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"The future, according to some scientists, will be exactly like the past, only far more expensive." -- John Sladek

182--California: Sailing on Stars and Stripes @ CherieSpotting     Feb 05 2004 - 20:37 PST cherie writes: America's Cup boats are not just for the sailing elite anymore. Next Level Sailing, in San Diego, owns two America Cup boats. For $99 you can go out for an afternoon daysail on Stars and Stripes. The 80-foot yacht effortlessly glided along at 12 knots zigzagging through San Diego Bay--dodging the warships. Sherry and I got on the grinder and helped raise 4000-square-feet of sail. Watching the main raise 116 feet into the air took my breath away. The next thing we knew--Sherry and I were driving! Good thing there were two wheels so we didn't have to fight! Troy, the owner of Next Level Sailing, bought the America's Cup boats in April 2003 because he wanted to give the average person a chance to sail a yacht like Stars and Stripes. "I also wanted to maintain the legacy of America's Cup in San Diego," owner Troy said. Sherry and I spent the afternoon tacking through the bay on the 56,000-pound yacht. "I can't believe I'm really doing this," exclaimed Sherry. Troy said that he's been taking the public on Stars and Stripes since July 2003. To date--no one has gotten sick. Troy's policy is: If you lose your lunch, he'll replace it! Click on each picture to see it full size. read comments (1) | write comment| views: 8297    | rated: 0.0    printer-friendly version   Cherie at the helm of America's Cup boat "Stars and Stripes." *Photo by Sherry Lynn takes off the sail cover before we leave the dock. Stars and Stripes meets Sherry and Cherie. Lynn has to get in the bosen's chair just to take the main sail cover off. The transom gleaming in the crisp winter sun. "Stars and Stripes" crew Lynn and Richard. Now we're ready to sail! Just another beautiful day on the bay. It took six people on the grinders to get the 300 pound mainsail hoisted. Double trouble--Sherry and Cherie on the grinder. Lynn and Troy of Next Level Sailing. Time to hoist the jib. Cruising along at 12 knots. Now we're sailing! *Photo by Sherry That winch is the size of a bar stool! Sherry at the helm. Checking the sail's trim. Who said size doesn't matter? Women's work. Cherie driving. Look out for the warship! According to the GPS we hit 12 knots. "Stars and Stripes" goes faster than the warship in the bay. Sherry is all smiles. Sailing near the USS Midway. Cherie on the grinder. *Photo by Sherry. Just two ships passing in the day. The mast is 116-feet high. The inside of a racing sail. Cherie at the helm. We were flying 4000 square feet of sail. Sherry and Cherie. That's one happy woman at the helm.