We are quite enjoying the few of you (too few) sending in your local knowledge stories. Today’s is much appreciated and is inspired by our latest podcast.
Just found your site and been bingeing the podcasts. I hoped you had something new in the works and now I know.
Had to send a note after listening to you talk about the Schock 26 Endeavor. Out here in the Narragansett we have quite a few top level sailors in fast old boats. A fleet of Graves Constellations regularly whip J30s boat for boat and then they (j30) bitch about the handicaps. Lots of attached rudder boats that give up little to the newer stuff.
I race a West Coast boat – Columbia Sabre (pictured left), and after a ton of work getting it right it is fast and really fun. I think these are probably the hardest to get right as they are terribly built and very sensitive but once dialed in (and structurally reinforced) they are a blast. I was lucky to dumpster dive a tapered rig, windward sheeting travelled and a bunch of other stuff to make it much better to race.
I find getting the most out of these more timeless designs is a blast. It’s cool to show that these older boats are not at all slow and sail really well.
A good bottom, very good sails, proper controls and time for getting to know the boat is the combo.
Good luck.
Evan
