[L16-usa] Luders - Dim Lights

[Sturgis Haskins]

ANY NEWS ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS FLEET?

As our national officers seems a mute lot, I wonder if anyone else might
have news of the fate of the Southern Yacht Club Luders fleet?

We wish the survival of this old fleet and hope for the best. As I recall,
they, together with Chicago, began in 1945 - though I am not certain about
this.
Were our leaders not so disengaged (OOPS..) from their Luders newsgroup, we
might had some preliminary information. (Rarely a peep on any front here.)

Eventually, it would be nice - for our own information as, too, the
historical annals - to have a boat by boat accounting of their fate. 

Lunging on another tack, the Mount Desert Island and Frenchman's Bay fleets
have given accounts of their August series and we await similar reports from
Chicago and the West Coast. Could the series listing include boat names,
sail numbers and skippers of all entrants?  

Some of us were disappointed that the Frenchman's Bay fleet was not accorded
fleet status. It is true only two Luders raced actively this season (in the
local club's handicap class), but there are about 5 other Luders on the bay
and another is en route from a distant State. Given the rather tenuous
nature of the national organization, one should imagined they would have
tilted toward the hopeful.   In contrast, It is curious that Bermuda is
allowed entry into the nationals (does anyone seriously believe this event
should be labeled "international?"), presuming some official status.  Likely
this is because the owner of the Bermuda Luders had shipped it to Chicago
several years ago  where our quiescent national secretary is said to race
it. The Bermuda fleet has, I am told, not raced in years. This entry is
rather pushing the limits of credibility and, indeed, seems more padding
than anything else. But I don't mind - though their seems a double standard.

The national Luders class is, of course, fading ( cautiously I replaced
"dying."). In light of the annual meeting's decision to deny Mount Desert
Island the right to host the 60th anniversary nationals (where it was first
held), we can see why the class is so moribund. This decision was not
logical, it was spiteful. Mount Desert Island has not only the largest, most
active fleet, it, together with its sister fleet, are the only  ones
actually getting larger.  We in the provinces are quite aware that our
nationals officers make little effort to remain in contact with these pages
(which could be used to great advantage one would think.)  The little annual
parade between New Orleans and Chicago will continue each year (or so), but
even that seems in doubt as the formers bout with Katrina remains uncertain.
However, we wish everyone well and hope that the occasional noisy darts will
keep them awake.

Tom Rolfes, Vice Fleet Captain, of the Mount Desert Island fleet has been
hospitalized lately for triple by-pass surgery. We here owe him much for his
considerable effort in bringing new additions to our fleet from Mississippi.
His great house, Some View, has been a favored meeting place both for Luders
meetings and that of Club post-race teas - and, indeed, this year's annual
meeting for both groups.  We wish him - and Ginny - well in the coming
weeks. 

Rumor that at least two races were held in the September series, but due to
Tom's absence and that of several others (I was on the Isles of Shoals for a
week), no more races will be held. (Though I am uncertain if that is true.)
Luders remaining afloat will be participating - we hope! - in the annual
International One-Design's Columbus Day weekend Trollphy Race.  The winners
received hideous prizes (An awful troll for the IOD's.). Different rules
prevail for this event, the season's final, races. The leading boat cannot
use a spinnaker  (in a close downwind match, one can imagine the frequent
hauling up and down of spinnakers as leads change) and only old sails can be
used. All in great fun. An after-race pot-luck  supper is held mid
considerable frivolity.)

Following my decision not to race on a regular basis next summer, Ondine has
been sold by its owner, Ann Waldron. The new owner assures that she will
compete on a regular basis.  Her family owns one of the most extraordinary
antique auto collections in the Country. Two Herreshoff Bullseyes, built for
her family c1930, remain under family ownership to this day.  We welcome the
new owner to our ranks! 

Cheers.






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