Lessons from Boat of the Year competition.
Yes, we are a little disappointed about the outcome of the BOTY. One good
thing however, is that it was a reminder of an important element of high
performance skiff sailing--helming a skiff from the wire takes some time to
learn.
While 49er, I-14, and Aussie 18 sailors can step into a Swift Solo and feel
pretty much at home in an hour or two, other sailors should expect to spend
a good deal of time working up the wind range. It will likely take an
average 420 or 470 sailor the good part of the summer before feeling really
comfortable with 20 knots of wind in a Swift. Once you do get there, it will
hook
you like nothing you've done before.
While I've not read the entire results (not on the newsstand yet), one email
I received remarked that it was âunfair to test the catamaran that won in 15
knots while testing the Swift in light airâ. Since there were no judges with
skiff experience, I can assure you that it would have been a disaster if
they'd sailed the Swift for the first time in 15 knots of wind.
For what its worth, I donut believe that a 49er, an 18, or any skiff that is
helmed from the wire would have won. I voiced concern to the organizers
about this issue before accepting their invitation and they assured me, among
other things, that Meade Gougeon would be one of the judges and I knew that he
had sailed âAâ cats in the past (helming from the wireâeven if on a
relatively stable cat). It was a major disappointment that neither Meade nor
Jan
sailed the boat nor did they come to see the Swift. I suspect that they
recused
themselves because of the potential conflict of interest.
In the end, it was good to get the exposure. It also brought up the need to
repeat the message: Every newcomer to skiff sailing will need to be patient
when you launch your Swift. You're stepping into an incredible amount of
horsepower that requires time to harness. When you see the speed of a Swift in
7
knots of wind, you'll appreciate what you've got from the very start. When
you feel the power of this boat for the first time in a blow, it is easy to
conclude that it is impossibly overpowered. With a season of experience
under your belt, you'll not be satisfied with anything less.
Best regards,
Bram
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