During the 1960s, clubmember George Wayne Anderson actively campaigned his 40-ft Sparkman and Stephens designed wooden yawl named Allons. Formerly named Robin, she had once been the personal yacht of the legendary Ted Hood of Hood Sails. George flew the FBYC burgee on many high-profile ocean races with several FBYC members as regular crew sharing the glory. We are fortunate that George left a paper trail of his experiences in the Log of that era. His articles are distinguished, not only as a record of racing events, but also as a delightful commentary on the joys, frustrations, and practical aspects of racing an offshore yacht some four decades ago.

The following article appeared in the April 25, 1963 issue of the Log and was a prelude to later vignettes on the Annapolis to Newport and Bermuda Races that we will endeavor to reprint in future issues. J.D.

Have Gun Will Travel

By George Wayne Anderson

Allon - 1965

“Have Gun Will Travel, reads the card of a man”.... so go the words to the theme of the popular television series by the same name. How appropriate they are for the skipper of a racing, cruising boat. Have Boat Will Travel. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Brings to mind the turtle, carrying his house with him. But this house requires a little care. It doesn’t usually go by itself so that means people. People have to be fed and clothed, wined and bedded. It isn’t hard to conjure up the idea that you are running a fast second to the local boarding house.

Whether it is a jolly weekend on the Bay or an Atlantic crossing it takes a wee bit of planning. The rules in most ocean races specify enough food for the expected voyage plus two weeks. As usual, it is the fine point that gets you and this time it’s that two weeks. Have you the slightest idea how much food eight people can eat in two weeks? Granted it is supposed to be emergency rations, but to some of the starving Armenians I sail with emergency rations mean three squares a day but we can pass up the hors d’oevres at cocktail time. No wonder so many boats are for sale, hell, let the other guy worry about it.

When I bought Allons (French, allons: let us go, let’s go) in the spring of 1962, she was a compromise between a boat that would compete well on the Bay and a summer cottage. Virginia summers are hot and a crowded boat is no place to stay cool, so that meant some size. Size hurts in the light air of the Bay so we needed a plus --- a good designer and a fast boat. Sparkman and Stephens had the answer. Neried, formerly Robin – Ted Hood’s own boat. It presented quite a challenge.

I knew I must race her – you don’t retire a thoroughbred until her heart gives out – so from that moment on I set about learning her whims and trying to improve her. I had spent many an uncomfortable hour off watch below trying to sleep in a steaming cabin. A brief search found that Sears Mail Order Department had some rubber bladed 12-volt defroster fans for $7.14. I know the lady thought I was crazy but our watch below sleeps under gentle breezes. Running all night the fans don’t seem to drain a battery even though that would be a cheap price for a well-rested crew.

Next came sail changes. Experiment with this sail and then that. Which does the best in which wind? The average person would never realize what was happening, but each time out we would try another combination. Until the Annapolis Fall Series when I told them, I don’t believe the crew realized that pleasant cruises during the summer had actually been elimination matches. Cruising friends and a racing crew may, but not necessarily be, synonymous. Who is good on the foredeck? Who is good on the helm downwind? Who can make her point without pinching her? Make her go! Make her foot! It sounds like work but it is actually fun. Nothing is more exhilarating than when she picks up her skirts and flies. Regardless of the friendships involved every racing skipper owes it to the rest of his crew to fill every berth with the most capable men. My crew for the Annapolis-Newport run was mentally picked last October. The popular boating magazines carry pictures at every major race of potential crew members walking the docks, duffel in hand, looking for a berth and periodically there is a story of how to ship aboard. Barring a last minute illness or accident, I don’t think I’m far out on the limb when I say that any boat that completes its crew list at the last minute has absolutely no chance of winning. The skipper just did not plan.

For anyone interested in crewing on a racing boat may I pass on a word of advice? We skippers are not snobbish – just forgetful. All of us want to expand our potential crew lists, but a cocktail party is not the place to express interest. Spend four cents and send us a postcard with your name and phone number. I think you will be surprised at the results.

Last but definitely not least is that ole debble, the measurement rule. No matter how spry the filly, if you put too much weight on her, she ain'’t guina win. The Cruising Club of America Measurement Rule is not exact, but it is the closest the inhabitants of this planet have come to equalizing boats of every shape, size and description. It should never be taken lightly, never violated, but always studied. And everyone is willing to offer whatever help he can. A phone call to Colin Ratsey, whom I don't know from Adam, in 1961 helped me cut the rating on one boat from 28 to 27, and this winter I invested a couple of bucks in a call to Ted Hood that I hope will help me cut Allons rating from 29.5 to 28. Contrary to public opinion a boat does not go faster the more sail you put on her. There is a point of diminishing returns and the Rule points this out to hard headed skippers by penalizing the daylights out of you as you pass this point. There was an excellent article in January’s Yachting on the subject. The surgery that Allons will have to undergo consists of leaving one jib on the beach and trimming the drifter. Hardly enough for a general anaesthetic and yet a saving of 1 hour, 24 minutes in a 478 mile race.

Provision her, arrange leave for her crew and Allons could leave tomorrow. Except for the odds and ends our preparation is complete and we can enjoy the luxury of wondering how best to sail the race. The amazing thing is that it wasn’t hard. Rather than standing around the boat yard or sail loft on the first of June begging for a rush job, we will be out fine-tuning ourselves. Doug Gordon and I will share Watch Officer duties and Andy Sinnickson will navigate. We will try to give the competition a real run for their money and bring home the bacon for Fishing Bay. Of course, we wouldn’t be insulted if each of you carried a rabbit’s foot between June 22nd and 26th.