Hi, Nolan.
On 15 Dec 95 Nolan Penney writes to Rich Little:
 RL>> I expect that what you guys have been talking about (plastic
 RL>> covered styrofoam sailboat) was probably a "Snark".  They're
 RL>> marketed by Sears, come in two sizes ... small and smaller, and
 RL>> one of those things.
 NP> Snark's their own company, not a subsidiary of Sears.
    Yes, I know.  Sears is still the place where you'll find one most easily.
    Well ... it used to be, anyway.  I don't really know if they still carry 
them or not.
 NP> They currently make about eight models, all the way up to
 NP> a 14 footer.  Which is still light enought to be roof topped.
 NP> They've got racing models to compete with the Lasers,
    I think I'd have to see that to believe it.  How do you suppose they'd do 
against my Hobie 16?
 NP> puddle
 NP> jumpers to play with in summer camp, and some open water
 NP> types designed for bays.
    With the same type of plastic covered styrofoam hulls?  After some of the 
experiences I've had sailing Bogue and Albemarle Sounds I believe I'd rather 
be in something a bit stouter.  :-)
 NP> Does it show that I was at a show recently looking at
 NP> itty-bitty boats? 
    Indeed.  I haven't ever seen any of their larger models.  For that matter 
I've only seen one and a half other Snarks at all.  Both of them were the 
"Super Snark" model.  The half had floated up to shore at a swimming area on 
a lake near here, where it became a popular playtoy with the younger set. 
(note: see above. :-(  )
    The other was being mishandled by a very sweet older couple who were as 
clueless about sailing as anyone I've ever seen.  I felt a little bit bad 
about it, because my 12 year old hopped off our Hobie when we beached, and 
went over to visit with them.  They had brought (well ...  dragged, actually) 
the Snark back in, very frustrated about not getting anywhere, and my boy 
asked if he could take it out.  Five minutes later he was doing figure eights 
about twenty yards offshore, and the poor folks that the boat belonged to 
appeared somewhat embarrassed.  They only seemed marginally better about 
things after I explained that he had started sailing Snarks more than five 
years ago.
                                  RSL
--- GEcho 1.00
---------------