3 minute read
Water Fun
Come Sail Away!
by Deborah C. Gerbers photos by Mike Deak + Deborah C. Gerbers
Majestic and graceful, sailboats are among the most beautiful vessels on the water. These sleek boats are alluring and have maintained their popularity for the past few hundred years. With many different types of sailboats for almost every skill level, sailing is a great sport worth looking into.
At the end of the 19th century, sailing began as a sport for wealthy gentlemen. Through the years, it has become more accessible for just about anyone to try. Perhaps the excitement of experiencing the powerful elements of wind and water is what draws many people to the sport, or a competitive spirit in racing, or maybe just a love for being on the open water. Whatever the reason, sailing can be a great way to take in fresh air, see new places, challenge yourself, and continue learning as sailing tends to become a sport for life.
For the Beginners
From small dinghies to catamarans to race-worthy keelboats, sailboats come in many sizes and kinds to choose from, depending on your goal. According to George Schenkel, a lifelong sailor with extensive experience in racing, potential sailors should choose the correct boat for
Come Sail Away!
their skill level. “Beginners who are new to sailing will do best with a small boat that can be easily righted if capsized,” he said. “A Sunfish, for example, is a great boat to start out with.”
The Sunfish is a personal size, beach launched sailing dinghy that features a flat, board-like hull and a sail on an un-stayed mast. Dinghies like this are usually sailed by a crew of one or two people and require good balance to keep it upright. The International Topper and Laser are other small boats, light and forgiving—ideal for younger or novice sailors. Optimists are another option, specifically designed for children’s use. Smaller boats like these dinghies are practical, less expensive, and have fewer parts to worry about.
For the Intermediate Sailor
For those more experienced sailors looking for something a bit bigger and more challenging, Schenkel suggests looking into local yacht clubs and marinas for a sailboat like the C Scow. “The C Scow is ideal for a younger, more fit person,” he explained. “The C Scow is a flat hull sailboat with keel boards.” Keel boards are flat blades that stick down into the water from the boat’s bottom. They help prevent the boat from blowing sideways and also hold the ballast, which keeps the boat upright. Schenkel said these types of boats are great for sailing our Midwestern lakes like Wawasee and Tippecanoe.
For the Experienced, Racing Sailor
For those sailors with more experience and interest in racing, Schenkel recommends a boat like the Flying Scot. The Flying Scot is a daysailer dinghy well known for its ease of handling and durability. “It is a one-design boat, which means it is class regulated,” said Schenkel. “The Flying Scot is perfect for racing and also very comfortable for cruising with family.” According to the Flying Scot Association, “The Scot’s performance offers thrills to even the experienced sailor and provides for tight, competitive racing.”
Catamarans
Catamarans are another type of sailboat that have a wide, stable platform able to support a larger rig. They also have very slim hulls that create minimal wetted surface area. These boats can be wider and faster, and offer a different type of sailing. Hobie Cats are small catamarans you might see on our Indiana lakes— while they are a bit unwieldy and are not very responsive in light winds, catamarans can be quite fun and exhilarating with their high performance in more forceful winds. Whatever your skill level or interest may be, sailing is a great sport to take up at any age. Just make sure to choose the right boat for you and the waters you’ll be sailing on. If you’re not in the market to buy a brand-new model, there are plenty of used sailboats in great condition to be found! A quick walk around the lake and you might just find a few out for sale by owner at very reasonable prices. Local marinas and boat retailers like the Wawasee Boat Company and the Patona Bay Marina (on Lake Tippecanoe) can offer a wealth of information on purchasing sailboats as well.
Patona Bay Marina
574.453.3970 patonabay.com
Wawasee Boat Company
574.457.4404
