SHIELDS – CLASSIC BOAT REHAB BY SKIP DIEBALL
Entering my 3rd summer here in Chicago, I feel great about the On-the-Water programming and I have assembled a great team that has really helped CYC achieve success on many levels. In so doing, I hope to enjoy some summertime sailing myself and was recently trying to find a boat that fit both casual sailing and an occasional race or two. Getting to know both Gary Ropski and Mike Schwartz, the Shields caught my eye. Not only does it have classic lines and a beautiful sail plan, it also provides a nice platform for my family of 5 to enjoy an afternoon on the water. I set out to find a boat and as luck would have it, I found “Robin”, hull #249. It was in great shape and hardly sailed the past several years. As with all of my boats, however, I just can’t do anything plug and play. I have
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Blinker ✶ Spring 2022
to create projects to give it a personal touch. Well, I’m ½ way through a complete rehab of #249 and happy to report that I’m in the home stretch of giving it a new look (paint) and upgrades (hardware and rigging). I’m sure with things heating up in the OTW offices, I’ll slow down on the progress, but I have my eye on making as many RYF events as possible with my family. From there, I’ll team up with my old mates from the Etchells days and sail in the National Championship in Newport, RI in September. Talk about a great reunion! Jon McClean, Jeff Eiber and I sailed many miles together and share a number of championships. Though the Shields Class is as serious about racing as any, I’m very much looking forward to the journey both locally (with the family) and nationally (with Jon & Jeff). ✶
