On Sunday October 6 I had a chance to sail with Jonathan McKee and Chris Lanzinger on Country Comfort an 18 foot skiff which they sailed in Australia with Jonathan’s brother Charlie. For those of you who do not know the McKees, they are both Olympic medalists in sailing and are very active in both local PHRF and dingy racing.
The 18 foot skiff is not your normal boat either. Looking much like an I-14 on steroids it boasts a 7+ foot bowsprit, large wings on the sides and three trapezes, one for each crew member. 18 sailing is not for the weak of heart or the railmeat that thinks 8 feet is a long way to run. On the 18 it’s a sprint of 18 feet, if you lose your balance there is a good chance you’ll end up in the water. It’s an odd feeling to look in toward the boat and realize that your head is a good 10 feet from the edge of the boat, then to look back at the other 2 crew members both out on their trapezes and realize that it’s only blowing 4-5 knots.
I would recommend that if you are ever offered a chance to either sail on one of these great boats, or with one of these great sailors, to jump at the chance.
Nathan CampbellI would like to thank Jonathan McKee, Charlie McKee and Chris Lanziger for taking Nate sailing on their Aussie 18. They donated the sail as a fund raiser in support of the TASAR World Championships held at Hood River, Or. on Sept. 20-26. By the way Jonathan and Libby McKee won the event with a score of 18 points. The next closest was Charlie with a score of 64.75. This was in a field of 65 boats. Thanks again.
Bruce Campbell, Woodstock