Greetings, I'd like to address the talk of ILCA members mailing list
vs. non-members.
In short, don't change. This a vote from a past member, present
non-member, and (if my luck
changes from bad to good) future member.
I recognize this discussion has been addressed from persons of stature
within the ILCA.
I have to agree with Eric Robbins' assesment because I'm living it. At
present, my only
contact with the sport I love is thru this mailing list. I own an old
Laser, 71728, a '78~ '79
vintage. I launch from a ramp which leeds into a river, just around the
corner from the ocean of New Hampshire and Maine. Sailing in such waters
(see cold, large
waves, hidden rocks) alone would be enough to scare any life insurance
salesrep. Because of
this, I've reinforced critical areas of the boat, not to make it faster,
rather safer. This work has,
by ILCA regulations recently explained by Fred, created a boat listed as
'other than a laser'.
Much of my racing has been curtailled due to my wife's (& mine) wishes
to save for a 1st house.
This year, 1999, was to be the year I get back on the popular District 7
circuit. That dream was
ended when I was involved in a car wreck not of my fault. Suffering from
whiplash, I refocused
on hoping to attent the last regattas. Two weeks later, a neighbor's
dead tree fell on my boat.
The boat is in need of repair from a well equiped fiberglass shop. The
damage is too extensive
for me to repair without proper tools. In order to have it repaired,
I'll need to bring it to a shop.
As mentioned before, my car with its towing hitch was totalled. So it
may be some time before
I can get the boat to a shop with the used car I've purchased.
To recap, I'd like to go back to Laser racing. I'd like to re-join the
ILCA. I'd like to see my
laser buddies again. But first, I need to pay for repairs to a boat
which isn't a Laser anymore.
How am I to explain to my wife that I've paid for the repair to the boat
which was tossed out of a
regatta for being an 'illegal' boat which is part of a class I've
rejoined to race. Sounds like alot
of good money going bad. Simple answer. Buy another Laser! Aaaahhhhh
which needs to be
bullet proofed to sail in such dangerous waters. Such bullet proofing
makes it 'other than a Laser'.
Next answer, buy another boat and don't sail it. There's than good to
bad money thing again.
I care enough about the class to want to contribute but the walls this
discussion is biulding makes
me consider getting out of Lasers all together.
Suggestions on how to get out of this mess are appreciated.
P.S. Shevy, if this flies in the face of good lasering, feel free to
remove all contents of articles written
by me regarding fiberglass repairs on your web site.
P.S.S. I'm addressing this discussion by putting myself in the position
of being thrown out of any
future regattas for anyone sailing 71728. Would you?
Best sailing... Dave Buckley
Website for all answers: www.laser.org
Public Replies: laser@laser.org
To Unsubscribe: Send "unsubscribe laser" to majordomo@laser.org
Sending "remove" does not work
Questions: will@laser.org
