IC37 by Melges, a new era of One Design racing in North America?

[bloodshot]

a mere 5 years ago....

https://www.sail-world.com/Australia/CandC-30-One-Design-Class-announces-first-North-American-Championship/-143141?source=google

The class has grown steadily since one-design racing began in 2015; 11 teams recently competed at the 2016 edition of Quantum Key West Race Week. With the rapid introduction of new teams, and with boats in build for early 2016 delivery, the fleet is expected to number at least 20 for the July event.

'The class is honored to hold our first North Americans at the NYYC,' says C&C 30 One Design Class President Dan Cheresh. 'The conditions in Newport are always spectacular, and the NYYC logistics and hospitality are top-shelf. I'm thrilled to be competing in such an exciting event; we'll be training hard all summer. The competition gets tighter at every regatta - I can't wait to get to the starting line.'

 

[fastyacht]

Yep.

But I did see one in Newport past weekend. Not sailing.

 

[Swimsailor]

I was thinking of the J/105 as a favorable comparison to the IC37

It seems the classes with owner managed associations have much more longevity than professionally managed classes.  The IC37 will last as long as the NYYC keeps them.  In a few years they will be beat to hell and they'll send out RFP's for the latest NYYC OD class.  It will be what the well healed membership wants.  While the initial rules make for nice copy none of the owners or charterers actually want to sail with all armature crews and single sailmaker sails.

 

[EastCoastHustle]

Sailed on the boats a few times. Super competitive racing and a fairly simple boat at a low price point for what it is. It's pretty quick but at times feels a bit sticky.

I'm not a fan of the electronics rules, but I guess thats part of trying to keep the cost down.

As someone noted above, it is very difficult to find qualified amateur crew who have the availability needed to be competitive with the top of the fleet.

All that said, I will probably and happily race on them again.

I know there are some UK boats now. Not sure how many.

 

[bsavery]

It's pretty quick but at times feels a bit sticky.

What do you mean by "sticky" 

 

[Monkey]

What do you mean by "sticky" 

You’ve never heard that term?  It just means they don’t feel too quick in light air. It’s common with most big flat bottomed boats. Lots of wetted surface to drag around. 

 

[JM1366]

You’ve never heard that term?  It just means they don’t feel too quick in light air. It’s common with most big flat bottomed boats. Lots of wetted surface to drag around. 

That's why you see E-scow and A-scow crews hiking out on the low side in light air. Lengthens the waterline, but it also gets some of that wetted surface out of the water. 

There is something to be said for the fun in boats that require a big crew. It's almost like some rich guys from the NYYC saw the A-scow racing in the midwest and said "gee, the parties and teamwork are really great... but gee wiz, a 38 foot hand-sheeted dinghy? Geez, that's a lot of work... I dunno. If only we could have the parties and the fun crew without having to work so hard and get so wet!"  At least that's how I see it.

What does a suit of sails for one of these things cost?

 

[Somebody Else]

That's why you see E-scow and A-scow crews hiking out on the low side in light air. Lengthens the waterline, but it also gets some of that wetted surface out of the water.

But looking at the aft sections, there isn't a significant reduction in wetted surface area on the IC37 when heeled. I like a little deadrise aft which seems to help break the surface tension somewhat. Chines are the heeled equivalent of deadrise.

 

[jackolantern]

No one at this time is worried about sail costs or anything other than the weekend.

You say that, but look at the original 2019 scratch sheet compared to today. By my count, some 9-10 teams who were in the game two years ago are not racing in this event. 50% of the fleet, and a net loss of 3 boats on the line, is huge turnover for a class that is supposedly thriving and certainly says that someone is worried about “sail costs or anything else”

 

[Carrera]

Highly unlikely there will ever be a OD class of those things outside of Newport RI and the NYYC supported class......... 

I predict in about 20 years time there will be enough of them in the Great Lakes to have their own start somewhere 

 

[Parma]

Wish them great success & happiness but not certain if they have built any additional hulls in the past 2 years. Have they?

 

[Black Jack]

You say that, but look at the original 2019 scratch sheet compared to today. By my count, some 9-10 teams who were in the game two years ago are not racing in this event. 50% of the fleet, and a net loss of 3 boats on the line, is huge turnover for a class that is supposedly thriving and certainly says that someone is worried about “sail costs or anything else”

Covid is a heck of a thing. We could look at a number of things that aren't like 2019. Regatta numbers are down across the nation. I also want to point out the top 5 percent are richer now than they were in 2019. They have changed habits and where they live to better, more comfortable lives. Crew sailing is a thing they do like skiing or vacations not a way of life that many of us take up. Moreover 50k in sails are less significant for someone who makes 700k or more a year - they often wear daily watches that are more expensive.  Moreover many of these current IC37 owners belong to yacht clubs that one does not buy into but are invited to join - a distinction not lost on them nor lost on us when we attend an event in them. Sailing together in a hosted one design regatta by these places represents something more than what we think. It is another level of something else. Still that does not mean some of this will not trickle down to us sailing plebs which set the base lines and add color and background to the sport.

The New York Yacht Club's prominent members (past and present) include JP Morgan and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Oh, and convicted ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff was a member, but he has since resigned.  Another perk of membership is that big names might come to speak.  For example, bond god Jeff Gundlach, the founder DoubleLine Capital, recently gave a presentation to investors at the New York Yacht Club. 

 

[longy]

Didn't Westerly build these boats? They're closed up now.

 

[fastyacht]

I heve never belonged to a yacht club that was open application like a pibliccswim club. I thoigjt oprn eas exceedingly rare.

Nyyc is an enigmacthouhh.  Until quite recently it didnt even have any of its own actual sailing facilities. Just "stations"

Everyone belonged to real uacht clubs too....

But yeah, so nyyc is very infliential but not a model of anything else.

I doubt thesr 37 will live on thr eay NY 30
, NY 40 NY50 and other wooden classes do--(even if only one left...)

 

[Sisu3360]

I heve never belonged to a yacht club that was open application like a pibliccswim club. I thoigjt oprn eas exceedingly rare.

Both YCs I've belonged to here in cheesehead country are open membership (and one of those was a real one with facilities and everything). We're not terribly picky.

 

[jerseyguy]

Both YCs I've belonged to here in cheesehead country are open membership (and one of those was a real one with facilities and everything). We're not terribly picky.

My club, also in cheesehead land is open membership but prospective applicants must meet with the people on the membership committee. Not aware of anyone being turned down.  Once upon a time, back in the 1980s, the powers that be were concerned that too many FIBs* were joining the club. So they instituted a bylaws change that something like no more than 1/3 or 40% or something like that of members could be from out of county.  So when I joined my application was immediately approved. Two people from Illinois who tried to join the same time as me had to several months until the in-county, out-of-county ratio was restored.

That bylaw did not last very long once membership began to decline and anyone with a credit card and checks that didn’t bounced could join.  
 

we too are real. Clubhouse, bar, galley, slip system, drysail space, parking lot, juniors program etc.

*FIB= Effin Illinois boater.

 

[Sisu3360]

My club, also in cheesehead land is open membership but prospective applicants must meet with the people on the membership committee. Not aware of anyone being turned down.  Once upon a time, back in the 1980s, the powers that be were concerned that too many FIBs* were joining the club. So they instituted a bylaws change that something like no more than 1/3 or 40% or something like that of members could be from out of county.  So when I joined my application was immediately approved. Two people from Illinois who tried to join the same time as me had to several months until the in-county, out-of-county ratio was restored.

That bylaw did not last very long once membership began to decline and anyone with a credit card and checks that didn’t bounced could join.  
 

we too are real. Clubhouse, bar, galley, slip system, drysail space, parking lot, juniors program etc.

*FIB= Effin Illinois boater.

Ah. We're too far north to be threatened with such riffraff 

 

[jerseyguy]

That riffraff brings in the $$$$$

 

[penumbra]

I love the assumption NYYC members are the bank. The vast majority of members I know are working stiffs, white collar but swinging the proverbial hammer. Those I know don't have Tartan 10 money to toss around, much less IC37 coin.

While I get non-members presume NYYC folks all have deep pockets, the even funnier version exists internally. The club has been trying desperately to get younger members to field a 37. It's hard to drop the cash, commit to the logistics of managing crew and take the time to be competitive when you're grinding at a law firm/hustling in tech/moving street level pharmaceuticals. 

Another oddity is the nouveau riche don't give a shit about the sport. Your local Google/Facebook/Apple JR exec has the pockets to run any type of program they want. However, sailing is considered too old for them and they don't care. We could use a couple Dinhoffers to goose the machine (https://nymag.com/nymetro/urban/recreation/features/5083/).

I don't think the IC37 is going to save sailing as a sport. But, it's a solid move after the shitshow of the J70 class, which was our earnest promise for reinvigoration. ICs brings fair competition, team spirit, great venues and something for a solid local club to aspire to.  I look at Macatawa YC in Holland, MI, or North Star north of Detroit (Rock City!) and compare them to the the Irish contingent at the Invitational. With limited time in the boats, they'd be handicapped but it would be one for the books, which is how the Irish club set it up. Something to aspire to and a grand stage to give it your all.

The NAs are going to be a great event, but the NYYC Invitational is the event to look at  impact. Teams are taking 10+ days off work, chartering to get time on the boats and really getting after it. That's a solid representation. 

 

[solosailor]

NYYC dominates regatta sailing in North America

They do?   First I heard about the domination.