On Sun, 03 Dec 2006 23:09:33 -0500, DSK wrote:

OK, I stand corrected. However, ULDB's are quite popular on SF Bay,
they're for more than just drifting around

I wonder how many ever go outside. Of course some do, but a lot more
don't.

And FWIW I agree about the optimism with regard to speed. The Westsail
is one of the slower crab-crushers and while it's a common crab-crusher
fantasy to say "My boat is faster than all those lightweight clorox
bottles, once the wind gets up enough for REAL sailing," my experience
has been that as long as the LW clorox sailor is competent & not
anchored, the fast boat is always faster... upwind, downwind... blow
high, blow low.

Under power too -- the Westsail is a slow boat. A friend has one, and
when we all cruise together we eventually lose him because he can't keep
up, doing only 5-5.5kt under power.

Another problem is maneuverability in tight spots -- the Westsail won't
turn tightly or back straight, and the big bowsprit doesn't help. In
reality it's a 40 footer, that handles like a 60 footer. There are plenty
of slips our friend just can't get into (or out of).

Still, he loves his boat, and has at least as much fun with it as the rest
of us do with ours. As far as speed goes, where we cruise the cove next
door is as nice as the one 50 miles away, so who cares?

Matt O.