[C320-list] Club Racing the C320

[Peter Clancy]

Casual racers may underestimate the value of relatively small speed improvements.

 For example, assume a course is 15 nautical miles long. If you have a modest 1/2 knot per mile speed advantage (with a folding prop) over an identical boat with a fixed prop and you average 6.5 knots, by the time you reach the finish  you'll be at least 10 minutes ahead of the slower boat. If that boat has a 6 second per mile rating advantage due to a fixed prop, he only gains 90 seconds or 1.5 minutes when corrected. Generally speaking, the lighter the air, the greater the benefit of a folding prop. We raced 'AROBAN' successfully for several years with a Gori two-blade folder and took first in class in last October's Columbus Day Regatta which is South Florida's largest annual sailboat race. 

The C320 is a capable racer especially when tweaked and sailed for optimum speed. 


Peter Clancy
'AROBAN' #222 (former owner)
Miami, FL







  ----- Origi nal Message ----- 
  From: Joe Barrett<mailto:joe at dolphinmortgage.com> 
  To: 'C320-List'<mailto:c320-list at catalina320.com> 
  Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:19 AM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Club Racing the C320


  If going from a fixed to a feathering/folding prop gains you 1/2-3/4 knot of
  speed do the math. The 6 seconds you loose makes getting a
  feathering/folding prop a no brainer.
  Joe Barrett

  -----Original Message-----
  From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com<mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.org>
  [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of chris denny
  Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:05 AM
  To: C320-List
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Club Racing the C320

   
   If a folder is that much help, why does having a fixed prop get you just 6
  seconds on your adjusted PHRF?
  CD #328

  >Karl,
  >
  >No matter what you do with number of crew, weight of crew and eqpt, 
  >etc., unless you put on a folding prop, it will not matter relative to 
  >boat speed. As long as you have a fixed prop, you will have a brake 
  >underwater.
  >
  >Now, how to mitigate--:
  >
  >Crew of 3 is best I've found.
  >
  >No need to empty water tanks but don't top them off before the race 
  >either.
  >
  >Biggest weight distribution problem or tip on the 320 is keep crew 
  >weight forward. DO NOT let folks sit on the cat-bird seat during a race.
  >Once you're downwind (wing-on-wing), bring your crew forward, have a 
  >couple of folks sit forward of the mast--you want the bow down on a run.
  >
  >Dodger--not a big issue, bimini--never had one so I can't comment but 
  >I'm sure it doesn't help
  >
  >Oh yea, one more thing....get a folding prop!  :)
  >
  >Last tip--for better speed on all points of sail, get a prop that 
  >folds..
  >
  >----------------------------------
  >Regards,
  >OD
  >
  >Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
  >
  >  
  >