New Fleet in the Creek by Joshua Rosenthal
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When asked why he likes his Harbor rowing up on the Chesapeake Bay, outing of five. They wanted a daysailer 20 so much, Marshall Steele says, “It has especially near Annapolis, practically that was fast in light air, yet manageable cushions, and I can take my wife out on it forces residents to experience life on in heavy air, and they ordered enough without any problem.” This is the precise the water. Even the odd Marylander who to build an entire one-design fleet. reason for the sudden boom in populardoesn’t sail regularly can rattle off the The final product with its sleek hull, ity. Older sailors who crave the feel of the names of a few sailing classes simply by self-tacking jib, and simple rig became tiller now have a low-stress, low-impact seeing these boats on the Bay while crabso popular that sailors across California way of becoming re-involved in the sailing bing, fishing, or picking up a friend from ordered enough boats to establish two community again. Peter Trogdon, for a local regatta. Albacores, Stars, Flying more fleets in San Diego and Santa instance, grew up sailing Thistles in WashJuniors, Flying Scots, 420s, and the various Barbara within eight years. ington State, but bought J/fleets represent just some a large powerboat when examples of the long“We’re getting all kinds of people back into sailing he moved to the Chesastanding one-design racing peake region and has been that haven’t been sailing for 20 or 30 years.” fleets that form the sailing boating with it for years. community within AnHe now happily owns his Harbor 20, napolis. For this reason, the few new fleets These specifications, although sucSkimmer, and loves racing. “We’re getting that make their debut on the Chesapeake cessful, quickly attracted a customer base all kinds of people back into sailing that tend to create a bit of a splash. of sailors ranging from age 55 and older. haven’t been sailing for 20 or 30 years.” Many Harbor 20 owners are onceThe Harbor 20 fleet, the new kid on the About the age gap, Hichens says, “We’ll competitive racers, who now want a block or rather the new fleet in Spa Creek, get some younger customers when they see more relaxed racing experience, or older has become immensely popular in only how much fun it is.” As a younger sailor powerboat owners who want to experithree seasons. There are currently 18 Harmyself, I personally thought the level of ence sailing. Most Harbor 20 owners bor 20s in Annapolis, and 12 of them regucompetition from these older guys who have another large cruising boat, either larly raced in this past frostbite series. One need their cushions to sail wouldn’t chalpower or sail, that they use on different might wonder how a fleet of brand new lenge me, but I was quite surprised when I occasions. This age base made a huge boats could have grown during a recession, jumped onto Skimmer last week. Trogdon impact on the development of the class when prospective buyers are probably more and I spent more time re-thinking tactics rules. For example, hiking is strictly prowilling to pinch their pockets than upwind than I did on FJs in college. We had a hibited, and every boat is required to sail boats, but Garth Hichens, president of blast. Hichens told me afterward, “Yeah, with cushions that persons in the boat Annapolis Yacht Sales and also a proud this boat surprises racing people.” So, must use. Also, spinnakers are prohibHarbor 20 racer, says, “This boat simply whether you’re a hardcore racer or you’re ited on the race course. Almost all the sells itself.” In fact, the owners praise the just looking to get back into a sport you strains on the body a person qualities of this boat so much, you might once loved, I recommend just dropping experiences when sailing have think they receive a commission. in on Annapolis YC on a Wednesday been removed from Harbor The Harbor 20 design, also new in comnight and ask if you can race with the 20 racing. This results in parison, was drafted in 1997 by Tom and Harbor 20s. I’m sure the boat and the a nice relaxing sail Steve Schock. The Schocks were commiscommunity will surprise you. with just a twist of sioned to manufacture the boat by a committee of experienced sailors in Newport, CA, who wanted a boat that is easilymaintained, easily single-handed, yet comfortable for an
competition.
##The Harbor 20 fleet competing early in 2012 in the Annapolis YC Sunday Frostbite Series. Photo by Al Schreitmeuller
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SpinSheet September 2012 91