[C320-list] Racing discussion-Tips & Tricks

[Mike Hacketthtml]

I've been racing my 320 "Escape Plan" for the past 4 seasons.  I'm very fortunate to have the ability to choose from 3 weeknight fleets (all mixed), and have typically raced 2 week nights per season.  I've managed to take a lot of 1st or 2nd places in the mixed fleets under the following conditions:
1) new sails (1st season we used shot sails and it wasn't very good)2) seasoned crew3) fixed triangle or broad reach legs4) 149% jib5) winds over 8 knots
Races I know from the start I don't stand a chance:1) Windward Leeward courses2) winds under 6 knots3) Racing with a symmetrical spinnaker
So why I cant win under the above in my opinion is the following:1) the Catalina with a fin keel, points about 10 degrees lower than a J 30, so on a 1.25 mile up and back windward leeward course I need to sail almost 25% further, but only have about 1 minute to do it in.2) winds under 6 knots the boat isn't able to get above about 3 knots because it ways 11,000 pounds before crew & beer. Meanwhile the J24 ways about 3,000 pounds and is sailing at closer to 4.5 knots.  For this I owe them about 1.5 minutes at the end of the race.3) Racing the symmetrical spinnaker has been nothing but trouble.  it is a bit small for the boat @44 X22'8".  And I'm slower than I would be flying just Jib and Main with a whisker pole.  Whisker pole and jib at a 120* angle is very very fast compared to other boats.  We have been known to pass boats flying spinnakers, if we can hold that angle.
My crew loves the spinnaker, because it gives them stuff to do the entire race, but it just isn't a winning combination for the boat.  It is beautiful, and fun to do, but not in around the beer can racing.  It leads to more damage on the boat, and unless you are with similar boats expect to get your clock cleaned by the J-boats and other speed demons in the fleet.
Mike Escape Plan#417