and Jib & Main. I don’t know what those > represent, but am curious. > I am in charge of racing for our club this year (for the first time) and one > of the things I am looking into is whether we can increase participation in > racing by our members. One idea I am exploring is having a “green fleet” for > those new to raicng to get them invoved in a low stress format (primarily > start timing when you get to the line). We would also have a pre and post > race skippers meeting/discussion to talk about the race, rules, etc.. > This group seems like a good place to get ideas as to what other clubs do in > terms of racing fleets and encouraging participation from those who are not > traditionally participating. Has anything in particular worked well for your > club? Thanks- Dave > > S/V Aries > 1990 C&C 34+ > New London, CT > > <image001.png> >
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