14 Questions to … Eric Heim
Eric Heim, sailmaker and Snipe sailor from San Diego - 1) Your first time on a sailing boat? On a boat: At a few weeks old, my mom took me on the Race Committee boat (40 ft Catamaran) for the Freestyle 474 Nationals that my dad was sailing. First time sailing: probably tied to the mast of my moms windsurfer ;) - 2) Your first time on a Snipe? A friend was leaving California and selling his Snipe. The price went down $100 every week. I waited until 2 days before he left and got his Phoenix (Mud Flap Girl) from him for $700. It was probably 1998 or so. First regatta was in Alamitos Bay. My good friend Nathan crewed for me because I thought it may be windy. The boat broke a lot and we probably only finished 2 races, well behind. The next regatta was Mission Bay, and that is when I first met George Szabo. He helped me set the rig up properly even though I had Ullman Sails (who I worked for at the time, and did not tell him). - 3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta? We sailed the J-24 North Americans in San Francisco. Broke the rudder on Day 1, so packed up and went home. We ordered a new rudder and it arrived. Fitted it, then went to Santa Barbara for the next regatta. We started to put the mast up, but could not figure out what was wrong with the tuning. We kept turning the turnbuckles, but could not get any tension on the gauge. Went below to make sure the butt was on the right spot and noticed that the deck was about 1" away from the main bulkhead! Decided that it would be light air and the boat was insured, so we raced the series anyways. We were so fast in under 7 knots that we almost won the regatta! We learned from this and changed our light air tuning for the future with good success.
Eric Heim, sailmaker and Snipe sailor from San Diego
– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?
On a boat: At a few weeks old, my mom took me on the Race Committee boat (40 ft Catamaran) for the Freestyle 474 Nationals that my dad was sailing. First time sailing: probably tied to the mast of my moms windsurfer 😉
– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?
A friend was leaving California and selling his Snipe. The price went down $100 every week. I waited until 2 days before he left and got his Phoenix (Mud Flap Girl) from him for $700. It was probably 1998 or so. First regatta was in Alamitos Bay. My good friend Nathan crewed for me because I thought it may be windy. The boat broke a lot and we probably only finished 2 races, well behind. The next regatta was Mission Bay, and that is when I first met George Szabo. He helped me set the rig up properly even though I had Ullman Sails (who I worked for at the time, and did not tell him).
– 3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta?
We sailed the J-24 North Americans in San Francisco. Broke the rudder on Day 1, so packed up and went home. We ordered a new rudder and it arrived. Fitted it, then went to Santa Barbara for the next regatta. We started to put the mast up, but could not figure out what was wrong with the tuning. We kept turning the turnbuckles, but could not get any tension on the gauge. Went below to make sure the butt was on the right spot and noticed that the deck was about 1″ away from the main bulkhead! Decided that it would be light air and the boat was insured, so we raced the series anyways. We were so fast in under 7 knots that we almost won the regatta! We learned from this and changed our light air tuning for the future with good success.
– 4) What is the thing that most angers you in a race/regatta?
Competitors who are unsportsmanlike. The thing I enjoy about sail boat racing and the Snipe Class in particular is the mutual respect we have for one another even in fierce competition. We always sail tough, but fair. When someone does not respect this code, it makes me not respect them as a friend on shore.
– 5) Which is the race/regatta that you remember with the most pleasure?
Sailing a Lido 14 regatta with my wife Aimee. It was getting near the final time limit for racing on the last day. We were leading the regatta, but not sure if we needed to sail the last race. The wind had died, so the Race committee had postponed in hopes of one more race. We have a condition here in Southern California called Santana Wind (Devil Wind in Spanish), that blows from the deserts, over the mountains with great anger. Sometimes 60-70 knots. I saw the black line of breeze coming down the bay and we headed for shelter behind some big motor boats, but when the gust hit, 4 boats and us lost the masts over the side. I was very unhappy. Then, the Race Committee put up the “N over A” signal (abandon for the day) and we had won the regatta! Now we were happy, even though the mast and sails were in the water.
– 6) And the race/regatta you would like to forget?
None of them. We are lucky to get to participate, and even when things do not go well, there are many lessons to be learned. That is how we improve.
– 7) Your “dream in the peak”? (Your sailing dream?)
Crewing for my daughter Lorelei when she wins the Snipe Worlds! Or taking a month to go cruising with my wife and daughter on a nice sailboat somewhere warm.
– 8) Sailing goals for 2013, and beyond?
2013: Qualify and sail in the Star Worlds here in San Diego. Build the Snipe Fleet 495 even more. We have lots of great Junior sailors who we are introducing to the Snipe. All of the local Yacht Club Junior Directors and coaches are very helpful; Chris Wright, John and Aine Fretwell, etc.
Beyond: Continue to travel to great Snipe events all over and sail with my friends. I love that I can show up in Norway, or Italy, or Miami and feel like I am always welcome to stay with my Snipe family and race against them all day, then go back to their house and talk Snipe sailing with them all evening until we must go to bed so that we can do it again the next day!
– 9) The most important people for you in sailing and in the Snipe?
#1, My wife Aimee, who has put much of her sailing on hold to raise our family. She never complains when I go, but does leave me a list of housework whenever I return.
#2, My Boss and friend Mark Reynolds, who has supported my Snipe habit for the past few years. He is a wealth of knowledge and guidance in all my sailing.
#3, Snipe Legends (past, present and future); Earl Elms, Jeff Lenhart, The Old Man, George Szabo, Peter Commette, Augie Diaz, Andy Pimental, Birger Jansen, Jimmie and Lori Lowe, Carol Cronin and Kim Couranz, Giovanni Stella, Pietro Fantoni, Jerelyn Biehl, Hal Gilreath and all the rest of you…..
– 10) Why the Snipe?
It is the best all around one design that I can afford to compete in. You must be a completely well rounded sailor. Boat prep, tuning, starts, boat speed, tactics, teamwork, fitness. If anything is lacking, it shows up immediately. There is no free lunch and no easy pass in the Snipe. You must work at it and focus. That, and the people.
– 11) Your perfect sailing venue and your perfect sailing conditions?
Venue: Nassau, Bahamas. All tied for second are South Bay San Diego, Cervia (Piada), outside Alamitos Bay, and Dana Point.
Conditions: Light- Medium, flat water with a little ocean swell for surfing downwind, puffy and a few shifts to keep it interesting. Warm water and no spraytop.
– 12) Besides sailing which other sport do you practice?
Chasing a toddler around is a sport. I golf when there is time and enjoy the mental aspect of it. I used to do a lot of downhill skateboarding for the adrenalin, but am older, wiser and more responsible these days. Need to get back out surfing and snowboarding in the next few years as my daughter grows up and becomes more active.
– 13) Are you superstitious?
A little. No green sail numbers. I try to get into a routine during a regatta as it helps keep me calm. I also try to have apples on the boat to eat. I get ready to sail after Carol Cronin, who gets ready after Peter Commette. If one of them is not at an event, it throws the whole balance off…
– 14) Your perfect holiday?
A week exploring Italy with my family, Piada Cup, Bareboat Charter in Croatia before the Kvarner Cup, sail that, then fly back to the east coast USA and ride the train back home to San Diego. My dog will miss us.
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