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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Indiscipline's first San Diego PHRF race

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/17/2006 : 14:44:17

Saturday we motorsailed 12 miles to San Diego Bay to start the Cortez Racing Association's Commodore Cup in PHRF D (handicaps 165 to our 228). We were the slowest boat racing. This race was 11.1 miles directly upwind. Offshore ocean conditions were pretty choppy (not favoring us). We had a beam reach start in San Diego Bay around the SD1 buoy, then a turn into the wind for Mission Bay. There were 4 boats in our class a Cal 9.2 at 165, a Santana 525 at 192, a Cal T/2 at 192 and us, Catalina 25 SR at 228. Our start was at 11:10 AM. We left our dock at 9 AM to make it all the way from Mission Bay to San Diego in order to race back. It was an inverted start with the slower classes (us) starting first.

We had a fair start, in 3rd place over the line about 10 seconds back. Winds at the start were very strong and we pretty much held our own to the first mark 3 miles out, by this point we were behind the first 2 boats by 100 to 200 yards. At the mark, one boat went on the outside tack, and one went inside. The 4th boat had a very bad start and we did not see them until much later. We followed the outside boat but the VMG to Mission Bay was negative. Putting us on the inside tack, out VMG was good - about 4 knots - but we were running into the extensive kelp beds. We got a big stringer on the rudder once but we got it off.

By this point the boats in our class were lost to view and all the other boats in the race were overtaking. We tacked right at the edge of the kelp and kept driving towards Mission Bay, when we got in too close we tacked out. We got in a big wind hole once but it only lasted about 5 minutes. When we got a little breeze we went back outside.

In the hole was when we first saw the 4th place boat in our class. We had a nice duel with them for the rest of the race. He went high while we went on a beam reach to the Mission Bay Jetty once we cleared the kelp. He was able to go up with the spinnaker before us. But we got it up inside the channel and ran to the finish, crossing about 1 minute behind him.

We were the last boat to finish at just after 4PM. Time limit was 4:30. I was really disapointed, but we did OK. We corrected out over that last boat for 3rd.

Standings were the Cal 9.2 winner, Santana 525 over us by 90 seconds, and us over the Cal T/2 by about 6 minutes (corrected).

In retrospect, I think we did really good. We sailed a total of 26 miles (I had the log on) and the Santana beat us by only 8 minutes and 90 seconds with handicap. The winner, the Cal 9.2 is really well prepared with full mylar sails and full race prep, plus tons of experience (sailed by the Cortez Race Association Commodore). This boat beat us by only 20 minutes and 15 with handicap. I feel now that there was nothing to be ashamed of. At the time I was really down as the last boat in.

Sunday, the day dawned with light headwinds for the race back. I had some crew issues, I was really down about our performance, and really sunburned and dehydrated. So we decided to scratch. Knowing now that we missed 2nd by only 90 seconds makes me wish we at least gave Sunday a try. Many boats dropped out and motored home in the light headwinds. I just was not up to a 10 hour day on the water. If it was a normal spinnaker run down the coast back into San Diego Bay I would have done it for sure.

Saturday's official results: http://www.cortezracing.com/CRA2006/2006CommodoresCup1.htm

Well, Ok, the dry run is over, I am leaing Thursday night for the Crew of Two around Catalina, once again sure to be the slowest boat in the race.

I need some encouragement here guys.

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 15:13:13

Hi Jim,

I'm really impressed with how you push your boat, and I think it is really cool that you're showing the rest of the sailing community how good these old boats really are. It's hard to find a better value than a C-25, and you really get the most out of yours (both cruising, AND racing).

Best of luck in the "Crew of Two Around Catalina" race ... we're pulling for you ... GO Commodore!

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 15:57:35

Hey Jim,
As usual it is impressive to hear what you do with a C25. Way I look at it, if <u>you</u> decided not to run Sunday most of us would have taken a cab home.

Go get'em Commodore.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 18:28:38

From someone who would be too embarrassed to even show up at a race starting line, good on ya. Like the lottery; you can't win if you don't enter.

Steve

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 06:15:49

Thanks for sharing Jim. It's always wonderful to hear your narratives. I was surprised you have such a low PHRF at 228 for a standard rig. My local club gave me a PHRF of 240. Anyone know why my PHRF is so high locally?

Edited by - on

Heartbeat
Navigator

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USA
161 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 09:00:03

Nice story, Jim. Sounds like you had the boat moving well.

I entered in the Tampa trans-bay race a number of years ago with part of a crew I borrowed from a J30 and trimmer from a J105. They were a good bunch, but were used to the quick Js. It was a fairly long day race - 18 miles or so. When we finished, the last boat in our class (8 or 10 deep, PHRF ~160+, we were the pickle boat at 222) was a mile away heading down the channel. I called for beers and tried to reassure my crew what we did OK - we had the boat moving well throughout the race. There were some long faces. I didn't have a chance to check the scratch sheet until the awards ceremony - boy were they surprised when we took third place! 18 miles at 40-60 seconds a mile adds up to some real time.

Ben, Duane can probably tell you the full story about your rating, but my guess is that they rated you 228 (standard rig) plus a +10 JAM credit, and some other +2 credit. I am not familiar with any +2 credits, so maybe it is something local. Furlers are generally +3, and +3 for an inboard as well.

-Matt Q.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 11:07:21

Hey Jim... I know the feeling--correcting over boats that did horizon jobs on us just never felt that great (except that it was never in my boat). The best medicine I can think of is to get your local fleet out for a romp around the cans so you can kick a few TR asses boat-for-boat!

But to be honest, if I were in that fleet, I'd be too afraid!

Go get-em!

Edited by - on

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 14:36:43

They give us PHRF 222 on SFBay. Raced PHRF around Treasure Island from Brisbane a week ago in mostly light winds. Got stuck at one point in current and light wind under the bridge for 40mins. Still placed 3rd. Was head of the pack for a lot of the time till got stuck. It's cool to match speed with larger boats some times. Tacking decisions can be crucial.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 15:36:53

I'll explain it tonight....

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bbriner
Captain

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349 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 19:04:28

Jim
Sounds like you did real well. To finish that close to those other boats over that kind of distance means you were really sailing her well. They have given me a PHRF of 228. I don't have a spinnaker or furler so we get some time adjustments +/- too. So, for our local beer can races, we are always one of the 'slowest boats' out there - except for another C25 and an Islander 29 (246) and a Cal 20 (264). So we have some pretty good races. It's hard to beat physics but you got close! Keep it up!

As for crew, 'my crew' has decided that for the C25 2 crew is best (the helmsman makes 3 total). More than that and there's too many of us stepping on each other's toes. That may not be enough meat on the rail in high winds and in a long ocean race a navigator would be needed probably. But adversity is there to be overcome!

Let us know how it turns out...

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 19:24:16

Ben - Here is my theory....

Alum Creek's rating is a 231 - identical to what a standard rig is in Cleveland. The rating for Cleveland (phrf-le) used to be 228. They gave a 3 second bump to "adjust for 2 new faster boats and to bring us in line with the rest of the world"

Phrf LE does not and will not compare a JAM boat with a SPIN boat. They do have a second number that rates just the JAM fleets...that number is 241. Normally the increase in phrf is always in 3 second increments. I'd be willing to bet that you have a JAM adjustment as well for your area but in your case it is 9 seconds....

The number really isn't important. It could be zero it could be five zillion. The important factor is the relativity to other boats. Does the starwind 22 fractional still rate a 276? does the catalina 22 rate a 279? whenever you travel, you will get the benefit of the local rating. What you to pay attention to is not are you a 240, but that you have an appropriate allowance over the other guys in your fleet.

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2006 : 06:15:45

Thanks for the explanation, Duane.

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