Yngling

Today I sailed a boat called a Yngling.   It's a great little boat -- 21', but feels smaller.  It's a bit crowded for three people, at least compared to the spacious Etchells I am used to.  (An Etchells is 22' on the waterline, but has a long overhanging bow and stern, so its total length is 30.5'.  A big difference.)   It's refreshingly uncomplicated compared to an Etchells -- far fewer lines underfoot.  The mast is way less bendy and there just aren't so many things to think about.  The boat turns quickly, much more quickly than an Etchells.  It's hardly as beautiful or complex or wonderfully intriguing as an Etchells.  But really fun.  It's light and responsive and the crew's weight makes a big difference, so you can (and must) muscle it around like a dinghy -- hiking out to flatten the boat, rolling it to windward to tack, etc. 

I did manage to bonk my head really hard during a tack, hard enough that I hollered a swear word very loud.   And then later I bonked my left knee on a bolt or an eyestrap, so hard that I sat quietly in the center of the boat for about thirty seconds trying not to cry.  There's a big ugly mean bruise on the center of the kneecap, and it hurts to bend or straighten my knee. 

There will be racing all winter.  These boats are lovely.  I think I'll go a lot, although it will be hard to do and also do my long marathon training walks.  The day was reasonably warm, and being outside in the wind and on the water for hours feels great.  I have a nice, bruised, windblown kind of exhaustion going now. 

Comments

[Susannah]

Do a campaign!!!!

[Greg Sankey]

Just bought a Yngling. Never sailed it. I live in Seattle and due to canals I need to mount a kicker on the back. 3hp Have you heard of a outboard bracket for the yngling. I know this seems insane for a daysailer but with all the canals and bridges everyone here uses a kicker on the back. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Greg Sankey