They don't look that fast...

[MarcusJtown]

Just kidding. I was on a nice reach back into Newport the other night. about 15kt winds. I had the A-sail out and was flying along feeling pretty good about myself and the new boat. Then the two Prada boats came flying by me like I was a damn marker buoy. Totally wrecked my self esteem. But then I realized I'm on the same water they are, doing the same thing they are, for a lot less money. They are fun to watch though.

 

[tenders]

I saw one of those boats moored in San Diego Harbor a few years ago outside the convention center and it took me almost a minute to recognize it as a sailboat. They are stored pretty bare and without sails furled on the boom they look more like a huge floating crane than a boat.

 

[MarcusJtown]

Those aren't sails

They're rigid wings. kind of impressive to watch them taking them in and out of the water every day.

 

[rwthomas1]

I'm taking next Friday off to go watch those things race. Should be excellent. There are C-class catamarans that run out of Newport every once in a while. They are wing sails and have passed me like I was going backwards. Very, very cool.
RT

 

[MarcusJtown]

Rob,

If you see me, say hi. I'll be working, on the Newport Fire Department rescue boat.

 

[rwthomas1]

I'm planning on taking the spectacle in from land. My experience with events on the water in RI are that there are way too many a$$'s in powerboats, the security will keep you so far from the action that you can't see anything. I gave up after trying to see the Tall Ships a few years back. Too many morons and too much security. If you can't get within a 1/2 mile, why bother? I'm going to try parking at Ft. Wetherill. The view from there should be great. RT