CYOB Inbox

June 7, 2017

We invited your answer to the question ‘Will you be onboard when the racing starts?’ Here’s what our readers had to say – and they did have opinions!

I don’t give a sh… about the A Cup anymore.
I’m with you.
There is something to be said about sailing a classic.

Cheers,
Peter Cohrs, Kingston

Dear John Morris,

You ask if I'm on board with this year’s America’s Cup ?? You bet I am !

I’m a retired wood and wood/epoxy boat builder who loves not only sailing but living aboard - preferably with a woodstove burning. My last boat, PaPa 1, is a 40 tonne gaff rigged schooner built on the hull lines of Marguerite T, an original Bristol Channel pilot cutter built by Edwin Rowles in 1893 that I owned and rebuilt about 20 years ago. Nigel Irens “tweeked” old Marguerite’s lines for me to suit a new boat carrying a schooner, not cutter rig.

Given my preference for heavy displacement, traditionally rigged vessels, you may not expect these new fangled, flying multis to be right up my alley - they sure are. When launched in 1893 Marguerite T carried a retractable bowsprit, several furling jibs set on a traveller, perhaps one of the first ever furling mains and many other very clever features. Innovative, radical no-doubt 125 or so years ago. Today ? Heck, what off-shore cruising boat doesn’t have all these “new fangled gadgets” ? Surely it hasn't gone without notice that all these new flat-top, black mains are really a gaff main with topsail sewn right in using the latest cloth and the old gaff now a slender carbon rod !

Same, same with the latest evolution of America’s Cup contenders : they are pioneering, pushing the limits - sailors and sailing in time will benefit - already are.

Who doesn't love an evening reach at 5 or 6 knots into the sunset ? But I also gotta say, steering from the windward ama 8 or 10 feet above the water at 24+ knots is right up there ! If your thing is the old 12’s I get that: they’re gorgeous and - thankfully - some are still sailing.

Here’s to inclusion, not exclusion - sailing and your magazine will be better for it.

John Steele
Retired Boatbuilder
Riverport, Nova Scotia

Dear CYOB

I tell you what...........The people in Bermuda care!

It is an amazing sight. The Island looks like the Monaco of the North Atlantic! Super Yachts and huge sailboats everywhere as well as 6 J Class yachts tied up stern to at one of the Hotels on the harbour. There is excitement in the air and people can’t wait to see the races starting tomorrow.

For many of us who live here we have seen these boats foiling around the Great Sound for the past two years so we have become a bit blasé. However, these extreme sailing craft are thrilling to watch and when they do a turn still on their foils it is exciting. If this style of sailing helps get people interested in sailing by any means let it continue. The fact that the teams competing have agreed to hold the 36th Americas Cup in two years time gives some planning to all of us sailors and spectators. We are hoping that it will be here again.

Obviously we are a bit biased but the Great Sound is a terrific venue for the event. It is an amphitheatre and will provide spectacular viewing for everyone on the water and believe me there will be thousands out there!.......All this to say I am looking forward to the Americas Cup racing but I am more excited to see the super yacht and in particular the classic J Class boats race. We get to see the old and the new. Now how good is that?

Respectfully submitted Richard Thompson, Bermuda

Ps. Talking about the old and the new....I have attached a picture taken 2 weeks ago at the International One Design Race Week here in Bermuda.

John, I have to agree with the side that believes some traditions are long established and best continued. Snowboarding did not replace skiing. It simply added another dimension to a sport that continued to appeal to the avid skier.

I sail on the Great Lakes out of the Sarnia Yacht Club on Lake Huron. We have no death defying foiling catamarans in our region. I think one 60’ trimaran entered the Mackinaw Race this year. Let the death defyers find their own traditions and establish their own niche in the sport. Allow the mono hull enthusiasts to maintain their tradition of seeing the best of their class in the America’s Cup.

Brian Gilmour

John

Racing sailboats is about having boat speed, but it's also about applying strategy and tactics. We all remember how cups were won or lost, and for the most part it was because of a good tactical move, or a bad one. We all learned from these traditional races because we gained knowledge we could directly apply to the racing we did.

Today, it appears the only tactical rule that is being applied is "stay clear of the other boat". Otherwise, these races are about who can get up to speed faster and who can sustain fast foiling. Yes they are great to watch and fantasize about, but, in my opinion, does little for you or me or the sport of sailboat racing in the tradition sense.

Roger Renaud, Windsor ON

As owner operator of a sailing school I see very little interest from my students in racing in particular and less so with events like the America's Cup. Those that do know about it see and comment about it a game for the very rich and has no relevance to them.

When I post info on our Facebook page the likes and or comments of events like AC or Vendee Globe is much less than when we post information about local events especially those events being enjoyed by participants similar to the followers on our FB.

Just my observation after 14 years of teaching sailing.

As for myself the answer is "not likely" perhaps the final race to see if Oracle can be beaten.

Regards

Rick B, Innisfil, Ontario

CYOB Inbox

Bring back the monohull. Something we the common man can relate too. Million dollar boats have the ahhhh factor, but not our type of sailing.

Tim Aseltine

South Port Sailing Club, Tecumseh ON

…….. lost complete interest in it

Barry Cline, Port Credit Yacht Club - sail a Kirby (Vision 660) - had the same boat for 40 years.

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