We have just started our early winter series racing in the Keys. We race on Thursday afternoons at 4PM and on Sunday AMs at 10. Usually get in 3 to 4 races.., depending on time.
At this point we have 7 Waves participating and more ready to join in the fun and games.
This is awesome.., getting lots of practice at starts, mark roundings, watching for windshifts, tactics, tacking and jibing. It simply makes you a better sailor.
Mary and I started the same program in Ohio at Put-in-Bay YC, which had over the years turned itself into a bar and restaurant and had no adult sailing.
We started with 5 Waves and sailed on Thursdays and Saturdays.
By the end of the season we had sailed 55 races and had involved over 30 people in sailing and racing. Many of whom are buying Waves to participate. We expect 10 boat in the spring when we go north again.
The beauty of the Wave is you can concentrate on tactics and the fundamentals, i.e., starts, marks, tacks, jibes, etc.
The other beauty is the boat is so inexpensive and bullet proof that you can use it as a second boat. Keep your hot 20-footer and do your usual monthly race. But, the Wave will make you a lot better at it. Just because you will have had more practice at sailing in general.
Worked for me this summer. I don't think I have ever did so much racing/sailing.., and so much fun. Consequently, in major races I did extremely well -- won the Wave East Coast Championship, the North Coast Championship, The Wave North Americans, and have a big lead in the National Series Championship.
Now, that is all Wave stuff, but I also skippered Moxie, an F31 in Lake Erie and we won everything there as well.., even with a pretty green crew.
We have been sailing out of Gilberts, but most of us are joining the Upper Keys Sailing Club since Gilberts may not be there much longer after the Tradewinds.
So, if you want to have a barrel of fun and really improve your sailing, come and join us. Sometimes we have a spare boat you can try.
Rick
