[C320-list] Club Racing the C320

[Pat Tyler]

Karl,
As Orlando has so expertly stated you really need a folding prop.  That said 
I don't happen to have one but still like to race.  After a few races and 
following the pack to the finish line I knew I had to do something or risk 
loosing my crew.  Here was my solution.

Crew size is usually 3 or 4 or 5...really doesn't matter with my new plan.
We empty nothing, in fact we fill the frig with our favorite beverages and 
lots of food.
At the start we wonder around behind everyone so as not to get caught up is 
someone's mess and scratch the boat.  After everyone has cleared the line we 
cross it.  Check which tack the most boats are one and set the vane mode of 
the ap to the other tack.  Usually about 40 to 45 deg off the wind.
Next we open our favorite beverages and head for the first turn.  This 
caused a problem on the Jannie T since everyone was now comfortable and no 
one wanted to get up and change to the other tack.  Solved the problem with 
a remote control for the ap.  There is usually someone sitting by the lines 
so they take care of that without moving much.  If no one is available we 
just keep going in the same direction.
After the first turn we do our version of a heave too for lunch and usually 
a swim.  Sometimes we even do a little fishing while waiting to the other 
boats.  No reason to hurry since there will be two races.  We just catch up 
on the second race.
I now have a very happy and loyal crew who enjoys a great day on the water. 
As Orlando said...without a folding prop we're probably not going to win 
anyway so why not just have a great time.
If your club is like ours we never leave anyone at the dock so when the 
young girls stop by wanting to go for a sail we gladly load them on also. 
We early on discovered that pretty girls with bikinis all over the deck 
slowed the other boats down.  Had as many as 10 on board for a race once. 
Only drawback is we never know who wins since after the second turn (second 
race) we head in.
Keep it fun....or buy a J boat.
Pat
Jannie T
#834
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Karl Mielenhausen _/) " <kmielen at iwon.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: 08/19/2007 11:40 AM
Subject: [C320-list] Club Racing the C320


>
> For those of us that are cruisers primarily, with an occasional club race 
> (PHRF, non-spinnaker) thrown in, can you offer some suggestions on how to 
> configue the boat?
>
> For example:
>
> 1/ Is there an optimum # and/or weight of crew?
>
> 2/ Should water and holding tanks be emptied?
>
> 3/ Is it worth removing excess gear (weight) from the boat (ie. 2nd 
> anchor, BBQ, toolboxs, microwave, etc)?
>
> 4/ I'm assuming that taking the dodger and bimini down can make a big 
> difference, as well as a clean bottom.
>
> 5/ Regarding the fixed blade prop, my data was inconclusive on whether a 
> spinning prop (ie.neutral) or stopped prop (ie.reverse) yielded the least 
> resistance. The answer may well vary based on the particular boat speed.
>
> 6/ Any other suggestions (short of a folding prop and spinnaker)?
>
>
>
> Karl Mielenhausen
>
> 2000 C320 Hull#690 "Silver Lining"
>
> New Bern, NC
>
> http://pages.suddenlink.net/kmielen/
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>