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A symphony.... more like just a phony.
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"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com
"Capt. NealŪ" wrote in message
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OzOne wrote in message
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On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 21:16:58 -0500, Capt. NealŪ
scribbled thusly:
That's what's wrong with racing. Testosterone and money always gets
in the way of common sense. Racing boats always push the envelope of
safety by virtue of their being built to minimal standards to start and
then modifying to skimp here and skimp there to cut weight until
catastrophic failures occur. This is the nature of the game. Never
mind a few people get maimed or killed in the process.
Actually, racers are the reason your boat performs as well as you
claim.
Racers pursuit of light and fast lead to synthetic rope and sails,
streamlined foil shapes and blocks and sheaves that can carry the
loads required of a fast cruising boat.
I disagree that racers are the reason for my yacht's superior
performance. There is but one reason for that and that reason
is me. Being an experienced blue water voyager and live aboard
sailor for the past 20 years I have acquired an intimate knowledge
of my vessel, her quirks, her foibles, her strengths and her
virtues. I have minimized the bad and maximized the good.
Along with this I have researched, read and sailed and learned
myself what it takes to sail, modify and maintain my fine
vessel. . I have applied that hard-won knowleged to hone my
sailing skills to a fine edge. I know my yacht like the back
of my hand. She and I have become one. One with the wind,
one with the sea, one with the miles rolling under our keel.
I play my vessel like a virtuoso plays a Stradivarious.
Together we play a symphony.
CN
You should be thankful that people are prepared to spend huge amounts
of money and often suffer those catastrophic failures on race yachts
to develop the gear you use,
That's why racers cannot be called sailors. They are cowboys.
They ride the bulls. The rest of us sane people who cruise respect
lives and safety. We cannot abide those who would put others
in danger because they don't value their own safety. To us
sailing is more than a game with rules to break.
Yep, to you it's a leisurely cruise, to some an adrenalin rush.
You've accused some of the women racers of being dykes and having
balls....maybe they have, it takes balls to push a boat to its
breaking point and in most cases keep it together.
We don't mind speaking up about it.
You're too stupid NOT to!
Respectfully,
Capt. Neal
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oz1...of the 3 twins.
I welcome you to crackerbox palace,We've been expecting you.
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