[C320-list] Boat Speed

[Andrew Santangelo]

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