Conference unifix::sailing

244.0. "Lightning Racing" by SCRIBE::LOCKHART () Wed Feb 26 1986 08:45

Lightning Fleet 273, Sailing on Massabesic Lake in Manchester, 
New Hampshire is looking for people that are interested in 
racing Lightnings. 

WARNING:  Sailing in general, and the racing of Lightnings in 
          particular, are potentially addictive activities. 
          Continue reading at your own risk.

THE OPPORTUNITIES: 

    -  Potential Lightning Owners - We can help you find a good 
       used Lightning ($2K - $5K) as well as providing help on 
       rigging and racing.

    -  Crew - Lightnings are raced with a crew of three. This 
       means that boat owning couples are often looking for a 
       third person to complete their crew. This is a good way to 
       get started in racing or even to learn to sail.

    -  Casual Interest in Racing or Lightnings. I am always 
       willing to take an interested person for a sail on a 
       Saturday afternoon. I feel strongly that getting you in 
       the boat is the best way to sell you on Lightnings and 
       racing.


WHY RACE A ONE DESIGN 

    -  One Design racing is THE best way to learn to sail most 
       effectively. Since you are sailing equivalent boats in 
       identical conditions, any difference in performance is the 
       result of the sailing decisions that you are making. 

       You can for example, sail side by side with a training 
       partner and have one boat change sail trim until she is 
       definitely faster. The 'faster' boat then becomes the 
       constant and the process is repeated until you discover 
       the fastest sail trim for a specific set of conditions.

    -  Since everyone is sailing the same boat, any problems that 
       you are having have probably been recognized and addressed 
       by others in your fleet. The people you sail against are a 
       ready resource to help make you a better sailor. By 
       helping you, the top sailors strengthen the fleet and 
       provide themselves with the competition necessary to 
       improve their own skills.

    -  Investment value: As a one design, the Lightning tends to 
       hold its value. There is a strong market for used boats 
       and sails.


WHY CHOOSE A LIGHTNING 

The Lightning is a 19 foot, 700 lb. center boarder that races with 
a crew of three. It caries a Jib, Main, and a large Spinnaker. 

    -  Performance - The modern Lightning has a complete set of 
       controls for quick and efficient sail control in a wide 
       range of conditions. It sails well to windward in light 
       air and is one of the few center boarders that can be 
       controlled and sailed to windward by a good hiking crew in 
       winds 25 MPH and over. Off wind, a large spinnaker is 
       flown to provide down wind performance.

    -  Balance of skills - racing a Lightning will increase your 
       knowledge of all facets of sailing: Crew Coordination, 
       Boat Handling, Boat Speed, Tuning, and Tactics. Too many 
       other classes are very focused on the one function that 
       produces a 'win' in that class. For example, Catamarans 
       are so 'boat speed' oriented that tactics are virtually 
       ignored.

    -  Numerous active racing fleets. Over 14,000 Lightnings have 
       been built to date with over 4,000 boats actively racing 
       today in the U.S. This means that there is usually an 
       Lightning fleet nearby and that there are numerous 
       regatta's throughout the season within a reasonable 
       traveling distance.

       We have a very active International Class organization and 
       the active support of numerous Builders and Sailmakers

       Many top sailors either got their start in Lightnings 
       (Hood and Turner for example) or are still actively 
       sailing Lightnings. The Lightning 1985 World Champion team 
       includes Bill Shore of Shore Sails and Betsy Gelenitis 
       Alison, three time Yachtswoman of the year and current 
       Woman's Keelboat World Champion.

    -  Comfortable family daysailor for 5 people. The lightning 
       is also a great boat to take for a sail with some friends.


RACING AT MASSABESIC LAKE    

    -  Lake Massabesic is a natural lake that is used as a public 
       water supply by the city of Manchester.  The lake is a 
       sailing sanctuary as the Water Department's prohibition on 
       swimming precludes water skiing and therefore minimizes 
       power boat traffic.

    -  Races are held Sundays from late May to early October.

    -  Lightning fleet 273 is a part of the Massabesic Yacht Club 
       which provides an anchorage, launching ramp, docks, picnic 
       facilities, A-frame and toilet facilities for club 
       members.


Anyone that has gotten through the above sell job and is 
interested should send me mail at SCRIBE::LOCKHART

    re.: .0,
    
    still racing Lightnings?  I'd like to know more,
    
    Thanks,
    
    John