[C320-list] Upwind performance

[Bruce Heyman]

I agree.  Even if it doesn't clog the intake you don't want the silt and fine sand to make it into the raw water pump.  The pump is made of relatively soft metal and easily scores which then reduces the efficiency of the pump.
Bruce
Somerset Dana Point, CA

Bruce Heyman
(949) 289-8400

Allan S Field <allan.field at verizon.net> wrote:

>One needs to be careful when backing down when stuck however.  The risk is
>significant of sucking sand and mud into the engine thru-hull.  I am not
>sure of the veracity of this but have been  told it can clog the system.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
>Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2013 10:16 AM
>To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Upwind performance
>
>I'm not a racer and otherwise not interested much in performance, so I'll
>not comment on those aspects.  This post is more about the wing keel than
>performance.  I have heard that the wing keels while not great on pointing
>are runaways on downwind.  I've no idea why this would be so; but, I haven't
>seen it mentioned so I throw it out there.
>
>However, when it comes to grounding, I've had a bit of experience there.
>Sailing on the Chesapeake it is said that there are only two kinds of
>sailors: those who have grounded and those who will.  Fortunately, the Bay
>is "99.44% pure" mud or sand, so damage is usually avoided.  Patience is a
>must as a solid grounding requires a tow or wait for higher tide.  Once, I
>grounded the rudder on rock and waited-out the tide.  Even then, the bottom
>of the rudder opened and required repair.  
>
>From my experience, a low-speed ground while motoring is best handled by
>immediate reverse and power back.  Unless you know the bottom contours,
>backing out is the safest bet.  Crew to the bow can help to raise the back
>of the wing.  Once on the bottom, the wide bottom of the wing creates a
>suction effect that is hard to break.  Kedging a halyard to create heel can
>be helpful; but, not like with a fin keel.  I've had a successful recovery
>with a kedge; but, only when I had deeper water ahead.
>
>Warren & Pattie Updike
>1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Amiraults Family [mailto:amiraults at sympatico.ca]
>Sent: Friday, March 15, 2013 3:46 PM
>To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Upwind performance
>
>Rick:
>
> 
>
>I race PHRF-LO JAM on the Ottawa River. The boat is a wing keel, the sails
>are in good condition but not racing quality, there is no adjustable
>backstay and I have a feathering prop. My boat NEVER wins, but there is
>ALWAYS beers on board at the end of the evening. We are competitive with
>other wing keel Catalinas (and usually beat them) but simply cannot point as
>high as the fin keel boats like the usually winning Niagara 31 with its
>racing sails, narrow beam and 8500lb displacement. If winning is important
>then avoid the wing keel.
>
> 
>
>If draft is important then go with the wing keel.
>
> 
>
>Either way, if livability is important then go with the open transom and
>swim platform. I race for fun and really don't need the glassware (single
>glass) awarded in the fall for the winner in each race series. In my harbor,
>the Niagara did not race for much of the summer of '11 'cause her 5' draft
>could not leave the harbor due to the unusually low water levels that year.
>In that year I only tapped bottom twice. I wanted to race but we needed the
>livability and so in the search for our current boat open transom was a
>must-have.
>
> 
>
>As to the weight; when you're lucky you get what you pay for. Any boat with
>this broad a beam will weigh more as there is simply more material used in
>the construction to yield the volume. When comparing apples, like Catalina
>and the Jenn-ateaus you will find the former displaces more. But then the
>hull is solid glass and not a lighter glass/foam sandwich.  It thus goes
>slower with everything else equal. Still, in my the last race collision
>(summer '07 and the protest committee ruled the boat hitting mine 100%
>at-fault) I was racing again the next week with duct tape over the hole
>while he was out most of the summer for repair.
>
> 
>
>There is also something to be said - over an older design - for DC
>refrigeration, gas stove/oven, head near the companionway,  and a shower.
>Oh, and those older narrower boats tend to have cockpits snugly-perfect for
>sailing but not so roomy for living on the hook with the family.
>
> 
>
>I love my 320 and so does the family.
>
> 
>
>Brian Amirault
>
>797 Waltzing Bear, too 
>
>
>