Conference unifix::sailing

I hate to be a curmudgeon, but this is an example of the notes I've been 
deleting from SAILING to minimize the total number of base notes, file size,
and access time. SAILING is already over 35 000 disk blocks and the batch 
job to create the directories by keywords takes close to an hour to run on 
a standalone VAX 3500 cluster. So, I trust no one will be offended if I 
delete this note in a couple of weeks.

the Moderator

    I saw an ad last night in the monthly newsletter that we get with our
    Electric bill from N.H. Electric Coop. - There is a guy in Meredith
    with Iceboats and iceboat parts for sail, if you are really desperate
    to sail.
    
    Bill
    

    Sounds good to me.  Where do I get more info. ?
    
    Rick
    

    re .2
    
    Alan,
    
    Comiserating about winter/whatever blues is one of the fun aspects
    to this file, although I agree the notes tend not to have any
    "lasting" value and should be deleted after acitivity fades.
    Why not formalize that type of note?  Ask noters to use 
    a keyword like "RAMBLINGS" to designate a tempory topic.
    Then, you could delete those notes after one month if activity
    dies out, or if something durable ends up getting discussed, 
    you  could re-classify the note.
    
    Just a suggestion.  Speaking of which, is there a "SUGGESTIONS"
    topic?  Just thought of that.  Will go look now.  Apologies in
    advace if there is.
    
    ;)
    Dean
    

    I agree with .5
    
    I am also getting to the point where I need a sailing "fix". The boat
    show (this weekend here in Seattle) will help, but I couldn't help but
    empathizing with the author of the base note. I see no lasting harm in
    sharing some of the feelings that we may have about the
    sport/lifestyle. 
    
    	Howard

    Well... I just got back from Sydney and got my sailing fix for the
    winter.  Spent a day on a J 24 blasting around the bays north of Sydney
    (off of Palm beach and West Head to those of you familiar with the
    area).  That is a place to sail!  Daily sea breezes in the 20 knot
    range, warm water, and a collection of the wildest boats I have ever
    seen.  The handicap fleet races these 40 footers that are daysailers
    with no cabin or the like.  They have four to six trapezes for the
    crew!  And we worry about keeping out torso inside the lifelines!  Huge
    roaches on the fully battened mains and bendy frac rigs.  These babies
    fly!  
    
    I am convinced that once the America's Cup goes to lighter more radical
    boats the nations down under will clean our clocks.  At the club level
    (Royal Prince Albert Yacht Club)  they have two one design world champs
    and the J 24 North American championship trophy.  Just watching a
    typical Sunday day race I was very impressed.  The crew work is very
    strong, the boats are built to plane and they do.
    
    Anyway, it is depressing to think I got all psyched up only to have to
    wait until April to do it again here.
    
    Dave

    I guess they are going to scrap this note soon so I'll use it for some
    other info. I have been trying to add a new catagory to the sailing
    notes file but just haven't had any luck. You seem to know how to do it
    so could you either send me mail on HYSTER::KITTLE or call 264-5381 and 
    explain to me how you did it.
    Thanks Steve Kittle (O'day 27)
     p.s. My Doctor prescribes two weeks in the Caribbean on a Moorings 500
    with an endless supply of petite punch, baked fish, roast pig and fresh
    fruit.

    One way to reduce the withdrawal symptoms is the annual Boston Harbor
    Frostbite Race on New Year's day...lots of opportunity to crew..
    
    This year we placed 3rd in a C&C36...winds 20-25 gusting to 40+...lots
    of fun and lots of chowder et al after......
    

    
    
     
    I'll be in Sydney in two weeks for a couple of days. At least I can take
    the ferry around the harbor and watch everyone have a great time. Don't
    have enough time to rent a Catamaran, although in previous trips I found
    where to get one.
    
    Time to order the new spinnaker and hardware. By the time I get back
    from the Far East, I'll only have 5 weeks to go. Mid non-season is
    always the roughest for me. Let the countdown begin !
    
    I am afraid to go to any ice races as it looks so close to Cat sailing
    I know I would get hooked. The wife has already put me on warning about
    trying to extend the season    ;>)
    
       You can blow this one away any time you wish Alan.
                                                         
    john
         

    As a "temporary relief":
    
    Has anyone been noticing the small ice-boaters on lakes like
    Quannapowit (Wakefield, MA)? They appear to be surf-sailors with skate 
    board base. I just haven't happened to see them before.  As with
    surf-sailors, you sail standing up. There were a few of the older ice
    boats as well.
    
    

    Well folks, not only did I get to see some serious 12 metre racing in
    Sydney, I got to get into it !!!  We were coming across on a ferry just
    as the two boats were finishing. we ended up trapped between the two of
    them and then the 250 + boats chasing them. Sure made me feel much 
    better until that evening when I saw my forehead peel from the killer
    sunburn (Ouch that sun is brutal once one loses that sea-faring tan !!).
    
    
    As an aside, the Kiwi Captain was asked if he knew where the rocks were
    (refering to last year when D. Conners stuck his boat on a ledge to end any
    hope of winning). The Captain said he had flown down Dennis's navigator
    several weeks earlier to tell them what to look out for. Evidently he
    had been so embarrassed about the grounding he hung around for several
    weeks last year to chart Sydney harbour in great detail.
    
    I also saw a killer cat (about 80' ) being used as a Corporate
    perk-mobile. What a machine!