Talking About Adventure In Small Boats
Proudfoot
Member
Hi there
Wondering what the opinions are on what challenge event would be the best for a first timer in Class 4. I will likely be sailing a boat along the lines of a Wayfarer/CL16/Sirocco 15. I'm thinking that for the first challenge I will likely want to start off with one of the shorter events. Thanks.
JoeVanGeaux
Member
Proudfoot, I think the Wayfarer would be a great boat. I'm positive there are equally (or maybe even greater?) qualities in the others you mentioned, too, and you'll be hearing from them, I'm sure.
If I would have been able to get a straight up trade for any other boat for my Lightning, it would be the Wayfarer. But, at least, when I was intereested in that they could neither be found at all anywhere close by nor for anythiing close to an affordable price.
Granted, I have never particpated in an EC but one of my goals with my boat is to do things like what is covered quite well in the book I picked up nearly two decades ago titled, "Dinghy Cruising - The Enjoyment of Wandering Afloat" by Margaret Dye and is largely based on the adventures aboard a Wayfarer she and her jusband Frank experienced (but since you know the boat you must already know the book and their accomplishments in that boat). I could only roughly guess how many times I read that book.
It was actually what the Dye's did in their boat that first interested me, in earnest, for that type of sailing once I found that larger boat sailing, or rather larger boat racing, gets a bit on the boring side in the muddy, shallow waters of lakes and bays found in along much of the western Gulf Coast. Reading the one book above is almost almost like reading an EC how-to. There are a few grainy videos that have been converted to YouTube clips of the Dye's exploits.
Good luck with whatever boat you wind up with!
-JVG
BeastOarman
Member
Proud foot, for me the 100 mile NCC was great preparation. I tried and failed the EC first, then the NCC helped me learn to better pace myself and to keep on going no matter what.
The weather can actually make this race worse than the EC in some ways, in my opinion. It can usually be done as a 4 day weekend from where I live in CT which also helps. I use this event to check out any "new to me" boat because failure is not the same heartbreak or expense as a full length Challenge. Sailors might have a different take though.
MisterMoon
Member
I like the Florida UM as a good first event. Because it's in conjunction with the EC there's always a big crowd and a lot of folks to give advice and counsel. But any of the UM length challenges would do. The OFUM is coming up in a month. That looks like a great course and a good challenge. Why wait?
Proudfoot
Member
Yeah - JVG I've got and read that book too - defintiely a good read. Used to own a Wayfarer and really enjoyed it - mostly raced it though but always thought I'd like to cruise one. (The CL16 is basically the same boat - apparently there was a strike back in the 60's that meant Wayfarers were next to impossible to get so someone came up with a Canadian copy). I've also sailed a Sirocco 15 which is another good design - a bit heavier with a steel centreboard and a cuddy cabin.
I was kind of thinking the same thing Beast - 100 miles would definitely be a challenge and the NCC is quite a bit closer than Florida. The Florida UM would also be great for the reasons Mistermoon says... lots of advice and the ability to see many different set ups, ideas etc. My only issue with the Florida event is the timing - not that I couldn't do it but I think I'd be a bit concerned about having to have everything ready in October for a March event and then not having much of an opportunity to train on the water prior to the event. (A whitecap in March in Canada has a much different consistency to one in Florida...extra heavy on the white, extra thick on the cap).
Badger
Member
I'd second the OFUM... I've done it twice and I like how it starts in conjunction with the Chesapeake Light Craft on the water show. The navigation is straightforward, and there is a nice mix of open bodies of water and rowing to make a first time Class 4 entry ideal. If you like, you can camp along the way, or push on and enjoy night sailing.
If you can sign up and start racking up Derby points, there is no doubt you'd be successful at any of the shorter events, especially if you are careful in defining "success". To me, that means bringing my crew (family members) back ready for another sail, having enjoyed their time on the water and improved themselves. I would not "succeed" if I scare them or alienate them from future events.
If you carefully decide your goals, and prepare with that goal in mind, you will get a better sense of what it will require to succeed. The sooner your event, the sooner you will get started!
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