A Clark Mills Complete Circle

[dbybe]

I just realized that my new to me Sun Cat was designed by Clark Mills, the same designer of my first sailboat in 1974, a Windmill Class sailing dinghy.  (With a Drascombe Dabber and a C-Dory 22 in between)  I used to sail the Windmill single handed.  Being 6'-5" and just under 200 lbs (then) the boat really moved and planned easily.  Now, with my Sun Cat, I am ready for some easy going sailing days with the tiller in one hand and a cool drink in the other.  Life changes at 73. 

[Jim in TC]

Nice symmetry! The Sun is indeed an easy craft at our age...though my sailing buddy up the street considers small craft advisories to be the weather service's way of recommending a trip out.

[deisher6]

Hey dbybe:
How interesting, I learned to sail with a Windmill #150 back in the early 1960's.  Probably not the best sailboat for a youngster to learn to sail, but a buddy and I and some books made it work.  I have owned a Snipe and sailed several Special Services Lightenings, none of which seemed to be as responsive.

Some of the lessons learned:  It is much easier to rig the boat on the trailer than at the dock,  oh yeah watch out for trees once you start rigging it in the parking lot:  the side stays were fastened to a bulkhead with what resembled a large stainless steel safety pin,  I lost one and replaced it with a finishing nail that I found in the parking lot.  The nail bent and the stay pulled out under stress.  It was the first time that I was ever dis-masted.

Good times.

regards charlie

[Bub]

Ah yes, the Windmill Class. Hot boat indeed! My sailing journey starts with a wooden Sailfish circa 1964, then Windmill #1674 In 1966, then several Sunfish, competitive racing, then a Snipe and an O?Day Mariner from early 80s till I bought a beautiful used SunDay Cat in 2018. Great boat but at my age I may reluctantly put her on the Market. All great memories, racing and cruising. Non-Sailors have no idea what they are missing!!