[Rhodes22-list] First Race

[Mark Kaynor]

Bob,

Racing is a great way to learn to sail better. Julie and I started racing
when we first got into sailing (about 5 yrs ago) in a 14' dinghy. Each year
we get a bit better. There's nothing like having to make the mark (as
opposed to sailing where the wind takes you) to build skill. And last year,
second w/ our Rhodes, we got second in our class - that was a big thrill.
And we., too, have ot give a lot of the credit to Stan and Co. for building
such a sweet boat.

Mark


----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Dilk" <Robert.Dilk@trw.com>
To: <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2003 1:14 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] First Race


I had the fun and excitement of my first race in my 1976 Rhodes 22. With a
half a dozen sails under my belt, my confidence exceeded my ability.

My sons have out grown the my ability to "order" them as crew and my wife
just smiles and says 'you go have fun' so here I am my first race single
handed.

The winds were 15-20 Knots on the Pamlico River Saturday with gusts close to
25 knots. Several times I had to jib around rather then tack.

My thanks go out to Stan and associates for building a fine boat. Several
times the boat got away from me, but never did was it more then just
exciting.
Several of the more popular names in boating  had the speaders in the water
that afternoon.

The 27 year old GBI roller Reefer never let me down.

You may ask how I did. Well, the race was abandoned when the only tri-hull
in the Fleet flipped Down wind after lapping me at the first weather mark
( my class was the third start).

 I did get several complements on how well the boat sailed in those
condition, since I was single handed. I pass that on to GBI. It was their
boat, not my skill.

I decided to race as a way to learn how to sail better. I think that was a
good idea.

Bob
S/V Knot Necessary




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