Joe wrote:
Well I take that back, I've raced a many of em..anytime two boats are
going the same way it's a race....right ;0)


Agreed



Stronger than a U.S. Navy vessel, probably.


The fleet tugs are just as stout. Same builders.


I don't know if the fleet tugs are built to the same
standard of having to withstand explosions; but anyway they
would have an advantage in seaworthiness over a warship
because they would not have large heavy radars & weapons on
the deck & superstructure.... better stability.





... But to think that you're
bulletproof and everybody else is a pussy is very stupid.


I never said anything like that...

Yes, you did Joe. Perhaps you weren't paying attention, but
you used that exact word (which is why I used it).



Doug...it's a game they were playing, some lost. But when people kick
off with sprung planks, fragile bulb keelers

"Fragile bulb keelers" that happen to be much stronger than
your boat, yeah.

FWIW I agree that if the WINSTON CHURCHILL was leaking at
the dock, she should not have set off.

... ect for the open ocean in
an area famous for bad weather bad knowing it's going to be 50kt's and
building stuff is going to happen. Even here during the Harvest moon
that we race, it amazes me some of the crap people take offshore, and
some of the idiots that it's plain and clear that the only time they
sail is racing, it's more about gagets, matching suits, and big bucks.

Yes, for some it is. They're easy to spot. But it certainly
is not true of all racing sailors.




You say these guys are good sailors, and your right for the
billionaires they can buy guys who sail for a living

Most of the fleet is middle or working class guys who own
shares of the boat they are sailing on. Perhaps you have
gotten the idea that the Sydney-Hobart race is all maxi
sleds? It isn't.


... but the average
millionaires are using friends ect and I'm sure most have less time at
sea..... than the time needed to get a 6 pack ticket.


Frankly I would rate the seamanship of a guy who regularly
races offshore as *MUCH* higher than that of a guy whose
main claim is that he has a 6-pac license. After all, look
at how bad most people drive, and they all have licenses.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King