Question: Is racing a requirement to be a good sailor?

[lustyslogger]

I realize that many sailing clubs are built around their racing programs. Its what tends to attract young sailors in many cases and gives you something to do besides sailing to the middle of the lake and back. However, all too often racing becomes the only reason to even be on the water in the minds of many club members. I once belonged to the Rudder Club in Jacksonville Florida and was told by the Commodore that if you didn't participate in the racing programs then there was no place for you in the club. Obviously that was my last attendance at any event the club had.

The club I currently belong to has for years been a very laid back cruising club with a fun racing program with about 20% of the members actually participating in a race. Let me state categorically that I am NOT a racer. Even if I were a racer I am not a racer!!! As I pointed out in a recent post in my first race in my own boat I finished dead last, almost two hours behind the front runners. Anyway, we have a new Vice Commodore who is also the chairman of the race committee. His attitude is the same as the Commodore of the Rudder Club, why belong to the club if you aren't going to race? He told me that you can never be a competent sailor if you don't improve your skills by racing. I responded with "Does that mean I can never be a competent automobile driver if I don't enter NASCAR races?"

I don't want to race, I don't want to be bothered. I want to sail where and when I want to sail and if Michel can beat me to the Tiki Bar so be it, I don't really care.

Does that mean I should give up sailing and take up knitting?

[Art Haberland]

some people are too competitive for their own good. Unless they are trading paint on a course, they are not happy. Sadly, I have come across that attitude far too often.

In fact I think Racing is the reason many sailors have boats at all... and racers make lousy cruisers. They make the kinds of mistakes that get people killed.. like going out when the weather is threatening and not understanding how to reef.

Yes, racing can increase your boat and sail handling skills.. but it is not the be all and end all of sailing

[Michel]

I think that racing is a requirement to be a good racer! I sail to relax, that's all and if I happen to pass another sailboat, that's his problem, not mine!

[lustyslogger]

Art
You hit on something there. I remember once I was at the Rudder Club and the wind was up around 30 - 35 kts. The Commodore was ecstatic because he said this would allow us to hone our heavy weather skills. I thought wind that high would be an opportunity to hone my drinking skills in the club house!!

With these guys its all about winning and the skippers tend to become petty tyrants on the race course. They have no regard for safety or comfort. I also read that most sailboat races are not won on the race course but in the Grievous Committee Meetings after the race.

[lustyslogger]

I think that racing is a requirement to be a good racer! I sail to relax, that's all and if I happen to pass another sailboat, that's his problem, not mine!

If I happen to pass another sailboat going in the same direction as myself I call the Coast Guard to check out the skipper and make sure he hasn't suffered some calamity and is unable to sail!!!!!

[Michel]

I think that racing is a requirement to be a good racer! I sail to relax, that's all and if I happen to pass another sailboat, that's his problem, not mine!

If I happen to pass another sailboat going in the same direction as myself I call the Coast Guard to check out the skipper and make sure he hasn't suffered some calamity and is unable to sail!!!!!

The same thoughts came to me on a few occasions!

There is worse!... A friend of mine was sailing not to far from Quebec city once and he was unaware that the tide had turned. He was surprised to be pass by a marina at a good speed!... Time to stop or start the motor!

[lustyslogger]

I think that racing is a requirement to be a good racer! I sail to relax, that's all and if I happen to pass another sailboat, that's his problem, not mine!

If I happen to pass another sailboat going in the same direction as myself I call the Coast Guard to check out the skipper and make sure he hasn't suffered some calamity and is unable to sail!!!!!

The same thoughts came to me on a few occasions!

There is worse!... A friend of mine was sailing not to far from Quebec city once and he was unaware that the tide had turned. He was surprised to be pass by a marina at a good speed!... Time to stop or start the motor!

LOL LOL LOL LOL

Thank God I sail in a lake, no tides or currents to worry about. Just the 3.7 million bass fishermen screaming around the lake at 100 kts.

[Michel]

Hey! We have that kind too! Plus the tankers and container ships, cruise ships and everything!... Good things to help become very aware sailors!

[Timo]

some people are too competitive for their own good. Unless they are trading paint on a course, they are not happy. Sadly, I have come across that attitude far too often.

If there were races where everybody wins, nobody would get unhappy. But well, wouldn't that be called as cruising? So, let's cruise and be happy.

[lustyslogger]

some people are too competitive for their own good. Unless they are trading paint on a course, they are not happy. Sadly, I have come across that attitude far too often.

If there were races where everybody wins, nobody would get unhappy. But well, wouldn't that be called as cruising? So, let's cruise and be happy.

Its not the winning or the losing, its the attitude that YOU MUST RACE OR NOT REALLY BE A SAILOR that gets to me. If all of us had Helsen 22's I probably would have a chance at winning sometimes but I don't care if I win or not. Its like fly fishing, if I don't catch a fish so what, I have still had a good time slogging through the streams and being in nature. I don't have a good time having to be as intense as you need to be in order to win a race or even be mildly competitive.