My first race

CliffL · #1 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007

OH MY GOD...what a blast. Took part in my first race last Wednesday on the Magothy River (off the Chesepeake). I was on a J-30 with a very experienced Captain and crew. They were very gracious with my fumbling ways. I was one of two "tack men?" I'm not sure if that's a standard position, or even if there are standard positions...but that's what I did. Whenever we tacked, I was responsible for either loosening the jib sheet on the working side or pulling the sheet in as the bow went through the wind on the other side...I then hung out on the rail.

OK, here's the other thing. I've done almost every high-adreneline sport possible...yet...none of those endevours quite compared to the adreneline rush of the "start." (OK, maybe my first jump) In any case, the tension as we maneuvered in position, dodged other boats, monitored the clock, did our countdown, and made our dash to cross the start line...was a pure kick in the butt. What a flippin blast.

While the start provided the adreneline high, the rest of the race provided a real sense of teamwork and focus. We acutually messed up hauling up the spinnaker...twice...it ended up not costing us too badly, but it was obvious how personal the folks in charge of the spinnaker took the mess-up...and this isn't even their boat! This was simply increddible. I've not experienced that level of "feeling personally responsible for the success of the team," in any of my past activities. I've got to do this again...now why the heck am I buying a Beneteau?

Oh yea, we won the race...made the ride in and the beers that much better!

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007

Quote:

now why the heck am I buying a Beneteau?

That's what I usually ask most Bendytoy buyers...

BTW, congrats on the race...

Looking · #3 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

That's what I usually ask most Bendytoy buyers...

........Ditto!

Giulietta · #4 (**permalink**) 05-01-2007

Welcome to the Dark side of the Force.....my son......your life has forever change....you will never be the same....

sailingfool · #5 (**permalink**) 05-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffL

.... I've got to do this again...now why the heck am I buying a Beneteau?

Oh yea, we won the race...made the ride in and the beers that much better!

Depends on what model you buy. The First model Beneteaus give a lot of performance for the money, and the latest versions like the 10R and 36.7 are very hot designs - I personally would buy the Beneteau over the J-Boat alternative anytime.

Sabre66 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffL

OH MY GOD...what a blast. Took part in my first race last Wednesday on the Magothy River (off the Chesepeake). I was on a J-30 with a very experienced Captain and crew. They were very gracious with my fumbling ways. I was one of two "tack men?" I'm not sure if that's a standard position, or even if there are standard positions...but that's what I did. Whenever we tacked, I was responsible for either loosening the jib sheet on the working side or pulling the sheet in as the bow went through the wind on the other side...I then hung out on the rail.

OK, here's the other thing. I've done almost every high-adreneline sport possible...yet...none of those endevours quite compared to the adreneline rush of the "start." (OK, maybe my first jump) In any case, the tension as we maneuvered in position, dodged other boats, monitored the clock, did our countdown, and made our dash to cross the start line...was a pure kick in the butt. What a flippin blast.

While the start provided the adreneline high, the rest of the race provided a real sense of teamwork and focus. We acutually messed up hauling up the spinnaker...twice...it ended up not costing us too badly, but it was obvious how personal the folks in charge of the spinnaker took the mess-up...and this isn't even their boat! This was simply increddible. I've not experienced that level of "feeling personally responsible for the success of the team," in any of my past activities. I've got to do this again...now why the heck am I buying a Beneteau?

Oh yea, we won the race...made the ride in and the beers that much better!

I was bitten by the same bug a few years ago. The fun thing, for me, about racing sailboats is that the conditions are always changing. No matter how many times you go out something will always be different and need to be accounted for. wind shifts, start line angle (is it square or skewed?) current/Tide, sea state, crew, number of boats in your fleet. etc.
Racing also makes you sail in conditions you normally wouldn't go out in. It might be light or it might be blowing a gale.In our neck of the woods they only cancel when there's lightning directly overhead or absolutely no wind.
Glad you enjoyed yourself and congrats on winning.

bjkrad · #7 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007

Had my first "practice" experience last week as a first time crew, and after reading your post, I'm looking forward to my first race experience next week! I'm 2 years into ownership of a Beneteau 361--should I sell it?

I know there's no substitute for experience, but does anyone know how to get "instant knowledge" of racing? Are there good "Idiot's guides" or videos?

Sabre66 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007

There aren't any short cuts. Some of the North u books are very good. I also recommend starting in a small boat if possible, bigger boats have more strings to pull and can be very confusing at first.

CliffL · #9 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007

BJKRAD...I'm about to close on a Beneteau 361 and had the same thougts you had. I think I try to crew on others boats as much as I can...to learn....but keep the 361 for family weekend fun sails.

Giulietta · #10 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007

Cliffl

Why don't you just buy a Beneteau First 36.7, or a SunFast by Jeanneau ?? You can race and cruise with the family...