Rodney Myrvaagnes ) writes:

There is a huge difference between upwond sailing in a
purpose-designed sailboat and an afterthought sailing rig on a boat
designed for something else. To be fair to these kids, you must expose
them to real sailboats, which doesn't mean big and expensive.

Lasers, 420s, Larks, and Flying Juniors are real sailboats.

I'll certainly have to take exception to that interjection. Coincidentaly
today I had the first opportunity to sail the Dogskiff alongside a "real"
sailboat, a Siren 17, one of those small cabin cruisers. The Dogskiff
pointed higher and made no more leeway.

Besides, a Laser is not a BOAT. It's a plastic board with a sail stuck on it.
A boat is something you sit IN, not ON.

In sailing terminology any double ender is a "canoe" hull. A sailing canoe
is just as much a sailboat as any other, and a much better performer than
some, like those dumpy New England catboats.

Harumph.

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