Barnacle_Bob
Member
I enjoy racing a Catalina 22 in our local club C-22 one-design fleet. Now that I also have a Sunfish (1979 model year), I’m reaching out to other local Sunfish owners to gauge interest in starting a Sunfish Fleet within AYC. To establish our own fleet, we need a total of 5-boats to race ... mine plus 4-more.
What thoughts / advice / experience does anyone have regarding starting-up a new Sunfish fleet for club racing? It seems pretty simple; but, I’m anticipating potential issues around how rigorously we adhere to official class rules. On the one hand, ensuring everyone is “class legal” levels the playing field for one-design racing competition. On the other hand, being flexible and less rigorous will probably result in more people joining the fleet ... and in less expense for skippers with respect to equipment, sails, etc. To me, the Sunfish is all about sailing FUN, so I personally favor looser standards at the club level, with emphasis on “friendly” racing competition. I’ll be querying other interested boat owners regarding their preference; but, I’m leaning toward “more boats/members” with less emphasis on being “class legal.” I should note that we already have a large, very active, Laser fleet - I think anyone interested in pure one-design competitive dinghy racing will gravitate toward the Lasers ... and those looking for a more relaxed fun race and a fun fleet will look toward the Sunfish fleet.
Any thoughts, great ideas, or advice to share? And, if you happen to be a Phoenix- area Sunfish owner reading this posting, please let me know so I can follow-up with you. Thanks!
- Bob
What thoughts / advice / experience does anyone have regarding starting-up a new Sunfish fleet for club racing? It seems pretty simple; but, I’m anticipating potential issues around how rigorously we adhere to official class rules. On the one hand, ensuring everyone is “class legal” levels the playing field for one-design racing competition. On the other hand, being flexible and less rigorous will probably result in more people joining the fleet ... and in less expense for skippers with respect to equipment, sails, etc. To me, the Sunfish is all about sailing FUN, so I personally favor looser standards at the club level, with emphasis on “friendly” racing competition. I’ll be querying other interested boat owners regarding their preference; but, I’m leaning toward “more boats/members” with less emphasis on being “class legal.” I should note that we already have a large, very active, Laser fleet - I think anyone interested in pure one-design competitive dinghy racing will gravitate toward the Lasers ... and those looking for a more relaxed fun race and a fun fleet will look toward the Sunfish fleet.
Any thoughts, great ideas, or advice to share? And, if you happen to be a Phoenix- area Sunfish owner reading this posting, please let me know so I can follow-up with you. Thanks!
- Bob