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SA's Saddest Event: The senseless murder of Peter Blake. Tragic on every level. He will be missed. photo courtesy Tom Zinn Photography

Best Designer courtesy R/P R/P Nauta 78. That's what I'm talkin' about

SA's Best Designer:
There really is no way not to have Reichel/Pugh at the top of the list. Their monopoly of the Turbo Sled market, their work at the upper end of the IRC/IMS Maxi boat arena, and their ability to capture and deliver in the Mega Yacht spectrum, leaves them on top at the end of the day. Plus they draw the coolest looking boats of anyone. John Reichel has an eye for what looks good.

SA's Worst Designer:
The problem here is that, like a lot of Worst categories, it's not so much that they're the worst, they just sort of suck. But what the hell, we've got to name someone, right? Then it simply has to be Leif Beiley. His early boats were average and his recent Bravura 29 is, what's the word I'm looking for, a pig. His work on the legendary Merlin has rendered it sort of a post-op transvestite, and add to the mix that you could not find a bigger chump than this douchebag. For those who care to learn more, go to the Archive section of this site and find the article Sore Loser. You'll see what I mean.

Dishonorable mention:
Bruce Nelson. As stated on these pages previously, you could not find a better sailor anywhere, but what has he done, design-wise for 2001? Sure the Sierra 26 seems fast, but what's the point of a $75,000 day sailor? It is not what it could have been. His IMS boats have been so-so, he's been shut out of the Turbo Sled action (no doubt because his normal sleds were so off the pace), and outside of the OD 35, I sure don't see many new Nelson boats around. There seems to be a lack of innovation and aesthetics in the Nelson camp. Certainly Bruce is talented and of course there are a whole bunch of guys way worse than him, but when so many of his peers are excelling, it is odd to find him deep in the fleet of designers.

SA's Best Sailmaker:

Quantum at work

A lot of ground has been covered in the world of sailmaking; that is, it's gotten crowded at the front of the field. It wasn't too long ago that you didn't dare get sails from anyone except the top lofts - it was just too risky. But in terms of design, materials and construction, the gap from the top on down has closed. Many of you have turned to 'the small guy" and reported that you have gotten great sails, and we don't doubt it. And of course the problem in naming the Best Sailmaker is that no one loft makes the best sails for every type of boat. But having said that, we're naming Quantum as the Best Sailmaker. They've taken the art of paneled sails to its highest form yet. They've continued their development and execution of the fastest spinnakers, (symmetrical and otherwise), on the planet, and they've set standards for dedication and service that are unmatched. Sure, they're spendy, and I know that some of you have run into less than favorable experiences with quotes and the like, but overall, their product, quality and innovation put them at the top, but just.

Honorable mention:
North Sails. Is there really any disputing the overall brilliance of 3DL? From concept to execution, it truly is the most advanced method of building light and strong sails. I know, there is still a big bullshit factor in the fact that they really are, in essence, paneled crosscut sails with threads laid on top. The North Hype Machine, as usual, would have you believe something else. However the execution is near flawless, and they have continually improved the product. For the most part, they've dominated many of the big boat classes (sheer numbers don't hurt this fact in the least), and of course it's all you see during the AC. Service, price and delivery remain a never-ending set of problems for the Evil Empire, though.

2nd Honorable mention:
Ullman gets a look here as well. I've got them on my little cruiser, and they are first rate in every way. Dave and some of his lofts do very nice work, (in particular, Gary Swenson's Ventura loft) and one could do much worse in choosing sails.

Sobstad on the cutting-edge. From their website. I swear.

SA's Worst Sailmaker:
Until Conrad finally shuts the door (and that can't be long) Sobstad wins this, hand down. A woefully inconsistent Genesis product, embarrassing delivery times, and non-existent service deservedly earn them this title. Plus Conrad selling out to North to end the lawsuit really showed what he was made of. They really do suck. Conrad will go down in history as a footnote on how to run a once great organization right into the ground. Georgia clay, I believe it is.

Dishonorable mention:
UK used to stand for Ulmer-Kolius, but now it is Ugly Kind and never has that been more appropriate. Their latest crop of Tape Drives leave me dizzy just looking at them. I guess they figure if they run the tapes from and to every imaginable place on the sail, that they'll get at least some of the tapes to do their job. Jesus! I suppose they deserve some credit for flogging this particular horse for so many years (and paying Conrad a royalty the whole time!), but the sailing community has never really bought into it. They're cheap, and built to stay that way. UK would almost never be anyone's first choice.

 

SA's Best Sailor:
You can see this one coming a mile away, can't you? Once simply one of a hand full of very talented sailors, he's now so clearly the best in the world. We are of course talking about John Kostecki. He wins everywhere he goes and what he's doing in the Volvo is further proof of our claim. Besides, given his stature, you couldn't find a nicer, more unassuming guy around. Anyone want to bet against him in the AC?

All Salute Scheidt! The next Big Thing?

Honorable mention:
A bundle of folks can be listed here. Mark Reynolds, Bertrand Pace', Russell Coutts. But we're giving it to Robert Scheidt. Nobody wins 7 of 11 races in route to winning his 5th Laser World title without being all that. It will be interesting to see how he parlays this into the Big Time. Oh, did we mention that his the Rolex Sailor of the Year?

SA's Worst Sailor:
We all know plenty of hacks. Especially hacks who think they're good and want you to think so too. So given that premise, we're giving this award to Tom Leweck, the Cumudgean. This prick has the biggest ego imaginable and yet has done virtually nothing on the water. Oh sure, you read about him (either from himself or his biggest cheerleader, Rob Moore from Latitude 38. More on him later) winning some Pro-Am regatta or something equally unimportant, but really outside of his tiresome self-promotion, he hasn't done jack.

Dishonorable mention:
Every PHRF blowhard at your club who wins because of his ass-kissing generated gift rating and/orhis ability to spend more than you. I know we need to name a "somebody" here, so let's throw Kimo Worthington in. Nobody has been more over-rated than him during his "career" and he hasvirtually disappeared for 2001. Hey Kimo, nobody missed you.

2nd Dishonorable mention: Lisa McDonald also gets a nod for her poor performance in the Volvo. Boy, that women's team idea sure is a good one, isn't it?

Lisa McDonlad: A League of Their Own? Photo creditRrickTomlinson

Best Race Boat TP 52 photo courtesy Alan Andrews

SA's Best Race Boat:
Plenty of boats could be named here, but for our money the Andrews TP 52 is the best. Clouds of sail, light and long waterlined, these things are unencumbered by conventional rules, and they absolutely haul ass. It is one of the first modern-era big boats that is conceived with the idea of just going fast, especially downwind. And it has given us an idea of what Alan Andrews can really do, design-wise. We dig it.

Honorable mention:
My first inclination was to go with the hottest IMS creation, some Botin and Carkeek design no doubt (I'm still a bit of a sucker for IMS boats), but I think the better choice is the R/P 75 designs, notably Pegasus. Fast and sexy, what's not to like?

POME's rule! The Ker 11.3m photo #2

2nd Honorable mention:
Jason Ker also gets a nod here with his impressive IRM boats, most notably the 11.3m. Guys that focus in one area and stand out, obviously have something going for them.

SA's Worst Race Boat:
Much like with sailmakers above, you've really got to work hard to be the worst. Is there such a thing? I mean we've all sailed on some pretty shitty boats, but the worst? I think the odds of getting a really bad boat in 2001 are very low, as opposed to say even 1991. Designers have figured out, basically, what works and what doesn't. So while we all know that some are better than others, I don't know if there is such a thing as worst boat. I'll tell you though what I think is the worst idea for a race boat in 2001, and that is Carroll Marine's decision to build the Farr 36 One Design. Okay it looks like it might be pretty cool, but what's the point? Don't they already build a 35' One Design? Is this their effort to kill the OD 35? It appears greedy, confusing and completely unnecessary.

Dishonorable mentions:
I think the Laurie Davidson designed Volvo 60 djuice has to get it. It's notably off the pace and perhaps a true showing of Davidson's real ability. No matter what anybody says, he can't carry Doug Peterson's jock. The Tripp designed race version of the Baltic 50 was a not a good boat either. But then again, what Tripp boats are good?

SA's Best Racer Cruiser:
A bit of an oxymoron by definition, damn few boats have ever really succeeded at this rather tall order. The one boat though, at least in the drawings and pictures that we've seen, that seems to have hit the nail on the head is the Thompson T870. Nicely proportioned with a slick interior, this would seem the way boats need to be for any sort of mass appeal. Factor in a price of about 60k for a New Zealand built boat with good design pedigree and true versatility, and I'd say you've got a winner.

Honorable mention:
I suppose the new J-145 fits the bill nicely, but frankly it's hard to get too revved-up about any J-Boat. The Farr 395 would look to have the rest of the fleet covered here, with the possible problems of high cost and potential build quality from Carroll Marine being the only real issues.

SA's Worst Racer Cruiser:
This seems to be a category that few designer/builders ever seem to get right. J-Boats get close, and the Santa Cruz 52 was near perfect, but that was a few years ago. It's amazing how little we've progressed. The new C&C 99 looks to be particularly awkward. Terrible deck layout and ergonomics, a rig design right out of 1979 and that all too familiar C&C look render this one very unimpressive. C&C, a name that never seems to go away, usually heralds the coming of their next great boat. And they usually disappoint. This one appears to be no different.

Dishonorable mention:
Just because you've hit an inside the park home run with your 40 footer, doesn't mean that you won't hit a weak single up the middle the next time, and that is what I'm seeing here. The new Beneteau 36.7 has a shorter fatter look that is less than appealing. They got away with it on the 40.7, sort of, but we're not sure with this one. Give it extra low marks for a tiny cockpit and too much weight.

SA's Best One Design:
Argue all you want, but the Farr 40 gets it. Marshalling so many owners (120 and counting) into one boat has been nothing short of miraculous. It's a good design with a well-managed class and good rules and limits on pros. Works on almost every level with the exception of cost, which does not seem to really be a factor for this well-heeled group.

Honorable mention:
I'd love to say there is a new exciting and cheap FU 30 that is really catching fire, but I ain't seein' it. By default in part and by recent unexpected growth, the J-105 wins this one. It is an average boat, now a bit long in the tooth, and wickedly expensive for what you get, but J-Boats can't make enough of 'em (500 plus). Can't argue with numbers, can you?

SA's Worst One Design:
The Soling wins. A terrible boat that wouldn't even exist if not for the Olympics. A couple of guys have built their careers on these things, but not many. Unlike the Star, nobody gives a rat's ass about these things. The Yngling gets a mention here because it is an even worse boat than the Soling.

Dishonorable mention:
OD 35. I don't care what John Wylie says (see this week's InnerView), this class is dying. Virtually no new boats are being built, used ones aren't selling and the fleets are shrinking. We believe critical mass has been reached. I think the Carroll/Nelson combination has run out of gas. See Carroll-built

2nd Dishonorable mention:
In SoCal, the Schock 35, a boat with huge disparities between the good ones and bad ones, is all but done. PHRF, here they come!

 

 

SA's Biggest Chump:
DC is the perpetual winner here, if for no reason other than he is such a self-serving schmuck. But this year, unlike years past, he has managed to mostly not look like a fool so we'll have to leave him alone. I'm sure he'll give us plenty of entertainment with NYYC in the coming months. This year, being the 1st for SA, has got to see the award for Biggest Chump go to my ex partner, Paul Bishop. It's not so much that he quit, hell, people quit all the time. But it's how and why that put him solely at the top of the Chump heap. Angry over an e-mail that I sent to Peter Conrad, Paul quit and has never had the simple courtesy of returning any of the e-mails or phone calls that I sent him. And I tried everything from "Hey c'mon buddy, let's get over it" to "Fuck you then". Nothing worked. He even closed his front door in my face when I tried to visit him. This from a good friend for something like 15 years! It's strange and bizarre behavior that only a true Chump would do, and it goes to show that one can never underestimate what complete assholes people can turn into. Unemployed, unwanted and unloved, Paul remains an iconoclastic island unto himself. Hey Paul, good times!

Dishonorable mention:
The most obvious choice would be Larry Ellison, but other than dump Cayard (and his ego), he's really done nothing all that chump-ish. Like Conner, expect more fireworks from him down the road. No, the second biggest Chump, again in our estimation, is Rob Moore, a hack for Latitude 38, an otherwise great rag. He'd always seemed like a decent guy in the past, but apparently got his panties in a major twist when we had the audacity to tell the truth about his boyfriends Peter Isler and The Cumudgeon. In fact, is there ever an article written by Moore that doesn't include a reference to either of those two? Here's an e-mail from Moore talking about me that we intercepted:

"Scot Tempesta is a bitter person who is burning a lot of bridges in San Diego with his personal ttacks on people (Leweck, Isler, Conner and many others) and things (PHRF, etc.). It isn't journalism, and no one in the industry expects it to last much longer. Scot has an occasional decent 'innerview', but most of it sounds like the rantings of a deranged and mostly ignored wierdo screaming at people from the street corner, shaking his fist at the world. That's just my opinion, of course. Cheers, R."

It isn't journalism? And your perpetual ass kissing of Leweck and Isler is? Hey Rob, it's called Sailing Anarchy for a reason, you idiot.

Seth Radow's Sydney 40T. That Bull looks pissed. photo credit Rich Roberts

SA's Best Effort:
This is close, but we're giving it to the little guy. Winning a 2,200 mile ocean race against a good fleet in your maiden effort is no easy task. When you do it with Steve Steiner as your navigator, well then you've really achieved something! Seth Radow, AKA Bull on our forum, did just that with his brand new Sydney 40 Bull. He put together a well thought-out plan and a meticulous program that left nothing to chance (well, except Steiner) with a boat modified specifically to win the TransPac. And win it he did. A great effort that really does earn the respect and admiration of all.

Honorable mention:
If the little guy rules, then Bruce Schwab is King. His Ocean Planet effort is nothing short of fantastic, and with enough support, he'll make it to the Vendee. And that just might see a little American ass kicking. Here's one guy I know we're all cheering for.

2nd Honorable mention:
In the Big Leagues, once again John Kostecki and Team illbruck are showing how you do it at the high-end of this sport. Their Volvo program is a blueprint for all to follow. Again, anyone care to doubt their AC effort?

SA's Worst Effort:
For 2001, the AmerToo program leads the way. A lack of planning, time and talent have rendered them so far off the pace as to be embarrassing. Add in some good cat fighting and you've got what it takes to earn this award.

Dishonorable mention:
The Craig McCaw owned OneWorld AC Challenge appears to be floundering nicely. Big money problems, internal strife and a bit of scandal make this team the one to watch and the one most likely to get booted early on. Enjoy the fun while it lasts.

SA's Best Regatta:
While there are plenty, it's got to be Key West, right? Great venue, great turnout, great parties. Besides, isn't coke legal there?

Mari Chai III at the Jubilee. Now that is a racer/cruiser! photo credit. Tom Zinn Photography

Honorable mention:
I suppose one must pay homage to the America's Cup Jubilee. I wasn't there and I don't know many who were, but to assemble that many great boats in one place is worth something. I'm just not sure what. It certainly gives the Gary Jobson's and John Burnham's of the world reason to hop up and down with joy.

2nd Honorable mention:
I've not done many this year, but at least here on the West Coast, the Gollison/North Sails Regatta in Long Beach is hard to beat: Good organization, and a good distance is kept from the usual PHRF bullshit.

SA's Worst Regatta:
This is a No Brainer - the morons at St. Francis Yacht Club in 'Frisco for waffling and then finally canceling the Big Boat Series in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. The boats were there, the people were ready to sail - just do it, for christ's sake.

Dishonorable mention:
I honestly don't know this one. The Hot Rum Series in San Diego is pretty god damn stupid, yet seems to attract the biggest turn out of any series. What does that say about our sport?

SA's Best Website:
There isn't one (webbdawg likes www.joecartoon.com). Quokka went away but it sucked anyway. Who the fuck wants to read the banal musings of Peter Isler?

Honorable mention: Sailing Anarchy. At least somebody is saying something. A little more content and there won't even be a close second.

SA's Worst Website:
The Sailing Source site blows. Add Scuttlebutt in there and you've really got a whole lot of nothing.

Dishonorable mention:
In no particular order - sails.com, yachtracing.com, and sailingworld.com. All of it a virtual waste of time.

SA's Best Discussion forum:
Easily the one found here. You all get it and that is exactly what I was hoping for.

SA's Worst Discussion forum:
Sailing World's. What a dull and near moribund place that is. The Politically Correct Police run it and make sure they keep the brothers down. Nice work. Except for the dry, pompous, and seemingly never-ending pontifications of Paul there is nothing there. Nothing.

Well, there you have it. That's our view from where we sit. We aren't likely to win any popularity contests, but then again that was never our goal. This has been a fun, if exhausting exercise. Again, nobody in this sport dares to call 'em like they see 'em. Except us. And that's why we're here. See ya.