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The Offi cial Magazine of the Snipe Class International Racing Association, USA
US SNIPE SAILORSummer 2009
www.quantumsails.com/snipe +619-226-2422 [email protected] [email protected]
1st US Nationals1st Junior Nationals1st North Americans2nd Womens Worlds
Were they Smarter, or Faster?
Using the Quantum BW-2 main and PS-5 Jib, Augie Diaz and Kathleen Tocke won the US Nationals with: Five 1st places, One 2nd place, and One 3rd place. They threw out the third. Same Wind, More Speed.Quantum Sails.
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Tri-fold Promotional Brochures Available From SCIRA USA
As part of our ongoing eff ort to provide tools and materials to help promote the Snipe Class, SCIRA USA has produced this promotional brochure. Get a supply now for your pro-
motional activities. They’re FREE! Contact Mary Buckley in the SCIRA USA offi ce.
US SNIPE SAILOR Summer 2009 �
US SNIPE SAILOR™
Volume 4, Number 2Summer, 2009
Published by SCIRA USAP.O. Box 83866 Lincoln, NE 68501
Editor/Publisher: John Buckley (402) 796-2510; [email protected]
Editorial Board: Rick Arneson [email protected] Merrill Varn [email protected]
Advertising: Mary Buckley (402) 796-2505; [email protected]
SCIRA USABoard of Directors: Don Hackbarth (National Secretary) [email protected] Eric Reinke (Chief Measurer) [email protected] Jack Gannon (District 1 Governor) [email protected] Doug Swenson (District 2 Governor) [email protected] Chad Coberly (District 3 Governor) [email protected] Tom Henderson (District 4 Governor) [email protected] Doug Hart (District 6 Governor) [email protected] Dick Loomis (District 7 Governor) [email protected] Lee Griffith (Member At Large) [email protected] Harry Levinson (Member At Large) [email protected] Gavin O’Hare (Member At Large) [email protected] Kay Voss (Member At Large) [email protected]
Non-Voting Board Members: Mary Buckley (Executive Administrator) (402) 796-2505; [email protected] Ken Culver (Director of Finance) [email protected] Andrew Pontious (Legal Counsel) [email protected]
The US SNIPE SAILOR is published quarterly on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. The deadline for material submission is the 10th of the preceding month.The Snipe Silhouette, the International Snipe Class Crest, and the slogan Serious Sailing, Serious Fun are trademarks of the Snipe Class International Racing Association, and are registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.
On the cover: Haley Lhamon and Christin Feldman at the 2008 Nationals, Richmond, CA
Photo: Fried Elliottwww.friedbits.com/PhotoBits/Sailing/Snipe/index.php
From OurNational Secretary
Visit the 2009 US Snipe Nationals on Facebook
Hello Snipe Sailors,
We are now going into the heart of our sailing season with numerous weekend fleet races and regattas. People of all ages and skill levels are deeply involved in their passion, sailing Snipes. It is amazing how this love for the sailing of Snipes develops in people and sustains itself over time. It is a unique
combination of a boat design and people, organized from the grass root/fleet level on up. It is powerful and each year new people and families are intro-duced to the culture and make it part of their lifestyle. While the boat design is an important factor in sustaining the strong lifetime commitment we see in our members, the key is the people and the atmosphere the organization pro-motes. We are known for encouraging new people to join in the group, try the boat out, helping them learn how to sail the Snipe and comfortably move up on the learning curve, advancing one’s skills. This is an organizational attitude that we must treasure, sustain and reinforce.
As the summer goes on please keep alive this attitude of reaching out and helping others positively experience the sport of Snipe sailing. Each one of us has a key part in it. Encourage new people to try the Snipe, make sure they have fun, lend them a boat, crew for them, ask a new person to crew for you, share your knowledge with the sailor who is new to the Class and is thirsting for more information and ideas on how they can improve their sailing. There is no substitute for positive, personal, one on one contact at the local level.
I hope to see you on the water this summer.
Don HackbarthSCIRA USA National Secretary
� www.snipeus.org
NORTH COVERSMaking the Fun Last Longer
Cover upHigh Quality Snipe Covers
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2009 Snipe North American ChampionshipsAugust 14-16
Erie Yacht Club, Erie PA
Registration Now OpenVisit the event website:
www.erieyachtclub.org/2009snipena
Erie Yacht Club, Erie PANorth Americans
Erie Yacht Club, Erie PANorth Americans
US SNIPE SAILOR Summer 2009 �
I recently joined the SCIRA USA Board of Directors as member at large, responsible for quality control at the Major regattas we host in the United States. No small task! My responsibilities are to act as liason to race managers and ensure their regattas meet the standards
of our Class (see quality control document located at: www.snipeus.org/news/regattamgmt.asp). The good news is that our Class is full of talent and history involved in “Serious Sailing”. The SCIRA Rep, who must attend major regattas, is the boots on the ground quality control and Snipe Class sounding board resource for race managers. My first action was to reach out to our National Secretary and build a list of cadre who would be willing and capable of performing this greatly important function at regattas throughout our districts.
In my initial interactions, I was happily reminded of an article SCIRA Rep Phil Richmond wrote regarding duties in the April, 1995 Snipe Bulletin. So I will take this opportunity, almost fifteen years later, to plagiarize Phil’s creed. Phil inspires me with his opening description:
“The importance of the SCIRA Rep can easily be understood when we look at how the sport of sailing is organized. Like his namesake bird, the Snipe sailor most likely to be found at our important events is also migratory. Most of these competitors have often experienced the local flavor of distant and disparate venues. In contrast, however, race committees nearly never leave their home nest. They rarely abandon the feeding grounds of their own yacht club and if we are often advantaged by their knowledge of the local peculiarities we are just as likely to be restricted by firmly entrenched and inbred procedures. Since most sponsoring fleets host but one sanctioned event every year, and a championship but once every few years, it is hardly surprising that the race committees and yacht clubs
are often unfamiliar with our wishes and requirements. In designating a knowledgeable SCIRA Rep to help them out, we can go a long way towards making our events somewhat less unpredictable.”
SCIRA Rep Responsiblities include:
Review of Sailing Instructions (templates are available in the SCIRA rulebook) prior to the event and ensure quality assurance of race management during the event.
Assurance that Deed of Gift requirements are met. When an older Deed of Gift is in conflict with the SCIRA rules of regatta conduct, the SCIRA rules will be applicable.
Ensure that the event utilizes SCIRA endorsed scoring program.
Assist the Regatta organizer to ensure competitors meet the Snipe Class membership requirements and current year hull decals are displayed.
Liason with Measurement committee representative to ensure measurement process is correct and compliance is communicated to the Race Committee.
Review the qualifications of protest committee and jury members in advance of the regatta. Prior experience with Snipe Class sailing is desirable.
Perhaps the most important contribution of the SCIRA Rep is on the water with the Race Committee. The Rep can physically assist with committee duties, but the role requires close attention to venue and racers. Providing recommendations as to length of course and sailing conditions are clearly printed out in the SCIRA rule book. But it is the Rep who must be tactful, diplomatic, reasonably accommodating, and steadfast in ensuring compliance with the rules. No easy task!
In closing, I remind you that the SCIRA Rep does not take away the responsibility of racers to be proactive in policing their event, but instead, lends a helpful and respectful hand to regatta managers to make their job easier and ensure quality control over conduct of the event.If you are interested in being a SCIRA Rep in your district, please contact me. The cadre is currently small, so your interest would be greatly appreciated.Gavin O’Hare / [email protected]
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Your Regatta And The SCIRA RepresentativeBy Gavin O’Hare
� www.snipeus.org
Every odd-numbered year, a large gathering of some of the world’s top Snipe sailors meet on the same start line to compete in the SCIRA World Championship. In recent years, the fleet has numbered around 60-70 boats, coming from all over the world; Europe,
South America, Asia, and North America providing the largest contingents. The US has been on a roll lately, with an American skipper winning the last three worlds (Augie Diaz in 2003 and 2005, and Tomas Hornos in 2007). In August and September, for the first time in twelve years, the Worlds is returning to the US, and is being hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club.
With a world-class venue and an exceptionally competitive fleet, the 2009 Worlds should prove to be an exciting event. This year’s US team consists of a number of current (and former) San Diego sailors, some experienced veterans, and some newcomers as well. With the big event just months away, we’d like to take this opportunity to highlight this year’s US Snipe Worlds team and to wish them the best of luck on the water!
Junior Worlds Team
Skipper: Tyler Sinks, San Diego, CA, Fleet 495Racing Notables: Snipe Jr. National Champion (2006, 2007), 3rd at 2007 Jr. Snipe Worlds, 2nd at 2008 Snipe Junior District
6 ChampionshipCrew: Myles Gutenkunst, San Diego, CA
Skipper: Judge Ryan, San Diego, CA, Fleet 495(Photo not available)
Racing Notables: 3rd place at 2008 ISAF Youth Worlds (29er), 1st place at 2008 US Youth Champs (29er), 2008 and
2007 Sailing World Jobson Jr. All-starCrew: Chris Segerblom, Newport Beach, CA
Senior Worlds Team
Skipper: George Szabo, San Diego, CA, Fleet 495Racing Notables: 5-time Snipe National Champion, 4-time Snipe North American Champion, 2nd at 2003 Snipe Worlds
Crew: Carol Cronin, Rhode Island
Skipper: Augie Diaz, Miami, FL, Fleet 7Racing Notables: 2003 and 2005 Snipe World Champion, 1973 World Youth Champion, 1979 Kiel Week Champion
(Flying Dutchman)Crew: Kathleen Tocke, Newport, RI
2009 US Snipe Worlds TeamBy Rick ArnesonPhotos by Fried Elliott
US SNIPE SAILOR Summer 2009 �
Skipper: Brian Bissell, San Diego, CA, Fleet 495Racing Notables: 8th at 2007 Snipe Worlds, 3rd at 2007 Snipe US Nationals, 3rd at 2006 Snipe North
Americans, 1st at Nassau Winter ChampionshipCrew: TBD
Skipper: Nick Voss, Miami, FL, Fleet 7Racing Notables: 4th at 2008 Snipe Nationals, 1st at 2008 Snipe Jr. Nationals, 4th at 2007 Snipe Jr.
Worlds, 4th at 2008 Don Q Crew: TBD
Skipper: Gavin O’Hare, Annapolis, MD, Fleet 532Racing Notables: 5th Place at 2008 Snipe US
National Championship, 6th Place at 2008 Snipe ACCs, 10th at 2007 Snipe North Americans.
Crew: Watt Duffy III, Houston, TX
Skipper: Hal Gilreath, Jacksonville, FL, Fleet 630Racing Notables: 2-time Collegiate All-American,
2-time Military World Champion Gold Medalist, 7th at 2003 Snipe Worlds, Top-3 finisher in 3 US Snipe
NationalsCrew: Clayton Dixon, Atlanta, GA
Skipper: Ernesto Rodriguez, Miami, FL, Fleet 7Racing Notables: 1st Place, 2009 Snipe Winter
Circuit, 2nd Place, 2008 Snipe North Americans, 3rd Place, 2008 Snipe Western Hemisphere & Orient
Championship, 2nd Place, 2006 Snipe North AmericansCrew: TBD
Skipper: Doug Broeker, Miami, FL, Fleet 7(Photo not available)
Racing Notables: 1st Place at Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association, 2008 Annual Series & Fall
Series, 1st Place at Coconut Grove Annual Regatta, 2008 (“Old Man Trophy”), 3rd Place at Jacksonville
Snipe Worlds Qualifier, 2008Crew: Melanie Ink Broeker/Miami Snipe Fleet (Celebrated 25th Wedding Anniversary May 19,
2009!)
See Worlds Team, page �
� www.snipeus.org
We asked these sailors, “What makes this year’s Snipe Worlds special for you, personally?”
“Racing in the worlds is always an exciting challenge, but it will be even better this year because I will be sailing at my home club. Being more familiar with the local conditions, getting to sleep in my own bed, and being able to ride a bike to the venue every day is a bonus as well.”
-George Szabo
“Sailing against good friends from all over the world at a very high level of competition is very special.”
-Augie Diaz
“This year’s Worlds is extra special to me because it is on my home waters of San Diego. I came up short 2 years ago when I placed 3rd in Italy, so I am really excited to have the opportunity to have another chance to win. I am especially excited this year because my family will be able to come out and watch me race.”
-Tyler Sinks
“The Worlds is an opportunity to sail against the best sailors in the world outside of the Olympics. It’s a great means to gauge how one sails and to learn from an international fleet. The mix of cultures is a great opportunity to experience international sailing.”
-Hal Gilreath
“This Worlds is particularly special for me since it is being sailed in my backyard. I grew up in Southern California and I’m really looking forward to being able to compete in an event of this magnitude in local waters. Plus, many of the people who have helped me along the way will be here following the action.”
-Brian Bissell
“I’m excited to sail both world championships. It’s exciting to be able to participate in the Jr. Worlds for the US sailing in our home country. I feel like after my previous experience at the Jr. Worlds I will be more prepared this time, especially with help from Tyler and Judge. It’s going to be a great experience being a junior at the open worlds as I’m sure it will be an eye opener on how far I still have to go to get to the top level.”
-Nick Voss
“What is special about this year’s Snipe Jr. Worlds is that it at my home. I live in San Diego and it will be awesome to be sailing a World Championship in my own back yard. This will also be my first Snipe Jr. Worlds so that is also very special. I
can’t wait for the competition, it will be great fun. Another thing that makes this event very special is that it caps off a very fun and awesome summer. I will be sailing in the 29er and 420 worlds in Italy this summer. Sailing the Snipe Jr. Worlds will be an awesome way to end the summer. I finish the Jr. Worlds and start school two days later, so it really is my last event of the summer. Snipe Jr. Worlds should be an awesome experience, I really look forward to it!!”
-Judge Ryan
“The Snipe is still new to us, so trying to prepare for this regatta has us very focused on learning the boat, which is very difficult. I hope means we will be sailing Snipes for a long time, because it is a great class, and Snipe sailors are wonderful people. This is the first time either of us has been to a World Championship Regatta, so we are very excited to be participating as part of the US team.”
-Doug Broeker
“Watt and I sailed together in 1994 and kicked butt but broke our rudder in the final race of the Olympic Classes Regatta. We are a little older and hopefully smarter... and psyched to be back in the saddle together representing the sailing organization that we take great pride in - OBYC.”
-Gavin O’Hare
Your San Diego Sailing ConnectionSince 1972
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Sidewinder Pole Launch PartsCustom Running & Standing RiggingFoul Weather GearMuch More
Worlds Team, from page �
US SNIPE SAILOR Summer 2009 9
Coach’s Notes from 2008 Western Hemisphere & Orient ChampionshipsAt the 2008 WH&O Championship, US Team Coach Leandro Spina compiled an extensive list of notes based on his observation of the US team’s performance. Here is an abridged version of his notes, compiled by Peter Commette and Merrill Varn:The power of Team USA lay in its superb ability to analyze and adapt.General:
Be able to sail with wind and game at hand (if sailing with pirates be a pirate).Develop a disciplined routine every tack, jibe and mark rounding should be the same.Keep your offi ce clean; don’t wait for the problem to fi nd you.Work hard between races, don’t lose focus even when Race Committee must postpone.Decide on vang settings for fastest sail shape before the race but be ready to change sail shape with changes in conditions.
Start:Adapt to the dynamics of Race Committee.Perfect understanding of timing and distance to start line is critical.Vang off pre-race (tight leach could push you over line early).Vang on 15 seconds before start so you can get off line fast.
Upwind (keep in mind windy conditions at 2008 WHO’s):Keep boat fl at, fl at, fl at. Need routine so that every tack is the same.Basics always work - ease, hike, trim. Skippers should drive to avoid waves; crew should trim to skipper’s angles. Duck boats in order to get to the favored side of the course. Don’t bang the corner too soon. In waves, one tack is generally directly into the waves and must power hike the whole time – remember you can rest some on other tack.The more you hike, the more vang you need.Depower by easing traveler, tightening vang, moving mast forward. Traveler, vang and mast settings will vary tack to tack (ignore ugly collapse in bottom of main with mast more forward).Crew set hiking straps differently for different tacks because hiking style will be different for different tacks.Set jib leads for conditions of tack – may be different settings port and starboard tack.When legs get sore remember everybody else’s are too, this is time to make your gains.
Reaches:Sail on leeward chine to stay in planing mode longer.Windward chine is same as putting on brakes.Skipper in charge of steering and main trim.Crew focuses on kinetics (catching waves and staying on
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leeward chine), jib trim, informing skipper about wind and other boats.Starboard jibe usually closer reach (apparent wind angle usually close); wait to launch pole may not need to release jib halyard.Port jibe usually more open angle, release halyard and set pole fast.On reaches usually best to set pole as far back as possible and use jib halyard to change sail shape.
Downwind (strong wind):Crew should trim jib through the jibe in order to give boat more stability.No need to rush into launching pole.Pole should be launched in 3 long pulls over your head not toward skipper. Last pull put all weight on it.When pole doesn’t go all the way out, leave it. Pull jib halyard in to maintain sail shape. Once stabilized ask skipper for 5 seconds to fi nish pole.
Mark Roundings:Windward mark – release vang before ease sails, keep boat fl at with main, hike, move back.Need routine, all mark roundings should be identical.
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1947 Emmons Snipe #6766, originally owned by Hiram Upson (Lake Quassapaug, CT) who is shown racing at
1952 Snipe Nationals (Green Lake, WI). Cover photo of Snipe Bulletin (October 1952), by G.Lundeen.
Read more about Emmons Snipes in John Rose’s article on page 12.
10 www.snipeus.org
What came to mind when you saw the title of this article? Getting more boats to regattas? Building stronger fleets?
Seeing more family participation? More youth? More new members? Of course, they are all needed for a strong Snipe class. For this article though, I’d like to focus on building the fleets.
As the new SCIRA USA Class Development Officer, I think one of my important roles is as a clearinghouse for all the great ideas that are already out there and those that are yet to come. To that end, I want to remind everyone that there was a very generous monetary contribution made to SCIRA USA by Gene Soltero of Dallas Snipe Fleet #1. The money established a fund with the goal of providing financial support for development activities at the fleet level. The disappointing thing that I’ve discovered is that hardly any of this money has been put to use.
Unfortunately, the money can’t spend itself to help your fleet. That takes you. The events that have been held have been successful in generating renewed interest within the fleet and also in bringing in new sailors from outside the fleet. Simple ideas make a good place to start. If your fleet captain has not been talking about or soliciting ideas, give them a little nudge with some suggestions. Even better, volunteer to run the event.
Below is a list of some of the ideas that were used last year or have been proposed for 2009:
Run a clinic in Snipes and invite members of other fleets or clubs. Arrange for the visitors to borrow a Snipe. The focus shouldn’t be too
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much on the finer points of Snipe tuning, but general boat handling and tactics. At the same time take the opportunity to show off the benefits of the Snipe, including the “Serious Fun” part. Also, encourage those Snipe sailors you haven’t seen out sailing in a while to attend. This should be person to person, or a phone call – not just an email.Host a one-day rookie regatta where each Snipe is skippered by someone who hasn’t been in a Snipe before. Consider extending it to Snipe members who haven’t had their boat in the water for a couple of years. Maybe they’d like a fleet hot-shot to help out in the front of the boat.Organize a Junior Snipe day – Invite sailors from your junior program to skipper a Snipe. Depending on your confidence in the ability of the kids, you might run the event as a Special Junior event with the boat owner as the crew. Keep it simple with short courses and no whisker poles.
Using the funds from the contribution, SCIRA USA will reimburse your expenses of up to $250, so get planning, and have some fun with it. When you have an idea formulated, the Fleet Captain just needs to check with your District Governor to ensure the funds for the District have not already been allocated to other events. If you have any questions about the fund, the reimbursement process, or your planned activity, contact Harry Levinson, or Mary Buckley.
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Strengthening the Heart of the Snipe ClassBy Harry Levinson, Class Development Officer
US SNIPE SAILOR Summer 2009 11
Miami Fleet Holds a Successful Fleet Building EventStory and photos by Kay Voss, Miami Fleet #7
The Miami Snipe Fleet held a one-day land and water clinic for fresh recruits, new members of Snipe fleets in South Florida, and crews new to the Snipe. The clinic’s emphasis was on Snipe basics and social networking. The experts for the clinic
were: 1) a master, Gonzalo Diaz “The Old Man”; 2) a guru, George Szabo; and 3) the next generation, represented by Nick Voss. Money from the SCIRA USA Fleet Development Fund was used to cover the costs of food, drinks, and coaching time of the clinic.The clinic started in the morning with a 90 minute land based tutorial by the Old Man presenting the basic Snipe maneuvers of tacking, jibing, and use of the whisker pole. Time was spent demonstrating proper position, technique, and tips on how to avoid the “gotchas” for new crews and skippers. There were lots of great questions and discussion between the new members and active members around the fully rigged Snipe on a dolly. Cuban sandwiches were then served while George Szabo dropped by and gave an entertaining and informative presentation on rig measurement, tuning, and sail trim. At noon they rigged the boats while George and Nick walked around and answered setup questions on individual boats. By 1 pm the boats were heading out on the water for drills with Nick and George in a coach boat spending 5-10 minutes alongside each boat giving suggestions for settings and trim on the water. Once all eight boats were assembled off the channel marker, Nick Voss proceeded with short races and whistle drills so that everyone could practice starts, boat handling, and close mark roundings. Nick provided feedback and tips to the
newer member boats and kept everyone honest and playing by the rules to ensure a successful practice. After three hours everyone was happily tired out and headed back to the dock for free food, beer, and soda. Everyone had a great time swapping stories and hanging for the serious fun part for another two hours! As a fleet building exercise, the clinic was very successful. Four of the boats were new to the fleet within the past six months. One skipper was last active more than 15 years ago, but recently bought a boat to get back into the class. One new member came out who had not yet been on the water, but had bought a used boat and was looking for information on how to rig it. One junior crew is now moving to skippering a boat. One team (a father and young Opti sailor) was recruited and is now looking for a boat. Three new crews were trained, and the rest of the fleet sailors had a wonderful time meeting and socializing, reminding everyone why the Snipe is such a great class. Most encouraging was a message Old Man received the next day from one of the newest fleet members:“Gonzalo I would like to say THANK YOU to you and all this magnificent Snipe Miami Fleet to allow at least me and others the chance to participate in the clinic promoted by you. Everything was in a very high level of information, tips, settings, boat handling and more. Thanks to many of you for your time in telling me what I am doing wrong with the boat and also sharing with me so much information. That kind of action makes our fleet stronger and better every time we go out. To all of you and in special to Gonzalo (Old Man ) THANK YOU !
Old Man Diaz demonstrating the pole launcher.
Nick Voss running some starting drills.
12 www.snipeus.org
REMEMBERINGEMMONS-BUILT SNIPESBy John Rose, SCIRA USA Classic Snipe Editor
Many current Snipe sailors are likely unaware of the builders of successful Snipes back in the 1930s through the 1950s, in the “heyday” of wooden Snipes. Early builders of racing Snipes, such as Dunphy (Wisconsin), Skaneateles
(New York), Varalyay (California), Stickle (New Jersey) and Emmons (New York) produced winning racing Snipes in the 1930s and 40s, supplemented after WW II by local builders including Mills, Gerber, Walco, Rumsey-Ots, and Lippincott among others. Large production builders such as Thompson, Century, and Wagemaker produced Snipes used mainly for day sailing and, to a lesser extent, local club racing.
Emmons was one of the premier builders of wooden racing Snipes in the USA at that time. Nearing Emmons (1883-1967), with the help of his son Corey (1913-1998), built many of the Snipes that made up Snipe fleets in the eastern and midwestern USA. The Emmons family had been in the boat building business since 1897, and Nearing started to build boats in 1903 at age 20. When the Snipe was designed in 1931, he and son Corey (then 18) began production of Snipes, which continued until the early 1960s. Nearing Emmons was a personal friend of Snipe designer Bill Crosby, and also served as a Justice of the Peace in a nearby town. In 1958, Emmons estimated that they had built more than 300 wooden Snipes.
The Emmons boat shop was located near Central Square and Brewerton, New York at the west end of Oneida Lake, north of Syracuse. The boats were built in a barn and other outbuildings on a rural farm owned by Emmons.
Because of the proximity of the Emmons boat building business to many lakes in the Finger Lakes region of New
York, their Snipes became the core of many of the fleets in that area. Over the years, there have been at least 39 Snipe fleets in New York state, and almost all of those had many Emmons Snipes in their roster. Because of the racing successes of Emmons Snipes in that area, their popularity spread to other Snipe fleets in the East and Midwest. Many Emmons Snipes wound up in Snipe fleets in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as other states. The peak years for Emmons were after WW II, through the mid-1950s.
Snipe #2170 (measured in 1937) is the first Emmons-built Snipe listed in SCIRA’s database of measured Snipes, although others undoubtedly preceded it, as early records are incomplete. Emmons Snipe #4556 Ducky (built in 1941) won the 1948 US Snipe Nationals at Corpus Christi, Texas; it was sailed for many years by Billy Wicker of Texas and Missouri before being sold to other owners in the Midwest. It was the only Emmons-built Snipe that won the Nationals. The last Emmons-built Snipe is believed to be #12777, owned by Nate Whiteside of Michigan and Florida. (See photos of this Snipe in the Historical Photos section of Classic Snipes on the SCIRA USA web site: www.snipeus.org).
When fiberglass Snipes were introduced in the mid-1950s, Emmons turned to building wooden Lightning Class sailboats. In the late 1950s, Emmons returned again to building wooden Snipes, and offered pre-cut frame kits, semi-finished hulls, and wooden masts, booms, and other parts, eventually even frame kits for plywood Snipes. However, only a few Snipes were built by Emmons in the years after 1954, and around 1960, the Emmons Snipe building business came to an end.
Information compiled from newspaper articles in Syracuse Herald American (August 17, 1958) and Syracuse Herald Journal (March 27, 1967), with thanks to William Oben, President of Finger Lakes Boating Museum (Penn Yan, New York); and from Nate Whiteside family records and photos.
1944 Emmons Snipe #5115 with varnished cedar plank decking (fore and aft) and updated rolled side decks of
varnished Okoume plywood. Original wooden mast and boom and cotton racing sails. Photo by owner/restorer Sterling
Klinck of East Hill Boat Shop (Middlesex, NY).
Rare 1949 photo of Corey (l) and Nearing Emmons, taken at delivery of new Snipe #7381 to new owner Nate Whiteside. Photo from Whiteside family photo album.
US SNIPE SAILOR Summer 2009 1�
Our Halloween Regatta just gets more elaborate and more fun each year, but it will be very hard to top the full week of Snipe events we have planned for 2009.
We’ll start off Monday night with a Welcome Aboard party at the clubhouse. Tuesday, competition begins in the three divisions of the Master’s Championship. (The Apprentice Division is for skippers 45 – 54 years old, the Master’s Division is for those of you aged 55 – 64, and the Grand Master Division is for those 65 and older. Skipper’s and crew’s ages must total at least 80.)
Tuesday night we’ll play Snipe History Bingo with prizes donated by our sponsors. There will be the expected clues and a lot you haven’t thought of for years, so start dredging up people’s names, dates, and important Snipe events from the last 75+ years!
Wednesday, a new old crowd arrives, bringing with them classic and wooden Snipes, some restored, some just proud to be still in existence, and some newly built. That afternoon the Masters will race some more. Wednesday night everybody will move up to the Davis’s barn for a good old Southern country evening of fun, with Washtub John and his bluegrass buddies creating an atmosphere seldom seen.
Thursday morning, there will be a Wooden Snipe Symposium where a panel of experts will lead a discussion of wooden Snipe construction and restoration. We hope to develop a set of CAD plans for planked and plywood hulls with full sized patterns a possibility. We hope to have information about availability of replacement parts for classic Snipes available.
That afternoon the final races for the Master’s Championship will be held. The trophy banquet (attended by all) will have a Dress as You did in High School theme, with music from the 50’s and 60’s – maybe some a little more modern… should be a lot of fun!!
On Friday morning the Classic/Wooden Snipes will put their boats out for an all-day display. We hope most of the Halloween Regatta participants will arrive in time to see these boats. That afternoon Greg Fisher will lead an on-the-water racing clinic. He’ll make video to be used for the night session in the clubhouse. Several other experts – not named yet – will assist him for both the afternoon and night sessions. After supper, the kids will have a costume party, followed by trick or treating at our cabins.
Saturday morning, the Juniors will have up to three races. There will be divisions for all-junior teams and for junior-senior teams. That afternoon the Halloween Regatta begins with two races scheduled. At night we will have hot buttered rum in commemorative mugs, a District 4 meeting, dinner, and costume contest, followed by dancing until you drop to a great band.
Sunday morning, we finish up with the last Halloween regatta race, followed by trophy presentations and a drawing of remaining prizes. We hope to settle back, exhausted, but with memories to last a lifetime!
Snipe Week in AtlantaThe Good Ol’ Days Revisited
US Master’s Championship, October 19-22Classic/Wooden Snipe Rally, October 21-23
On-the-water Racing Clinic by Greg Fisher, October 23Halloween Regatta, October 24-25
COME PLAY WITH US!Visit our website www.snipefleet330.org for details.
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After a recent seminar in theMidwest, George Szabo, four-time US National Champion, agreed to answer a couple of questions for our newsletter.We started by defi ning what he considers light air, medium air, and heavy air. He defi ned them as follows: light air 0-8 knots; medium air 8-15 knots; heavy air 15-22+ knots. Remember this as he tells you how to set rake or adjust your rig.
How are you setting your rig tension before each race? What weather conditions make you adjust?
Proctor – rake 21′ 6″; spreaders 16 3/8″ x 29 3/4″; 18 ten-sion on the Loos gauge. Above 12-15 knots, down half a hole on shrouds using same halyard mark. Over 20 knots, down a full hole.
Sidewinder 21′ 6″, 1 1/4″ pre-bend; 18 tension on the Loos gauge. Spreaders 16 1/4″ x 29 1/2″. Same shroud tension through wind range. Get forestay tension by dropping traveler and sheeting hard on mainsheet.
When are you changing your rake, and how much are you adjusting?
I tried numerous halyard marks several years ago, and got the rig tune super complicated, but now I am using the same halyard mark through the whole wind range.
A lot of questions centered around the boom vang at your recent seminar. How would you summarize using the vang?
In 0-6 knots, just loose. In 6-10 knots, just snug when the main is trimmed properly (for upwind). This way, you are not pulling on it, but when you ease the main to duck or tack, there is some vang tension. At 10+ knots, pulling on vang to fl atten the mainsail. As it gets windier, I use more and more vang, but I am careful to NOT hook the top batten toward the boom.
What is the “sweet-spot” for your jib leads? Distance apart?
I have the Persson track with ratchet blocks. I think that putting them at 28″ apart bearing point to bearing point works well, until the wind is over 15 knots. At that point I will barber haul the sheet outboard 1″ upwind. As it gets windier, I will barber haul another 2″ outboard. Basically, when the boom is out and you are vang sheeting, we barber haul out the jib to match the angle of the foot of the jib to the angle of the foot of the mainsail.
Give us a couple of techniques on sailing reaches.Board all the way up. Leeward chine in the water to pro-
mote planing (once you are planing you can sail the boat fl at). Before you are planing, skipper and crew are sitting forward in the upwind position. As a puff hits, go outboard - and as the wind increases, go aft. More aft as the wind increases – to the point where everyone is in the skipper straps as far aft as pos-sible. When a lull comes, moving in and forward will keep the boat on a plane.How are you setting up before a start? What determines the favored side of the course when you’re out there?
Going upwind before the start I get high and low compass readings on each tack. Watch the puffs to see how they are coming down the course, and try to get a feel for how the wind shifts are reacting – basically, can I tack on the edge of a shift, or do I need to sail into it before I can tack? Is there a weather shore of a lake to sail toward? If so, go to the weather shore. Is the current stronger on one side than the other?
Finding the favored side on your lake could be because there is a weather shore where there are lifts coming off the shore, or an expected weather pattern coming through that will make the wind shift one way, but the puffs will come from the opposite side. Seeing where the wind will be stronger is a big determining factor.
Quantum’s motto is “anticipate the shift”. What are you doing on the course to do this? Any advice for new sailors?
When sailing upwind, there is a circle of things to check – like driving a car where you are supposed to look at the road, then check your speed… sailing is similar. As with driv-ing, the primary focus to come back to is the telltales, giving quick glances in between at the main trim, jib trim, puffs, fl eet positioning, etc. Keeping an eye out for puff lines coming down is key, and sailing for the dark spots (puffs) on the water is key. When you can connect a few dots by sailing from dot to dot, you’re going to have a great beat.
George Szabo and Alan Capellin at the 2006 Western Hemisphere and Orient in Miami.
Fried Elliott
George Szabo and Alan Capellin at the 2006 Western
Fried Elliott
From Th e ExpertsHere’s a reprint of an interview with George Szabo, Quantum Sails San Diego, that fi rst appeared in a 2005 edition of the SCIRA USA Snipe Bulletin.
US SNIPE SAILOR Summer 2009 1�
Snipe sailors from Massachusetts, Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, Jacksonville, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami gathered at Coconut Grove Sailing Club in Miami on Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8, 2009, for the 40th annual Comodoro
Rasco Regatta. This regatta honors Manuel Rasco, late Commodore of the Miramar Yacht Club, Havana, Cuba, whose effort and dedication to Snipes will never be forgotten.On Saturday, the winds were from the NE at 15 to 20 mph. Three races were sailed on Saturday, with Eric Reinke and Bridget Creney winning the first, a windward/leeward course. For the next two races, triangles were run. Peter Commette and Megan Place established tone for the rest of the regatta with two bullets, showing amazing speed and seamanship.
Carmen and Old Man Diaz again hosted the Saturday evening lasagna dinner, which was attended by most everyone. The group enjoyed movies from the Old Man’s collection showing 1958 Cuban National Championships and a short clip of Comodoro Manuel Rasco standing on his boat Shangri-La. Peter Commette has seen this movie many, many times, and Pete still asks for it. There was a short discussion about Dr. Clemente Inclan, “El Maestro”, who the Old Man calls “The most gentleman of all sailors I ever met!” He was well known by members of the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. His memory is still with us. Marvin Schenker (our timer on RC for many years and many regattas) used to race against “El Maestro” in PHRF and remembers what a gentleman “El Maestro” was!
Sunday was beautiful with winds again from the Northeast at 15 to 20 mph. Two races were run on Sunday. The first one was windward/leeward and the second one was a triangle. Pete and Megan continued their winning ways. Everyone finished tired and happy. Greg Saldana of Michigan (formerly of Massachusetts and Florida) exclaimed: “I am refreshed by the sun and wind!”
All races finished downwind. Everybody was very happy with this; finishing downwind reduces the waiting time.
Subsequent races were started fast. Race committee had plenty of time to reset the course. In one occasion, the race started within 10 to 15 minutes of finishing the previous race. Excellent! Race Committee did an excellent job!
After the trophy presentation, we proceeded with our ritual for this Regatta: LA BOMBA VA! (“The BOMB goes”; the “bomb” being the mix of champagne, wine and soda). Everybody singing LA BOMBA VA! while the winners drank. The audience really enjoyed it and made Peter Commette drink heavily from LA BOMBA. We believe Peter survived LA BOMBA, as well as the second and third place skippers and crews.
Our thanks to the participants and to CGSC and to Carmen Diaz for the lasagna. Thanks also to PRO Susan Walcutt and the excellent CGSC Race Committee, including: Barry Simmons, Betty Vandenbosch, Bill Braddon, Dennis Jansma, Jaime Ramon, James Blount, JoAn Mathieu, Jon Jansma, Karen Ryan-Young, Kay Voss, Larry Whipple, Liz Balbin, Marvin Schenker, Vicky Rosenbloom, and Will Pulsfords. Tondelayo and Sweet Lime were the signal boats. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!
1 Commette, Peter/Place, Megan Ft. Lauderdale 3 1 1(cnf ) 1 1 8.25 2 Gilreath, Hal/Dixon, Clayton Jacksonville 2 2 3(cnf ) 4 2 15.00 3 Reinke, Eric/Creney, Bridget Annapolis 1 7 5 5 4 21.75 4 Palacios, Carolina/Padron, Rogelio Miami 5 3(cnf ) 8 2 3 23.00 5 Saldana, Greg/Schoenberg, Bill Ann Arbor, MI 6 8 4 6 5(cnf ) 31.00 6 Rios, Raul/Spina, Leandro Puerto Rico 9 5 6 7 6 33.00 7 Griffith, Lee/Varn, Merrill Surf City, NJ 13 6(cnf ) 7 3 7 38.00 8 Voss, Nick/Hill, Jason Miami 4 4 2 dns dns 44.00 9 Baker, Robin/Plitt, Janet Miami 7 10 11 8 9 45.00 10 Klein, Andy/Morphew, Michelle Winchester, MA 11 12 10 12 8 53.00 11 Diaz, Gonzalo/Caputi, Diego Miami 10 11 12 9 12 54.00 12 Jarauta, Rafael/Washburn, Katrina Miami 15 13 9(cnf ) 10 11 60.00 13 Broeker, Doug/Broeker, Melanie Miami 12 dnf dnf 11 10 61.00 14 Voss, Ken/Voss, Kay Miami 8 9 dnf dns dns 65.00 15 Reich, Bryan/Melin, Gina Miami 14 dnf 13(cnf ) dns dns 77.00 16 Rodriguez, Pedro/Rodriguez, Angel Miami dnf dnf dnf dns dns 78.00
Comodoro Rasco 2009By Old Man Diaz
Participants at the 2009 Comodoro Rasco Regatta.
Results:
Margie Kozich
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W
Wind
LW’s Proper Course
Answers are based on The Racing Rules of Sailing 2009–2012. Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes is published by the United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) — 1 (800) 877-2451 or www.ussailing.org
Boats W and L, two overlapped starboard-tack boats, are sailing on proper courses toward the gybe mark to be rounded to port.
When six lengths away from the mark, W bears away approximately 20 degrees in order to slow L, and to try to pull clear ahead before reaching the zone. L protests, claiming that W is sailing below her proper course. W claims that she is sailing on her proper course because by rounding the gybe mark ahead of L she will ultimately fi nish more quickly.You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this?
Answer: There is no rule requiring W not to sail below her proper course in this situation. While the boats are overlapped, W is required to keep clear of L under Rule 11, On the Same Tack, Overlapped, which she does. Boat L’s protest is disallowed.
Note: This illustrates one of the changes in the Racing Rules of Sailing for 2009-2012. Under the previous rules, W would have been penalized for breaking rule 17.2, On the Same Tack; Proper Course.However, Rule 17.2 has been eliminated.
As always, refer to the text of the Racing Rules of Sailing for details.
Rules Quiz
US SNIPE SAILOR Summer 2009 1�
Tattoo You!Get a supply of Snipe Tattoos like this for your regatta
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2009 SCIRA USA Regatta Schedule
Go to www.snipeus.org for updates to the Regatta Schedule
Jun 20-21 2009SnipeUSAJuniorNationalChampionship-PensacolaYachtClub,Pensacola,FLTomHenderson:[email protected]
Jun 22-26 2009SnipeUSANationalChampionship-PensacolaYachtClub,Pensacola,FLTomHenderson:[email protected]
Jul 4-5 CanadianChampionship-RoyalHamiltonYachtClub,Hamilton,Ontario,CAHarriPalm:[email protected]
Jul 11-12 NormTannerMemorialRegatta-BowMar,COSteveTautz:[email protected]
Jul 11-12 WinchesterInvitational-WinchesterBoatClub,Winchester,MAAndrewDavis:[email protected]
Jul 18-19 Fleet554Invitational-BeverlyYachtClub,Beverly,MAShanMcAdoo:[email protected]
Jul 24-26 Pacific Coast Championship - San Diego Yacht Club, San Diego, CADougHart:[email protected]
Jul 25-26 WolfLakeRegatta-WolfLakeYachtClub,Jackson,MIMattHeywood:[email protected]
Jul 26-28 LowCountryRegatta-BeaufortYacht&SailingClub,Beaufort,SCFrankPontious:[email protected]
Aug 1-2 District3Championship-GullLakeYachtClub,Richland,MIEricUlbrich:[email protected]
Aug 13-16 2009SnipeNorthAmericanChampionship-ErieYachtClub,Erie,PAHolly/GavinO’Hare:[email protected]
Aug 22-23 District1Championship/BriodyMemorialRegatta-NewportYachtClub,Rochester,NYNormDahl:[email protected]
Aug 29-30 District2Championship-LakeOkoboji,IowaPat Flood: [email protected]
Aug 29-30 BoardOfGovernorsRegatta-LakeQuassapaug,CTJoelZackin:[email protected]
Sep 19-20 MissouriValleyChampionship-Iowa/NebraskaSailingAssn,LakeManawa,IASigridFestersen:[email protected]
Sep 19-20 LeukemiaCup-BirminghamSailingClub,Birmingham,ALMichaelPapp:[email protected]
Sep 26-27 CarlyleSilverCup-CarlyleSailingAssociation,LakeCarlyle,ILAndreaSepanski:[email protected]
Oct 19-22 2009SnipeUSAMastersChampionship-AtlantaYachtClub,Atlanta,GAPeggyDavis:[email protected]
Oct 23-25 HalloweenRegatta-AtlantaYachtClub,Atlanta,GAPeggyDavis:[email protected]
Oct 24-25 CarolynNuteMemorialRegatta-MissionBayYachtClub,SanDiego,CADaveTillson:[email protected]
SNIPE CLASS INTERNATIONAL RACING ASSOCIATION USAPO BOX 83866LINCOLN, NE 68501
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www.OneDesign.comAll About One Design Sailing
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