This brought back memories of when I used to sail on our little Sunfish on Winni. I tried not to go out when the wind was light, sensing the inevitable floppy sails. But Winni's winds are sporadic, and not always predictable. After being on a better sailboat, larger and taller mast, I quickly saw the difference. Hobi Cats began to appear, and I lusted after them.
I have a lot more experience now witnessing sailboat races, as we have many of them that leave the bay every weekend. Lots of smaller boats for beginners, Laser class, up to much larger craft. I've watched intently when I had the chance, as they deal with crossing waves from cruisers and other boats, in addition to the windy chop. I've never noticed much of a problem for the sailboats, even with the other boaters that, IMO, are way too close and leaving too large a wake. I know what their routes are, and how their courses are laid out, so I always leave the bay in a way as to be gone quickly without interfering, and leaving as small a wake as possible. The ones that are in the way, are those plowing along with big wakes, which goes on for quite awhile.
I have noticed one thing during the races days. They typically don't go out on dead calm water, leaving themselves to wallow in the water with sails flapping. It's a rare day here indeed when there's calm seas, but they do happen. Malletts Bay is the true acid test for how sailboats of all sizes deal with powerboat and wind waves. Doesn't seem to be a problem at all, at least as I've observed. And believe me, on race weekends, this Bay is quite chaotic.
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