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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
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 rounding the windward mark		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts
Initially Posted - 06/03/2008 :  16:09:10  Show Profile  Visit JimB517's Homepage
Last night after praticing my start, I rounded a windward mark about 1/4 mile away.

At about 4 knots, the Catalina 25 can carve a very tight circle, staying within 3 or 4 feet of the mark - perhaps a 5 foot turn radius.

It seems to me to start the turn when the mark is at the forward lower shroud (or a little sooner), spin the boat with the tiller hard over, and ease the rudder a little if you are getting too close to the mark.

This super tight turn works great but kills all your speed. Making a much more gradual turn - a 25 to 30 foot radius - seemed to be faster, ie. to carry more speed out of the turn. This in light wind about 6 - 7 knots.

What do you think?

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398
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Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts
Response Posted - 06/03/2008 :  16:59:48  Show Profile
Yep to both scenarios. It depends on what kind of traffic is around you. If you're free and clear of other boats at the mark make the wider turn and keep the boat moving as fast as possible, especially in light air or chop. If other boats are threatening or have you restricted go for the tactical rounding but don't stall the boat.
Edited by - Renzo on 06/03/2008 17:00:20
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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts
Response Posted - 06/03/2008 :  18:01:12  Show Profile
Jim, IMHO the best turn at any mark is to approach about 1 boat length from the mark and then turn and emerge close to the mark. This works well in the absence of traffic as Renzo remarked. In traffic you have to make the tight turn to avoid someone cutting inside of you.
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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts
Response Posted - 06/03/2008 :  18:48:49  Show Profile  Visit JimB517's Homepage
I've been cutting the mark by about 6 inches and emerging 3 or 4 feet from it, I'll try tonight starting about 25 feet out and emerging in close.
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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts
Response Posted - 06/03/2008 :  18:54:47  Show Profile  Visit JimB517's Homepage
We always have at least some current, could be for you or against you (last night was setting me down towards the line).

Tonight I'll practice the timed Vanderbuilt start.

Keep in mind we are usually in the last class to start, and we have to keep the starting area clear for the class ahead. So I only have 5 minutes to work in. I usually get the jib up with 10 minutes to go. I could sail up to the line with the last boats of the class ahead, barely cross, tack to a broad reach right at the 4 minute warning.

Last night, among other things, I tried coming in on port tack, then tacking to starboard with 1.5 minutes to go, this did not seem to work too well (very hard to control where you will be when you hit the line).
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts
Response Posted - 06/04/2008 :  08:14:21  Show Profile
Approach the mark wide, and pass close to the mark as you round it. By doing so, you prevent any boats behind you from cutting between you and the mark and positioning themselves to windward of you on the next leg. Likewise, if you're close behind another boat, and he swings too wide of the mark, you can pass between him and the mark, and begin the next leg to windward of him. Of course, if you do that, then you have to be able to outpoint him, because he'll usually try to take you to windward.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.