We need another yacht club

I have come to the conclusion that two sailboat racing-oriented yacht clubs in SL are not enough, since I cannot seem to get a challenge driven yacht racing series off the ground.

If anyone feels like launching a racing oriented yacht club, I'll do anything I can to help. Vagabonds Yacht Club was started on a whim last December, and rather than splintering the sailing scene into something too small to be self-sustaining, we actually helped expand the scene by providing some fresh perspectives, new venues and more opportunities to race and learn. Different people run different style events, and one (or even two) groups are not enough.

When VYC was just starting out, generous people gave us the use of their water, encouraged us, and helped with event announcements, advice, and support. I'd like to pay the community back by returning the favor if there is a new yacht club that wants to get going... on the condition that serious consideration be given to acceptng a club vs. club challenge so we can run a pretend America's Cup.

Running a yacht club and races is actually pretty easy, and I can give any aspiring sailboat race directors some advice on mistakes I made and how to avoid them. Water access is less of an issue than it used to be, we have a nice templates for race announcements and rules/protests that can easily be copied, and there is a much better awareness of the yacht racing rules now.

So, if anyone is interested, let me know. I'd enjoy the chance to race in an event where I do not have any responsibilities other than trying to finish in first place, and we can probably get the SL pretend America's Cup going, too!

I also encourage the development of other SL yacht clubs and offer Starboard's Yacht Club support as well. In the past we have had co-marketing with two other sailing venues and offer the same to any new clubs that are formed.

With new boats coming out and others on the drawing board SYC plans to offer racing opporunities for these designs and cooperation with any clubs that that form around these designs.

Myrrh, get your club going soon and let Nber and I know when you are taking charter membership applications. Grin.

I'd love to see the sailing community grow, but what it lacks greatly are people dedicated to running regular sailing events, which I think is crucial in giving any yacht club merit. Most sailors I meet are more comfortable keeping sailing a relaxing hobby, even the racing aspect of it.

There are several different ways in which a yacht club could distinguish itself from others as well. I think the easiest is simply running races at other times, particular at hours I'd deem Euro-friendly. Other clubs could focus on a certain theme or a different boat design as well. But they're all just neat ideas until we can sucker someone into thinking they'd love to carry them out on their own.

I wouldn't be surprised if they think running a race is somewhat difficult, so I'm keen to show anyone how to do it if they're curious. I managed to do it and I can't organize anything for doody.