![[ralph]](../icons/face-48x58.jpg){kind=icon}
Ralph L. Vinciguerra - ralph@vinci.org - http://vinci.org/rlv
|
|
Yachting Resume
Ralph L. Vinciguerra - ralph@vinci.org - http://vinci.org/rlv |
I have been sailing since 1973 when my family purchased a C&C Shark when I was 15 years old. We quickly became a "sailing family" and over the years acquired larger yachts, and took more extensive voyages. I also have had opportunities to crew on an assortment of sailboats in different areas and races. Most of my nautical and navigational knowledge has come from hands-on training from my father Frank R. Vinciguerra. And, he not only passed on his knowledge of seamanship (and a copy of Chapman's), but he also taught me to execute all manner of repairs and maintenance on yachts. The list below highlights different time periods in reverse chronological order. The pictures shown are representative, with the exception of the first two: the Blue Angel and the yacht club.
In 2001 I purchased the
"Blue Angel", that I had been sailing on with
my family since 1978. I sail this classic 32 foot fiberglass sloop
with my wife and 2 daughters, regularly cruising in Boston Harbor
and along the New England coast.
We often anchor off the harbor islands to spend the night aboard
enjoying island hiking and harbor sunsets.
We participated in Boston Harbor Islands Regatta in 2005 and 2006.
We voyaged from Boston to Martha's Vineyard in 2003 and 2006.
I have performed extensive renovations on the yacht myself including:
fresh water cooling retrofit to the Atomic 4 auxiliary, head gasket replacement,
mast rewiring, spreader reconstruction, and rudder renovation.
I also worked directly with the Boston Bay Marina for a complete deck and
hull refinishing, taking responsibility for all deck hardware renovation and
remounting, and paint selection and masking.
My family purchased a Pearson Vanguard in 1978 and we sailed out of
the
Poughkeepsie Yacht Club
in Hyde Park, NY, where we were members.
In the summer, we would sail down to Long Island Sound via the Hudson River
and Hell Gate.
I was invited to crew aboard the Coast Guard Academy's Luders 44 fleet
for 2 races, where my brother was active on the sailing team.
While a student at MIT I took advantage of inexpensive access to their
sailing fleet on the Charles River.
I was certified on Tech Dingy and the Laser.
Use of the Tech Dingy required a basic
sailing course, use of the Laser required execution of sailing circuit
with the Tech Dingy in 20 knot winds.
I participated in Naval Reserve Officers Training Corp. team for a
racing series using 420s at the New York
Maritime Academy, while a student at the University of
Pennsylvania.
As family's second sailboat, we used this sloop cruising and racing
along the Hudson River, and in Long Island Sound. It's shoal draft centerboard
design allowed us to explore the river extensively. We also participated
in a Poughkeepsie Yacht Club racing series each season. I was helmsman
in these competitions.
The Poughkeepsie Yacht club maintained a small fleet of AMF/Alcort
Sunfishes which we used to learn how to maneuver in the Hudson River's
fickle winds and strong currents. I still own a sunfish, which I sail
on the nearby lakes in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
My family's first sailboat and our introduction to sailing was
the Shark. We started in Long Island Sound and eventually sailed her up to
stay at the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club along the Hudson River
where we became members.
My family's first introduction to yachting was as co-owners of a Chris Craft for
6 months. We used it for cruising along the Hudson River, but quickly realized
our future was under sail.