Motivational speaker Joe Charbonneau use to say, "Winners bite off more than
they can chew and then chew it." Keep chewing Bram.
Rob
"One of the biggest tragedies of human civilization is the precedents of
chemical therapy over nutrition. It's a substitution of artificial therapy
over natural, of poisons over food, in which we are feeding people poison in
trying to correct the reactions of starvation."
Dr. Royal Lee
January 12, 1951
-----Original Message-----
From: BDally6107@xxxxxxx [mailto:BDally6107@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 12:06 AM
To: swiftsolo@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Class update
Swift Solo members,
Just a note to bring you up to date.
First, I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew and am falling down a bit
on posting your pictures and comments. I hope to get caught up soon. Keep
that info coming and I will get to it. Don't misunderstand me--I'm enjoying
every minute of time I'm spending on the class but with several boats
getting close to hitting the water, priority has been shifted to making sure
everyone has what they need to get going.
The spars and sails issues are essentially settled (we're waiting for
pricing on the sails). The rigging manual still needs an updated index and
some minor editing. Work on a supplier for boat covers is at the top of the
list along with writing the "how to" manual. The new main is very
interesting and I'm attempting to get out sailing enough to write a coherent
paragraph about rig setting for various wind conditions since it is
completely different from a standard mainsail (the fact that I'm having to
spend so much time sailing is likely bringing tears to your eyes so I'll try
to stop whining).
Anyone others who are considering buying a boat from VMG should get them a
deposit soon as their pricing will move up starting the 15th. I can tell
you with certainty that their boats are as good a value as you will find.
I talked with Mike Jocelyn the other day and asked him to write a piece
about his experience Swift Solo sailing (Mike bought 001 from me last year).
Mike sent me a hand written letter (he is not computerized) and I've typed
it for the class as I told him I would. When he bought the boat from me he
wanted to sail it for a while before getting any instruction (except over
the phone). I've learned a lot from both his calls and his letter regarding
what to expect from sailors that have no skiff experience. I've attached a
copy of his letter and if anyone wants his phone number, send me an email.
The "How to" manuals first chapter will be directed to those without skiff
helming experience and should be read carefully. Doing so will make your
life much easier and your early experiences a lot more fun. Because several
of our sailors are either at or within a month or two of launching, I will
post unedited versions as I write them--just as I have the rigging manual.
While this process substantiates my English composition teachers theory that
I'm illiterate and beyond hope, it does get the guts of the information out
much earlier. Save your paper and don't print it until you need it since it
will undergo many changes.
Work hard to get your boats in the water this summer. Remember, Higgins
Lake is not that far off.
Best regards and thanks for all your help,
Bram
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