[C320-list] Adjustable Back Stays

[Andrew Santangelo]

Sam,

Just to add what Ken said, a clean boat bottom is very important.  We had a very smooth bottom, but that was at best a so-so gain if anything (but can be very expensive).  Clean bottom is critical - with plant life build up it is like dragging a rug under your boat!

I will say though switching from the wing keel to the fin keel was as almost a profound speed change as the propellor.  First off you lose 400lbs - less weight to drag around.  Secondly, the boat seemed to point at least 5 deg better to windward.  This is a very big difference between winning and losing in a race.

We haven't raced in 2 years with "Dawn Treader", but she does have a pep in her step and is very responsive.  Of course she does win those "informal" races on the water.  :-)

Andrew

C320 
#333
Dawn Treader
San Francisco

On Feb 21, 2011, at 11:41 AM, Jane & Ken wrote:

> Sam,
>    The article is basic backstay, adjustment  works for nearly any boat with a split backstay. As Andrew states, the speed of the boat is affected by many things--sails and folding/feathering prop--sail shape (adjustment)--crew experience--smooth bottom--attention to wind direction and  wind shifts.  Yes, the backstay adjuster will help with pointing; however the most improvement for speed is a clean/smooth bottom and a prop with minimum drag.
> Ken  OBUOY  #219
> --- On Mon, 2/21/11, Andrew Santangelo <andrew_santangelo at mac.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> From: Andrew Santangelo <andrew_santangelo at mac.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Adjustable Back Stays
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 10:58 AM
> 
> 
> Hello Sam,
> 
> I have a hydraulic backstay on "Dawn Treader".  It did help with pointing upwind and speed.  
> 
> The C320 should beat the C30 and C310, however if they are tricked out every little bit helps.  I also went with a autoprop folding prop (HUGE difference), fin keel (huge difference too), stiffer sheets and halyards, racing sails, grauhauer traveler and gennoa trim cars, and extra winches. Add experience to the crew and we began to win or place in many races on Lake Michigan out of Holland.  So every little bit helped.
> 
> Andrew
> 
> C320 
> #333
> Dawn Treader
> San Francisco
> 
> 
> On Feb 21, 2011, at 9:10 AM, RUTHE SMALL wrote:
> 
>> 
>> There is an article in the new "Mainsheet" about installing adjustable backstays (or a backstay tensioner) on a C36MKII.  Have any of you done this on a 320?  If so, what results did you get.  I am not currently racing, but dealing with endless frustration being beaten by friends in a tricked out C30 and a C310.  I was hoping this would enable me to point higher and do better when close hauled.
>> Sam Wagner
>> RUTHSM (Hull 74)                           
>