Positive step forward for our sport

When one design fleet building, it is not so much the boat type but rather the people that can make or break the project. However, good boats help as Alex Watters shares:

Early this past spring a group of us got together to try and start up a fun and not too expensive one design fleet for some no handicap racing. We found six RS21s for sale in Detroit and they fit our needs perfectly. The purchase was made and the little boats immigrated to Bedford Basin Yacht Club in Bedford, Nova Scotia.

Six absolutely identical boats in near pristine condition made for a summer of fantastic fun racing. On our boat, we made an effort to always try and include a junior sailor in the crew, and this was a treat. Having this instant small fleet has generated a lot of interest from the handicap sailors and some may choose to buy in and grow the fleet.

To say this move was a success is an understatement, and I believe it will help grow the sport at our club. Another local club that has a seriously aging fleet of J/22s that are far from equal and is now looking at replacing them with the RSs….man that would be a blast with challenge regattas.

This kind of stuff just seems like a positive step forward for our sport. We just held our first unsanctioned Canadian Championship with a great party at the conclusion….soooo much fun!