2025 ISCA North Americans - Register!
12/4/2024 1:54 pm
62nd ISCA North Americans
Fairhope Yacht Club, AL
CLICK HERE for NOR & Registration
CLICK HERE for Charter Boats
Important Information from the International Sunfish Class Association™ (ISCA®)
2/19/2025 1:48 pm
Important Information from the International Sunfish Class Association ™ (ISCA®)
Emailed on February 19, 2025
We want to update you and provide additional information on recent developments regarding ISCA and the Sunfish®, answer several questions that have come up, and discuss how we can work together to support our class.
As many of you know, ISCA recently selected Zim Sailing as our new builder of ISCA-legal boats [IMPORTANT NEWS November 12, 2024] . Zim has been making excellent progress toward a spring launch, and we are excited about the future of our class. Expect more news shortly as the North American sailing season approaches.
Why ISCA Chose Zim as Our Builder
For the past decade, many of us have been frustrated by the lack of new boats and poor availability of parts, and the situation seemed to get worse instead of better. As a result, ISCA took proactive steps to secure a reliable builder that could provide top-quality boats and a consistent supply of parts. After an extensive, competitive review process between Zim and another US-based builder, ISCA selected Zim as the sole builder of the ISCA class certified boat due to their:
- strong reputation in building high-quality, durable, small sailboats
- engineering expertise to develop a top-quality build
- robust plans to support the class, including marketing, promotion and utilizing and growing their already strong dealer network
- agreement to pay the class certification fees for boats and parts, which will help support the class (more detail further below)
- experience working with World Sailing on the Optimist and ILCA
- years of experience in event support, charters, etc.
- relationship with marine vendors in the US and abroad
- global reach
Feedback from members has been overwhelmingly positive regarding this decision. It is important to note that as an International Class governed by World Sailing (WS), ISCA had to receive permission from WS to search for and select a new builder. This was an exhaustive process that took in excess of one year to complete.
Common Questions and Concerns
Why didn’t ISCA license the Sunfish® name from Laser Performance (LP)?
ISCA leadership spent an entire decade trying to improve the situation with LP, with little progress made that would benefit the class. Prior to ISCA deciding to search for a builder, at least one highly respected small sailboat builder attempted to negotiate a licensing agreement with LP to build the Sunfish®, but the discussion stalled (the manufacturer of the Sunfish® has always owned the Sunfish® trademark – it’s not available for general use.) As a consequence of this and our stagnating relationship with LP that had no hope for improvement, ISCA leadership determined it would be best to find a new manufacturer, and the best way to ensure a vibrant future for the class was to move away from LP. It wasn't until after we made our new builder announcement that LP finally agreed to license the Sunfish® (more below.)
Why not allow multiple builders to make class legal boats – wouldn’t that be a good thing?
After careful consideration, we decided to have a single class-legal builder for several key reasons:
- Lower boat prices – Our boat is not a high-volume boat - currently a few hundred are made annually. Contrary to what you might expect, spreading production across multiple builders would increase the boat price since each builder would sell fewer boats to help distribute their fixed expenses (this has already happened with the ILCA - formerly Laser - class).
- Stronger class support – We want a builder strongly committed to promoting and growing the class. If multiple builders were competing, builder A could spend money to promote the class but sailors might end up buying boats from builder B. With the possibility that a builder’s promotional investment might end up benefiting a competitor, there will be little incentive to support or advertise the class.
- Builder management – ISCA is a volunteer-led organization. Overseeing multiple builders to ensure quality and building to ISCA and one-design standards would require significant resources (ILCA has a paid staff for this purpose.) We want to remain a volunteer organization to keep the class and boat affordable.
Ultimately, our goal is to ensure the long-term vigor and growth of the class by providing Zim with a stable, profitable foundation to invest in the class.
Zim’s Investment in Our Class
Zim is making significant financial and operational commitments to our class, including:
- Developing new molds and sourcing components such as daggerboards and rudder cheeks.
- Better construction of the boat to improve durability (but not performance), including a stronger deck, reinforced mast step, and stronger rudder cheeks.
- For the first time in class history, paying a certification fee to ISCA on every new boat and major part sold, providing direct financial support to the class. These certification fees will allow the class to do things like invest in fleet building, offer things of value to our members, reduce reliance on dues to fund the class, and help bring new recreational and racing sailors to the class.
- Hiring additional staff to support production, sales and marketing.
- Supplying charter boats, parts and staff at the World Championships and other major events like the North Americans.
Why Zim and ISCA Need Your Support
Zim’s willingness to invest in our class was based on their role as the sole provider of class-legal boats, along with an expected share of the recreational market. The more successful Zim is selling recreational and racing boats, the greater Zim’s revenue will be to invest in the class, and the more certification fees ISCA will earn to help support and grow our class.
Zim’s eagerness to be involved in the success of our class is a striking improvement over our relationship with our former builder. We urge all ISCA members to enthusiastically stand behind Zim and encourage fellow sailors to do the same. This has become even more important, as after we announced Zim as the new class builder, LP at last decided to license the Sunfish®. Sero Innovation, the builder of the Sol sailboat, recently announced a deal with LP to take over manufacturing of the Sunfish and use the Sunfish® name and trademarks (these trademarks continue to be owned by a company associated with Laser Performance.) Please note that the Sero Sunfish® will not be legal for sailing in class events and it does not conform to the new ISCA construction manual.
Some sailors have suggested that with LP now out of the picture, we should support Sero. However, since Sero appears to have licensed the Sunfish® brand name from LP, it's reasonable to assume Sero is paying a royalty to LP for the license, likely on a per-boat basis. If that is correct, it means LP is not “out” of the Sunfish® business.
To ensure a bright, fun-filled future for our class, we need Zim to thrive. Their success will directly translate into the strong builder support that ISCA has been missing for so long.
Thank you for your continued dedication to ISCA sailing and racing. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
Regards,
International Sunfish Class Association (ISCA)
CLICK HERE for ISCA Leadership Contacts
ISCA Important News - November 12, 2024
11/12/2024 9:59 am
ISCA® Has Approved a New Builder
November 12, 2024
World Sailing Plaques - Breaking News May 12, 2023 (revised May 16, 2023)
5/12/2023 4:13 pm
IMPORTANT NEWS TO ISCA MEMBERS
WORLD SAILING PLAQUES ON SUNFISH HULLS
ISCA is issuing alert for Sunfish hulls with World Sailing plaques 103679 and higher or no World Sailing plaques. Revised to cover older boats.
Issue May 12, 2023 (revised May 16, 2023)
Important Class News May 11, 2023
5/11/2023 1:29 pm
ISCA IMPORTANT SUNFISH CLASS NEWS MAY 11, 2023
Joe Sullivan Article March 2023
4/15/2023 4:23 pm
2018 passing Bug Light in Gardiners Bay - Longest SF Race
This summer, God willing, I shall participate in this fantastic competition for the 50th time. 52nd World's Longest Race 2023 Registration
PART I
After completing my first circumnavigation in Race #1 in 1971, however, I did not feel that it was fantastic. In fact, compared with “Round-the-buoys” racing, I thought that it was just the opposite, and at the awards ceremony following The Race, I suggested otherwise, but I’m getting ahead of myself, so permit me to start at the beginning.
Barbara and I had been married four years when we moved into our new summer home in Southold, on the beautiful North Fork of Long Island, NY in 1967 with our two sons, Joe and Sean, who turned three and two years old respectively, that summer. Growing up, I had never had a Sailing lesson but in May 1955 as a freshman at Fordham University, three of my classmates and I were recruited to join the Sailing Team, and prior to marrying Barbara nearly 60 years ago, it was the best decision I ever made! Thus, in 1968, we purchased a Sunfish and in 1969, joined Southold Yacht Club.
One sunny afternoon, during the summer of 1970, I was sitting on the screened-in porch of the clubhouse, overlooking Southold Bay and Shelter Island in the distance with Joe Potorski, one of the SYC Flag Officers, and we were discussing possible events, which might generate positive publicity for SYC and its Sunfish Fleet #307. I asked Joe if anyone had ever sailed a Sunfish around Shelter Island? Joe didn’t know but we both agreed that such a long-distance race would certainly be unique and promote Southold Yacht Club and the Sunfish Class among Long Islanders and perhaps the broader Sunfish racing community. Later that fall, the SYC Board of Governors agreed and a Sunfish Race Around Shelter Island was approved for the summer of 1971.
In preparing for the long-distance Race, there was general agreement, that the ultimate sailing distance, including all tacking, would be the equivalent of a nautical marathon or approximately 25-26 miles. Organizers were concerned about safety so a minimum age of 18 years by December 31 was established. We recognized that that decision excluded some very good younger teenagers from participating but the decision was based upon maturity and judgment, and we opted to go with age and experience vis-a-vis youth and inexperience. The Race was promoted extensively, and Southold Yacht Club was pleasantly surprised to attract a fleet of approximately 25 boats for the inaugural “World’s Longest Sunfish Race, Around Shelter Island, NY,” which SYC hosted on August 8, 1971.
The entry fee was modest, and participants received chilled bottles of water and power bars to take with them while racing. In selecting the date for the inaugural Race, however, organizers, including yours truly, misread the tide charts and instead of the tide going out at the Start, it was coming in. To make matters worse, it was very hot and light airs were the order of the day. The Race was sailed counter-clockwise and at the Six-hour time limit, the leader, Don Trueman, representing the Nyack Boat Club on the Hudson River, had reached the children’s summer camp located on the northwest shore of Shelter Island just before entering Southold Bay. As the rules had established, at Six hours, the Race Committee laid out a finish line ahead of the lead boats and after the first 10 finishers had crossed it, the Race was declared “Over” and remaining boats were scored DNF and offered a tow back to the SYC beach.
At the Awards Ceremony inside SYC, I, who had raced and finished second, but found the experience less than ideal, apologized to the two-dozen participants for “This goofy Idea,” only to realize immediately, that I represented a minority of ONE! I was greeted by a mini revolution as the sailors shouted, “No way!” and “This was Fun!” And “Let’s come back next week to finish The Race!” Joe Potorski, who had not raced, was standing with a huge smile on his face and grinning from ear-to-ear!
Later, after our guest sailors had departed, Potorski and I concluded that Sunfish sailors were truly crazy but the club had created something special. In short order, the Board of Governors agreed and opted to make “The World’s Longest Sunfish Race Around Shelter Island, NY” an Annual Event.”
PART II
I won’t review every Race but focus upon those situations, which made certain races unique.
Race #2 in 1972 was a case in point. The tide charts had been read correctly and a decent breeze was blowing as the fleet circumnavigated Shelter Island clockwise. We again had a good turnout and halfway across Gardiner’s Bay, I was in a group of about 9 - 10 sailors, who were sailing south and wondering how long it would take to round Mashomack Point and head west on the south side of Shelter Island. Coincidentally, we all noticed two Sunfish, also heading south, but much closer to Shelter Island than the rest of us.
After a while, a powerboat came by and I recognized it as one of SYC’s safety boats. There were two men on board and one hailed our group…”You guys are going the wrong way! You’re heading toward Easthampton.” One sailor, not I, yelled back, “No we’re not. We’re going the right way. I sailed this race last year!” That gave me little comfort because I had also sailed the Race last year but because we were going in the opposite direction, I didn’t have a clue how far we were from Mashomack Point. The safety boat then turned around and made a Bee-line toward the two boats sailing close to shore.
Sailing the lead boat was 19-year old Jock Campbell on whose heels was last year’s winner, Don Trueman, who at some point hailed Jock and while pointing to our group, asked, “Do you think that we might be going the wrong way?” “No,“ said Jock, “I’ve been racing around Shelter Island with my father in our big boat for years and we’re going the right way!”
In the meantime, the safety boat had gone full speed ahead and found Mashomack Point and returned to our group way off shore. The official on board screamed at the top of his lungs, “You idiots are going the wrong way! Watch where I’m pointing. I’m only going to do this once” and he pointed to Mashomack and then accelerated away. Needless to say, our entire group sheeted in immediately and close-hauled directly to Mashomack Point ASAP!
Don Trueman was an older and more experienced Sunfish sailor than Jock Campbell, and we learned later, that he followed Jock for the remainder of The Race and passed him just before the finish to become the first double-winner in the Two-Year History of this remarkable and challenging competition!
Race #5 in 1975 was definitely UNIQUE! The winner, “Rip” Fisher, crossed the finish line in second place but was awarded the 1ST PLACE TROPHY when the sailor, who did cross first was disqualified. Because the breeze was virtually nonexistent when the leaders were passing the South Ferry, the leader at the time opted to do something very foolish. With no breeze blowing, he entered an empty ferry slip and made forward progress by standing in his boat and going hand-over-hand into, through and out of the ferry slip, which was very dangerous indeed and resulted in his disqualification.
The next two races were particularly special for me, as I won the Race in 1976 despite a very tenacious 17-year old sailor from the Westhampton Yacht Squadron nipping at my stern for the last mile of The Race. I recall praying to God not to win, but to do my best. But I also reminded God that I was 39 years old and once I turned 40 and started going downhill, I might never have as good a chance at winning as I did that day.
As good as I felt in ‘76 however, 1977, topped everything. By then, Barbara and I had four children, adding a third son and finally our only daughter to our clan. We were good friends of the O’Brien family with whom I was distantly related and whom we sponsored into Southold Yacht Club. The O’Briens had a large family. The oldest was a girl, Mary Beth, and she was followed by five very competitive younger brothers. I had known Mary Beth since she was born, and I took her sailing before she was eight years old and eligible for SYC’s excellent Junior Sailing Program. Over the years, she developed very good sailing skills and became very competitive in the sport. The minimum age to sail in “The World’s Longest Sunfish Race” was 18 by December 31 of the year of the Race. In 1977, Mary Beth just made the cut-off and her Dad, Gene, assured me that she was ready to compete.
As I was ready to launch from the beach before the Start, I saw Gene standing at the edge of the water looking out across the Bay. I said, “Gene, where is Mary Beth? I haven’t seen her.” He said, “She’s elected not to race.” I just about died and asked “WHAT HAPPENED? She assured me that she was going to participate,” Gene said, “She’s on the porch at the club. Maybe you can talk her into sailing.” I bolted up the beach and saw Mary Beth sitting in one of the chairs and looking out toward Shelter Island. “Mary Beth, “ I hailed, “You’re going to be late for The Race!” “I’ve decided not to race. Mr. S.“ “Why not?” I exclaimed. “I don’t know,” she replied, “I guess I’m afraid that I’ll get lost.” I then gave her my best pep talk; reinforced how good she is, and assured her that she won’t get lost. Finally, she got up and said, “I’ll give it a try.” “No you won’t” I retorted, “You’ll give it your best shot!” “What if I get lost?” she asked? “You won’t get lost, Mary Beth. Just stay in the middle of the course and focus. You will do fine!”
When I finished “The Race,” hours later, Gene met me at the beach, and with a huge smile on his face, informed me that Mary Beth had won! I was thrilled! But I’m even more thrilled today because while SYC has been honored to have many terrific female sailors participate in this nautical marathon over the years, Mary Beth O’Brien, has been the only female winner in 51 races.
The RACE became very popular and participation grew every year, particularly with the arrival of the “Pied Piper of Sunfish Sailing,” Dr. Dick Heinl, who in 1987 showed up leading a caravan of 8-9 cars from the Seawanhaka Place Yacht Squadron in Nassau County. They all enjoyed the experience and the majority continued to participate in “The RACE” for at least the next two decades. Dick Heinl became the first four-time winner of this nautical marathon, and at age 85, the oldest winner. Dick is now 98 years young and while his last official race was at age 93, he graces us with his presence every year while sailing doubles with his son, Scott. After starting, they come-about before exiting Southold Bay and return to the SYC beach when the entire fleet has exIted the Bay.
In 2003, Keith Lyman, an annual participant from East Marion, NY won The RACE at age 79. At the time, no one older had ever crossed the finish line in first place so Southold Yacht Club created a perpetual plaque in honor of its two most successful senior participants.
HEINL – LYMAN OCTOGENARIAN AWARD
“The older I get, the faster I wuz!”
In 2005, at the 35th Annual World’s Longest Sunfish Race, Around Shelter Island, NY, Southold Y. C. saluted two octogenarians, Dr. Richard Heinl, 80, winner at age 62, 64 & 66 and Mr. Keith Lyman, 81, who in 2003 at 79 became the oldest winner. “In their honor, we annually recognize the Oldest Participant and the First Master 50+ to finish.”
Sadly, Mister Lyman passed away in his late 80’s but unbelievably, in 2009 at age 84, Dr. Heinl set a new age record (oldest winner) while becoming the first person to win the Race four times.
Three years later, Bobby Boger, who grew up sailing at Southold Yacht Club, was the second person to win four times while representing SYC in 2006 and his alma mater, the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point in 2010, ’11 and ’12!
2012 Race Champion Bobby Boger
When he crossed the finish line in 2015, Mattituck Yacht Club’s John Condon became the first Five-Time Winner, having previously won “The Race” in 1997, 2002, 2007, 2013, a spread of
16 years between his 1st and 5th victories.
As impressive as that statistic is, however, John Eckart, representing Mecox Y.C. in Water Mill, NY while winning in 1982, ’84 and ’85 also won “The Annual World’s Longest Sunfish Race,
Around Shelter Island, NY” in 2018 and 2019 while representing Massapoag Y. C. In Sharon, Mass., a spread of 37 years between his first and fifth victories.
2019 Eckart 6th win - Longest SF Race
When sailors, male and female, return year after year and decade after decade to participate in “The World’s Longest Sunfish Race, Around Shelter Island, New York,” it’s obvious that they have fun and enjoy the experience, the challenge, and the camaraderie, which exists among Sunfish sailors everywhere.
The 50th Anniversary Race should have taken place in 2020 but due to Covid 19, SYC erred on the side of caution and postponed the competition one year. As a result, the 50th Anniversary Race was celebrated in 2021; the 51st took place last year, and this year, Southold Yacht Club will host “The 52nd Annual World’s Longest Sunfish Race, Around Shelter Island, NY” on Saturday, July 15. As indicated earlier, God willing, at age 86, I shall compete in and complete my 50th circumnavigation. I opted out of two races. The first was one of the early years of “The RACE” when we scheduled a family vacation without taking into consideration the date of “The RACE!” and the second was when I was 59 and recuperating from prostate surgery. I recall asking my doctor about The Race and him responding “Absolutely Not!” In any event, win, lose or draw, hopefully on Sunday, July 16, I’ll have 50 “World’s Longest Sunfish Races, Around Shelter Island, NY” under my belt, and I’ll retire from Sunfish sailing a very happy camper!
2021 50th Race Start - Longest SF Race
2021 former Champions - Longest SF Race
L to R: Bobby Boger, Joe Croasdale, Bart Hale, John Condon, Lee Montes, Dick Heinl, Joe Sullivan, Sean Sullivan, John Eckart, Chris Williams, Jim Koehler
Over the years, Southold Yacht Club has been delighted to host Sunfish sailors not only from New York, New England and the Middle Atlantic States, but from as far away as Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Michigan, as well, so experienced Sunfish racers who will be 18 years old by December 31 of this year are welcome to join us. Because the North Fork of Long Island is a summer resort area, accommodations at hotels, motels and trailer parks tend to be taken early in the season. Thus, if you have serious interest in participating on Saturday, July 15 in “The 52nd Annual World’s Longest Sunfish Race, Around Shelter Island, NY,” please apprise me by email to joesunfish@gmail.com and include your return home address. I’ll see that the Race Committee receives your information so when the Sailing Instructions are ready for distribution, they will be forwarded to your email or home address with registration directions.
Respectfully,
Joe Sullivan
Past Commodore - Southold Yacht Club
World's Longest Sunfish Race Perpetual Award thru 2022
World's Longest Sunfish Race Perpetual Award thru 2022 Heinl-Lyman Octogenarian Award
World's Longest Sunfish Race Perpetual Award thru 2022 Peggy Anderson Wagner Memorial Plaque
BREAKING NEWS February 7, 2025
3/11/2023 3:46 pm
Press Release February 7, 2025
International Sunfish Class Association™ Affirms Zim Sailing as the New Builder for ISCA® Class-legal Boats
BREAKING NEWS March 10, 2023
3/11/2023 3:46 pm
New ISCA Sails, Spars and Masts?
Rule Changes from World Sailing (March 10, 2023)
WOW - Brangiforte: 2009 Barrington Regional
12/23/2022 6:43 pm
Bill Brangiforte WOW: 2009 Barrington Regional
Well, we certainly had some interesting conditions this past weekend! While we had mostly light air, we also had two races with some of the best surfing conditions in years! As usual, there were several lessons to be learned. Here are some of my thoughts on dealing with the varying conditions.
- Upwind in light air - I'm trying to keep my weight further forward( next to the board) and steer with the tiller behind me on the deck- The college kids call this frying eggs style, because you hold the tiller ext. like a skillet. This locks the rudder in the middle and you steer with your weight. Its is real fast, but tough on your sheeting arm, because you dont get a rest by grabbing the sheet with your tiller hand.
- Upwind in heavy air- I'm also trying to keep my weight more forward. The boat is wider forward ( should help with leverage) and it allows the boat to point higher. You have to be careful with this though. It is necessary to be very aggressive with your upper body to keep the bow out of the waves. As you come into a wave, you must throw your shoulders back and steer up into the wave. I'm trying a new longer tiller ext. (about 42'') to help push the bow up to meet the wave. It is very important to keep your arms up as high as possible in these conditions. You must be able to hold the tiller up high , so you can push it way to leeward to get the boat up to meet the wave. The sheeting arm must be up high as well, so you can ease alot of sheet in a gust, without leaning in. Unfortunately, this is hard on your arms and shoulders. Some upper body strength and flexibility training would help alot with this.
- Downwind in light air- two important points- keep looking back to stay in the most pressure and sail angles instead of going dead downwind! Sailing hot angles when the wind got light probably won the regatta for me.
- Downwind in heavy air- Sailing angles was also the key! Sailing dead downwind causes the bow to bury( wicked slow). Many times I never jibed on the runs , but constantly transitioned from a broad reach to by the lee. The key is to make your transitions while going thru waves. For example, if you are on a broad reach and suddenly see a low spot to leeward in the wave in front of you- bear off hard and go by the lee to get thru it. The tell tales will reverse direction and the boat will accelerate, instead of stopping. Not only is this real fast- it is really fun when you get it right!
As always, thanks to everyone at Barrington Y. C. for another weekend of great racing!
Bill
WOW- Brangiforte: Random Thoughts on 2010 Season
12/23/2022 6:41 pm
Bill Brangiforte WOW: Random Thoughts on the 2010 Season
On Frostbiting
Frostbiting is a great way to improve your skills. Karen Renzulli pointed out, after a close day of racing at Wequaquet, that it always seems like the frostbite fleet people end up at the top of the regattas. There is a reason for this, and I’m going discuss this throughout this article. (You will be sick of hearing me talk about this) The way to make the most out of frostbiting is to work on your weaknesses, and focus on doing the important things well, while you are out there, instead of thinking about results.
On Psychology
Concentrating on doing the important things well, instead of results is probably the single best way to improve your racing. I used to get nervous before big events, and ended up not focusing on the key components of the race. Doug Kaukeinen and I discussed this at the Masters. We both admitted to being nervous at the 2008 O’Days. As a result, neither of us sailed to our potential. I certainly wish I could do that event over!
No matter how much preparation (or lack of) you put in for a championship, once you are there, relax and enjoy the event. When I arrived at Mattituck, I wasn’t sure if I was even going to make it through the first day, but I was enjoying seeing old friends and was determined to have a good time no matter what. Having a relaxed mind frame seems to allow for better concentration, on the race course, and thus better results.
On the First Day of a Major Regatta
One of my biggest problems, in the past, has been having a bad first day and then being mentally out of the series after that. Someone said “You can’t win the regatta on the first day, but you can certainly can lose it” With this in mind, I set a goal of being in good shape (striking range of the leaders) while not taking too many chances. Here are 10 ways of doing this:
- Until you are sure there is an advantage to one side, start near the middle of the line. A line site is very helpful here. I have found that traditional line sites are not that useful in big fleets, because boats at the pin are often over early and block your site. A better approach is to site from the transom of the committee boat. This will give you a “safety site” and a good reference of where you are on the line, and when to pull the trigger.
- Always tack back after you gain on boats to weather. When their bows start to point towards you, tack and consolidate your gain. This especially true right after the start, but generally works for the rest of the race as well.
- Cross boats when you can.
- Don’t let a big pack of boats cross you- tack ahead and to leeward of them.
- When you find yourself heading close to a lay line, start looking for any excuse to get back towards the middle- any small header will do. I like to use more pressure, as it gets you back in faster.
- If you are heading towards the middle, don’t tack until the boats to leeward tack.
- Avoid the lay lines, but in big fleets, once you are close to the weather mark, try to over stand slightly. There are often big groups of slow moving boats pinching to get around the mark. By slightly overstanding, you can maintain your speed and make a fast transition to downwind.
- Downwind- avoid other boats and concentrate on going fast
- Give a lot of thought to leeward mark roundings. In big fleets, they are almost as important as starts
- In frostbite or college racing, they say “ keep your thirds”. This means anytime you are in the top three, sail defensively and protect your position. This is true in big fleets as well. If you are in the top 10 percent of the fleet, don’t take too many risks. Chances are, that 8th place on the first day will be really helpful going into the last day!
On Going Upwind
My speed in moderate conditions was really good this year, but in extreme conditions (really light and very windy) I am slow. Here are some thoughts on trying to improve in these conditions.
- In really light conditions- pressure is king. You need to be patient (I’m not) and really focus on finding and getting into breeze. Two of the best at this are Mark May and Paul Forester. They will stand up in their boats and focus all of their concentration on looking upwind and finding more pressure. I can’t count how many times I thought Mark was in trouble, only to see him cross the fleet in tons pressure. The only problem with this; you must be careful with rule 42. While standing up, stay very still or someone could accuse you of rocking.
- Heavy air is another story! I think the problem is that we just don’t get enough chance to sail in big breeze. I know my technique is bad. I would love to go to a clinic where some heavy air guys (P. J. or Eduardo) could coach us. The problem with this is that it is hard to plan a day when it is going to be windy. I think the key is aggressive depowering (upper body work), but until someone actually watches and critiques you, it is hard to be sure what you are doing wrong. No matter what, some time in the gym can’t hurt.
On Going Downwind
Just when I thought I was getting good at surfing waves, I got hosed by many of the juniors at the N.A.s with much better technique. There are many articles and videos on s-curving, but the best way to improve is to practice your top turns and bottom turns. Unfortunately, we don’t always have good waves around here to practice on. With a S.W. breeze, we do get waves at Barrington, even on the river, and it would be great to have this happen more in the winter.
Not only is Wave riding one of the most fun parts of sailing, but with good technique, the best way to make up a lot of ground. I hope we can practice this during the upcoming frostbite season.
In lighter conditions, again, pressure is king! I am constantly looking back at the breeze and sailing towards it. I tend to sail some crazy angles to get into better breeze. I actually think the sunfish likes to be sailed at hot angles in light air. You can go by the lee or broad reach if it takes you into more breeze. Be careful of sailing by the lee on port though- it is better to jibe and reach on starboard. If a pack of boats on one side of the course are coming on hard, they have more pressure and you want to get in front of them. Even if it seems that they will blanket you, I have learned from frostbiting, that this is still a high percentage move.
Ok- I did the dumbest thing I’ve done in a race in a long time. On the 5th race of the N.A.s., We were sailing a triangle (have not done much reaching lately). On the first reach, Mark May was 1st, I was 2nd and a very aggressive junior was third. He kept trying to pass us to windward, and Mark and I kept telling him to cool it, so we could stay ahead of the rest of the pack. He had no interest in listening to us old guys! After rounding the jibe mark, he immediately went high. Mark started yelling and went high with him to defend. I wanted no part of this and started to go low. At first it seemed to be working. What I didn’t realize was that the wind was going hard right. When I got to the bottom of the reach, I suddenly realized I couldn’t make the mark! I had to sail past it, and then tack to starboard just to get back to it! So, at this point, I’m heading upwind on starboard towards the mark, while hoards of boats are reaching towards it on port. My hails of starboard just got me lots of “WTF Bill”. The lesson here is – if the reach is tight, go high!
On Starting
The best sailing advice I read this year was a WOW from Peter Shope. He talked about how he has to fight basic laziness before the start. Instead of simply sailing back and forth before the start, keep your head into the game. Get line sites, keep checking the line, find the laylines for the boat and pin, check the current, keep looking upwind , to pick a side, etc. All of these things will greatly improve your chances for a good start, and get you into that all important first shift before most of the fleet.
I’m still not good at getting the boat up to speed after parking on the line, and this something I really want to work on while frostbiting. I do have some theories on this though.
- The boat would rather accelerate from a close reaching position than a close hauled position. So, if you can get the bow down in the seconds before the gun, then sheet in- it starts tracking faster.
- The longer the boat has been sitting (stalled), the harder it is to get it going again. Lately, I have been doing more port tack approaches, thus avoiding sitting on line for a long time.
This is something we should talk to Amanda about. She obviously must coach her kids on accelerating out of a start since their courses are so short. Andy is also very good at this and it is a big reason for his success at frostbiting. Whether it is a college race or a world championship, with mile long weather legs, being able to punch out at start is great skill to have.
ON RIGGING
After years of not using an outhaul, I’ve really taken a liking of my new outhaul system. It is a 6-1 system, led around the mast- back to the centerboard handle. With 7/64’’ spectron line and silicone spray, it has almost no friction and is easy to adjust anytime.
I like making marks, on the spars, for sail settings. This makes it easier to replicate settings that were fast on previous occasions.
Although I am a big fan of keeping weight and windage to a minimum, I now really like using 2 wind indicators; one at the top of the rig for downwind, and one on the lower part of upper spar for upwind. The lower one works with your telltales to help pick up small shifts. I think this combo has really improved my light air speed; just don’t fixate on it and forget to keep looking around.
I still like my floating tack Cunningham system, even if no one else does. The only problem with it is that it could use a little more range (Throw) for heavy air.
Although I haven’t used it yet, I really want to try the newest version of the Gust Adjust (another thing to work on this winter). Eric seems to have it mastered and will be glad to explain how to rig it, if you ask him.
ON BEING FORTUNATE
Despite coming down with tendonitis at the worlds, I was able to compete for the rest of the summer because all of the events were sailed in light to moderate conditions. One heavy air day at the N.A.s would have done me in.
The race committee at Mattituck sent us in on postponement one day because of incoming thunder storms. At the beach, as I lowered my sail, I found my halyard was hanging on by a thread at the mast cleat. I was thus able to change it out. It would never have made it through the afternoon races.
One of the races at the N. A.s, where I was behind my closest competitors was abandoned. Another one, where I was ahead of them, was shortened.
John S would have won the regionals at Wequaquet if he was not OCS in the third race.
I owe much to Gisele, my sister Rene and my mom for their unconditional support!
ON THE SUNFISH CLASS
It is such a joy, racing this boat. Not only do we have great masters to compete against, but now we have a strong contingent of juniors as well. I think half of the top ten at the N.A. s were juniors. Boy, are these kids good! Speaking of juniors, I think the best experience of the summer was working with the kids at Wequaquet. We need to do more of this (even if it means they will be beating us soon)! Most importantly, I truly think of the sunfish community as family and I hope to be doing this for a long time.
Bill
