In an age where vast amounts of information are available with a few clicks, the subtleties of actually learning the correct way to do something are often taken for granted or even lost. Consequently, we too often rely on the work of faceless others to show us the ‘how-to’s’ in life. Luckily, there are still plenty of hands-on doers and mentors in sailing. These are the people that keep our sport thriving.

Editor’s note: For more than a year, we’ve been publishing Colin Rath’s “From the Log of Persevere” stories, in which he’s chronicling a worldwide cruise with his wife and three daughters.

What an amazing adventure! I always wanted to do this with my kids too, but one is in college already and the other two can’t agree on anything. I used to be a nanny and I speak broken Dutch. Too bad I’m stuck at my boring old job, or I’d want to be a tutor…Anyway, enjoy your adventures. We dullards back in the states are very impressed.

Margot Geitheim, via email

Editor’s note: In his most recent Coop’s Corner column, “Analog Digits,” Contributing Editor Joe Cooper asked whether inventions that purport to make sailing easier, such as “electronic sail trim,” are what sailors really need.

This is so correct. When I began sailing it involved me doing things: coordination, timing, analysis, figuring out where I was, and so on. It was pretty low-tech compared to what we have today, but at the time I thought Loran C was awesome and I still had to plot on a paper chart. Fast-forward to plotters and routes and dog knows what else the new electronics provide. I do have an autopilot, but one on which I program the heading, not some GPS. I don’t use routes because I sail and fetch one mark at time and 99.999% of the time I have ample time to set the next waypoint. My electronic ADDs are more or less “crew” for me.

Editor’s note: In our Holiday 2015 issue, Derek Rupe described how replacing the diesel engine in his 30-footer with an electric motor led to his founding a company, Captineer, to help others do the same. The letter below exemplifies the very positive response that “Watts Up”   has generated.

The other night, after a round of proofreading the magazine that you’re reading, I watched one of my favorite movies. In a scene from The Freshman, Matthew Broderick’s character Clark Kellogg is a college student thrust into a daunting situation after being robbed the minute he arrives in New York City to begin film school. Accepting a shady job from a would-be mafia boss in hopes of recouping some of his  loss and the web of issues it creates, Clark is clearly overwhelmed.

Tom Darling’s article, “Team Dolphin Takes the Vintage Day Racer Prize in the Opera House Cup,” rekindled fond memories for a reader who raced on this legendary Herreshoff Newport 29 for many years and admires the beautiful restoration by Donn Costanzo of Wooden Boatworks in Greenport, NY.

Congrats Team Dolphin…Donn, the boat looks great! I remember doing that race back in the 1970s with John Lockwood driving! The article should have included a paragraph about all of those wins! The Lockwood family of New Suffolk, NY owned, cared for and aggressively raced Dolphin from the late ‘40s thru the mid ‘90s (my dates might need a little tweaking) and should be recognized for making Dolphin the “Winningest Boat on the Water!”

Regards,

Ed Lesnikowski (crewmember early ‘70s through the early ‘90s), Mattituck, NY

Editor’s note: The Coop’s Corner article from our October issue, “Shop Closed, Gone Sailing” (posted at windcheckmagazine.com), discussed the freedom that sailing affords for beginners and ‘round-the-world racers alike.

Dear Sailors,

The 2016 Newport Bermuda Race will include new opportunities for high-performance yachts to compete in celebration of the 50th Thrash to the Onion Patch.

Palmer Johnson sailboat is headed to Haiti to help promote a tourism market on Haiti's north coast. The crew has experience in Haiti and is hoping to add as cargo used sails, lines,etc. to help support the local fisherman.

We are seeking donated equipment that we will distribute upon arrival. Vessel departing Brewers Marina, Branford, CT on November 7, 2015. Call 203 645 9745 or 203 488 5552 for pickup or additional information.   Tim Mangs

Sail Ahead’s first annual event, “Let’s Take a Veteran Sailing,” was by far a great success! Generously hosted by Centerport Yacht Club in Centerport, NY and with the participation of 80 veterans and over 200 skippers/crews/guests, we had 31 sailboats, two RIBS, and one helicopter.