[C320-list] Club Racing the C320

[Dave Moores]

Karl,

I can tell you that weight is really important.  I race white sail with four
crew, spinnaker with six.  Keeping all the paraphernalia off the boat truly
makes a difference.  The other huge factor is a clean bottom.  First of all
let's hope it is pretty smooth in the first place.  No Stipples/or
orange-peel effect!  Then if stuff tends to attach/grow on the bottom in
your area, a regular bottom wash also makes huge difference.  Water/holding
tanks not too full doesn't hurt either.  I never use the bow tank.  I have a
folding prop and would not for a moment consider racing with a fixed prop.
That of course I set in reverse as soon as the engine is cut prior to the
race to stop it windmilling.  If you are racing white sail, obviously a good
whisker pole is a must.

We win quite a few races this way against boats we ought not to be able to
beat.  Also the tuning guide on the 320 website is really helpful -
especially the bit about the longer forestay and low-stretch halyards.  Go
for it!  These boats are capable of going really well with a bit of help.

Hope this is useful.

Dave Moores,

 California Girl #342

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of brucestanley
Sent: August 19, 2007 6:44 PM
To: C320-List
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Club Racing the C320


one suggestion is changing your prop.

Feathering Prop will reduce drag ... particularly in light winds. A number
of C320s have the Kiwi Feather Prop. It's other great advantage is reducing
prop walk when reversing and delivering increased power in reverse as well.
They cost about US$1250 in the USA/Canada. ...I can send you the web address
if you want it... otherwise search "liwi Feathering propellor"

this will help
wishing you greater Speed
Bruce Stanley
C320  #1084 Fantastic Lady / Sydney Australia


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Karl Mielenhausen _/) " <kmielen at iwon.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 1:40 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/
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
>