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Pondering the Nationals

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/20/2004 : 14:34:04

I'm on the fence as to whether I should bring the boat down or just list myself available as crew.

My boat only has a roller furling 150 and an assymetrical spinnaker (I think it's about a 170)(also a main sail, of course)

- not exactly race equipped. I've heard the Portland racers run with a 120 or 135 and an oversized spinnaker and don't race unless the wind is over 10 knots. So I wouldn't be very competitive.

I could pick up a 120 or 135, if that might help. (Dreaming: I'd like a Tuff Luff, second jib halyard, a 135 and 110, full batten main, and a symetrical spinnaker and related gear)

What are the average expected winds in July?
Here in Olympia, July is pretty windless.

John Mason
1982 - FK/SR #3290
Olympia, WA

Edited by - on

svmoxie
Past Commodore

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USA
331 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2004 : 15:37:02

John,

In your position I would choose to haul the boat. The main goal is to have a good time and enjoy the fellowship. As far as the racing goes there will be a broad range of experience and styles. Your sail inventory is larger than mine, (110, main and a riding sail) and I would still haul my boat if it wasn't clear across the country!

SO jump off that fence and come have fun.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2004 : 16:35:33

John "COME ON DOWN"!
Last July the winds were always there - usually building thru' the day and at times 20k+. But Gary B can give you a better assessment

Derek

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2004 : 16:40:07

John, I have about the same inventory of sails as you have discribed and I will be giving all the super duper race equiped types as much of a headache as I can. If I can just get a few good starts I will be happy. Besides, if my position is below expectations I will bake brownies and brew hot coffee, if the leaders want any they will have to come back to me.

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2004 : 16:54:54

Ed, I like that idea, maybe we'll come back for some!

John, like Clif said, come. We're going to have a good time, we're going to learn about racing our boats, we're going to make new friends. All that is good and rewarding in itself. And, the opportunity to sail your boat adds to the rewards. I'd bring osmepneo except for two things, the distance to trail, what 3000 miles (one way) and I don't have a trailer. But what the heck, I'll be there and will have a great time. Look forward to meeting and getting to know you!

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2004 : 17:18:46

Well I guess I'd better jump off that fence and get to planning.

If the winds could be up to 20+, I'd better finagle a way to get a 120 or 135.

Ed, I like your attitude! I may just be back there keeping you company.

Edited by - on

Scott L
1st Mate

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52 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2004 : 18:00:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> I will bake brownies and brew hot coffee, if the leaders want any they will have to come back to me.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I've got a similiar inventory to Johns AND I don't know squat about racing. Can you throw some brownies BACK to me?

John, join us, I've only sailed six days in my life

My job is to make everyone feel really good about their sailing skills

Edited by - Scott L on 02/20/2004 18:05:22

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2004 : 18:24:58

Thanks Scott! Ego boosting needed here

. I didn't know what kind of racing this was going to turn out to be (I've raced with people who wanted me to leave my car keys behind-extra weight). I've never actually skippered a boat racing. Looks like it'll be a good mix of styles and abilities.

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2004 : 00:22:09

John....First of all, I would be surprised to winds to 20, although it's possible. Some of what Derek experienced was a bit further down the river close to the bar and it can (and DID) HONK last July. Frankly, one never knows, but when the good old Pacific high is in place, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect 12-15 by evening, but our races will likely be over by then. For races on Saturday in the AM....we could have trouble finding enough wind.

BTW: You should stop listening to whomever gave you the bogus word on racing on the Columbia....could not be further off!

I have a 150, 135, 110 and an 80%, and a cruising chute, and have had them All up at one time or another racing down here, in everything from drifters that had to be cancelled (USUALLY later in the season), to 20+ knots true.

John, By ALL MEANS bring your boat. If you have missed it, I have tried hard to play down the image that you have to be a
"serious racer" to play in this regatta. (I wonder if that is ONE reason that Nationals in the past have drawn a small crowd.) I have won a few races out here on the river, but I am NOT bowing to pressure to have a "ringer or two" on board. I am trying HARD to get my family (wife and two college age girls) to crew, but the girls' schedules are pretty up in the air right now. I may be single handing! The point is.....yeah, I am going to try to win...but that is not my main objective. I want this to be FUN...and a chance to LEARN from others, SHARE what I know....see other boats, meet a bunch of potential friends, share a brew or two, and HAVE A BALL. Of course I will be disappointed if Bill Meinert or some hot shot comes out here and embarrasses me, but I will learn from him and be better next time.

Oh, and bring a second set of car keys!

I look forward to putting you on the potential's list...may I? Feel free to ask any questions, offer any advice. This will be SO do-able for you! We have a fleet meeting the morning of March 6.
Wanna join us and meet the locals...I think I can swing it!

Excited you may join us,

Gary B.
Vice Commodore
Fleet 94 Captain
s/v Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2004 : 00:25:26

John: BTW: I have a "reefable" 130 ish I could loan you...??? It is VERY heavy material ( it was a number 3 on a 30'er once), but we won a 20 mile leg (a beat) with it last summer......I won't be using it...first come, first served.....

Gary B.

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2004 : 13:53:42

Thanks Gary! Definitely put me on the potential list. I'm filling out the entry form; now I just have to drum up crew.

I'll let you know about whether I can attend the fleet meeting on March 6th in a day or two, need to check schedules.

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2004 : 15:44:35

John,

GREAAAAAAAAATTT!!!!!! Remember our online "Dating Service" to find crew. Clif Thompson is on there now looking for a boat!

You won't regret this!!!!! (well, I'm 99% positive of that!)

Gary B.
Commodore of Vice
s/v Encore! #685 SK/SR

You need to send me an email at home so's I can get you on the contact list, K? molika@teleport.com

Edited by - on

Steve Kostanich
1st Mate

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88 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2004 : 17:37:53

John,
I am riding the fence also. I did a lot a racing years ago, but am really out of practice. Last summer I moored a few slips down from you in Swan Town Mar. Equinox... remember? There were 5 C-25s on our dock then. If a couple more were interested in the Nationals/racing in general, maybe South Sound Sailing Soc. would give us a start with D class for the May and June series that preceed the Nationals. We'd all have to join SSSS of course, but it would sure make for some good practice. I bet "Suede Shoes" would jump in the fray.
What say you? Might just push me into going to the Nationals.

Steve Kostanich C-25 1119 Equinox sr/sk

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2004 : 18:01:41

Hi Steve,
Sure I remember. I'm in the same predicament (was going to say, "boat", but too cheap of a pun

). I used to race, but got so tired of no wind on race day that I decided to buy my own boat and enjoy cruising.

I like your idea. I could use some (a lot of!) practice. I always ran the foredeck in the races I was in and was busy with headsail changes, so I never paid attention to trivia such as; who had the right of way, where we were, who our competition was, and what those people sitting in the back of the boat were saying to each other (or were they shouting at me? nah!).

I'm already a member of SSSS, I just rarely show up for the monthy meetings. Let's race!

Edited by - on

Steve Kostanich
1st Mate

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88 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2004 : 22:29:32

John,
Do you ever see Bill Sloane, he owns Suede Shoes, and had expressed an interest in going to the Nats.?
Someone, Gary B. I think ,had offered his trailer to get the boat to Portland. If you are a member of SSSS, and get to their meetings, run the possibility of a class start by them and see what response you get. Would be nice to have at least 5 boats. If any other Olympia, WA. area C-25 owners are reading this, and want to race, jump in and let us know.
Steve Kostanich C-25 1119 Equinox sr/sk

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2004 : 03:02:34

Steve and John: Bill Sloane HAS a trailer now for Suede Shoes (I sold him that boat, BTW; it was a spring project), but I offered to come up and tow him down to Portland with my Ford F250 as he has no tow rig.

I towed his boat home from Oly to his place on Hammersley Inlet last fall. He sounded busy this July with running events, but a note from you would be appreciated, I think. LOTS of us are not serious racers and need a little NUDGE to do this. Come on, come on, come on!!!! Feeling "nudged"???? I have his email and phone number if you need it.

Gary B.
s/v Encore! #685
Fleet 94 Captain
Vice Commodore

P.S. Steve, you're welcome, too, to contact me and come down and do a beer can or spring series on my boat just to see the river, etc.....whatever it takes. I am taking out a few local fleet members, too, just to get them a lesson or two....not that I am the expert.......

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2004 : 13:02:48

I haven't seen Bill for a while. My boat will be back in the water at the end of March so I'll be hangin' 'round the docks more then.

The next SSSS meeting is March 9, I'll ask about a class start in one or both of these series - The Spring Series starts April 17(ends May 15). The first Wednesday Night Series race is on June 9(ends June 23).

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2004 : 16:24:45

John and Steve,

Two guys interested in a class start sounds like you have the beginning of a fleet. One more and you could charter a fleet, and I believe I read earlier that there were 5 or 6 other c25/250's on the docks near you. If they are all members of SSSS, then in addition to announcing or requesting a fleet start, you could also initiate fleet discussions.

Edited by - on

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