[C320-list] Club Racing the C320

[Adam Weiner]

I think the key is the last sentence.  The other day the boat was
sailing at 6.5 knots, quite a respectable speed, I turned the handle on
the jib twice, pulled back one foot on the backstay, and cranked the
main sheet two turns and the speed went up to 7.1.  How much do some
sailors put up with sloppy sail trim because they are relying on the
speed of the boat/prop/etc.?

Adam

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Peter Clancy
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 6:58 AM
To: C320-List
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Club Racing the C320


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.o
rg>
  [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
  >
  >  
  >