14 Questions to … Doug Hart

Doug Hart, Snipe Sailor from San Diego - 1) Your first time on a sailing boat? I first sailed in 1959 on an old Flying Dutchman sailboat with my father on a very large lake in Nebraska. I was 6 years old. - 2) Your first time on a Snipe? My first time in a Snipe was borrowing my good friend, Bob Jackman's Snipe in 1985 for a sail on Mission Bay in San Diego. I had been sailing Windsurfers for the past 10 years and was excited to sail in a boat with a very competitive and friendly reputation. - 3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta? I remember a College National regatta in 1976 sailed in Lasers at Kings Pont New York where the wind died on the run (Windward - Leeward course). The 2 knot current was going in the same direction as the wind (before it died). The entire fleet was carried beyond the leeward mark. At about the same time as the last boat drifted abeam the leeward mark, the wind came up from the same direction and the fleet positions turned inside out. Sometimes it is better to be last !!! ...

14 Questions to … Doug Hart Image

Doug Hart, Snipe Sailor from San Diego

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

I first sailed in 1959 on an old Flying Dutchman sailboat with my father on a very large lake in Nebraska. I was 6 years old.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

My first time in a Snipe was borrowing my good friend, Bob Jackman’s Snipe in 1985 for a sail on Mission Bay in San Diego. I had been sailing Windsurfers for the past 10 years and was excited to sail in a boat with a very competitive and friendly reputation.

– 3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta?

I remember a College National regatta in 1976 sailed in Lasers at Kings Pont New York where the wind died on the run (Windward – Leeward course). The 2 knot current was going in the same direction as the wind (before it died). The entire fleet was carried beyond the leeward mark. At about the same time as the last boat drifted abeam the leeward mark, the wind came up from the same direction and the fleet positions turned inside out. Sometimes it is better to be last !!!

 

– 4) What is the thing that most angers you in a race/regatta?

Making mistakes that I have made in the past. I lose patience with myself when I do that.

– 5) Which is the race/regatta that you remember with the most pleasure?

I like to see practice and effort result in good results.

I remember sailing the 1995 Snipe Worlds in Rimini, Italy. Jon Rogers and I had worked very hard to prepare for the regatta. Jon did a great job and if it had not been for a few unlucky breaks, we might have won that event. In the end, one of my favorite mentors, Santiago Lange, won convincingly.

– 6) And the race/regatta you would like to forget?

See question 3

– 7) Your “dream in the peak”? (Your sailing dream?)

Retire from work and sail more. I would love to travel more frequently to places like Nassau which has often eluded me due to work constraints.

I would also like to sail more in places like the British Virgin Islands. I may be too old to start a Kiteboarding career 🙂

– 8) Sailing goals for 2015, and beyond?

This year my goal is to win the Snipe Nationals in San Diego and to make it to Talamone for the Snipe Worlds.

– 9) The most important people for you in sailing and in the Snipe?

The Snipe Class has a very special place in my heart because of the people. There are far too many to even begin to list. I have never met a Snipe sailor that was not willing to help others. It does not matter whether it is a tuning tip, advice, housing, chartering or a beer at the bar. Snipe sailors make the Snipe class special.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

After sailing many different boats at the Naval Academy, I sailed Sailboards for 10 years. It was great fun and very physical but sailing solo wasn’t my favorite part of the sport. When I moved to San Diego,, I began looking for a boat that I could sail with others. I chose the Snipe because I wanted a boat that would allow me to sail with my girlfriend, Beth. We married a few years later so I knew that I had chosen the correct sail boat. 🙂

– 11) Your perfect sailing venue and your perfect sailing conditions?

I love sailing in breeze but San Diego is normally not the place to sail if you want wind. Fortunately, Long Beach is a short drive so I drive up there when I need to get a wind fix.

I will never forget Mar Del Plata, Argentina where the waves are bigger than the houses!!! Amazing sailing.

– 12) Besides sailing which other sport do you practice?

I like to ski, play tennis and occaisionally hit a golf ball or two.

– 13) Are you superstitious?

Not at all. I finish 13th all the time 🙂

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

Sailing and travel with time to get off the beaten path. I prefer travelling away from the crowds.

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