Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Moderator: GreenLake

Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby K.C. Walker » Tue Oct 15, 2013 9:03 am

I just got my DaySailer quarterly and found there was an article addressing this very same topic. That article is more addressing how to save the DaySailer fleet, though. I guess that has more to do with club racing. Also, Cape Cod Shipbuilding addressed the same question with also expressing that try as they might they have not been able to sell racing boats and only a couple of new cruising DaySailers per year.

I've seen very few sailboats the size of the DaySailer where I sail. Mostly I see smaller boats in the popular yacht club harbors and then larger cruising and racing boats.

Fortunately, where I live is a sailing mecca and I can't say that I've seen much decline in sailing here. Though, I'm not sure that I've seen much increase in interest in small boats.
KC Walker, DS 1 #7002
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Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby jeadstx » Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:23 pm

Curifin, Greenlake is right that you really need to only keep in mind the right of way rules. I just race occasionally for fun. Helps you figure out ways to sail your boat faster. Looking forward to seeing you at the Wurstfest Regatta. I'll have my boat there on Friday afternoon to rig and hopefully launch and tie up at the dock. I think my crew is backing out on me, checking with someone else who wants to learn to sail as crew, then I'll register. I'm used to crew at this race that don't already know how to sail. Just do the race for a fun time and a chance to meet and talk to other sailors.

Last weekend I made a little trip to Lake Charles, LA. On the trip I ran into two guys that owned Day Sailers. One knew about the forum, the other didn't. Maybe they will join us in future discussions.

The first race I ever participated in was in 1975. I actually got a trophey, pictured below.
Attachments
Sailing Trophy.jpg
Sailing Trophy.jpg (147.47 KiB) Viewed 11467 times
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas
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Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby GreenLake » Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:36 pm

K.C., I must be getting my copy of the DSQ a bit before you then ("G" certainly comes before "W" in the alphabet - is that the reason? :D)

I must admit I was inspired by reading these very same articles. Reading them in juxtaposition I was struck by some rather interesting conclusions.

Like you, I also live in a place that one could describe as a "sailing mecca". I do sail in several areas a few dozen miles apart. In one, I've definitely noticed an increase in the number of sails that are on the water on a nice afternoon. Not a large number, but quite a good percentage seem to be small boats launched from some nearby shore, not just bigger boats passing through. This is one of a few indicators that make me think I'm seeing a small uptick in small-boat interest.

The other place holds the weekly beer-can race. There, the number of small boats is fluctuating from week to week, but the pattern seems to be middle-aged guys (and occasional mixed crews) joining. Which leads me to thinking that it there's something to the idea of sailing as a "life-stage" sport, as opposed to "life-long". If there's something to that, why not embrace that if you are interested in increasing participation?

Locally, youth outreach made a big jump when a new community sailing program opened a few years ago. A bit out of the way for me to get involved or to experience trends first hand.

Then there's the one place where you can casually rent a sailboat. Am told that they have the "line around the block" every time there's a nice sailing weekend in summer. Seems to be the case that more people like to have multiple things going on in their lives, and boat ownership doesn't work for them. Also probably reflects the fact that more people live in the city again (which happens to be close) and couldn't keep a boat other than in a marina.

As for the DSA as an organization, the articles seemed to imply that they are fixed on only one mode of enjoying a DS when the signs are that this is a shrinking piece of the pie. Seems like if you can't make it to the Nationals or belong to one of the few fleets you don't really "belong"... The article by CCS shows how narrow that perspective is.

I see events like the Tx200 and the various Florida challenges as developments that bring back some excitement and adventure to small boat sailing. The other direction would be the skiffs, moths and other "fast" modern boats, but they don't necessarily fit the same "life-stage".
~ green ~ lake ~ ~
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Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby GreenLake » Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:37 pm

Nice trophy, John.
~ green ~ lake ~ ~
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Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby jeadstx » Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:27 pm

Thanks, I proudly display it at the office.

John
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas
jeadstx
 
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Dripping Springs, Tx

Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby curifin » Wed Oct 16, 2013 5:18 am

Very nice trophy. :) I am still figuring out plans John, what is your email? Was planning on going down Friday as well.
1970 DS1 "Denial"
1993 Beneteau First 210 "Dory"
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Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby jeadstx » Wed Oct 16, 2013 1:42 pm

PM sent with e-mail address.

John
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas
jeadstx
 
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Dripping Springs, Tx

Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby jeadstx » Wed Oct 16, 2013 2:25 pm

I was just looking at the Water Tribe roster of boats registered for the 2014 Everglades Challenge ( http://www.watertribe.com/Events/ShowRosters.aspx ) and noticed that there is a "Restored 70's Day Sailer" registered. Doesn't say whether it is a DS1 or DS2. Might have to watch how this boat does in March.

John
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas
jeadstx
 
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Dripping Springs, Tx

Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby Salty Dog » Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:30 am

John

I just looked at the Wurstfest regatta roster and saw that there were 3 DS registered, Me, you, and a DSI. If Bob and Kleenbore show we will have a class.

curfin, Is that your DSI? If it is not then if you come we will have four for sure. :) :D :lol:

SD
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Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby jeadstx » Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:15 pm

Kleanbore sold his DS2 when he had to move to Georgia, although I saw his name on a crew list for keel boats next weekend. As of now I think there will be only 3 of us (2 DS2's and a DS1).

John
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas
jeadstx
 
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Dripping Springs, Tx

Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby Interim » Tue Nov 05, 2013 11:58 am

This is an interesting thread to me, as one of the newcomers. I have no idea what my sailing future is, but right now I hope to be in it till my 70s. I might fit in GL's category of mid-lifers--in my mid 40s--but I would have certainly bought a boat sooner if I realized how affordable a DS is. Now I am feeling like I have deprived my children of a sailing-filled youth. But there's still time.

In the Great Plains, we don't have a fleet that I can find. I am eager to find racing opportunities just because that seems like a good vehicle for learning. I am at a phase right now where I can't feed the appetite for knowledge and experience. Yes, my broach a month ago put a lot on the plate at once, but now I want to get back on the water and play with what I learned.

This forum is valuable in this process, and I'm interesting in joining DSA for several reasons. Among them, the opportunity to crew for an experienced sailor.

--john
1979 DSII
Interim
 
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Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby jeadstx » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:23 pm

If you want to try some racing, find the nearest sailing or yacht club. they will have mixed Portsmouth racing where you use your boats handicap rating to help equal things out. I raced this last weekend at the Wurstfest Regatta. I was joined by Curifan & Saltydog from this forum. We had hoped to get enough Day Sailers to have our own fleet, but didn't get the five needed so we raced as Portsmouth Dinghy class, a mixed fleet that had both monohull and multihull boats. Find crew and go have fun. Most clubs that sponsor racing have racing clinics in the winter months for new sailors. Through a club you might find other DS sailors near you.

There is a breif report on the Wurstfest Regatta in the events section.

By the way, I came close to capsizing my boat this weekend. Didn't go over, but filled the cockpit with water. My crew and I don't even remember if we were tacking or gybing at the time, one of the two.

John
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas
jeadstx
 
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Dripping Springs, Tx

Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby GreenLake » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:18 pm

When you can't race against matched boats, try to find any boats to play with.

It may not even be worthwhile trying to mess with handicaps if all you do is have some fun on the water in company (while having an excuse to go out and also a chance to practice).

But it's definitely worth trying to find like-minded sailors where you are. They may be sailing different dinghies and may not have access to as active a forum as this, so they may be harder to find.

I was lucky in that my area boast a well established weekly beer can series that's open to all. All I had to do was show up and join a rather eclectic group of people having a blast sailing in unmatched boats and not bothering to assign handicaps. I've since sailed a number of boats other than the DS at that venue, some my own, some as crew, and the learning never stops.

Now, for those of you lucky enough to have other DS sailers around or even other forum or DSA members -- envy.
~ green ~ lake ~ ~
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Re: Forum Activity - Future of DSA and Sailing

Postby Interim » Tue Nov 05, 2013 4:34 pm

John--

Intersting you would say that about not remembering exactly what happened. It took me a week to put all the pieces together. What I found most useful was reading the Hampton One Design page about broaching.. several things started sounding familiar :)

Green Lake, I am building connections in the local community. We'll see if any of them will take me aboard in the Spring.

Till then, it off to the repair shop.

--jf
1979 DSII
Interim
 
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