America's Cup

LarryM · Sep 25, 2017

CDreamer said:
Sparks5501 -
Yeah, I've had the "pleasure" of droop-hiking a Star for three races in a row on a windy Saturday. Could be just brutal in the winter.

CDreamer,

I had completely forgotten how painful droop-hiking could be. For a time I had a 5.5 Meter where it was de rigueur. Before that was an International 505 where trapeze sailing was used for pain and fun. I'd give anything to be that fit and fearless again.

Nomad Willy · Sep 25, 2017

The high tech is interesting and boat design is very interesting for all boats. But high tech and extreme things or activities are very vogue now. Younger people (that could be 50 or 15) seem to need separation from older people as if to say "ik I'm not like that".

I read that there's a huge reduction in the numbers of young people that have strong desires to have or do some of the things that when I was young was very important. Having a drivers license, going "all the way" w the opposite sex and dating, getting drunk, working for money and having the things that it made availible like a car. It seems far far fewer young people aspire to these things that were must do or have when I was a young person ... think late 50's and early 60's.

I was shocked to read this and think it's essence opens the door to very interesting studies and conversation. As a whole it's easy to see (for me) why young people thought as they did because I was part of it. However getting drunk has always been a dumb thing to do. Perhaps doing dumb things in one's youth shows the way to smarter things and activities later on. As an old man I think drinking is dumb now but liked the element of excitement it provided in my youth.

HaHa I meant this post just to be a question.
Do they race 12 meter boats anywhere now?

CDreamer · Sep 25, 2017

NW-
I don't know about the 12 meters regularly racing - they are high maintenance - but of course there are many beautiful old keelboats still racing all the time. I mentioned Dragons earlier...they've regained popularity in Dubai of all places. It's a status symbol, and they're kept in absolutely pristine condition.

http://www.artisanboatworks.com/classic-designs/sailboats/international-dragon

I will suggest that it's important not lump all the "young people" together. My 20-something sons were crewing in a race series this weekend on J105's, leading to the North American championships next month. They get up, show up, they're pleasant and respectful and as a result older adults want them around. They're both "attached" to great girls but I'd say they live more of the style you're describing above. Work hard, have fun, be nice.
Here's the J105:

https://www.google.com/amp/www.jboats.com/j105/amp

I know these aren't old boats but they're great boats. Still a keelboat, and from a sailor's perspective, in many ways better than their predecessors.
You might appreciate that 105 class racing includes the Owner-as-Driver rule.

My uncle was a pretty famous naval architect who lived on Bainbridge Island (WA) for 50 years or so. They didn't even have a tv but the did have a dock. He "collected" 6-Meter boats. Like 12's, they were all slightly different but built within the 6-meter formula. Dennis Connor, Ted Turner, Tom Blackaller, used to head up there from time to time and race uncle Harry's little fleet against each other.
You'll also appreciate that he and his wife flew to Houston once for a funeral...when he got off the plane I noticed he still had bottom paint on his hands (no doubt Interlux #49 Red). He said, "Yeah...that's what I was doing this morning before she made me leave for THIS fun event."

CDreamer · Sep 25, 2017

LarryM-
Man those 505's were a wild ride.
I have to say that the most painful boat I raced on regularly - although beautiful to watch - were the Thistles. Big main, round bilges, no decks. They were like a bathtub with a 4" rail to hang over. We wore knee pads turned around backwards and sailing pants with padding but by Sunday night you were black and blue.

https://4310b1a9-a-e7d5ad29-s-sites...NIV_9Xezz0GRQlkbIUsQ683R7XaII=&attredirects=0

koliver · Sep 25, 2017

CDreamer said:
I mentioned Dragons earlier...they've regained popularity in Dubai of all places. It's a status symbol, and they're kept in absolutely pristine condition.

International Dragon

My uncle was a pretty famous naval architect who lived on Bainbridge Island (WA) for 50 years or so. They didn't even have a tv but the did have a dock. He "collected" 6-Meter boats. Like 12's, they were all slightly different but built within the 6-meter formula. Dennis Connor, Ted Turner, Tom Blackaller, used to head up there from time to time and race uncle Harry's little fleet against each other. "

There is still a small fleet of Dragons at RVYC in Vancouver. On the Labour Day weekend they have their annual regatta in Centre Bay, Gambier Island. Usually 4 to 6 show up.

The 6 meter Worlds were held at RVYC in Vancouver last week. We were at the club on Thursday, which was the 6m windup and prize-giving. I have never seen our club host a larger crowd. My guess is there were between 200 and 300 for the party. Our Ross MacDonald won in one class, but wasn't sailing for RVYC. There were Cassics and Modern classes, flying sails and NoFS classes. Something for everyone.

LarryM · Sep 25, 2017

CDreamer said:
LarryM-
Man those 505's were a wild ride.
I have to say that the most painful boat I raced on regularly - although beautiful to watch - were the Thistles. Big main, round bilges, no decks. They were like a bathtub with a 4" rail to hang over. We wore knee pads turned around backwards and sailing pants with padding but by Sunday night you were black and blue.

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CDreamer,
I always admired Thistles, but Jeez, that gunwale looks wicked! And, you are correct, 505's were a handful and not particularly forgiving. Gybing the chute in heavy air separated the men from the boys. I sailed mostly in San Francisco Bay so it was often challenging. On plane at anything over 10 knots

Sorry for the thread creep everyone . . . .

CDreamer · Sep 25, 2017

I guess to Nomad's comment though, the boats we are talking about are all old designs but were pretty technical boats. Stars are a 1930's design. Thistles 1945. The others are at least 1960's.
The "thrill-ride" mentality is older than recent decades...the more things change...

Scary · Sep 26, 2017

505 , Imagine how difficult a monohull on foils will be to sail.

The Kiwis are looking to make this a race between Australia and New Zealand, Nobody else has the dingy experience on Sidney Harbor 18's or Moths. Moths are on foils. Those guys grow up sailing planning dingy's and high speed cats. The stability of the cats makes sailing on foils easy compared to monohulls. Monohulls on foils should be a very exciting thing to watch, Talk about crash and burn.
I too sailed and owned a 505 , a Parker called Titty Pink, it was supposed to be lavender, somehow the English think pink is lavender. It had a blond deck, actually very pretty on the water.
I Also raced Hobie Cats , 18's , qualified for the worlds in Auz. the Hobie's were much easier to sail than the 505's , faster on all points as well.
This should make a great show, everybody understands crash and burn.

CDreamer · Sep 26, 2017

With Team Oracle likely out next time (per Ellison) there's no heir-apparent to sponsor a US team. Unless one emerges soon, with a change of hull designs, I don't see how a US team / boat would come together fast enough to be competitive. So a NZ - AUS final could be pretty likely.

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2017/09/18/new-beginning-americas-cup/

dhays · Sep 26, 2017

CDreamer said:
LarryM-
Man those 505's were a wild ride.
I have to say that the most painful boat I raced on regularly - although beautiful to watch - were the Thistles. Big main, round bilges, no decks. They were like a bathtub with a 4" rail to hang over. We wore knee pads turned around backwards and sailing pants with padding but by Sunday night you were black and blue.

https://4310b1a9-a-e7d5ad29-s-sites...NIV_9Xezz0GRQlkbIUsQ683R7XaII=&attredirects=0

I agree. Thistles were a killer to race in.

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