Steve Rosenberg: Admitted Speed Freak

After the multihull event was absent at the 2012 Olympics, the 2016 Games will once again include multihull competition. But when teams from Canada and USA line up this summer at the Rio Games, they will be considered cat converts – sailors who made the switch for 2016 from monohulls to multihulls.

This, however, is nothing new. As documented in this 1991 USYRU report by Todd Smith, the reasons to make the switch 25 years ago remain valid today. In Todd’s four part series, the third profile is of Steve Rosenberg:

Steve Rosenberg has made a mark for himself in the sailing community as a hot crew. Whether crewing to first place at the 1990 505 North Americans, winning the 1990 Congressional Cup as Chris Dickson’s tactician, or campaigning in the Flying Dutchman Olympic class with his brother Ron, Steve has proven himself a top-notch crew on any type of sailboat.

Steve has also demonstrated his prowess for crewing on some of the most exciting boats to race on – multihulls. In 1989, Steve crewed for Pete Melvin on the Hobie 2l ProSail circuit and dominated the series, taking first place and winning thousands of dollars!

And in January this year, Steve crewed again for Pete on Freedom’s Wing, the Little America’s Cup C-Class Catamaran, against the Australian defenders. Even though the American syndicate did not wrestle the Cup away from the Aussies, Steve and Pete pushed the defenders harder than any other challengers of recent years.

We asked Steve to share his thoughts on multihull sailing from the crew’s perspective.

How did you become a multihull addict?

I first got hooked on cats in 1984 when I was invited to the Inter-Class Solo Championships in Barrington, RI. Competitors were required to sail three types of singlehanded boats, one being a Hobie l4 Turbo – main, jib and trapeze for one guy. I won the cat division and had a ton of fun.

I didn’t really sail a catamaran until Pete Melvin and Pat Muglia, two very close friends, won the Tornado Olympic Trials in 1988. I began coaching them before the Olympics and was able to sail the Tornado a bit then. After the 1988 Olympics, Pete and I hooked up and campaigned the Hobie 21 on the ProSail circuit.

After the rigors of an Olympic campaign, cat sailing (especially for money) kept me in sailing and gave me a renewed interest in the sport. Now I have a very hard time sailing “slow boats.” I’m now a speed freak and only gravitate towards multihulls and speed machines. And I am a multihull owner!

You have crewed extensively on many different types of boats: Hobie 21s, Flying Dutchmans, International 14s, C-class Catamarans, etc. Which do you find the most exciting and why?

I have sailed many of today’s greatest “speed” boats except Aussie l8s. My favorite boats are FDs, l4s, 505s, Open 30s, sport cats and large multihulls, but all for different reasons. The most exhilarating, intriguing and fastest boat is the C-Class Catamaran that Pete and I raced in the Little America’s Cup.

The technical aspects and intricacies of the C-Class are what makes it so special. It was the fastest boat I’d ever sailed and by far the most complex. But what makes it special is the experience I gained during the campaign. As frustrating and difficult as it was, it was also extremely satisfying. The thrill of competition during that event was high and emotional.

What advice can you give other sailors as to how to get involved with multihull sailing?

Multihull sailors as a group tend to be a lot more laid back and relaxed about their racing and recreational outlook. While multihull sailors are competitive racers, there is more of a relaxed, “have fun” attitude found at beach cat regattas. I can’t remember ever being in a protest or even a hassle at a cat regatta. I have always found multihullers to be very friendly and helpful.

My advice to someone looking to get involved in cats would be to try a local cat regatta. Come with a relaxed attitude, ready to have fun. Let your hair down and enjoy some speed bums. I have found cat dealers to be among the most service-oriented boat dealers in the country; they’re always at local and regional regattas, ready to assist in any way. Take your time and try a lot of different boats and find a size and make that fits your needs. There is one out there for everyone.

Update: Steve has passed his need for speed to his son Jacob. After the 13 year old crewed for dad at the 2012 F18 Worlds, Jacob is now ripping it up on the 29er class circuit.