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Turner Marine
A proven difference in Y Flyers
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The strength of any one-design class hinges on two very important tasks. The first task is to introduce new people to sailing by taking them out sailing at your local club. As the saying goes, think globally, act locally. Generate enthusiasm at your local club and the national enthusiasm will follow.
The follow up to that local effort is to support the class builder. If you have occasion to read other classes' promotional materials, there is a lot of mention of the people and companies who build the boats and provide the parts and expertise to keep the class modern and technologically cutting-edge.
So it is with the Y-Flyer class. As most of us know, our builder is Turner Marine, owned and operated by Chet Turner and Lela Summers. Turner Marine provides high-quality fiberglass Y's, along with all of the related equipment and accessories to make the Y-Flyer sailing experience the best possible. Whether you want to just "daysail" or race at the top level, Chet and Lela are there to help.
Turner Marine was founded in the early 1970's by Chet and his father Charlie. In the 1960's, Charlie was the spark plug for Fleet 39 on Lake Mattoon near Neoga, IL. He and the other fleet members formed "builder groups" to construct wooden Y's to grow their fleet. This was a common method of fleet-building in the Y class as the boat is easily built in wood. Typically, wood boat owners would sail their boats for a few years and then upgrade to a professionally-built fiberglass Y. With this trend in mind, and a desire to get into a new venture, Charlie started building fiberglass Y's and convinced Chet to join him in the effort.
Through 35 years and 210 boats, Chet has kept Turner Marine going strong. As with any business, there are ups and downs, but Chet has consistently kept the design and construction of the fiberglass Y on the cutting edge. With proper care and maintenance, the boats can remain competitive for many years. Unlike some one-design classes, there are no "bad" Y's. Most of the boats are well maintained and even 20-plus-year-old boats finish at the top of the fleet.
It certainly helps that Chet has won eight National Championships, numerous International Championships and too many other major regattas to count. He knows how to make the boat go fast. Every new Turner Y is personally tuned by Chet before it leaves the shop. Very little "tweaking" is necessary to bring a new boat to speed, but Chet is there to help on the rare occasions when that is necessary.
The Y-Flyer class is fortunate to have such a long-time loyal builder. This aspect alone should make the class easier to support and generate growth. Any Y sailor who might be considering a new boat provides an opportunity for new class growth through the sale of their current boat. Of course, the more the class grows, the more value your boat retains. Retained value helps in the decision to sell old and buy new. Thus begins a very positive cycle.
The growth of the Y-Flyer class is very important for all of us. Make time to take that new prospect out in your boat. Encourage them to join your sailing club. Show them the benefits of a healthy activity for the entire family. Introduce them to the thrill of sailboat racing. Make your boat available for sale. Those proceeds will apply nicely to your new Turner Y-Flyer.
...And the cycle will begin again.