Gulf Coast Dinghy Racing

[Mike J]

Is there any dinghy racing close to the Alabama Gulf Coast? I want a small boat to single hand and it would be nice to race occasionally even With my old knees.

 

[Alan Crawford]

Via Google. A contact at one of these should be able to help you. Buccaneer YC has a very active Finn fleet and can help you find a good used Finn should that be something of interest.

https://fairhopeyachtclub.com

https://www.mobileyachtclub.com

https://bucyc.com

 

[Gouvernail]

Look for A young active Guy who sails a lot.  Seek advice.

I know one fellow who could help A LOT!!! 

We are not allowed to out people. 

Maybe @Zaney knows how to find him. 

 

[Rasputin22]

Check with Donny Brennan at Diversified Marine on Dog River, Mobile. He was the boatwright for the US Olympic Team a couple times I think and is just the guy for you. 

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Diversified-Marine-Services-Inc-279913278716412/about/?ref=page_internal

 

[onepointfivethumbs]

+1 to Alan for the Mobile Finn Fleet. Solid group of sailors, lots of ages and ability levels there, they could definitely get you into a loaner boat or sell you one for a fair price, I know for sure there's a very nice Lemieux (with a wicked two-tone gelcoat fade) on the market in Mobile and an ex-Team Australia Devoti in Sarasota...

I don't know who's the current fleet captain, shoot an email to [email protected]

@surf nazi can probably clue you in better.

 

[Mike J]

Donny did some work for me on a Holder 20 but that was quite a few years ago. I will go talk to him. Thanks

 

[Blaise]

Check out the Gulf Yachting Association web site (http://www.gya.org) for a list of clubs in your area and contact them. Many of the smaller clubs in the area struggle and are not much into racing anymore. The switch from flying Scot to Viper has left many small clubs behind because we cannot afford the boats.

 

[dgmckim]

Check out the Gulf Yachting Association web site (http://www.gya.org) for a list of clubs in your area and contact them. Many of the smaller clubs in the area struggle and are not much into racing anymore. The switch from flying Scot to Viper has left many small clubs behind because we cannot afford the boats.

that's sad to hear that clubs are being priced out. do you guys still race the scots at all?

 

[Blaise]

that's sad to hear that clubs are being priced out. do you guys still race the scots at all?

To some extend yes, but I don't know how well attended the races are. In our case (Pelican Yacht Club), the vast majority of our members have lost interest in racing so we concentrate on recreational sailing. I hear that there is a growing fleet of Scots in TX (Dallas, Austin, ...). Several of our members sold their boat to Texans, so not all is lost.

 

[Zaney]

Being a LA(lower Alabama) guy. There is some OD sailing here. It all depends on your class.  Finns out of Bucc yc.  There are some random sunfish and laser races around the area. But not as active as it used to be in any stretch.  Most people are avoiding the f/s like the plague.  Its seems to be about vipers , vx ones and to a small degree melges 24.   Beyond that, there is phrf.  lots of booze cruising phrf.  There are 3 YC's on the bay. All have different strengths and weaknesses .  Its about what "you" are looking for.   I've been a member of all 3 on the bay at one point or another and they are all full of great people.  But for single handing.  the area used to be a major hub in the sunfish.  but that too has moved on...

I would just try to find a boat you like and go with it.  Traveling is easy.

Z

 

[Mike J]

You are right traveling is easy. I’m just old now and hurt more when I set up and sail. I was a member of Fairhope Yacht club for many years and remember some of those races. The Sunfish used to race every week at Lake Forest and a buddy of mine and I raced Lasers across the bay at MYC MANY years ago. I think I remember a big Laser regatta at Fairhope that you participated in. Finding a boat for an old guy to single hand is a little difficult. Maybe I will get a Raider 16 and do events like the Mug Race. Thanks for responding.

 

[Rasputin22]

There was a good Force Five fleet in Mobile/Fairhope ages ago. The Nat champ was from Mobile one year, Alec Thigpen I think it was. I enjoyed sailing my Force Five off the beach in Fairhope, lived just up the bluff and cartopped the boat on my VW bus.

 

[Mike J]

There is a lot of sand on the beach in front of the yacht club. The channel was just dredged and the sand was deposited there.

 

[ARNOLD]

You are right traveling is easy. I’m just old now and hurt more when I set up and sail. I was a member of Fairhope Yacht club for many years and remember some of those races. The Sunfish used to race every week at Lake Forest and a buddy of mine and I raced Lasers across the bay at MYC MANY years ago. I think I remember a big Laser regatta at Fairhope that you participated in. Finding a boat for an old guy to single hand is a little difficult. Maybe I will get a Raider 16 and do events like the Mug Race. Thanks for responding.

+1...you could do a whole lot worse. I heard there is a new builder coming on line.

 

[Mike J]

I am actively searching for a Raider to check out.  A Raider in Tennessee is the closest I have found.

 

[sailwriter]

Yep, the handicap overall winner of the 2018 Mug Race, sailing a Raider Sport single handed, was 73 years old. Really forgiving for a boat with decent speed.

 

[Mike J]

Thanks sailwriter. I know you have a lot of good experience with the Raider. Keep me in mind if you hear of one in the LA ( lower Alabama ) area.

 

[Alan Crawford]

 I’m just old now and hurt more when I set up and sail.

Based on this comment, a Finn may not be the best choice but then I am also "old".

That said, IF you have a place to store a rigged boat, a Weta trimaran could be a good option. Good used ones can be found at reasonable prices. If you can keep it rigged, it takes less time to get a Weta on the water and sailing than a Laser plus you can take a second person and not sacrifice too much performance. Quite comfortable to sail with very good speed. Wet. On the flip side, if you can't keep it assembled and rigged, there are probably better choices in my opinion.

 

[Mike J]

I think I am going to buy an old Laser or Sunfish to sail until I can find a Raider. The itch to be on the water is strong.