Conference unifix::sailing

>>>>>	1. Is there an active dinghy one-design, eg. Thistles, fleet/club
>>>>>	   in the area??  If so, where and who are the contacts?

There is a fair amount of one-design activity in the area although participation
is not what it used to be.  Not much thistle racing although there are isolated owners.
The one I know used to travel quite a bit to race it.  I think there are still 
Lightnings on Lake Winnapasaukee and I saw some in Newport.  Snipes are raced on
Lake Quonapowitt in Wakefield and in Newport.  Centerboard boats just aren't that
popular around here for adult sailors.  The serious one design racing is done in
keelboats.  Marblehead has large Rhodes 19, Corinthian, E22, J22, J24, IOD, and
Shileds fleets.  210's are raced in Hingham and Gloucester.  Newport has a large
J24 fleet and a fair number of E22's.  Marion on Buzzards Bay has a large Shields
fleet.

>>>>>	2. What are the most active racing/cruising class boats?  Where do
>>>>>	   they race/cruise out from?  Where are good locations to look for
>>>>>	   moorage and the like?

Except for the larger J's, it's unusual to see more than one boat of any given
manufacturer's model in a local PHRF race.  That's not to say PHRF isn't active.
There is lot's of PHRF racing available.  Every large harbor on the Mass coast 
has a PHRF fleet although the quality of the racing varies.  In my very parochial
opinion, Marblehead has the best combination of good competition and an accessible
venue.  Mooring are hard to get in most of the good harbors.  Slips
are available in Boston Harbor for the wealthy.  Salem Harbor still
has space.     

>>>>>	3. What is the active sailing season and what is the semi die-hard
>>>>>	   season?

Active season = Jun 1 - Labor day

Semi die-hard = 1st weekend in May - 1st weekend in October

Serious die-hard = all year.  Frostbite dinghy fleets in Marblehead, Scituate, and
Newport.  Cape cod frosties on the cape.

>>>>>	4. How does one locate crew jobs?

To get crew - place adds everywhere

To be crew - answer an add

>>>>>	5. What are the most active sailing/yacht clubs in the area.

There are lots of yacht clubs.  Depends on where you wind up sailing.  
My experience has been that the more active the racing program, the harder 
to get in and the more expensive.  However, yacht club membership and racing
paricipation are unrelated to each other.  Getting a mooring near the racing 
is everything.

- gene ho
          

    Re .1  Good summary.  However, for the PHRF fleets the very active
    racing is right though September and into the first part of October.
    I assume you're looking to crew.  If you are serious you can show
    up at Corinthian Yacht Club on any racing morning and take your
    chances.  You won't end up on the dock.
    
    Dave
    

	I agree with most of what was written before. Most of my sailing was
	done 10+ years ago on the cape, as was all racing. I at present do 
	not own a sailboat, although I still occasionally sail with friends
	etc. HOwever a couple of comments that I think are still valid (as
	I saw the boats downcape racing).

	There used to be a fairly large group racing Beetle-Cats. A Gaff
	rigged Centre-boarder miniature (12'4") Cat boat carrying about
	100 Square foot of sail. Not a barn burner, but a fun boat for 1 
	or 2 people or 2 or 3 kids, Good boat for yung'uns. There were
	at that time about 40 yacht clubs racing these on the cape and 
	Buzzards Bay down to Newport. They were/are made by Concordia,
	Who also makes a delightful yawl. I do know that several Yacht
	clubs down cape still are racing these or were last summer. I
	don't generally go to the cape during the summed anymore, its 
	gotten just too crowded. Beetle Cats are Wood (Only) per class
	rules. I've known people who sailed these out to Nantucket, which
	I wouldn't care to do, but they aren't too unseaworthy either.
	Larger than a dinghy, but smaller than many daysailers, although
	I used to do a fair bit of gunkholing with one (Centre board draws
	up so they draw very little). We did race them sometimes when small
	craft warnings were up however, in the Bay or Vinyard Sound.

	Also still seen racing: Cape Cod Knockabouts. This class has been
	around for 50+ years. There are both wood and fibreglass versions
	racing together. Marconi Rig Mainsail, Jib and Spinaker. About 18'+
	as I recall.

	Also seen last summer, of Falmouth, Lightnings, 110's and 210's 
	racing. Having worked in a boatyard way back then (10 years +)
	my best description of a 210 is about a 30' pencil with a blob of 
	lead stuck on the bottom.Perhaps I'm just being cynical. Actually
	I just prefer a boat I can use for cruising or gunkholing as well.


				Russ White

Unfortunately, you are going to find that there is not much water in the 
immediate area of Marlboro. The closest dinghy racing that I'm aware of is 
located on Lake Webster in Webster, MA. It is a modest distance from Marlboro 
but is easily accessed from the interstate. 

Located on Lake Webster (there is also a long Indian name for this lake that
I'm afraid to try to spell) is the Webster Sailing Association. I was a member
of the club for many years before moving to N.H. five years ago. When I left
the club, they were racing Day Sailers, Sunfish, and Portsmouth; but the DS
fleet was the most active. I really enjoyed my membership in WSA and I think
you owe it to yourself to visit this club when house-hunting. If you are
interested in learning more, send me mail or call.

- Bob

    RE: .4
    
    Can you post the phone number and/or address of the Webster Sailing
    Association?

    
    Thanks, Bill

    RE .0
    
    As Dave suggested in .2, if you're looking to crew then the best thing
    to do is show up at just about ANY yacht club on race day and just let 
    people know you're experienced and available.  
    
    I would recommend the Marblehead area, which is about the closest really 
    active racing area to Marlboro.  Also, Corinthian Yacht Club IS one of 
    the busiest, with a large fleet of racing type yachts.  So you're just 
    about certain to find someone there who needs more crew.  Other YC's in 
    the Marblehead Harbor area are the Boston YC and the Eastern YC, also 
    very active in the racing circuit.
    
    I went up to the Corinthian one Wednesday night last month to meet Dave
    and the FAT TUESDAY crew, and had three other offers while I was
    waiting for them.  If you're interested, drop me a mail message and I
    can send you directions to Marblehead from Marlboro (I work there too). 
    I can also let you know when the YRUMB races are being held in the area
    for the remainder of the season.
    
    BTW - it's not a short trip ... takes over an hour on a good day ...
    
    Happy sails ... 
    
    		... Bob
    

re .5

The Webster Sailing Association phone number is 508-943-9781 (I just
double-checked this number with information). WSA is located on Bates Point
Road on the northeast shore of "middle pond". Mail is sent to the club
secretary; but I do not have a current address. I suggest calling or visiting
the club on a weekend when someone is likely to be there. 

Please note that this club is for small-boat sailing only. I seem to recall 
that the boat length limit was 20'. For hard-water sailors, a number of the 
club members also sail DNs.

The Indian name for the lake is:

	Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaug

- Bob

    re .7
    
       Did you spell the name of that lake right, or did you keyboard
    flip out???  ;>)
    
       Love to see the size of the trophy that has to have that name
    engraved on it!!
    
    john
    

    
    	Thistle's used to be quite active in the 60's, especially around
    Quincy Bay. There wer a lot out of Squantum and Wollaston. Not anymore,
    and you wouldn't neccesarily sail in such dirty water anyways. However,
    i've sailed a thistle and its a fine boat.
    
    	I've spent much of the last 30 years in 210's. They are a real
    fine racing boat and there are very active fleets in Hingham,
    Cohasset, Eastern Point and Falmouth. According to the Globe, there
    were eight new hulls added this year - that's the most in quite
    a while. 
    
    	The only fleet in Marblehead which has competitve appeal to
    me are the Etchells. (howl) I personally feel Marblehead racing
    is way over-rated, all though there are some good skippers up
    there. Last time I bothered was in the early 70's when me and
    a friend went and picked on the shields class for a few weeks.
    
    	Once upon a time, all Mass Bay had some real great one-design
    racing. I'm afraid that's just a memory - however, as I've mentioned,
    there are some spots of good activity. Race anywhere in Boston
    Harbor and discover the joys of "local knowledge". Many interesting
    currents... In Marblehead the plays are alot simpler, but i've 
    picked on that place enough...
    
    
    					Bob Schuchard

    Bob Schuchard is correct. The Mass Bay fleets have dwindled. We
    raced Thistles for several years (ex #2526) but the fleets have
    gone.  There are some good skippers in Marblehead but we all came
    from Boston Harbor (Yuk Yuk)  There are several active one designs
    in Marblehead (Rhodes 19, Etchells ,Shields, Ensigns, etc.) Also,
    we
    watched the Stars that had a meet at Rockport last week.  We are
    in a cruiser/racer now (Sunshine, 32 ft Islander).  Good luck!f
    
    
    
    ex
    

    
    	Well, I actually got in a 210 race last Saturday, and was most
    suprised to see a whole lot of 110's racing in Hingham Bay. Some
    VERY GOOD racers too. The 110 has been slicked up  with aluminum
    masts, trapeze, and tube-launchers, plus i'm told, you need a speed
    job on the keel (faired into hull) to be competitive. 
    
    	However, you can find an old boat real cheap (less than 1000).
    New rigging and sales and you have something that planes, and some
    sharp competition.  Hull Yc used to be a home for 110'ers, maybe
    still is.
    
    
    				bs

    I just purchased an AMF Zuma so to get "re-acquainted" with sailing....
    and to get my kids started.
    
    Since I live in Acton I am interested in finding out about lakes
    in the immediate area that are suitable for small craft (13') sail
    boats. 
    
    o Is lake boone in Stow open to the public. Where is there a launch
      site available.
    
    o Lake Cochichuate.....open for sailing?  Where is the ramp? Public
      access and fees?
    
    o I've heard of lakes in Harvard, Westford, Lancaster and Shirley
      however I have no idea of their locations and rules regarding
      public access. Any info out there??
    
    Thanks for the help,
    
    Jonathan

Fort Meadow Reservoir, lake shared by Hudson and Marlboro, is where
    I sail my small sailboat.  The main part of the lake is made up
    of 2 large basins connected by a narrows.  There are no hazards,
    like rocks or shallow areas.  There are several coves for anchoring
    and swimming.  The bad news is that the main part of the lake on
    the weekends is crowded with over-powered speed boats, churning up big 
    wakes.
    
    The good news- the lake is further divided by a road, which cuts
    off a small part of the lake.  There is no boat ramp and thus perfect
    for non-powered boats.  Occasionally this section is used for ski
    tournaments, but generally speaking it has become the part of the
    lake used for canoeists, small sailboats, sailboards, and fishermen.
    To access it, you launch your boat from the clearing/beach that is located
    at the far end of the parking lot for Ollies Restaurant, which is
    located on this small portion of the lake.  This restaurant is located
    on RT 85, just over the Marlboro line.  I sail here all the time
    and have enjoyed the lack of powerboats.  
    For parking, if the restaurant is closed, use their lot; if open
    park either at Navin Skating Rink, just up the road beyond the church,
    or park off the blacktop, on the side of the parking lot. The lake
    is small,
    though. If you want a bigger lake, then you can sail the main portion
    of the lake, but if you go through the narrows,  plan to paddle
    through, since it is a windless area.  The main part of the lake
    has a ramp but it is for Hudson, Marlboro and Southboro residents
    only.                                    

    Skip Harvard, residents only ;>(
    
    In Littleton, the town beach can be used, but the lake is long and
    narrow with many rocks at the far end. Close to Acton though.
    
    In Westford, the is a public area to launch by hand off rt 40. A lot
    of canoe traffic to contend with though. Just up the street is a much
    smaller pond with no traffic. Not sure where one would put in. Looks
    great for learning.
    
    In Groton, the town ramp at lost lake is off rt 119. hard to get wind
    down there though as it is surrounded by hills. Then there is a town
    ramp at babacook pond. Again, you have to deal with lots of fishermen and
    their trailers. Groton just opened a canoe launch on the Nashua on
    rt119 at the town line last week. Haven't checked this out yet.
    
    Down the street in Dunstable/tynsboro, there is a nice lake, but to
    public launch area is at the far end. You need to paddle out to the
    main section or hitch a ride with a fisherman.
    
    On the Dracut/Tynsboro border is a nice lake for sailing. Only problem
    is launching with lots of meatheads trying to get their stinkpots 
    launched. Really nice after work though. One of my favorites.
    
    Lake Shirley will let you launch. The far side of it has a launch in
    Lunenburg you can get to from Rt 2. will cost a couple of bucks at
    each place. Lots of traffic, the lake is in
    fact several smaller ones and connection is a bit narrow for a keel. 
    You need to check the middle with the keel up before beating to
    weather.
    
    I don't know if you can launch on Sandy Pond in Ayer. Kind of weedy 
    anyways. 
    
    Then theres the launch in Lowell on Merrimack. A lot of powerboat
    traffic though.
    
    Theres Silver lake State park just north of pepperell, but it's pretty
    small and gets mobbed on weekends.
    
      I'm sure there are others, but I used to stick to the larger bodies
    because of the my Catamaran eats distances up. 
    
       Have fun.
    
       john