Pole Launcher A Snipe Fleet Rebuilds Rule 42:

SPRING 2007
The Official Magazine of the Snipe Class International Racing Association, USA
Pole Launcher
...tips and tricks
A Snipe Fleet
Rebuilds
Rule 42:
What you need
to know
2007 U.S. Snipe Masters
National Championship
September 10 – 13
Winchester Boat Club and Snipe Fleet 77 are honored
and excited to host the 2007 Snipe Masters National
Championship. The U.S. Masters were last held on
Mystic Lake in 2000.
The Masters are open to Snipe skippers who are at
least 45 years of age during the year of the Regatta
(2007) and whose age, combined with that of the crew,
equals 80 by the end of 2007. Awards will be given
to Apprentice Masters (45-54), Masters (55-65) and
Grand Masters (65+).
Mystic Lake is a great sailing venue in the fall, with
good winds and warm temperatures. For those of you
who attended in 2000, the event will be very similar.
We are involving the entire membership of Winchester Boat Club,
and will be attempting to meet all requests for housing on a first
come, first serve basis. We’ll be helping competitors find local
Snipes to borrow as needed. Members are already planning for the
brunches at the club before racing each day, and the dinner events
each night at the club and at members homes.
We hope to see you there! Event registration information will
be posted soon on www.mysticlakesnipefleet.org/masters. Or
contact Andrew Davis at andrewedavis@gmail.com.
Winchester Boat Club on Mystic Lake
www.snipeus.org
US SNIPE SAILOR™
Volume 2, Number 1
Spring, 2007
Published by SCIRA USA
P.O. Box 83866 Lincoln, NE 68501
Editor/Publisher:
John Buckley
(402) 796-2510; buckley@inebraska.com
Editorial Board:
Aimee Graham
aimeegraham@msn.com
Susan Odell
seodell@yahoo.com
Merrill Varn
orts7@hotmail.com
Advertising:
Mary Buckley
(402) 796-2505; direx@inebraska.com
SCIRA USA
Board of Directors:
Barb Evans (National Secretary)
bjesail1@comcast.net
Bob Ewoldt (Chief Measurer)
rewoldt@neb.rr.com
Bob Panza (District 1 Governor)
woodburian@aol.com
Doug Swenson (District 2 Governor)
kswenson@interfold.com
Chad Coberly (District 3 Governor)
ccoberly@yahoo.com
Dustin Kays (District 4 Governor)
dustin@cherokeetees.com
Adrienne Korkosz (District 5 Governor)
korkosz@hotmail.com
Steve Stewart (District 6 Governor)
stewcon@san.rr.com
Kirk Smith (District 7 Governor)
kirksmith01@msn.com
MikeBlackwood (Member At Large)
firewood@wi.rr.com
Hal Gilreath (Member At Large)
hgilreat@cisco.com
Lee Griffith (Member At Large)
lee.griffith@contextgroup.com
David Odell (Member At Large)
david.wanderer@gmail.com
Executive Administrator:
Mary Buckley
(402) 796-2505; direx@inebraska.com
The US SNIPE SAILOR is published quarterly
on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December
1. The deadline for material submission is the
10th of the preceding month.
The Snipe Silhouette, the International Snipe
Class Crest, and the slogan Serious Sailing,
Serious Fun are trademarks of the Snipe Class
International Racing Association, and are
registered in the US Patent and Trademark
Office.
On the cover: Henry Filter and Kathleen Tocke
(bow 25) at the 2006 WH&O Championships at
the Coconut Grove Sailing Club in Miami
Photo: Fried Elliott
www.friedbits.com/PhotoBits/Sailing/Snipe/index.php
US SNIPE SAILOR Spring 2007 From Our National Secretary
I
t’s 2007 and we’re
hitting the ground
running. I promise not
to bore you with a “state of
the union” address, because
you already know that great
strides are being made. Just
look at this new magazine,
or check out the new website
(www.snipeus.org).
When charged with the task
of writing this column, I
had visions of grandeur. But
mostly I want to thank the leadership team and committee volunteers
who are putting in so much time and effort on so many projects. In
particular, I want to take a moment to thank Don Hackbarth for his
three years of service as National Secretary. The Class is grateful for
all his hard work, and for putting SCIRA USA in a better position.
Volunteerism and commitment is what keeps our Class strong. Have
you volunteered for Snipe duties recently?
On the management front, we instituted a position a year ago called
the Vice National Secretary. I was fortunate to be chosen for that
role, and now that role is being filled by David Odell. David has been
a member of the Class for several years, and has the fire, enthusiasm,
and intelligence the Class needs. I’m honored to be working with
him.
David and I have decided to take a team approach to running the
Class. We believe that together, we can better guide the organization
and manage the affairs at hand. We welcome your input, thoughts,
suggestions, and solutions. The Class has a very significant challenge
because it serves so many constituents from young to old, male and
female, lake sailors and open water sailors, and world champion
sailors to complete novices. Building our membership will depend
on our ability to address all those markets. It will also depend on the
efforts of our members. This is not a job that can be done alone.
In the next issue of the US Snipe Sailor, David and I will present a
discussion of some of the goals and objectives we hope to accomplish
over the next few years.
Until then, happy sailing — and I hope to see you on the race
course.
Barb Evans
SCIRA USA National Secretary
2007 US SNIPE NATIONALS – LAKE DILLON, COLORADO
www.snipe2007.org
New District Governors
District 2
Doug Swenson
District 4
Dustin Kays
Doug Swenson started
sailing as crew on a
Thistle on Lake Cowan,
Ohio at about the age
of 15. He crewed a
variety of boats while in
college in Ithaca, NY.
He bought his first Snipe while in Anchorage, Alaska
– but gave it up after trying to sail in an eight foot
tidal bore and on tiny lakes where the mosquitoes were
as big as the boat. Next was a Soling in Boston Harbor
while attending graduate school.
Dustin Kays started
sailing Snipes in
1991, after attending
his first junior sailing
camp at Atlanta
Yacht Club. He was
asked to crew on
Hackleberry Hound,
the boat he now owns, by one of the most important
people in his life, Don Hackbarth. Don instilled the
sailing knowledge and passion for the Snipe Class that
Dustin possesses today.
Doug finally landed in Denver, Colorado with
new wife Karen, and purchased his stepfather Bill
Eichelberger’s Snipe. Bill was a very active, 30-year
Snipe sailor.
Dustin grew too big to continue crewing, and found
himself skippering his own boat. In 1996 and 1997,
Dustin won the Junior National Championship and
represented the U.S. in the 1997 and 1999 Junior
World Championships. Last year Dustin was the
Snipe Fleet 330 Fleet Captain, and looks forward to
representing District 4 as your newly elected District
Governor.
Working as an architect and slumlord, Doug has been
sailing the Snipe with Karen as crew on lakes all over
Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas for 20 years. He is
very active in the Denver Sailing Association, serving
as Treasurer for over 10 years. His favorite vacation is
cruising in the Caribbean. He has sailed Cape Horn in
a Cal48 – a great experience he doesn’t care to repeat.
Big boats are fun, but he likes sailing the Snipe best!
In addition to being District 2 Governor, Doug
is regatta chair for this year’s Nationals at Dillon
Colorado. For more info see www.snipe2007.org.
Dustin graduated from State University of West
Georgia with a degree in Business Information
Systems. He is now pursuing a career with Aaron
Rents in the IT Department.
Dustin also won the Wells Championship at the 2006
Nationals in Erie, with crew Clayton Dixon. They are
shown in the photo above– Ed.
New Vice National Secretary — David Odell
David began sailing at age 5 when
his father put him on a Sailfish and
pushed the boat from the dock. After
a successful tack, he capsized on his
first jibe and Dad had to swim out
to rescue him.
Fortunately, sailing has gone better
since then, as he and his wife Susan
joined San Francisco Snipe Fleet 12
in the mid 90s. They found it was
the perfect boat for a couple to race,
and have stayed active for the great places they visit. Work took them to
friends they make and fantastic Australia, so they checked out of the
Snipe scene for a few years, but reemerged in 2001. They were active
on the west coast for several years,
until moving to Park City, Utah
in early 2006. Their motto is now
“Have Snipe, Will Travel” which
seems appropriate given they drove
22,000 miles last year for their Snipe
activities!
David is proud of the fact that
the Utah Snipe Fleet has 100%
participation at most major
regattas.
www.snipeus.org
Snipe Fleet 12, in the San Francisco Bay area, has a
tradition of awarding an annual trophy to a very special
Fleet member. The trophy is called the “Bird Brain Award”,
and it goes to the member who’s made the biggest mistake,
created the largest snafu, or has just generally flubbed up
enough for everyone to take notice. Most everyone at one
time or other has qualified for nomination, and all Fleet
members have learned from others’ mistakes. It is in that
vein that we include “Bird Brainers” in the US SNIPE
SAILOR. While we may occasionally chuckle at the
situations, we will all think, “I’m glad that didn’t happen
to me.” So, here’s this issue’s Snipe snafu and the lessons
learned:
Missing the Mark
Breezy conditions prevailed at the Snipe Midwinters
Regatta in Clearwater, Florida in March. During
one race on the first day of sailing, a race committee
boat was positioned at the weather mark of a double
windward/leeward course. She was flying code flags C
and T and sounding a horn as the Snipes rounded. The
boats went around and headed towards the new mark,
which, heading downwind, was set to the right of the
original mark. Once there, the lead boats rounded,
came close hauled, and headed for the finish. The boat
US SNIPE SAILOR Spring 2007 BiRD
brAiNERs
in seventh place (or thereabouts) interpreted the flags
to mean a change in course from a windward/leeward
to a triangle. That boat rounded the new mark and
headed for the original leeward mark. This was the
correct course. Provisions for this exact course change
had been made in the sailing instructions.
Needless to say, the fleet turned inside out and those
in the lead had to play catch-up for the rest of the race
(some had more success than others.)
The lessons here are: 1) read and understand the
sailing instructions, 2) don’t blindly follow the leader,
and 3) if you are the leader, see 1) above.
submitted by Susan Odell
Rigging and Re-rigging a Proctor Boom and Pole Launcher System
by George Szabo, Quantum Sails San Diego
When I get a new boat, there are a few changes that I
make to the boom and pole systems to help them run
more easily. The changes are:
On the forward end of the boom (figure 1)
• Get rid of all hog rings on the outhaul system and
tie knots instead.
• Cut the two loops off the front top of the boom.
• To reduce friction of shock cord against front edge
of boom: take the vertical sheave (for shockcord)
out of the front of the boom, and shackle on a
small Harken block on the same pin. The new
sheave in the block will be 90 degrees to the old
sheave greatly reducing wear and tear on shock
cord and crew. You’ll have to re-run the shock cord
with a lead line to do this. Save the vertical sheave
to replace the plastic one inside the whisker pole.
Figure 1.
•
Tweaking the Pole Collar
• The collar should be loose enough to keep the pole
working easily, but snug enough against the mast
to eliminate upwind swing. I like to keep the pole
high as well so that when you launch it, it will not
get caught underneath the pole line (figure 3).
• To rig the Collar, I start with a short piece of line
(an old tack line works well) and I hand sew a
small eye into the end of the line. The other end of
the line passes through this line creating a noose,
or lasso. I pass this over the collar, and pull it tight.
• The other open end of this line is passed through
the eye on the mast, the same eye that is used to
hold the pole line block. Once through the eye,
I tie the line to a short piece of 3/16” shock cord
that is, in turn, tied to the top shackle for the vang.
This is tied just tight enough to keep the pole
snug to the mast, but still allow it to stretch away
from the mast easily as needed. Many people use
shockcord only in this application, but I find that
George Szabo photo
To allow tensioning of shock cord while sailing:
remove the shock cord from where it is currently
tied off, and ream out the hole so it won’t cut the
shockcord (about a 45 degree angle). The aft edge
of the ream should be at the top of the boom, and
the forward edge of the ream at the front bottom
of the boom. I run the shockcord through this
smoothed hole, and tie a stopper knot in the shock
cord here. The advantage is that as the cord gets
old, I can pull the knot down and tie a new one,
tighter, between jibes.
On the Aft end of the pole (figure 2)
• To keep pole launcher line from getting caught
•
between the boom and the pole: take the
shockcord out of the pole end, and run from the
side of the pole through to the back of the pole.
You’ll want to round off the sharp edge on the pole
fitting so it won’t cut the shockcord. Running the
shock cord this “other way” keeps the line facing
away from the boom when the pole retracts, and
reduces the chances that it will get caught
Pop out the roll pin, and get rid of the plastic
sheave. Replace with the ball bearing sheave that
you took out of the front of the boom, the ball
bearings will greatly reduce friction.
Figure 2.
Annapolis Performance Sailing photo
www.snipeus.org
Tips From the Masters
Usually the block to keep the pole snug against
the mast is left attached to the mast. Steve Stewart
suggests leaving the block with the whisker pole
and attaching it to the mast with an S hook.
Aimee Graham has begun using this system and
says that it makes rigging easier and faster.
Figure 3.
George Szabo photo
I wind up replacing it every three regattas due to
chafe.
Tying the pole line block onto the mast
• I’ve tried numerous blocks, and prefer the Harken
bullet block, HK082. I tie this on the mast
with thin spectra (to allow the block to rotate as
needed). The length of the line is critical. The
shorter the line, the longer your pole, but the more
difficult it is to launch. The longer the line, the
shorter your pole, but the easier it is to launch.
I like to tie it on the mast so that when I pull
the block back towards the sail track, the rivet of
the block will overlap the back of the mast. Any
shorter and I have problems – you may find that a
touch longer is easier.
Woody Norwood has started using four lengths of
small diameter shockcord inside the boom rather
than the now commonly used three. He says the
smaller diameter is much easier on a lightweight
crew but he says that the pole retracts a tiny bit
slower. To use the four-length system, you need to
replace the blocks inside the boom with becket
blocks because there is not room to put two
blocks next to each other. He said that it is critical
that the shockcord not get wrapped around
itself. For this reason, and simply because it is such
tight quarters, he suggests running the shockcord
before inserting the blocks in the boom. Woody
uses a tool for running electrical wires under a
carpet to replace the shockcord.
Hal Gilreath says he files down the forward cap
of the whisker pole until it’s just bigger than the
pole to keep it from getting caught on the mast. He also prefers the short launcher line method of
keeping the pole line from dangling in the faces
of skipper and crew, and says he pulls the jib in
on port tack and ties a knot 6” from the block or
cleat.
Pole launcher line and attachment
• I prefer to use a tapered pole launcher line. The
smaller diameter front end offers less windage and
less friction; the fatter tail end is easier for the crew
to pull.
• The front end of the line should be tied to the clew
of the jib with as small a bowline as possible. A
big knot will effectively shorten the pole.
• After the pole end is tied in, sheet your jib in
all the way on port tack – i.e. the clew is on the
starboard side of the boat, and thus on the side
opposite where it is stored on the boom. Leave a
small amount of slack in the pole line, this is the
Lee Griffith reminds us that when replacing pole
blocks, in order to keep the pole length as long
as possible be sure to keep the mast block as
far forward as possible and the aft block as far
back as possible. He also suggests hanging the
pole 6” above the gooseneck to keep it from
getting tangled during jibes and mark roundings.
Lee highly recommends having a cut-to-length
pole launcher shock cord in your regatta van. As
he says, shock cords break at regattas – not in
storage. Aside from those tips, he says that since
the pole launcher is in the hands of the crew, the
better the crew the better the system works. He
finds that many crews now retract the pole just
far enough for it to clear the forestay when jibing,
which makes the jibe a tiny bit faster.
See Szabo on page See Tips on page US SNIPE SAILOR Spring 2007 A Little Pole Launcher History
Thor and the Pole Launcher
When both Jibe Tech and Persson incorporated the
short cockpit, the launcher was here to stay. Nancy said
The Thor Snipe first received international attention that by the 1990 Masters in Winchester, Massachusetts,
in 1987 when Torben Grael took his revolutionary launchers were the norm in the States. In fact, all the
design to the 1987 Worlds in La Rochelle France. Not charter boats were rigged with launchers and she wound
only was the cockpit deeper, it was shorter because of up giving a seminar on the system before the boats left
the sealed stern tank. The whisker pole wouldn’t even the dock the first day.
fit under the deck on the upwind leg, but Grael didn’t
need the space because he had long since adapted the From Torben Grael himself...
pole launcher to his Snipe (its first Worlds appearance
was in 1981).
I first adapted the pole launcher to my wooden Snipe
Following the 1987 Worlds, other hulls in the US #12296 at the end of 1980. The idea came from the
began experimenting with storing and launching the FDs, although Fireballs had it too, but I didn’t have
pole from the boom. The early launchers were designed much contact with that class. The very first day we tried
about the same way as our current ones, except there the launcher we ended up capsizing because the shock
were only two lengths of shockcord through the boom. cord wasn’t strong enough. Besides this first day failure,
Nancy Gilreath said that when she first used the new it was quite easy to adapt ourselves, and the launcher
launcher, crewing for Ron Sandstrom on his McLaughlin had many positives over the old system: the speed of
in 1987, they were in the minority. Initially, the feeling deploying and retrieving it, the possibility of adjusting
stateside was that launcher vs no-launcher was a draw the pole length easily, and ending the risk of losing the
in open cockpit boats. With a launcher, the jibes were pole overboard were the most important ones.
slower because the crew couldn’t preset the jib and only
We used it in the Brazilian Nationals in 1981 and at
the skipper could effectively roll the boat. But on the the Worlds at Long Beach in that same year. Apparently
plus side, setting the pole was way easier with a launcher, it didn’t draw much interest as in the next worlds in
and a good team could carry the pole all the way to the 1983 we were still the only ones using it. And it did
mark.
help us to win that one. That was my last regatta with
#12296, which we sold at the Portugal Worlds.
I then went on to develop the Thor Snipe with the
very closed cockpit and the pole suited it perfectly, of
course. That same idea was later introduced on the Lillia
Star for the 1996 Olympic Games. Just the pole launcher
couldn’t be added because of different class rules.
Are you covered up for the season? Call North Sails today
Cover Up
for the best protection you can get for your Snipe!
WEST (619) 226-1415 EAST (410) 280-3617
www.OneDesign.com/covers
All the very best,
Torben
Former Snipe World Champion and Junior World
Champion Torben Grael is also an Olympic Gold
Medalist (several times over) in the Star Class, and has
won National and International competitions in many
other classes as well. For some interesting reading, see
www.torben-grael.com - Ed.
NORTH COVERS
Making the Fun Last Longer
N
The material on pole launchers appearing on these pages
was gathered and compiled by Merrill Varn
www.snipeus.org
Szabo (from page )
•
•
longest amount of pole line that you will need. Tie
a knot, and cut the line.
Some people prefer to keep the line a bit longer
and rig a shockcord system to the spreaders to
keep the line out of the way when sailing upwind
(Figure 3). I find that if I tie the line short enough,
this is not needed. Also, by adding a ring or block
to hold the line to the shock cord, the pole is
shortened by the width of the ring.
Another variation is to tie the jibsheets to the
jib with the pole line. I don’t care for this system
because when the pole line unties, you lose your
jibsheets and your pole line at same time. Lolo
had a very, very difficult time re-rigging the sheets
on a planning reach in 20 knots of breeze while
balancing on the bow in San Remo one year.
Deck Hardware
• Some prefer to have a straight cleat on the deck.
My preference is to have a cleat, and then a block
after the cleat (Figure 4). With this arrangement,
you can pull the pole line from any angle. An
added bonus is that the cleat acts as a ratchet
block, allowing the pole line to come in, but not
go back out. This can be a big help if your skipper
pulls the jibsheet back too quickly and overloads
the pole line. The crew can let go and not have to
hold the extra load. Another big bonus is you don’t
have to cleat the line during each jibe. It cleats
itself.
On the Water Rethreading
• When you do end up pulling your line through the
pole, you’ll find it easier to re-lead a tapered line. I
like to stuff a pole length of line back into the pole.
Then, fill the entire pole with water. Once raised,
the water flowing out the end of the pole will often
pull the line through with it. On land, a hose will
do the same trick.
Figure 4.
George Szabo photo
Tips (from page )
His best tip, he says, is something he learned from
Lori Stout at this year’s North Americans. She likes
to control both the jib sheet and the launcher line
during jibes. Lori says “As a crew I stand up and
straddle the centerboard, get both the jib sheet
and laucher lines in my hands, watch the bow of
the boat as it turns downwind, and then pull the jib
sheet back while releasing the pole launcher line.”
With one person controlling both lines, it is much
easier to be sure that the pole retracts parallel to
the boom instead of flying in at some odd angle
and chafing the main on starboard tack, darting
under the vang, or jamming into the crew on port
tack. The skipper still must cleat the new jib sheet
after the jibe. Lorie says that this technique works
really well for those who switch to different skippers
US SNIPE SAILOR Spring 2007 periodically as she does. “It is much easier to do
the job yourself than to work with a new skipper
and figure out the timing of the jibe. Besides, I have
never known skippers to complain when they didn’t
have to release the jib, and could devote all their
attention to driving through the jibe.” Lorie adds
that “a little bit of practice with each new skipper
will allow the crew to feel comfortable keeping the
pole out as long as possible during the jibe.”
Like Lee, Henry Filter says he uses everything just like
it is “out of the box”. He feels that a successful pole
launcher system boils down to new tight shockcord
and an athletic savvy crew. That seems to be the
common denominator for all the masters.
Paul Henkart photo
AG: Do those things that made
the boat attractive to you translate
to new recruits today?
MB: Yes, the competition is still
great. The boat attracts sailors that
have a certain amount of humility;
don’t expect to win on your first
time out. And, don’t expect to plane
on Mission Bay. Oh, and expect
to get wet, that’s one of the joys of
dinghy sailing! With those expectations, yes, it still offers some really
great fun.
SS: The best sailors on Mission
Bay can still be found in the Snipe
Fleet (Snipe sailors recently won the
2006 Mission Bay Club Championship Regatta, held this year in Thistles.
Part 1 of our series on Fleet building
Only the bowman had any Thistle experience). Some of the best sailors in
San Diego today have put time into
t it’s height in the mid-1980’s, San Diego Snipe Fleet 495 had over 80 a Snipe. So, yes, I think we can be
boats show up for a “practice” regatta held on the first weekend in very proud of the level of competiFebruary in conjunction with a “Las Vegas Night” party at Mission tion here.
AG: Do you think that is intimBay Yacht Club. Although the Las Vegas Party is no longer held, the annual
idating to newcomers that might
Las Vegas Regatta has remained on the calendar.
During the 90’s, as with most one-design racing, the fleet saw a steady doubt their ability in this group?
SS: I don’t think that we have
decline in membership and boats on the water. Fleet 495 hosted the
an
expectation that every new mem2005 Snipe Nationals at San Diego Yacht Club, which resulted in a brief,
but temporary, upswing in membership. So in 2006, fleet leaders began ber of the Fleet is going to blow us
to champion a turnaround. The US Snipe Sailor will track Fleet 495’s fleet all away. We do try to encourage
building efforts through a series of articles in the next year. Our hope is that people who “play the game” with
the goal of getting better, not just
we can all learn from their successes, or missteps, as the year progresses.
The annual Las Vegas Regatta was held again in February, and 17 boats “slamming” people to say that they
signed up. Race Committee was run by Earl Elms, and more than one boat could.
MB: Sharing rigging information
hit the water that hadn’t been out in over a year. While far below the 80-boat
and tuning numbers is helpful to
high point, fleet members consider this a successful weekend regatta.
So this seems like a good place to check in with fleet members. Aimee newcomers too.
SS: We make a point of doing
Graham conducted this interview with Steve Stewart (SS), the current District
6 Governor and Snipe sailor for over 20 years, and Mark Butler (MB), a former that. One member of the fleet went
Snipe sailor who can now be found in big boats. As with all good Snipe- around the parking lot this weekend
with a video camera and recorded
conversations, this one was held in the bar:
various boats’ mast rakes and tensions. We will probably replay that
AG: What first attracted you to ed to be a part of that scene.
video next time we are all together
MB: There was a natural progres- for a fleet party.
the Snipe fleet?
AG: Young people are imporSS: Well, the local sailing kids all sion in junior sailing at the time:
idolized the guys at the top of the Sabots, Lasers, and then Snipes. tant to the health of any fleet.
fleet at the time: Earl Elms, Jeff Len- There weren’t as many choices in How can we make it easier for 20hart, Dave Ullman, Tom Nute, Tom terms of boats to sail. Plus, crewing somethings to get in a Snipe?
MB: Girls! (laughs) And a good,
McLaughlin, Doug DeSouza and so for these guys was really fun, and
on. They were fast, and they knew the fleet was really competitive. It inexpensive party with the girls!
SS: Yes, that’s a definite! Make it
how to party. So, we naturally want- was just really fun.
A
10
www.snipeus.org
“Make it as fun off the
water as it is on the
water. Provide high
caliber racing and
a really good social
atmosphere afterwards”
AG: Has the groundswell of energy translated into boats on the water?
SS: It’s starting to. We have seen a lot
of boat turnover. We have two brand
new JibeTechs in the
fleet. They were replacement boats for Perssons;
one of which went to
Florida and one stayed
at Mission Bay, but will
mostly be used for cruising. Two former 495
boats are moving up to
the Bay Area; one is taking its owner with it, the
other was sold, and then
replaced with a newer
model. There were two
more purchases within
the last six months: a
Paul Henkart photo
a drag.
SS: Yes, the party is important. We
lost that spirit in the ‘90s. But, you
make time to do the things that you
really want to do. Going sailing and
hanging out with friends on the weekends is a good thing to do. I’ll make
time for that.
AG: This year’s Christmas party
was one of the best-attended fleet
events in years. We all had a great
time! What do you think made it so
great?
SS: It was hosted by a legend! Earl &
Susan Elms hosted. Earl also helps out
on race committee, which is great for
the local group. It was
just a great mix of the old
guard and newcomers to
the fleet. That was a good
party.
AG: How about with
local folks? What is being done to re-energize
this fleet from within?
SS: I think that we
have some established
fleet members who are
really passionate about
this class, and the boats,
that have taken that into
leadership positions. It’s
not that we have “new”
leadership as much as we have new energy. There is a willingness to put in the
time to strengthen the fleet here.
Guy Raffee crewing for Don Bedford.
US SNIPE SAILOR Spring 2007 Stacey Szabo photo
as fun off the water as it is on the water. Provide high caliber racing and
a really good social atmosphere afterwards. Get pre-college kids crewing, or skippering, in the boats and
then keep in touch when they head
off to school. Keep them on the
email list, make sure that they are
included when they are in town. We
seem to have a very informal mentorship thing going on with some
of these really good college kids that
came out of San Diego. Now they
are talking about buying used boats
– and they will bring friends.
AG: So, it’s true that when the
party comes back, the fleet will
come back.
MB: I think so. Not all fleets have
the social scene that the Snipes do.
There’s no hanging out after sailing. It’s
Earl Elms on Race Committee.
young guy right out of college became a
Snipe owner, and the other one became
a “second” boat that can be used as a
loaner or practice boat.
We have also started some informal
practices with anywhere from 3 to 7
boats. It takes the pressure off to not
always be racing, which is what attracts
those folks who are usually at the back
of the “A fleet.” It’s also more exciting to
change things up – we try heading out
to the ocean, or short courses for boat
handling practice. And, for the first
time in all the years I’ve sailed Snipes,
we actually have more interested crews
than we have boats to put them on –
and there are more women than men!
AG: What changes have been
made locally that helped (or hurt)
fleet growth in the last year?
SS: When the fleet started having babies, we all expected an obvious downturn. But, some of the new parents
banded together and shared babysitting
duties, or arranged for a babysitter at
the big regattas. That was pretty helpful
at keeping people on the water.
We actually changed the name of the
fleet this year to “San Diego Area Snipe
Fleet 495” (it was previously Mission Bay
Snipe Fleet 495). Since the fleet was associated with one yacht club, we found
that we were having trouble getting
support at other clubs in the area, even
see Fleet 495 on page 12
11
2007 US Snipe Nationals
July 27 - August 3, 2007
Lake Dillon, Dillon CO
In a dress rehearsal for the 2007 US National
Championship, Lake Dillon and the town of Dillon,
CO, played host to the 2006 District 2 Championship
in July. Twenty-one sailors from as far away as Florida
and Washington enjoyed sunny skies, cool, clean
air, and a variety of wind conditions in the two-day
regatta.
For more on the 2006 D2 Championship, and to read
Don Hackbarth’s review of the Lake Dillon venue,
see the SCIRA USA website.
The 2007 Nationals are shaping up to be a great
event, so put it on your calendar now, and plan to
attend!
www.snipe2007.org
Fleet 495 (from page 11)
though our fleet members were paying dues at multiple local
yacht clubs. Just by changing the name, we’ve seen increased
support from the other clubs.
We have a few fleet members who have gotten more aggressive about phone and email outreach. Personal contact
is really helpful in getting people out. We might even go so
far as to suggest crew/skipper parings in order to remove that
hurdle from those who are timid about a new teammate, or
who just don’t know who’s available to go sailing. We are also
including potential new sailors on email distributions. We’re
trying to make it as easy as possible for people to go sailing.
AG: As with most fleets, the 495 roster is long, but the
list of “regulars” is relatively short. What’s a good strategy for encouraging boat owners that haven’t been sailing
in awhile?
SS: True, but I think that’s slowly changing. We saw 17
boats out on the water for this year’s Las Vegas Regatta. That’s
more than we’ve had in awhile. Something else interesting
happened this weekend, two of the boats that were out had
crews who normally steer. Those guys switched in between
races, but they obviously wanted to go sailing enough to
move to the front of the boat. There was a time when if a
skipper came to the club and couldn’t find a crew, he just
went home.
12
AG: OK, Mark, what’s it going to take to get you back
in a boat?
MB: Uhh, I don’t know, I’d need a pretty light crew these
days…
SS: I guess we better start looking for a 100 pound
crew…
MB: These are athletic boats, they encourage physical exertion. Seriously, I’d have to do some work.
AG: 15-20 years ago, Snipe Fleet 495 regularly attracted
over 60 boats for local regattas. Can we get back to regattas of that size? What’s a realistic goal for regatta participation this year?
MB: I’m not sure 60-80 boats is realistic. But, who
knows?
SS: I think 30 is probably realistic for the Fall Invitational
this year. That’s been our goal for the last few years. I think if
we get 30 solid boats, then we can call it successful, and look
to build on that in 2008. We have to get Mark a crew!
submitted by Aimee Graham
If you’d like to tell us about your fleet’s efforts to encourage
growth and participation, contact Aimee Graham:
aimeegraham@msn.com
www.snipeus.org
Snipe USA Rule 42 Committee Update
Since on the water judging is becoming more frequently
used at major events, particularly international events,
SCIRA USA formed its own committee to review Rule 42
and determine what recommendations would be advisable
for our Class. Darryl Waskow, Chairman of the Rule 42
Committee, has provided us with this discussion of the
issues and the Committee’s recommendations. The US
Board voted at its January Board meeting to accept all the
recommendations of the Rule 42 Committee.
What are Rule 42, Appendix P, and on the water
judging? Rule 42 is the kinetics rule. The 2001 Racing
Rules added optional on the water judging to enforce
Rule 42. Appendix P is the sailing rule that allows on
the water judging, and defines three gradually more
aggressive penalties for breaking rule 42.
Why are on the water judging, Appendix P, and
ISAF Rule Interpretations important to SCIRA USA?
ISAF is the world-wide governing body of sailing,
and oversees the Olympics, Pan Am Games, and
International Classes – including the Snipe. ISAF’s goal
is to have fairer regattas, with more consistent rules
compliance regatta to regatta and country to country.
ISAF is requiring on the water judging at more and
more events, and many dinghy classes worldwide are
implementing Appendix P. It is already in use at the
Snipe Worlds, the Western Hemispheres, and the
European Championships. US Snipe Sailors are seeing
on the water judging at international events, and there
are two arguments for having it in the US: 1) it better
prepares US Sailors for international competition, and
2) it makes any regatta fairer for all competitors when
Rule 42 is consistently interpreted and enforced.
What are the International Sailing Federation
(ISAF) Interpretations of Rule 42? ISAF has published
additional information on rule 42 that details legal and
illegal pumping, rocking, ooching, and sculling. They
can be found at: www.ussailing.org/rules/resources.
htm. One of the best short overviews of these
interpretations is “Rule 42 Log Booklet - for one-sided
copies” on the US Sailing Judges page: www.ussailing.
org/judges/forms/2005Rule42Interpretationslogbook-ussailing.pdf. This booklet is for judges’ use,
but the first two pages are a great synopsis in an easy to
read format of what is allowed and prohibited by Rule
42.
US SNIPE SAILOR Spring 2007 The Snipe USA Rule 42 Committee and its advisors
brought together sailors with many years of experience
with Appendix P and on the water judging. Here are
our conclusions:
Snipe USA Rule 42 Committee Recommendations (in
simplified summary format)
1) The Committee felt no one should be forced to
retire from a Snipe regatta as currently required
by parts of Appendix P. Appendix P is modified
by SCIRA USA so the first and second penalties
are two turns and subsequent penalties are to
retire from the race.
2) The Nationals and North Americans should
use Appendix P with the approval of the
organizer and SCIRA Rep. At the Nationals,
the Appendix P penalty count should carry over
from the Crosby to the Heinzerling and Wells.
It is suggested that World Qualifier regattas use
Appendix P.
3) Rule 42 training seminars should be set up and
volunteer regattas should use Appendix P so
competitors and organizers have Appendix P
experience before the Nationals.
4) Regatta Organizers should plan for Appendix
P well in advance, and accept SCIRA USA
recommendations for the number and
qualifications of judges.
5) These Appendix P recommendations should be
tried for two years.
The goal is to try on the water judging and Appendix
P so it’s done fairly, with the agreement of the host
venue and SCIRA USA, and makes sailing better for
the competitors. These recommendations are for a two
year trial period, so we should run regattas with on
the water judging and evaluate our experiences for the
2009 rules.
See you on the water.
Darryl Waskow
Snipe USA Rule 42 Committee Chair
13
Measurement Corner
by Bob Ewoldt, SCIRA USA Chief Measurer
These pictures illustrate certain aspects of SCIRA Rule 17, the centerboard measurement rule. While racing, no part of the board may extend more than 33 ½” below the
keel while down, or less than 12” below the keel when raised. A horizontal band 1”
wide must be painted on both sides of the board such that when raised to its maximum
allowable height, the top of the band is level with the top of the deck at the
centerline.
top of deck
See pages 43-44 of the 2005-2008 SCIRA Rulebook for the full rule.
top of deck
Next time: Centerboard retention systems.
a
top of center top of
centerboard
board trunk
trunk
1” band
b
b
keel
keel
12”
33 1/2”
a = distance from top of deck at centerline to top of centerboard trunk
b = distance from top of centerboard trunk to bottom of keel, measured at the
aft end of the trunk
distance from bottom of board to top of band = a + b + 12”
overall length of board = 33½” + b
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Single or chain stitched through 2 layers of cloth
Double-folded hems stitched through 3 layers
Ample reinforcing over all stress points
Stand-up flaps that snap around stays
5/16” elastic shock cord in the hem AND tie downs
Supplied hardware
Turned-up hems stitched through 2 layers of cloth
Little or no reinforcing over wear spots
Gaping cut-outs or velcro closures that are shot in a year
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Tel. 1-800-800-6050
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www.snipeus.org
2006 ISAF Annual
Conference
Past Commodore Brainard Cooper
is SCIRA International’s ISAF
Representative. He attended the
annual ISAF conference in Finland
last November, and reports here on
items he felt are of interest to SCIRA
USA:
At the ISAF Annual Meeting
in Helsinki there were a couple of
items on the agenda of interest to
US Snipe sailors.
The Regional Games Committee
and the ISAF Classes Committee
both came out strongly for the use
of “regionally popular” classes in
regional games. The chairman of the
Games committee told the meeting
of his committee that ISAF’s
president had expressed the same
thoughts. Their support should
be a great help in continuing our
participation in the Pan Am Games.
Currently the head of the Pan Am
organization has said he wants only
Olympic boats used in the Games
after then 2007.
We have been fortunate here
in the US to have really good race
management from some of the
best race officers in the world at
our major events for the last several
years. However, US Snipe sailors
who sailed in Italy at the 2003
World Masters came home with
stories of the totally unsatisfactory
performance of the race committee
that was reported to endanger the
safety of our sailors there. As a result
the SCIRA Representative for that
regatta, Jerelyn Biehl, wrote ISAF
with an official complaint. The
Race Officers Committee this year
proposed, and the Council of ISAF
accepted, to establish a protocol
for investigation of complaints for
unsatisfactory or dangerous race
management, and to establish a
graded system of response, ranging
US SNIPE SAILOR Spring 2007 from notifying the race officer that
a complaint had been received for
minor complaints to taking away
the officer’s certification for serious
shortcomings. It is hoped there will
also be an insistence that any entity
making a complaint will be informed
officially of the outcome of an
investigation. As your representative
to ISAF, I made this proposal to
both the Classes Committee and
to John Doerr, head of the Race
Officers committee in a private
conversation. He informed me that
our complaint following the 2003
World Masters was a major reason
they have decided to proceed with
the protocol.
The majority of ISAF’s business is
always concerned with the Olympic
Games. Under Regulation 16.1.6
Snipe is listed as one of the classes
that can be used in “Olympic and
regional competition”. There is a
proposal to delete this regulation.
Some feel it unnecessary, and some
feel regional games should not
be mentioned in Regulation 16
because that regulation deals with
Olympic matters. Both the Classes
and Regional Games committees
supported keeping the regulation as
it is. Council has not acted on it as
yet.
Dina Kowalyshyn of Annapolis,
former member of our Rules
Committee, sits on several
committees of ISAF and is vicechair of the Equipment Control
Subcommittee. Liz Filter is a member
of the Match Racing Committee.
Naturally it was good to see Snipe
faces in Helsinki.
US Sailing sponsored a breakfast
for all the delegates from North,
South, and Central America on the
last day I was in Helsinki where
we could discuss items of common
interest, including the Pan Am
Games.
The last night was spent with
Finland’s National Secretary Kai
Saarhelo, who I had met in 2003
at the Worlds, and Claus Carpelan,
who is well-known to US Snipers
as he is a regular competitor at our
Winter Circuit in Florida.
A final note: Bill Allen, president
of the Star Class, and John Koopman,
Star Class chief measurer thanked us
for “loaning us George Szabo” and
for (and this was George’s work)
recommending Fried Elliot to them
as an official photographer. They
both were in awe of Fried’s work.
Just as we are.
Brainard Cooper
SCIRA ISAF Representative
15
SCIRA USA
2006 Membership at a Glance
as of December 31, 2006
D1
Total
Members
136
Juniors
17
Masters
61
Boat
Owners
79
Total
Boats
96
D2
125
2
73
85
96
D3
138
16
61
90
97
D4
177
23
62
108
122
D5
17
1
8
14
14
D6
62
7
30
32
45
D7
52
1
25
42
49
707
67
320
450
519
Totals
Membership History
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
Members
707
749
770
703
727
744
800
Boats
519
539
568
529
589
620
670
Although there seems to be renewed energy and
increased interest in regattas around the country, our
paid membership continues to decline. The jump in
membership in 2004 reflects the year that dues state-
16
ments (renewal notices) were sent again for the first
time in several years. It’s not clear whether the decline
is a result of less people sailing Snipes, or of sailors just
not joining the Class.
Whatever the cause, it is important that we reverse
this trend if we want to have a strong organization so
we can continue to enjoy Snipe sailing – not only at
the national level, but at the local fleet level as well.
Everyone can help! For starters, make sure that everyone in your Fleet has joined the Class. A list of current
members appears on the website under Districts/Fleets.
Second, make a commitment to get at least one new
person sailing a Snipe. Where do you find these new
members? Here’s an idea! If you were on a sailing team
in college, contact your old teammates through your
college alumni association and encourage them to try a
Snipe. Maybe they are no longer in your area, but they
might be near a fleet wherever they are. There are other
ideas about rebuilding a Fleet in the article on Fleet
495 elsewhere in this magazine. Remember, it takes all
of us!
Mary Buckley
SCIRA USA Executive Administrator
www.snipeus.org
SCIRA USA
Statement of Operations - General Fund
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006
INCOME
SCIRA USA
Statement of Operations - Perpetual Fund
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006
INCOME
Dues & Decals
$27,395.00
Contributions
Premium Member Contributions
$14,630.00
Earnings (distributable)
$5,233.99
Capital Gains (non-distributable)
$1,764.90
Unrealized Gains (non-distributable)
$7,618.29
Dues Paid to International
Net Dues & Contributions
($12,725.00)
$29,300.00
$900.00
Merchandise Sales
$1,580.66
Other Revenue
Nationals Receipts
$1,280.00
TOTAL INCOME
Sail Royalties
$2,670.00
Ad Revenue
$4,604.08
EXPENSES
Perpetual Fund Grant
$4,899.79
Grants: Promo/Advertising
Event Contributions
Grants: Junior Travel
Other Revenue
$3,950.00
$1,150.65
TOTAL INCOME
$49,435.18
EXPENSES
Administrative Expenses
Nat’l Sec/Board
$1,223.37
US Sailing Rep Travel
$1,475.15
Tax Return Prep
$1,500.00
Newsletter/Publications Expense
$6,347.12
Promo/Advertising
$2,999.79
Junior Travel
$400.00
Event Grants
$3,950.00
Insurance
$2,300.00
$1,128.12
$39,772.43
$9,662.75
Balance Sheet - General Fund
as of December 31, 2006
Cash on Deposit
$34,262.69
Total Assets
$34,262.69
Liabilities
Net Worth
US SNIPE SAILOR Spring 2007 $400.00
0.00
$4,899.79
$10,617.39
Balance Sheet - Perpetual Fund
as of December 31, 2006
$600.00
Web Hosting/Development
NET INCOME/(LOSS)
TOTAL EXPENSES
$4,499.79
$15,500.00
$2,348.88
TOTAL EXPENSES
Other Expense
NET INCOME/(LOSS)
Postage/Printing
Other Expense
$15,517.18
$0.00
$34,262.69
Cash & Investments (at market value)
$136,617.32
Total Assets
$136,617.32
During 2006, net income from regular operations
totaled nearly $10,000. Adding this to our cash balance at the beginning of the year, we’ve achieved a
cash reserve of approximately one year’s expenses,
which is considered appropriate for this type of organization. With that goal achieved, we hope to be
able to invest in promotional activities to help build
our Class and increase our membership.
With the reliance on premium member contributions to support the General Fund, contributions
to the Perpetual Fund have been minimal. But wise
investing has allowed the Fund to grow, and still
fund promotional grants and support for travel by
Juniors to major events.
If you have questions, or would like the more detailed versions of these reports, please contact me.
Mary Buckley
SCIRA USA Executive Adminstrator
17
2007 Snipe USA Regatta Schedule
Apr 14-15
St. Johns Tea Party - Florida Yacht Club, Jacksonville, FL
Hal Gilreath: hgilreat@cisco.com
Apr 28-May 5
Snipe North American Championship - Spanish Point Boat Club, Bermuda
Nancy Pitman: nancypitman@bnbt.bm
May 19-20
District 4 Championship - Lake Lanier Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA
Dustin Kays: dustin@cherokeetees.com
May 26-27
District 6 Championship - Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, Long Beach, CA
Steve Stewart: stewcon@san.rr.com
May 26-27
Southwestern Snipe Championship - Corinthian Sailing Club, White Rock Lake, Dallas TX
Ken Culver: kculver@mo2inc.com
Jun 2-3
Colonial Cup - Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD
Brian Hetherington: brian.hetherington@clarkconstruction.com
Jun 2-3
Riff-Raff Regatta, Cowan Lake, Cincinatti, OH
April Worster: wworster@cinci.rr.com
Jun 9-10
Rocky Mountain Snipe Championship - Union Reservoir, Longmont, CO
Blaine McCleskey: absail@comcast.net
Jun 16-17
Surf City Atlantic Coast Championship - Surf City Yacht Club, NJ
Lee Griffith: leeg@contextgroup.com
Jun 16-17
Firewater Regatta/District 2 Championship - Lincoln Sailing Club, Lincoln NE
Pete Crawford: peter@crawfordniche.com
Jun 16-17
Indianapolis Open - Indianapolis, IN
Tom Townsend: ttatsummit@aol.com
Jun 23-24
Whittemore St. John - Lake Quassapaug, CT
Joel Zackin: joel.zackin@cyclone.com
Jul 6-8
District 1 Championship - Winchester Boat Club, Winchester, MA
Andrew Davis: andrewedavis@gmail.com
Jul 14-15
District 3 Championship - Lake Carlyle, Ill
Andrea Sepanski: andrea.sepanski@chartercom.com
Jul 14-15
Bolde Mothers Intergallactic Championship - Cuba Lake, NY
Adrienne Korkosz: korkosz@hotmail.com
Jul 27-29
Snipe USA Junior National Championship - Lake Dillon, CO
Doug Swenson: kswenson@interfold.com
Jul 27-Aug 3
Snipe USA National Championship - Lake Dillon, CO
Doug Swenson: kswenson@interfold.com
Aug 18-19
Briody Memorial Regatta - Newport Yacht Club, Rochester, NY
Norm Dahl: normdahl@rochester.rr.com
Aug 18-19
Great Lakes Snipe Championship - South Shore YC, Milwaukee, WI
Mike Blackwood: firewood@wi.rr.com
Sep 10-13
Snipe USA Masters National Championship - Winchester Boat Club, Winchester, MA
Andrew Davis: andrewedavis@gmail.com
Sep 15-16
Mystic Lake Open - Medford Boat Club, Medford, MA
Martin Fraser: mwfraser@comcast.net
Oct 27-28
Halloween Regatta - Atlanta Yacht Club, Atlanta, GA
Larry Bull: halloween2007@bellsouth.net
18
www.snipeus.org
US SNIPE SAILOR Spring 2007 19
Snipe Class International Racing Association USA
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