[Sonar] 2 Subjects to Think About

Wed Dec 31 00:19:18 UTC 2008

Bert and Fleet 5

For my part I would vote a resounding yes to both of your proposals. Having the NA's at WYC would be a terrific event. I would volunteer my time in anyway that is reasonable and helpful in order to make this notion become a reality.

As far as the lifts are concerned, I think it would be OK for those that want to make the added investment. 

While I think it is true that a dry boat would out perform a wet boat (all other things being equal) there is still the idea of picking the right side of the race course and successfully completing both strategy and tactics that are necessary to win in our competitive fleet is still the name of the game ( not that I have ever done this, but I have seen it done!).

For myself, I have no intentions of putting my boat on a lift ,but if there are those in our fleet that want to pursue this, all the best to them ( I may regret this later..but I don't think so).

Meanwhile, Happy New Year to everyone!

Chris
--- On Tue, 12/30/08, Bert Foster <Bert at apexq.com> wrote:

From: Bert Foster <Bert at apexq.com>
Subject: [Sonar] 2 Subjects to Think About
To: "sonar" <sonar at lists.wyc.org>
Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2008, 5:12 PM

Hi Fleet #5,

Sonar North American Championship Regatta in 2010
I have been communicating with my good friend, Rick Doerr, who is President of the Sonar Class Association (SCA).  Rick is the Paralympic Sonar Sailor who beat us in the Paralympic Trials in Newport, and who we sailed against in every regatta (15) for 2 years.  The SCA holds a North American Championship Regatta each year except a year when the Sonar World Championship is in North America, and they like to have the NA out in the midwest every few years to help the class grow from being just an east coast boat.

The Sonar World Championship is at the American YC in Rye NY in Oct. 2009.  Therefore, the next NA regatta will be in Sept-Oct 2010, and could be in the midwest.  I have put a bid in for Fleet #5 and the WYC to be selected.  Some of this was based on the extreme success of both the J-22 and J-24 NAs.  Of course this will depend on whether or not Fleet #5 wants to hold it and do all the work.  JR has volunteered to be the regatta chairman and both Ernie and I will help a lot as we are retired.  However, the entire fleet has to want to do it or it won't work.  I could be a lot of fun and a big event for us.  We could hold it right after the Star of the North so, an east coast boat could drag out here and sail 2 regattas and fly home in between.  We haven't been chosen yet and our Fleet has decided they want to do it.  So, think about it. 

Sonar Fleet And Dry Sailing (lifts)
I'm requesting Fleet #5 to approve dry sailing beginning in 2009.  I requesting this because I think it would be good for the fleet to come into the modern world.  My recent experience with dry sailing around the country, my recent experience with Captain Hook, what goes on at the WYC with other fleets dry sailing, and the new dock systems coming to the WYC has lead me to believe we should do it.  We now have a number of sailors who travel to regattas and you can't have competitive boat speed it your boat has been in the water at the WYC with VC 17 on its bottom.  Its true that boat speed isn't as important on an inland lake with shifting winds as it is in coastal waters and big waves.  Therefore, the possible boat speed difference on Minnetonka between dry and wet sailed boats in not as critical.  Speed differential no where near as much as new sails.  So, lets make it a personal choice. 

Lets discuss it.

Regards,
Bert

Bert Foster, Skipper
Paralympic Team Captain Hook
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