How many racers on CF?

[OldFrog75]

I'm bored so why not?

[Stu Jackson]

Yeah, I always got bored by racing. I mean how hard is it to get your boat from Point A to Point B with "help" (i.e., crew) on the boat compared to singlehanded cruising?

Yes, I raced monthly for many years, now only a few times a year.

It is not all that surprising that there aren't any "How to race" forums. Think anyone's willing to give up their hard earned knowledge?

[OldFrog75]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Yeah, I always got bored by racing. I mean how hard is it to get your boat from Point A to Point B with "help" (i.e., crew) on the boat compared to singlehanded cruising?

Yes, I raced monthly for many years, now only a few times a year.

It is not all that surprising that there aren't any "How to race" forums. Think anyone's willing to give up their hard earned knowledge?

Humor me. Vote...please.

[lifeofreilly57]

Like all forms of sailing racing is a learning experience.
I raced my previous boat in Wednesday night beercan racing as well as some of the longer races around new england, I also crewed on some serious racing boats,(IE not mine).
From it I learned how far you can push a boat, which is much further than most people are wiling to go. You'd be surprised at how much punishment a boat can take and just shrug it off. I also learned sail trim much faster than I would ever have cruising.
My current ride is a 40,000 lb cruising boat but I got it PHRF rated, so I think I'll do some fun offshore racing this year, lets see what the old bird can do.
Boring? Not if your learning and really figuring it out.
You'd be surprised how many "cruising" sailors have some racing background and will jump on a race boat in a heartbeat when asked.
I've never found any form of sailing I didn't like.
Most people who say they find it boring never learned enough to make a go of it.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by lifeofreilly57

Boring? Not if your learning and really figuring it out...............
.................
Most people who say they find it boring never learned enough to make a go of it.

Perhaps you missed the sarcasm and emoticons in my post.:bang head:



I did vote, too.

[Suijin]

I love racing. I race big boats twice a week from May through October, Wed. and Fri. nights, and distance races and ocean races. Raced as a kid and into my 20's and then didn't for many years until I moved aboard. I learn something pretty much every time I go out, and that combined with the fact that the boats I crew on have skilled and competitive yet easy-going and level-headed crews makes it fun and enjoyable.

The only racing I don't like is the weekend windward/leeward regattas. Setting, gybing and dousing a kite over and over all day long is not my idea of a good time, even if I'm only watching from the mainsheet, lol.

[Paul Elliott]

A few years ago I was doing two or three local ocean races a year, mainly as practice for the Pacific Cup (San Francisco to Hawaii race) which is held in even years. I will probably do no racing for the next couple of years. Of course I say that every year, and I always backslide.

[Tayana42]

For me sailing is about getting boat and crew from place to place safely and comfortably. I'm not concerned about getting there faster than someone else. That said, when another sail shows up heading in the same direction I do double check my sail trim.


S/V B'Shert

[s/v Beth]

Didn't you sell your boat Paul? So what exactly are you doing besides feeding Popeye the seal?

[gamayun]

I race single and double-hand to learn how to trim for optimal speed and become a better sailor. Any more than one crew and it's too crowded on my boat ;-)

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Didn't you sell your boat Paul? So what exactly are you doing besides feeding Popeye the seal?

Absolutely not -- I still have VALIS and we will continue to go sailing. I did also get a smaller power boat, a Ranger 27 "tug", and that is a lot of fun for taking the family on short local outings.

And we do see Popeye in the marina from time to time. (Popeye is a harbor seal that has made the Friday Harbor marina her home. She is blind in one eye and begs for handouts. There is a nice statue of her in the park.)

[OldFrog75]

Originally Posted by OldFrog75

I'm bored so why not?

Just realized this could be taken the wrong way. I meant to say I started the poll because I'm bored, not I'm bored with sailing so I might consider racing.

[Blue Stocking]

Just let another boat be on the same course as me, and watch out.

[lifeofreilly57]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Perhaps you missed the sarcasm and emoticons in my post.:bang head:



I did vote, too.

Nah! Was working in China and thought I'd have a little fun and throw a tweak and see what came back, now back in USA and adjusting to the time change again.
I know most guys who've raced have a hard time resisting answering a tweak.....
Not Me Though! Nope, not at all.....

[lifeofreilly57]

Fortunately my wife also crewed on race boats for many years so when we're out at sea and I see another boat and start to trim up she just laughs. Trimming up a 40,000lb boat just doesn't have the same effect. Gives me something to do on long days.