We don't stop sailing because we get old
by Steve Cockerill, Rooster Sailing 28 Nov 2006 07:35 GMT
We get old because we stop sailing!
Written by a 75+ year old who’s in love with dinghy sailing still!
Having reached the young age of 75+years, diagnosed of having angina in January 2006, - a stent fitted April 2006, I decided that in addition to the somewhat challenging Albacore I required a single-handed boat which would be kinder to an elderly gentleman.
I have been racing competitively for more than 40 years, mainly in Albacores at club, national and international level. Sailed and raced cruisers, single-handed boats - Finn, Europe, Supernova, Laser (full and radial rig) and currently race a modern FRP Albacore.
I had the good fortune of knowing Steve Cockerill of Rooster Sailing who introduced me to the Streaker by loaning me the demo boat for evaluation. In September 2006, I raced the Streaker twice in force 5-6 winds in Chichester harbour. The boat showed exemplary manners with its stayed mast and uni-rig sail plan, low weight, low grunt factor, good positive rudder response, and most of all it was very kind to an older helmsman (no capsizing even in those winds) and on handicap finished in a very creditable position. Sailing a Streaker is infectious, once you have tried it nothing else is quite the same, lots of fun, easy to handle (on land or water) no matter how old or inexperienced the helm might be.
Verdict: 'This is a great little boat'
Streaker demos are available at by calling the Rooster Streaker Demo Line - 01243 574485
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