[C320-list] 125% Jib

[Andrew Santangelo]

Hello Dennis,

I have raced my boat heavily (and successfully) on Lake Michigan out  
of Holland, Michigan for many years and now keep my boat in San  
Francisco (Pier 39), where I hope to race again soon.  Either way, I  
know what you are going through.

Now on pointing the boat and racing.  Some of it good news, some bad/ 
expensive.

(1) First off you should add a back stay adjuster.  That will help a  
little in pointing.  You can go with the line-pulley arrangement or  
hydraulic back stay adjuster.

(2) One thing that massively impacted my pointing was changing to a  
Fin keel.  It also dropped 600 lbs in weight.  Either way, the Fin  
Keel makes a big difference in pointing.  A great mod - and can be  
expensive (around $7000 I believe).

(3) Of course adjusting weight and bodies also makes a difference in  
pointing.  In light air I put everyone on the low side (leeward  
side).  In strong wind, the wind ward side.

(4) Little things also help, like no stretch sheets and halyards,  
folding propellor (actually that is a biggy).

One thing I do not know about is PHRF in the bay area, but in Michigan  
the handicap takes into account all sails.  So if the air is light and  
you have a small sail you are punishing yourself.  I also race a J22  
in New Mexico and they assume a typical sail inventory.  Do they  
really change your PHRF in the bay area if you go above a 125?  I  
would be killed since I have a 150 and 155, plus asymetrical, etc.   
BTW, what is your handicap?  Mine was 156 with a fin keel on Lake  
Michigan.  Trying to gage what it will be in the bay area.

Hopes this helps a little.

Best Regards,
Andrew

C320 "Dawn Treader"
#333
Pier 39 SFO



On Jan 12, 2010, at 1:42 AM, CARY DENNIS LOWE wrote:

> Hi everyone:
>
> This is my first post, so if I step on somebodies toes it's not  
> intentional.  I have a 2002 320 sail number 971.  I live in San Jose  
> California and keep my boat in the south bay of San Francisco in  
> Redwood City.  Oh, I forgot to mention that my boat has a wing  
> keel.  My problem is with pointing.  I use the boat for beer can  
> racing during the summer and we normally have 20 to 25 knot winds.   
> I am currently using the 110 jib that came with the boat.  However,  
> I am considering moving up to a 125, this is the largest jib that I  
> can go without affecting my PHRF rating.  I bought my Catalina  
> because I had been crewing on a Hunter for the last couple of years  
> and noticed how bad they point.  I was also impressed with the  
> performance of the Catalina's that I have seen in our races.
>
> So the question is what am I doing wrong, or what do I need to do  
> right to make the boat point higher in weather?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Dennis