I Quit racing Actively Because...

[Haagen.Dazs2009]

My girlfriend and I were offered a popular 20 footer for a weekend regretta in So. Cal. We touched the first weather mark and were sailing out of the way to do a turn when an old coot behind us yelled loudly DO your 780 turn! I looked over at this 70 year old wannabe and laughed. 780? Haven't sailed in that fleet since. And what was I doing in the same vicinity as him anyway?

That couldn't have been me. 720's are passe in club racing we do. It's only 360's now. Hah!

 

[Haagen.Dazs2009]

I'm not sure my dad did the right thing by me in introducing me to sailing. After he passed, I have (just added it up) owned 204.5 linear feet in fiberglass. As I look back on it, this has been an expensive habit/trip. But it didn't seem so at the time(s). 'Course I was clean and sober until I met Trophy Wife 43 years ago. It's her fault. 'Co-enabler'? Is that what you call it?

Trophy Wife just reminded me that (1) she has not been a co-enabler, but a co-owner and (2) the real total is an even dozen boats totalling 236.5 in linear feet. That appalls me. I would have become a much better sailor had I spent a lot more time sailing OPB.

 

[Gray Skies]

The bottom line was the pain/fun ratio went the wrong way. The cost in aggravation, time and dollars of supporting my boat and crew, PHRF, the yacht club no longer was returning fun and satisfaction. Now the bbq is on the rail, the table is in the cabin and kayaks are on deck. Far more pleasant than wet sails, empty checking account, crew issues and Sailing Anarchy type whining and bitching from all quarters.

 

[dog of war]

I haven't quit and don't plan on it anytime soon.......after 35+ years still love being on the bow in a big blow!! With the new boats comming out these days I get to learn new tricks every time I go racing!!!!!

 

[Dag-Sabot]

There were always openings on 2nd- and 3rd-tier boats (Marda Gras, anyone? anyone?) but half-ass programs with pick-up crews and lots of yelling isn't really my thing. So now I play other games in order to get my competitive fix satisfied.

Some things change and some don't. depends on your tolerance levels. Id be interested to hear more about your MG experience..

 

[Great Red Shark]

My girlfriend and I were offered a popular 20 footer for a weekend regretta in So. Cal. We touched the first weather mark and were sailing out of the way to do a turn when an old coot behind us yelled loudly DO your 780 turn! I looked over at this 70 year old wannabe and laughed. 780? Haven't sailed in that fleet since. And what was I doing in the same vicinity as him anyway?

That couldn't have been me. 720's are passe in club racing we do. It's only 360's now. Hah!

720s were NEVER the alternative penalty for touching a mark.

Used to be (in the old days) that you were just OUT ( obliged to retire )

Then you had to Re-round ( bad news in traffic )

Now it's the 360 - when clear of traffic, at your soonest opportunity

Sounds like some refresher training is in order all around.

 

[DogBalls]

I'm about to quit..... then again, rehab is for quiters

 

[Not for nothing]

Used to race alot on LIS ,about 3 times a week or more, but moved to florida, west palm beach , thinking the sailing would be great.

well

-They only have races once a month

-the races are mostly reaching back and forth , or up and down the coast reaching in the gulf stream.

-RC's are fair at best

-boats with bull shit ratings

-Insurance wavierers have been a big issue here, a real big issue

-having to dodge dive boats and sportfisher guys, who don't know the rules of the road

-rather go cocktail sailing with friends, anchor and snorkel then hit the TIKI

 

[[email protected]]

Dad was a Star boat racer for years before I was born. The death of his brother (his crew), my birth six months later and the subsequent births of my siblings kept that Star on the cradle in our backyard for the next twelve years. We played house under it - the keel gave us two rooms and the rudder was the front door. It was sold to make room for a new garage.

Our boat club decided to start a junior sailing program in 1966 and we signed up. For the first two years we learned on OPBs. In the third year the club bought seven Optis and with a donated Lightning (Dad was the racing instructor) we began racing.

In 1970, our parents were approached by a local naval architect and former Thistle national champion. He volunteered to teach us advanced sailing theory & helped us to acquire a large fleet of one-design sailboats that he had co-designed. Over two winters we were taught aero- & hydrodynamics & advanced racing tactics. Come each spring, we were out for each other's blood on the race course and honed our skills. At the first four class national championships we took 6-8 of the top 10, including the National Champion. Our great program disbanded by the fall of 1972 when some of us went off to college.

After my parents sold our boats, I began crewing on Comets, Interlakes, Thistles, big boats. Then my sister & I bought a 470 to begin a campaign for a 1976 women's championship. However, the lone article I'd read that induced my interest in that championship contained a major TYPO - the boat to be used was actually to be the 420 not the 470 (back then, they didn't think girls could understand how to sail a 470. PFFT). Wrong class but had a blast sailing it for a few years. I bought a Laser (full rig) and as a 100 lb lightweight, killed everybody in light air. But the second it went over 12 knots, I went over. I gave up on one-design dinghy racing.

Continued to crew on PHRF big boats on three different club nights a week plus a distance race nearly every weekend. The boyfriend got a 23ft custom MORC boat and I ran the bow for three seasons, same hectic schedule until the breakup. Went back to PHRF and cut back to one club race plus a distance race a week, still running the bow.

Then I got very sick 22 years ago. I lost my career and among other things, had to stop sailing (that alone almost killed me. But it didn't.)

I am now feeling somewhat better (albeit much older) and I wanna go sailing/racing in little boats again, goddammit.

 

I just bought a thirty y/o Snipe (we're building a Snipe fleet - have 12, now) and race on Tuesday nights. What a cool little boat.

 

I just wanna have fun. And goddammit, I will.

 

[HILLY]

Dad was a Star boat racer for years before I was born. The death of his brother (his crew), my birth six months later and the subsequent births of my siblings kept that Star on the cradle in our backyard for the next twelve years. We played house under it - the keel gave us two rooms and the rudder was the front door. It was sold to make room for a new garage.

Our boat club decided to start a junior sailing program in 1966 and we signed up. For the first two years we learned on OPBs. In the third year the club bought seven Optis and with a donated Lightning (Dad was the racing instructor) we began racing.

In 1970, our parents were approached by a local naval architect and former Thistle national champion. He volunteered to teach us advanced sailing theory & helped us to acquire a large fleet of one-design sailboats that he had co-designed. Over two winters we were taught aero- & hydrodynamics & advanced racing tactics. Come each spring, we were out for each other's blood on the race course and honed our skills. At the first four class national championships we took 6-8 of the top 10, including the National Champion. Our great program disbanded by the fall of 1972 when some of us went off to college.

After my parents sold our boats, I began crewing on Comets, Interlakes, Thistles, big boats. Then my sister & I bought a 470 to begin a campaign for a 1976 women's championship. However, the lone article I'd read that induced my interest in that championship contained a major TYPO - the boat to be used was actually to be the 420 not the 470 (back then, they didn't think girls could understand how to sail a 470. PFFT). Wrong class but had a blast sailing it for a few years. I bought a Laser (full rig) and as a 100 lb lightweight, killed everybody in light air. But the second it went over 12 knots, I went over. I gave up on one-design dinghy racing.

Continued to crew on PHRF big boats on three different club nights a week plus a distance race nearly every weekend. The boyfriend got a 23ft custom MORC boat and I ran the bow for three seasons, same hectic schedule until the breakup. Went back to PHRF and cut back to one club race plus a distance race a week, still running the bow.

Then I got very sick 22 years ago. I lost my career and among other things, had to stop sailing (that alone almost killed me. But it didn't.)

I am now feeling somewhat better (albeit much older) and I wanna go sailing/racing in little boats again, goddammit.

 

I just bought a thirty y/o Snipe (we're building a Snipe fleet - have 12, now) and race on Tuesday nights. What a cool little boat.

 

I just wanna have fun. And goddammit, I will.

GRRRRLLLLL;

You rock. Never let the wind leave your sails, and if you're ever in Oz and want to do the bow on a little 32'er let me know!!

 

[Not My Real Name]

I must be the worst parent in the world, my kids are 9 and 10 this year and I have been sailing their whole life, my daughter now even comes to the club and sails herself.

During the week I manage to get my kids to all sorts of other sports but I still find the time to get out sailing as much as I like.

Edit- From my own observations of my friends who have fallen to the "its my kids" it is usually more to do with the guilt trip put on them by there partner over going sailing rather than the kids need them to do stuff. To them it just not worth the grief or hassle to do something for there own enjoyment.

Absolutely THE most heartbreaking part of selling the racing boat was that my son had just gotten old enough and experienced enough as a sailor to come out with us and not only not be a danger to himself but to actually DO something - he was around eight at the time. A little bit of time in the Jr. Sailing program was enough to get him familiarized with the basic maneuvers and what not to do. So for the last couple of races we did we made him the sewer rat on take downs, and he sat in the back next to me at the helm and managed the hydraulic backstay for me (which was quite helpful, I tended to zigzag trying to drive and pump). I also noticed that he very quickly grasped what was going on, more quickly than some of the people that had been racing with me for a while - it took little time for him to anticipate maneuvers and when it was time for him to go down below catch the kite, ease/pump the backstay etc. The crew feed him too many snacks and doted on him, and he loved it. He cried when he learned we were selling the boat and not going to be racing her any more. I think he was too young to understand the "next boat" concept we were headed for, he just loved racing with us.

Of course with the new boat he was on the water 10X as much - I think he counted at one point between Jr. Sailing and our cruising was on the water sailing almost 30 consecutive days without interruption...

In many ways it WAS "The Kids" that ended my racing, but because I wanted to take them places and spend much more time with them on the boat.

 

[Haagen.Dazs2009]

GRRRRLLLLL;

You rock. Never let the wind leave your sails!!

Ditto!

 

[poncho]

My girlfriend and I were offered a popular 20 footer for a weekend regretta in So. Cal. We touched the first weather mark and were sailing out of the way to do a turn when an old coot behind us yelled loudly DO your 780 turn! I looked over at this 70 year old wannabe and laughed. 780? Haven't sailed in that fleet since. And what was I doing in the same vicinity as him anyway?

That couldn't have been me. 720's are passe in club racing we do. It's only 360's now. Hah!

720s were NEVER the alternative penalty for touching a mark.

Used to be (in the old days) that you were just OUT ( obliged to retire )

Then you had to Re-round ( bad news in traffic )

Now it's the 360 - when clear of traffic, at your soonest opportunity

The point was that the old coot yelled at me to do a 780 WTF with that? Refresher for the old coot..

Sounds like some refresher training is in order all around.

 

[scottmax]

I must be the worst parent in the world, my kids are 9 and 10 this year and I have been sailing their whole life, my daughter now even comes to the club and sails herself.

During the week I manage to get my kids to all sorts of other sports but I still find the time to get out sailing as much as I like.

Edit- From my own observations of my friends who have fallen to the "its my kids" it is usually more to do with the guilt trip put on them by there partner over going sailing rather than the kids need them to do stuff. To them it just not worth the grief or hassle to do something for there own enjoyment.

Absolutely THE most heartbreaking part of selling the racing boat was that my son had just gotten old enough and experienced enough as a sailor to come out with us and not only not be a danger to himself but to actually DO something - he was around eight at the time. A little bit of time in the Jr. Sailing program was enough to get him familiarized with the basic maneuvers and what not to do. So for the last couple of races we did we made him the sewer rat on take downs, and he sat in the back next to me at the helm and managed the hydraulic backstay for me (which was quite helpful, I tended to zigzag trying to drive and pump). I also noticed that he very quickly grasped what was going on, more quickly than some of the people that had been racing with me for a while - it took little time for him to anticipate maneuvers and when it was time for him to go down below catch the kite, ease/pump the backstay etc. The crew feed him too many snacks and doted on him, and he loved it. He cried when he learned we were selling the boat and not going to be racing her any more. I think he was too young to understand the "next boat" concept we were headed for, he just loved racing with us.

Of course with the new boat he was on the water 10X as much - I think he counted at one point between Jr. Sailing and our cruising was on the water sailing almost 30 consecutive days without interruption...

In many ways it WAS "The Kids" that ended my racing, but because I wanted to take them places and spend much more time with them on the boat.

At least your out sailing BJ my comment was more at the people who quit altogether both male and female.

 

[zvikingz]

Malignant Melanoma.......... use sunscreen boys and girls!!!!!!

 

[jerseyguy]

Malignant Melanoma.......... use sunscreen boys and girls!!!!!!

I'm a survivor--so far. Melanoma is not your friend. Sunscreen, long sleeves, sunglasses and a hat that covers your neck and ears

 

[Not My Real Name]

Today's race is a classic reason why people quit. I spent better part of two days prepping boat and transporting 500 miles for a meager fleet of 5 boats on a race course that was to be w/l and turned into reach reach. Results were predictable when one design racer brought out his cheater genoa and walked on the "fleet". Repeat pain tomorrow, drive home, spend another day rigging boat. Not coming back for this one again any time soon.

Any reason you didn't throw a flag on him?

 

[duncan (the other one)]

Results were predictable when one design racer brought out his cheater genoa and walked on the "fleet".

so why didn't you protest instead of bitching about it here?

If what you say is true, you and the other three competitors are letting the guy get away with it, and encouraging the situation.

 

[Gouvernail]

about teh kids thing...

When I was 11 I raced with 9 year old Eric Johnson.

When I was in my forties I got to race with Eric and his two kiids Clay and Reid.

I sure am glad our parents ( those of all four of us) thought the klids were a reason to go TO the lake as opposed to staying away.

Sailing does not have to be expensive to be fun.

 

[Swimsailor]

[Take your kids sailing whether they want to or not. Get yourself a spine and your kids some integrity...

The most relevant thing we do as parents is set an example. Enjoying life through a hobby and including other people, including your kids, is a good example.

Sometimes having a spine means putting your own interests aside for those of your kids'. The thread is about not racing anymore, not sitting at home watching your kids play video games all day.