For next year, I very much like the idea of the "focused" concept. It's more useful for me (and less frustrating), to compare a cabin boat to a similar sized cabin boat, than comparing a decent sized cabin boat to an open boat.
My thoughts as well. Similar sized cabin boats against each other and similar sized open boats against each other. Along with that, those that are more popular against another boat equally popular... and... the ILUR added to the list. thx!
Along with your idea for "open boats", "Sail and oar", "Maxi-trailerables", and "daysailors", I would love to see a contest for kit boats instead of production boats. How would the CLC Pocketship or Guider fare against the Welsford Navigator or the even Vivier's Jewel or ilur?
That would be fun, but how many people have actually sailed more than one of these? I would guess very few. Most of us are just keyboard sailors making guesses based on dimensions and comments from other owners.
A related dream: Wouldn't it be awesome if there was a place that had a large collection of wooden kit boats to come try out (for a price)? Spend a weekend sailing different models from Welsford, Vivier, Oughtred, Byrnes, Davis, etc, and actually be able to make an educated choice on what suits your needs best.
Swallow Yachts “BayRaider Expedition” checks all of my boxes. Plus, she’s heartbreakingly pretty. I’m informed that Swallow has begun to ship about 5 hulls per year the States. A man can dream. ❤️
Excellent and fun contest. Looking forward to next year. That SunCat is sweet and so great Com-Pac is still in business. The SageCat 15 should be in the running next year in my humble opinion
I think this was a lot of fun. Certainly the contest showed the pros/cons of a plethora of great small crafts. While I remain biased toward my beloved GENNY SEA, a WWP-15, I would love to try each and every boat on the list. Fun contest!
it's funny, as a Montgomery 17 sailor, I voted for the suncat against the M15. I did not want the M15 to go up against the M17. I guess I chose poorly.
Enjoyed this competition and the posted comments. I'm surprised but not disappointed that a boat I really knew nothing about came out on top. I also support the idea of future focused matches based both on similar types and regional factors, should be fun!
I like the idea of categories, although that may constrict voting to just those folks who prefer a given niche..
All the well written, desciptive reviews made them all sound like great boats. The fact that folks could comment and perhaps attempt to persuade us one way or then other also made it interesting.
Perhaps another mod to the process would be to give folks who actually owned/sailed a contestant boat an extra vote...although I am not sure how you'd verify past or present ownership...
Thanks, Josh & Co. for all the work pushing/pulling this SCA publication into the present techno-world.
I agree this was fun to watch and participate! Although I have never sailed on a suncat I have always admired them all. A good winner, but I agree some boats would have done better if they were classed a bit more evenly. However I think the key is the statement "All round" and I think this winner fits this.
I guess no surprise, the iconic American Cat Boat was always something dear to you guys in the States. Such a subjective subject that has no winners or losers as each to his own.
The one big downside to owning most trailerable sailboats is the pain of rigging and de-rigging. The only boat that has solved the problem is the SunCat. Designers take note?
For next year, I very much like the idea of the "focused" concept. It's more useful for me (and less frustrating), to compare a cabin boat to a similar sized cabin boat, than comparing a decent sized cabin boat to an open boat.
My thoughts as well. Similar sized cabin boats against each other and similar sized open boats against each other. Along with that, those that are more popular against another boat equally popular... and... the ILUR added to the list. thx!
Along with your idea for "open boats", "Sail and oar", "Maxi-trailerables", and "daysailors", I would love to see a contest for kit boats instead of production boats. How would the CLC Pocketship or Guider fare against the Welsford Navigator or the even Vivier's Jewel or ilur?
That would be fun, but how many people have actually sailed more than one of these? I would guess very few. Most of us are just keyboard sailors making guesses based on dimensions and comments from other owners.
A related dream: Wouldn't it be awesome if there was a place that had a large collection of wooden kit boats to come try out (for a price)? Spend a weekend sailing different models from Welsford, Vivier, Oughtred, Byrnes, Davis, etc, and actually be able to make an educated choice on what suits your needs best.
There is such a place. Every Spring, CLC holds an event on the Chesapeake where you can do just that. Fascinating in a number of ways.
It was fun to follow, but for me my Typhoon is still the best 😉
For us in FL Gulf Coast. Your Typhoon's draft is way to deep.
One of the reasons I don’t sail down there, though I know a number of Typhoon owners whose home port is on the Florida gulf
I agree with Rob, the focused Idea is the best. Cruise and oar open boats as an example.
Swallow Yachts “BayRaider Expedition” checks all of my boxes. Plus, she’s heartbreakingly pretty. I’m informed that Swallow has begun to ship about 5 hulls per year the States. A man can dream. ❤️
https://swallowyachts.com/range/bay-raider-expedition/
Excellent and fun contest. Looking forward to next year. That SunCat is sweet and so great Com-Pac is still in business. The SageCat 15 should be in the running next year in my humble opinion
Think you for doing this it was really fun! I like the idea of smaller focused competitions.
I think this was a lot of fun. Certainly the contest showed the pros/cons of a plethora of great small crafts. While I remain biased toward my beloved GENNY SEA, a WWP-15, I would love to try each and every boat on the list. Fun contest!
it's funny, as a Montgomery 17 sailor, I voted for the suncat against the M15. I did not want the M15 to go up against the M17. I guess I chose poorly.
I think we selected the perfect mini-cruiser for deep and shoal waters. The mighty SunCat!
This has been an educational and fun exercise. Let's do it again. Thank you for your efforts.👍👍👍
Enjoyed this competition and the posted comments. I'm surprised but not disappointed that a boat I really knew nothing about came out on top. I also support the idea of future focused matches based both on similar types and regional factors, should be fun!
I like the idea of categories, although that may constrict voting to just those folks who prefer a given niche..
All the well written, desciptive reviews made them all sound like great boats. The fact that folks could comment and perhaps attempt to persuade us one way or then other also made it interesting.
Perhaps another mod to the process would be to give folks who actually owned/sailed a contestant boat an extra vote...although I am not sure how you'd verify past or present ownership...
Thanks, Josh & Co. for all the work pushing/pulling this SCA publication into the present techno-world.
It was fun…..but sometimes painful choices had to be made!…..Congrats to SunCat!!!
I agree this was fun to watch and participate! Although I have never sailed on a suncat I have always admired them all. A good winner, but I agree some boats would have done better if they were classed a bit more evenly. However I think the key is the statement "All round" and I think this winner fits this.
Thanks for doing this.
I guess no surprise, the iconic American Cat Boat was always something dear to you guys in the States. Such a subjective subject that has no winners or losers as each to his own.
The one big downside to owning most trailerable sailboats is the pain of rigging and de-rigging. The only boat that has solved the problem is the SunCat. Designers take note?
The Peep Hen is as quick to rig but was beaten quickly. Lack of familiarity I’m afraid.
It's not the only boat that's solved that problem, but I agree with you that more designers should give more attention to this issue.