Racing costs

[Lady Campanula]

I notice from pop-up ads that one can participate in the 2011 Fastnet Race at the knock-down price of £2495....

Al-Jazeera! One can buy a perfectly usable, ocean-capable small yacht for that much moolah and go visit the famous lighthouse oneself without all the tired T-shirts, flannel and razzamatazz!

See here

The longer I do this stuff, the more I incline to the 'Jester' principles of KISS and economy.

 

[Searush]

Read A C Stock's books then.

 

[sighmoon]

How does the money get spent or is it all profit for the organisers?

 

[bbg]

How does the money get spent or is it all profit for the organisers?

If it is being run as a commercial enterprise, I imagine it will go towards salary for the skipper (and maybe a mate), depreciation of the boat and equipment, maintenance, coding, berthing fees, insurance, fuel, entry fees etc. etc.

Depending on the arrangement it may also cover food and some other things I haven't thought of.

Not saying it is a good deal, a bad deal or indifferent, just that it isn't "all profit".
And for someone who doesn't want the hassle or responsibility of buying, berthing, owning, insuring a boat, organising a crew etc, paying to jump on and jump off could be a way to take a special trip, and almost certainly on a bigger, faster and probably cooler boat than they will ever be able to afford themselves.

To each his own.

If all goes well I should be rounding the Fastnet for the first time in a little over two weeks (on my own boat) and believe you me it has cost me a hell of a lot more than £2,495 over the years!

 

[sighmoon]

I was thinking it was a very expensive race entry fee - I'm not getting the same pop up.

Good luck in your race!

 

[Lady Campanula]

Some years ago I accompanied a friend in his 'blancmange' French catamaran, running down through the night from Cork until, in the dawn, we were able to leave the Fastnet Rock to port, 'hang a left' and point our bows towards the 'Turks Head' on St Agnes Isle.

After a few minutes, my friend seemed glum, so I asked why. "I wanted a photo to show I'd been here, and there's not enough light yet for this camera...."

"That's easily solved," said I. "Let's just 'hang a left', then a few minutes later do the same again, then stooge about until there IS enough light. It's not as if we're in a Race..." So we sailed back around the famous seamark.

Now I hear my good friend boasts in his club bar that he's "been around the Fastnet twice!"

For my part, I could never quite understand why, every couple of years, a horde of yotties would pour out of the Solent, thrash their way non-stop all the way to the southernmost point of Ireland - then, just when they get into sniffing distance of some of the best pubs in Christendom, they'd all turn around and thrash their way straight back again...!

 

[Alfie168]

I can heartily recommend the annual Nefyn beach to Porthdinllaen and back race, where you can run ashore and have a quick snifter at Ty Coch before sailing back again. You can do the whole thing in not much over an hour. Lifting keels recommended..

Tim

 

[sailor211]

If it is being run as a commercial enterprise, I imagine it will go towards salary for the skipper (and maybe a mate), depreciation of the boat and equipment, maintenance, coding, berthing fees, insurance, fuel, entry fees etc. etc.

does it include particapation in teh qualifying races? a few weekends and lots of miles

 

[flaming]

If it is being run as a commercial enterprise, I imagine it will go towards salary for the skipper (and maybe a mate), depreciation of the boat and equipment, maintenance, coding, berthing fees, insurance, fuel, entry fees etc. etc.

does it include particapation in teh qualifying races? a few weekends and lots of miles

That's the normal deal - Fastnet + the minimum amount of qualifiers and a training weekend.

These are commercial operations, sailing school entries.

Given the number of them on the entry list in 2009, there must be plenty of people willing to pay that sort of money.

 

[Bajansailor]

For my part, I could never quite understand why, every couple of years, a horde of yotties would pour out of the Solent, thrash their way non-stop all the way to the southernmost point of Ireland - then, just when they get into sniffing distance of some of the best pubs in Christendom, they'd all turn around and thrash their way straight back again...!

Agreed!
I 'did' the Fastnet in '93 - and it really was not much fun at all.
A beat down channel, F 7+ on the nose from the Scillies to the Rock, and F 8 on the beam coming back - and my oilies leaked like a sieve......

I remember thinking, longingly, as we rounded the Rock in the pouring rain at about 2200 hrs, how much more sensible it would be if there was a compulsory stop over in Eire, at a port of ones choice perhaps (Glandore is a favourite), where crews could dry out (and quaff a few Murphys) before resuming battle with the elements.

 

[marko99]

I remember thinking, longingly, as we rounded the Rock in the pouring rain at about 2200 hrs, how much more sensible it would be if there was a compulsory stop over in Eire

As a matter of interest, can I ask why people (usually British) refer to Ireland as Eire ? Do you also refer to Deutschland, Osterreich, Espana, etc. ? Why not call it Ireland ?

Article 4 of the Irish consitution says "The name of the state is Éire, or, in the English language, Ireland." I have long been puzzled as to why non-Irish speakers choose to use the Irish language name for Ireland but refer to other countries by their names in the English language.

 

[Boreades]

At the risk of starting a price war

An acquaintance at work is advertising places available on a Sigma 38 for Fastnet 2011 at £300 pp (food extra)

Other boats and prices are available.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

As a matter of interest, can I ask why people (usually British) refer to Ireland as Eire ? Do you also refer to Deutschland, Osterreich, Espana, etc. ? Why not call it Ireland ?

Article 4 of the Irish consitution says "The name of the state is Éire, or, in the English language, Ireland." I have long been puzzled as to why non-Irish speakers choose to use the Irish language name for Ireland but refer to other countries by their names in the English language.

Because in English, Ireland is the name of the whole island, including Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Eire is the shortest unambiguous way (for an English person) to indicate the Republic of Ireland. Of course, the same constitution says that Northern Ireland is part of the Republic as well, ISTR!

 

[marko99]

Of course, the same constitution says that Northern Ireland is part of the Republic as well, ISTR!

Thanks for that. It used to ok but not anymore - that article was amended by referendum in 1998 or 1999 after the Good Friday Agreement.

Anyway, we're veering dangerously close to politics here - let's get back to sailing !

 

[Bajansailor]

Ooops, sorry re Eire - I was thinking that it might be a mark of respect to call a country by the name that the locals use (and I often use Norge, Danmark, Espana as well).

In fact, I think that Caledonia (or Ecosse even) is a much nicer name really than Scotland......
Dunno about Cymru instead of Wales though!

 

[Bosun Higgs]

I notice from pop-up ads that one can participate in the 2011 Fastnet Race at the knock-down price of £2495....

Al-Jazeera! One can buy a perfectly usable, ocean-capable small yacht for that much moolah and go visit the famous lighthouse oneself without all the tired T-shirts, flannel and razzamatazz!

See here

The longer I do this stuff, the more I incline to the 'Jester' principles of KISS and economy.

You can apply that sort of logic to many things in life. You can do sex on the cheap and single handed but like sailing it's much more fun with others involved.

What is money for but spending? What is life about if not about trying to win?

 

[Lady Campanula]

You can apply that sort of logic to many things in life. You can do sex on the cheap and single handed but like sailing it's much more fun with others involved.

What is money for but spending? What is life about if not about trying to win?

I'll have you - and the rest of the world - know that I DO do sex on the cheap. In fact, no 'consideration' involved. Always have. Now 'lurv' - that's different!

And as for that big lump of rock 4 nm off Cape Clear, I've passed that way under sail more than a dozen times, twice while competing in the relevant Race, and did not spend £2395 in the sum of all those years. Along the way, I/we have won our Class in THAT race AND Class Series for the year, so kindly do not patronise me re when to compete and how. Throwing £50 notes at the task in handfuls is certainly not the best way...