I have decided to write a column every month about what I see going on in the boat world. I encourage suggestions from anyone interested, so please respond by e-mail to bump@newwaveyachts.com. I look forward to your thoughts and comments.

First I would like to congratulate Judd Smith for his 2006 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Award. This is one of the highest awards in sailing and he certainly deserved it.

Judd grew up sailing in Marblehead. I have sold him boats and raced with and against him many times. I feel slightly better now for all the times he beat me when we battled against each other with our Aerodyne 38s.

In 2001 I won the PHRF-NE championships with my Aerodyne 38 "Loonatic". Wednesday night racing and weekends I was having a lot of success. Meanwhile Judd is quickly getting up to speed with his new Aerodyne 38 and suddenly I'm coming in second to Judd, about 6 to 9 seconds per mile off of Judd's pace. So there I am thinking I really have my program together and have great boat speed. Judd comes along and bursts my balloon.

So back to the drawing board for "Loonatic": new sails, haul the boat and wet sand the bottom again, focus on better crew work.

Judd continued to beat me more than I beat him throughout 2002 and 2003, but he definitely upped my game, forced me to go faster and helped me to realize there is always a way to improve your performance. No matter how quick you think you are you can go faster. Judd won the PHRF-NE championships in 2003 and we were second. I was proud to be second to Judd.

Remember this story the next time you think "if only my PHRF rating was 3 or 6 seconds better..."
 
Bump Wilcox