[C320-list] Boat Speed

[Andrew Santangelo]

Larry,

I am not familiar with the winds in your part of the world, but if  
they are light a 155% is a must.  I paired mine up with a 100% Jib.

For the "Beer Can" Races we try to avoid sail changes during a race,  
however we will guess and set the sail prior to the race.  For the big  
open water sailboat races sail changes are a must.  We drop the upper  
swivel below the sail feed nub to the furler drum and configure the  
furling system to do a sail peel.  In other words lets say we have a  
155% sail flying and the winds pick-up.  We then raise the jib in the  
other track on the furler, and then lower the 155% sail once the other  
sail is fully raised.  This way we are always powered under sail.

I would also agree to adding the adjustable genoa cars - that was an  
early add for us too.

Andrew

C320 "Dawn Treader"
#333


On Jun 30, 2009, at 5:51 PM, Pam Rizzo wrote:

> Andrew,
> Thanks for your quick reply to my questions.  Looks like the  
> backstay adjuster will be last on my to-do list.  My boat has a fin  
> keel and a feathering prop. so I'm good there.
> I suppose that the UK Gold sails are laminates.  I will probably be  
> limited to dacron sails just because of cost, and I do not want to  
> change head sails.  Do you have any recommendations on head sail  
> sizes?
> Larry
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Santangelo" <andrew_santangelo at mac.com 
> >
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 10:30 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Boat Speed
>
>
>> Larry,
>>
>> Here are the changes that helped me:
>>
>> * Wing keel to Fin keel - point at least 5 degs better and improved
>> boat speed up and down wind.  Note, changing to fin keel lightens the
>> boat too.  This was an immense improvement with no penalty in the end
>> on my PHRF rating.  It may be different for your area, however the
>> change will be no more than 6 seconds which the fin keel improvement
>> far exceeds.
>> * Went to UK Gold Sails.  Improved boat speed, but also in reaching
>> the boat speed for a given point of sail quicker.
>> * You will need an inventory of sails if you want to handle all wind
>> conditions.
>> * Autoprop - this was also a very good improvement.
>> * Hydraulic Backstay adjuster - slight improvement in speed and
>> pointing.  I like the precise control I get with the Hydraulic  
>> Backstay.
>> * Raymarine Chart Plotter/Radar - this may sound corny, but with this
>> unit I can track what the other boats are doing nearby (i.e. heading
>> AND speed).  I can also track and model currents, wind, etc and
>> navigate accordingly.  Yeah I know this is not good for the sailing
>> purist, however I do like the intel I get from it.
>> * Consider getting low stretch sheets and halyards.  Helps with
>> obtaining a stable speed.
>>
>> Of course without a good crew and learning none of this means  
>> anything
>> - yikes!  Either way, I did experience notable improvements with all
>> these add ons and have won and placed in many races due to all the
>> updates.
>>
>> And yes, we cruise and have lots of fun with that too.  "Dawn  
>> Treader"
>> goes in the water tomorrow - FINALLY!  First time ever in salt water!
>>
>> Andrew
>> C320 "Dawn Treader"
>> #333
>>
>>
>> On Jun 30, 2009, at 12:44 AM, Pam Rizzo wrote:
>>
>>> I am trying to prioritize some changes for my 2002/320 to improve
>>> speed and pointing ability.  I have a Gori 3-bladed prop, and am
>>> considering new sails and a backstay adjuster.  I usually race in
>>> the cruising class and have nine year old Catalina sails (135% genoa
>>> and main).  I race in the Long Beach, Ca area and enter the Newport
>>> to Ensenada Race each year.
>>> Could anyone offer me some suggestions about which changes will
>>> produce the most noticeable results, and any other ideas on hand.
>>> Larry Rizzo
>>> Calibreeze #887
>>
>
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