[C320-list] In Boom Furler

[Andrew Santangelo]

Brian,

Racing...now I can talk about what has worked for me.

Of course let me preface this by saying practice, learning from others  
and learning the quirks of the boat are a key element.  But physical  
changes to the vessel are a big help.

When I first raced it was purely for fun and excuse to take the boat  
out.  It was a stock 320 with basic sails, wing keel and 3 blade  
prop.  Needless to say we had lots of fun and were always dead last -  
and by many minutes.

First change was actually learning some basic techniques and getting a  
stable crew (another critical item).  We then placed always in the  
bottom third.  We had fun, but now I had the bug.

The next season I added an autoprop to Dawn Treader.  This was a huge  
step. We now placed in the middle to upper division, though never top  
3.   BTW - the autoprop is excellent also for cruising - it feathers  
nicely under sail, but has plenty of power when needed (45 kt wind  
days, emergencies, or just wanting to get from point A to point B  
quickly).  This is a must investment.

The next season I added a UK Gold head sail and replaced all the  
sheets.  We placed 3rd a few times, but never won the season - but we  
could see the changes.

At this point I also noticed cruising was fun, as we got to use the  
sails more than motor on those light air days.

Then came the big changes in one off season:

* Ditched the wing keel for a fin keel.  We dropped about 400 lbs in  
the process.  The boat points  2-5 deg better. We sit higher and  
accelerate better.
* Hydraulic Backstay adjuster.  It refined our performance, especially  
in heavy wind.
* Instrumentation.  A mast instrument pod (Raytheon) with remote  
control was added so the crew can see the conditions and speed changes  
when they adjust the sails without me telling them all the time.  This  
performance improvement helped crew knowledge and efficiency - and I  
could focus on the race course.  Also I like seeing the numbers when  
looking straight ahead.  The chart plotters were also upgraded as was  
the radar, with a duplicate station at the Nav Table.  When racing I  
can now track the direction and speed of the boats around me (this is  
done with the MARPA setting on the radar).
* Faired the bottom of the boat.  More problem than I expected, and  
damage was done.  Since "unfairing" we do much better.  Long story on  
this - but I saw no benefit.
* New sails: UK Tape Drive Jib, Main, Spectra Light Air Genoa, Storm  
Jib, four different types of spinnakers.  This also made a difference  
in performance for the better.  Great for cruising too.
* New Grauhaurer Main Traveler: Life made easy in trimming the main.
* Spinnaker gear: Two new winches, down haul, topping lift, spinnaker  
pole - all necessary for the spinnakers, accept the asymmetrical.  BTW  
- the kids love using the spinnaker for fun and excitement - they are  
no longer bored with the basic sails (dad loves anything sailing  
though).
* Electrical system - Balmer Alternator, external regulator, Link  
Monitor, replaced batteries, and starter battery:  for the long sails  
and races this was a mandatory upgrade.  This should be standard on  
all C320's.  I will have to dig up the part numbers and to be honest I  
cannot remember the price.  But this system has worked FLAWLESSLY for  
8 years.  The one hour to get a nearly full recharge is a godsend. We  
can run the refrigerator, electronics, stereo, and lights without a  
worry.  The monitor is also a big help.    No need for generators on  
Dawn Treader (and separate fuel if required).
* Added second radio with remote mic at helm with separate antenna.   
Secondary antenna is on the rail in case the mast comes down (never  
has, but you never know...).  This proved to be a big help for a 28'  
boat I helped with a rescue in 20' seas.  They lost their rudder, were  
out of control, no power and all they has was a hand held radio in the  
middle of Lake Michigan - not good.  I hovered nearby and was the  
radio relay between my vessel and the coast guard (also to help if the  
vessel sank).  All ended well and they were rescued (Note - they got a  
45' sailboat from the manufacturer for their pain and suffering!!!).

With all these upgrades we placed in a major cross lake race for the  
first time! In the following years we have won or placed in 5 major  
races or races series per year.  Cruising is also a blast (always is  
though!).  Kids have fun with the boat and all the gadgets which is  
good.  The boat is also easy to sail single handed or for two.  But we  
all know the C320 is the perfect size boat - small enough to handle,  
but big enough for that big boat feel and controllability.

Comment on the dutchman - I too had the same experiences with it as  
you have had.  I could use it on my own, but my racing crew was  
perplexed for some reason.  However with all the new racing sails we  
dropped it completely for maximum performance.  Plus to be honest it  
is very easy to raise and lower the sail without it.  When lowering I  
either drop the sail slowly with my crew and they do the dirty work,  
or when single handed I lower it myself and flake it.    Never had the  
need for precise reefing, and only very occasionally reefed the main;  
I have only used the second reef one time in 12 years.  That will  
likely change when the boat is moved to California where there is a  
lot of wind it appears in the bay area.  But it is no problem running  
a single reef with a jib.

When I get back to Michigan in two weeks I will dig up the details on  
the electrical system for you.  This is a must for cruisers and racers  
alike.


Best Regards,
Andrew Santangelo
#333   C320 Dawn Treader




On Oct 15, 2008, at 4:30 PM, Amirault Family - S&B wrote:

> Andrew and all:
>
>
>
> It is very much in line to respond to the question with alternate
> destinations for my funds. You seem to have divined that I am really  
> looking
> for best overall benefit to me and mine from these additional  
> dollars; and
> that it may not be an in boom furling main.
>
>
>
> Bear came two years ago with a Dutchman and a separate starting  
> battery. Now
> as to the Dutchman, in something like twenty race outings my crew  
> has never
> been able to get the Dutchman to work (perhaps a comment on crew  
> discipline)
> while with just my spouse and I on the water the system actually  
> does flake
> the main reasonable effectively. I never go out with the spouse when  
> reefing
> is necessary but feel that once we get Bear to bigger water the  
> ability to
> fine-reef and furl away the main may be a blessing with a crew with  
> some
> minor mobility issues that also is unwilling to helm the boat. The  
> reefing
> set up that came with Bear has been just fine for the race crew;  
> more so
> after adding blocks to the reef cringles.
>
>
>
> Since her arrival all of the batteries have been changed to AGMs,  
> while a
> 135% jib, inflatable PFDs, feathering prop and Raritan head have  
> been added.
> I confess that upgraded electronics are five years in the future  
> when she
> moves from restricted river sailing to the Great Lakes.
>
>
>
> Your comment on upgrading electrics does strike a chord. The  
> alternator is
> original and Bear resides at a sail club without shore power to the  
> slips. A
> Honda generator has gone some way to coping with the charging issue,  
> but
> being able to complete a full charge in an hour's running sounds very
> attractive. At your leisure, could you supply me with the model  
> numbers of
> the parts you had installed and the USD price (to which I can add  
> the 40% to
> bring it into line with Canadian pricing rather than the Canadian  
> dollar)? I
> would also be interested in comments you may have on installation
> difficulties encountered in the upgrade that I could warn an  
> installer about
> in advance.
>
>
>
> Bear does race JAM (poorly) during summer Thursday nights and the  
> guys have
> asked about a backstay adjustor. I have seen photos on the site of  
> manual
> solutions which I will also look into as an inexpensive and easy  
> upgrade to
> construct over the winter, as Bear's last sail of the season was  
> this past
> Saturday; with her mast coming down Monday and the hull coming out  
> on the
> following Saturday.
>
>
>
> I have appreciated all replies, and there is much to think over as a  
> result.
>
>
>
> Regards;
>
>
>
> Brian Amirault
>
> 797 Waltzing Bear, too
>