chb@vaxine.UUCP (Music Mafiosi) (10/27/83)
Things were getting a little quiet here, so I don't mind if I do
add my 2 cents worth. Below are various stray thoughts by the fire,
while waiting for Spring to roll around again.
The CG dropped several of the new greenies (not to be confused with
Heiniken bottles) up my way, which is the Marblehead/Boston area (for those
of you from out-of-town, or the South Shore, that's pronounced MahblHEAD)
and I actually DID find the little buggers to be easier to see, especially
when they are in front of a land mass. I went for a long weekend cruise with
my father down on the Chesapeake, and they had bundles of them down there,
especially in the main Balmer (sic) shipping channel. Think it's a great
idea, as long as the CG isn't forced to cut down on the existing buoyage
as they replace the old black cans. THAT would be disasterous!
I met a lot of sailors who were overjoyed that the Aussies took
the Cup; many of them glad to see the NYYC get egg on their faces (myself
included). A lot of people were very ticked off at the unsportsman-like
conduct of the Race Committee over the keel, the starts (did you know that
every start that got recalled was won by the Aussies?), etc. I think the
REAL reason that the NYYC tried everything in their power to keep the Cup
is because now that Perth is the defender, ANY American club may issue a
challenge. I would not be surprised if San Diego Yacht Club (Conner's Club)
and maybe even Corinthian or Eastern out of Marblehead were to come up
with a boat. Maybe even The Mouth from the South will decide to rescue
American honor and reassemble the old Courageous crew!
As for new classes, once the sailboard fad passes, I think the
next thrill on the water will be an importing of the Australian 18s.
A friend of mine got to go for a ride in one of them while they were in
Newport last year (2 years ago?), and reports that they are like trying
to ride a mechanical bull, but FAST!!! Sounds like my kind of death-defying
feat...
Charlie Berg, Navigator
HIGH ZOOT (J-36)
Marblehead, Mass.