Where Are All The Sailor?

Ryan,

Although I agree with you on the lack of useful information, much of the info you request would probably be of use to power boaters as well. In cyberspace as in life, we are outnumbered I'm afraid. As far as links to yacht clubs, racing and crew requests, we've always got the DRYA site (although I agree it would be nice if there was a link to it somewhere on this site).

Anyway, we do have this little area of the forums right here to share local knowledge (hence my reason for starting the "Anchorages?" thread). I unfortunately don't know a bunch of other sailors but if I come across any, I"ll certainly send them this way. Part of my reason for coming here is to meet other sailors (outside of my own marina). This site is as good as any as far as a place to get the sailing community in this area together on the 'net. I'm sure that if the webmasters of this site begin to see more sailor activity on the site, then they might be more amenable to adding some of the features you request?

I appreciate the fact that our friend Convincor is assisting in trying to start some traffic on this board for us being that he's a non-sailor!

Starsailor

Convicor,

I was sincerely appreciative that you made a stop down here at our little space on this site! Wasn't bein' facitious!

The "it's a lot of work" thing is an old wives tail. When I take the boat out I can get the sails set and trim in about 5 minutes single handed. Then I can basically sail across the lake for hours without touching a thing given a fairly steady wind direction. If I turn on the autopilot, I can sit there and sip a beer and read a book and just look up every so often to make sure I'm not going to hit anyone/anything.

The only time sailing is a lot of of work is when you are racing or when you are on a "pleasure cruise" with an anal racer who can't stand to have his sails slightly out of trim!

The nice thing about sailing is that you can listen to music, talk (quietly) to others, and even barbecue while your under way (I've done it!). Its really quite relaxing.

Star

I had just posted about the rest of the site not being busy. Only to get out of the boathouse and notice you all talking about it here. As far as things you would like to see added to the site. All you have to do is ask. Capt Mike and the rest of the staff are always looking for ways to improve the site. I'm not sure more fourms are the answer. The real answer is more sailing traffic. Maybe a flyer stapeled to a couple of sail clubs boards would do the trick. You would think this would be a great site to talk about races, rigging, crew, whatever........... I once asked my friend at work who's a life time sailor out of North Star what sites he goes to. His answer were all National sites. I asked why wouldn't you want to meet people that are all on the same lake as you......he really didn't have a answer nor have I seen him visit the site. (at least that I know of) I guess diffrent strokes for diffrent folks. But one things for sure is that this site is open to all lake users not just power boaters. I could think of nothing better than to meet more great people that love the lake.

Here is a topic. Will New Zealand ever start another F'ing race or are they going to keep the cup forever by leaving the series and 3-0 with an infinite number of weather postponements on perfectly fine weather days.

Atleast in San Diego they almost always started the race even if they couldn't finish the legs within the time limit.

At this rate we'll be lucky if any station covers the next cup.

My other Lake St Clair Pet Peeve. Maybe Bayview and Crescent are different. But why in Anchor Bay and North Shore do they run PHRF races with downwind and reaching starts. It seems in looking at the standard wind direction they intentionally set courses that do not involve a real upwind leg. Even when one is available they always use a heavily favored leg. Why not run an upwind start so there is actually some strategy involved instead of a 3 reaching leg drag race for a course.

I've raced in rain, snow and a lightening storm. Depends on the race. Typically depending on the race rain doesn't cancel it. In college racing the only thing that will cancel or postpone a race is not enough wind (less then a slight breeze probably 3mph) or lightening. Rain or snow though and you still race. I can remember a race in March on the East River in NYC where it was blowing 30mph and about 30 degrees outside and capsizing before I had a drysuit and feeling like I was going to freeze to death. In less serious stuff usually somewhere around between 25 to 30mph the race will get cancelled because no one wants to break anything and you tend to push the boat a lot harder while racing. Races don't start in lightening but it will happen during a race sometimes. In areas that are prone to squals. A race is more likely to get canned for not enough wind then bad weather.