Thread for discussion of the SSS - doublehanded / singlehanded question
I just did a quick count...2020 Corinthian Race:, 98 Doublehanded entries, and 33 Singlehanded.
When I ooched out from the Corinthian YC's docks on Saturday, out into the "fray" before the start I was blown away by the density of racing boats. I happened to go out right next to a Club cruising powerboat, and the skipper on the flybridge of that boat hollered "holy s**t"...at the sheer density of boats before he found the quickest way he could out of there. With THAT density of boats in the starting area, it's just a matter of time before something really bad happens.
We've lost longtime members to the perceived conflict: that this is the SINGLEHANDED Sailing Society, not the DOUBLEHANDED Sailing Society.
Now Hedgehog has been driven up on the rocks by a hot one-design class doublehanded boat.
It's time to talk about changes. POLITELY!
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Shorthanded racing is on the rise. Jeanneau, J-Boats and Dehler, not to mention other smaller builders, have new models out specifically targeted at shorthanded racing. There's no question that at least for now, shorthanded racing is the ~thing~.
My own opinion is that it's a mistake to say "NO" to doublehanded boats/crews, outright. We have some longtime SSS'ers who race 2-up. Here's my suggestion... That the SSS disallow any of it's races being used as "counters" in any other Class or Associations season. That would remove teams which only doublehand because these couple of races require it, and bring a "full-crew" mentality to the course.
Of course people can race in a One Design class as well as the SSS. They can bring the same boat out and race with the SSS. But the SSS races can't count towards a season total in the One Design class.
That's my thought.
Protest filings would put pressure on the participants to abide by the rules.
Protests can be a learning tool.
In a past experience with one design racing, over the course of several seasons, it became apparent that racers were not following rules. Protests were encouraged by the RC, and the RC itself filed protests against vessels witnessed to have been in violation of rules. The result was an immediate change in the participants understanding and careful consideration of the rules. Immediate, meaning the next race in the series was much cleaner. This would be simplified with a judging boat on the water at critical marks or locations.
Modification of the racing rules may also be in order. What ever changes are decided should be set in the rules, as opposed to asking one group to be careful with another group at a skippers meeting that is lightly attended.