Posts by Walter Myers6

Arthur Fox49 said:Is there anyone from Seattle involved in sailing, or perhaps windsurfing? Generally speaking, which clubs are active in Seattle and is it possible to enroll in a training program? All I have managed to find are sailing schools for children, and I certainly don't fit that demographic.🙂

I have merged this post with an older thread. There is actually another decent discussion regarding sailing, so here is the LINK. Mod.

Regarding windsurfing—I passed a shop today that sells boards, snowboards, and similar gear. I can't recall the name, but I can describe the location: it’s on the street where Goldman Sachs is located [over in the downtown area 😉]. If you head up that street toward the hills following the bus route, you'll see the shop on your left, right before those motorcycle and art supply shops 😁

Arthur Fox49 said:Thanks for the links. 🙂 Personally, I am more interested in larger sailboats; I will look through these links. I saw that one club near the waterfront, but they don't offer classes except for kids.

As for larger vessels, I truly have no idea. 😢 I would personally love to sail on them—I actually did last year, though not here in the US—but my entry point was joining a yacht club where owners were looking for racing crews. From what I gather, you generally need to know someone who owns such a vessel to get on board.🤷

Arthur Fox49 said:Is there anyone out here from the Seattle area who gets into sailing or paddleboarding? Basically anything on the water. I’m trying to figure out what kind of clubs are active in the city and if there are any programs where an adult can actually sign up. All I’ve been able to find so far are sailing lessons geared toward kids, and that definitely isn't my scene.🙂

I'm based out of Seattle. I spent some time online last week hunting for local sailing clubs—specifically looking for places that run small dinghies like the Laser. I have to say, I didn't find much of anything useful.

Here are the links I have on the subject; feel free to look through them for whatever information you need.

www.scor.us

Check out the JK3MAJ site here: http://www.jk3maj.us/

The official website for the maritime training programs at the United States Merchant Marine Academy can be found here: http://www.usmma.edu/

If you happen to come across any additional links, please let me know. 🙂

UPDATE: I just came across this as well:

The official website for the municipality of Kostrena can be found at

casualfox9 said:Unfortunately, you won't find any Merlin Rocket or National 12 racing here in the States.😢

If your goal is to compete locally, your options are somewhat limited. You could look into Olympic classes like the 470, 49er, or Star, though even at the national championship level, fleet sizes have dwindled significantly.

As for other options, people typically sail the 505, the Snipe, or occasionally a 420 if a specific club still maintains them. There is one crew currently running an FD.

No—I am not looking to compete professionally. I was thinking more along the lines of club racing—finding similar boat models just for the fun of it. Mostly just for recreation.🙂

Many thanks for the information.😁

casualfox9 said:Just build a National 12 or a Merlin Rocket. You can find the blueprints online and order used sails from England.

Why though? Is that considered a major class here in the States—lots of racing and all that?

casualfox9 said:What does that have to do with sailing???

Fair enough, but thanks for the reply. 🙂

YES, the folks in Cleveland have launched what they call the Yugoslav Cup—essentially a regatta of different sailboats where corrected time is calculated using PY numbers. Reach out to the Galeb Yacht Club if you want the specifics.

Thanks, I'll check in with them. 👍

Does anyone here have expertise regarding the amateur construction of small wooden sailboats, roughly 15 feet in length?
Specifically:

• Where can one source marine-grade lumber?
• Where is a reliable place to purchase epoxy resin?
• Is there anyone willing to manufacture custom sails for a specific boat?

I have additional questions, though they escape me at the moment. 😕

The traditional wooden skiff remains an essential element of maritime heritage. kaže:
We don't really have a specific designation for the smaller classes.🤷

casualfox9 said:The term "derive" is occasionally used in an Italian context.

Thanks... does anyone happen to know how they organize the racing near the river? Are the events strictly divided by class, or do they hold open competitions where boats compete based on their handicap ratings?

Good day to everyone. I have been sailing for about a year now on a J/35 [which isn't my 😉]. Since I am not currently in the States, I am unfamiliar with how everything is organized locally... which is why I joined this forum, to learn a bit more. Regarding your terminology—how do you refer to those small boats [say, under 15 feet] that the English call 'dinghies'? Thanks.

To address the other question immediately:

melloworca72 said:Does anyone know anything about spinnakers? I'm wondering which kind to get and where to buy one.

A spinnaker [just Google "spinnaker" 😁] is, as far as I am aware, the largest sail on a boat. You deploy it while running downwind. I am unsure regarding specific retailers, but in my area, they are typically custom-made for each individual vessel [unless you are dealing with smaller boats or strictly regulated classes like a Laser or similar...