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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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ed_spengeman
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/13/2006 : 11:39:25

Our dingy club in Indpls started allowing keelboats about 3 years ago. We now almost have 50 on the water. At a recent board meeting it was decided that keelboats should be crewed with at least two on board during races. Smaller dingies(18-20')) were concerned about getting hit by a boat that wasn't able to see them.

Having a C-25 with a 110 and no spinnaker, I chose this boat because I could easily single-hand it--safely.

What are your feelings, or experiences at local clubs before I have to buy a blow-up doll?

ed spengeman
Indianapolis (geist)
Port Captain
Palakida
83 tr/sk

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 12:06:08

Local PHRF rules here state that racing boats running JAM need to have a minimum of two, Spinnaker boats 3 (unless class dictates otherwise ..Highlander for example). Unless the race is a single hand race or a Gemini race.

Personally I agree with that, in my opinion you need the second guy on the bow for a lookout at the very minimum , especially for the start. Beyond safety, you are also at a great disadvantage to a boat that can trim sails constantly while another person helms. Between the main and the jib one man just doesn’t have enough arms. I’d see if there is some guy who wants to learn how to race and bring him on board as a jib trimmer.

On the opposite side of the coin, the smaller dinghy’s is pretty weak. What do they do when out for a day sail and you’re single-handing out on your day-sail. The little guys should have their own start or should be running a smaller course than you anyway. If they were to start after you and run a smaller legged course then they stay out of the way for your start by rule and you are well out of the way by the time they go off.

dw

Edited by - on

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 12:44:56

In our beercan series there are a few of us that singlehand some of the time. Nobody makes an issue out of it because afterall it's a fun race, not for blood. If we can get a good start fine, otherwise when singlehanding we try not to mix it up at the start. After that it's mostly being extra alert at the turning marks. Pretty busy without one crew and definitely more efficient with one.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 12:47:29

I have raced single handed on Wed nights often and it is no big deal. The dingys are just poor sports and should get over it. Maybe you should petition to outlaw planing since it is obviously as dangerous as single handing; why just imagine what might happen!!

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wmeinert@kconline.com
Past Commodore

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USA
353 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 15:41:25

Ed, last fall I raced your keel boat group in my 25 and kicked just about everyones rudder, I flew a 155 (no spinaker) and I only had one additional crew. But I will say three is a big help especially when in traffic. I was one of the boats involved in the pre race crash. The more eyes on the water the better, especially when you need look outs. The other boat only had two crew too!

Bill Meinert.

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Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2006 : 09:10:48

I race with three or four. I think it's more fun with a crew, not to mention your boat-handling is more crisp. Why not just find some crew? My 2 cents.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2006 : 10:20:19

I agree that you can't race efficiently singlehanded, but I don't see it at all as a safety issue. In my opinion, the helmsman/skipper is primarily responsible for keeping a lookout at all times, whether he has crew or not. If you steer from the low side, you can look under the genoa with a little effort. If you are so shorthanded that you can't handle the boat efficiently in close-quarters, then you have to avoid close-quarters maneuvering. When you have to steer the boat around a mark while trimming the jib and main for the new course, you don't always have enough hands or time to get it all done efficiently, but, it's possible to plan every motion so that you can get as much done as efficiently as possible, and that's usually good enough.

The dinghy racers are understandably intimidated by the keel boats, but they'll get over it in time. I agree with Duane's suggestion that the big guys and little guys should have separate starts.

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2006 : 13:07:56

I plan to sail with a crew of four or five most nights (we fly a spinnaker), but last night, for instance, the forecast was for rain and no wind. One guy called and bailed, and another just did not show...with no warning....so 2 of us went out and raced...and flew the chute, though there was less than 10 knots of breeze, but it was still a handful, but doable. C25 ahead of me was flying its chute, too, with only 2 aboard.......

I don't want to be DSQ'ed because some of my (non-paid) volunteer crew decides to take a night off....(though I DO need to insist that they give me some warning...)

Gary B.
s/v Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2006 : 15:55:31

Here's a dumb question from a non-racer:

If single handing, can you use a tiller pilot while trimming?

I suspect not, but would like to hear from the racers.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2006 : 06:35:57

Depends on the sailing instructions. If it is a single handed race, especially a distance race, probably. If you are sailing single handed in a regular race probably not.

Nothing says you can't use a mechanism to lash the tiller in place however.

dw

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2006 : 09:17:42

The worst scares I've had in the C25 were near-miss 'encounters' when single handing with the Genoa.

Yes, you can see around it if you crawl to the low side, but often there are lots of other things to pay attention to and it's easy to get distracted for a moment.

Now I only use the 110 when single handing... even if the wind is light.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.