Tacoma, oh Tacoma, a city of joy, Where happiness reigns, and sorrows deploy. A place where the people are filled with glee, And the beauty of life is easy to see. Lydia K. Valentine, the poet laureate, Says Tacoma is her town, and it’s great. The readers of the Tribune agree, Tacoma is the happiest city, you see.
This photo essay discusses Anthem, a 70-foot ketch built in 1998 by Roger MacGregor. Anthem combines luxury and performance with hand-laid fiberglass construction, a 70-foot mainmast, and speeds of up to 25 knots. It was named one of the seven most beautiful boats ever built alongside vessels like J-Class yachts. A sister ship to Anthem was built in the last decade, continuing its legacy as a masterpiece of yacht design. Photos of the sister ship are provided.
Als explored is the development of Ultra Light Displacement Boats (ULDBs) and their competition with MacGregor Yachts, highlighting key differences in design, construction, and performance. ULDBs, pioneered by designers like Bill Lee, George Olson, and Ron Moore in Santa Cruz, focused on lightweight construction (vacuum-bagged fiberglass with balsa cores) and exceptional downwind speed. Iconic ULDBs like Merlin and the Olson 30 dominated offshore racing with innovative designs.
Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) race courses have transitioned from traditional Olympic triangular patterns to windward-leeward designs, emphasizing tactical skills, boat speed, and positioning. Random Leg courses, which offer varied angles and conditions, provide more balanced competition for different boat types.
Naval architecture has evolved to optimize boats for specific conditions, creating designs specialized for particular race formats, often favoring performance over versatility. Cruiser-racers and traditional cruising designs may struggle to compete on modern windward-leeward courses, prompting new classifications.
The Boys in the Boat is a story about the University of Washington’s rowing team in the 1930s and is the name of the movie directed by George Clooney135. The team consisted of nine working-class young men who achieved great success in the rowing world and represented the United States at the 1936 Berlin Olympics12.…
Once upon a time, in the realm of sailing, the United States found itself in a drought at the Olympics, unable to secure victory in any event. Amidst this struggle, U.S. Sailing faced scrutiny for missteps and law suits that hindered the interest of American athletes. Meet a fictitious character that succeeds anyway.
Jack and his crew of fellow Sea Scouts spent countless hours on the water, learning the art of rowing And the science of seamanship. They learned how to keep the boat steady in rough waters, how to work together to maintain speed and direction, and how to use their collective strength and skill to win races and flotilla competitions. And they learned more.
A Macgregor 26X sailboat, launched in late October, Cruising the lake, a journey to remember. Freedom not available to the mansion bound. A chance to escape, to be unbound. The Macgregor 26X sailboat, a beauty to behold, A trailerable sailer, a story to be told. Introduced in 1995, a design so fine, Lets toast her builder With Washington beer and wine.
Sir Thomas Lipton, a knight so grand, in the tea trade made his name, His legacy in the Lipton Cup, added to his fame. From the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, to Seattle’s bustling bay, His influence on the sailing world, is still felt to this day. So here’s to Lipton, Geary, Monk, and the clubs that bear their mark, To the Spirit of Seattle, and the yachts that sparked a spark. In the annals of the sailing world, their stories brightly glow, A testament to the passion, that only sailors know.
I sailed from Seattle to Olympia, A journey of wonder and delight, Stopping at ports along the way, To see the sights and take in the light. First, I stopped at Blake Island, A state park with trails and beach, Then on to Penrose Point, A place that’s within easy reach. Next, I sailed to Jarrell Cove, A state park with a beach and trails,
And then to Boston Harbor, A small community with a marina that never fails. Finally, I arrived in Olympia, A city with a harbor so grand,
I hiked for beer made of artesian water, And walked the boardwalk at the Olympia Yacht Club, so grand.
In Barcelona’s waters, the Cup will take place, With hopes for technology to advance the recreational sailing space. Hydraulic mechanisms that replace winches, And electronics that trim sails without glitches.