Leaderboard

Used them for several years on my Canadian boat, a 27-foot Mirage, also with old Barients. They worked pretty well. The key to the self-tailing trick is to make sure the line is stacked on the winch -- three or maybe four wraps -- so that there's upward pressure on the bottom of the wincher. It's also a pretty good idea not completely to trust the locking-in-the-groove thing; I always cleated off as well. Then I got a pair of Andersens at a deep discount and the winchers were history. Michael Smith

Are you saying they know how to sail but have never raced? If that’s the case, there is a benefit in dinghy sailing you won’t get in keelers. Basically, they are geared up for teaching. Dinghy clubs will have a chase boat, and a learn to sail course which morphs into learn to race and the rules. Once racing, a chase boat can help with basic sailing, and there’s fleets where it’s expected many are still learning rules, so much assistance is offered. Crashes typically aren’t expensive and repairs if required are easy and quick (relatively). In keel boats, there will be less people nearby to h