At the International Dinghy Shop in Amityville, NY (Long Island) the 5o5 made itself known. There was a good turn out overall, including the Vanguard 15, JY15s (which was available to match race (if you like to play lawyer)) Opti, 29er, Johnson 18, O'Day Mariner, Vanguard 420, 470, and Menger Cat boats (which are built on site).
The 505 looked rather intimidating with 'all those lines!' Tom & Geoff Hurwitch of Witchcraft, who will be pulling their first 505 hull from the molds they got from Buzz Ballenger in a few weeks, came down and took the 505 for a ride (and to take a few measurements and photos). Ted Ferrarone, who just recently purchased Parker 7839, came down and went for a ride with Dave Kirkpatrick (Vanguard rep and long time 505 sailor).
Wind was good, roughly 15-20. The 505 stayed upright the whole time. The 29er was a different story, no one could keep that boat upright for any real length of time. A few brave sailors even tried to put the chute up but, but couldn't get it to fly.
While we did not have people lining up to buy 505s, I think having 3+ at the local regattas, and 3 sitting down at Wet Pants Sailing Club will drum up more interest in the boat.
People are leery of buying a boat that does not yet have a local fleet; the 505 fleet is just starting.
Watch out in 2000!
Dave Anderson
USA #4936 "Mud Shark"
USA #8645