by cchatain » Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:08 pm
Way, way back in 1970 I crewed on US 21 "American Eagle" on the Bermuda Race and the two Mackinacs. In a sense it's too bad EC 12 class did not evolve to allow models of all twelve meters ever built. Glorious yachts.
But you really do not want to work that foredeck on an ocean race. We used to keep the spinnaker pole attached to the mast, lowered down to just above deck level, to give the foredeck guys something to brace against as the bow would dip completely under the waves as they were trying to change jibs. Even then, they could be washed back by a wave to the limit of their safety harness.
Chris Chatain, Chicago, with a EC 12 a'buildin...