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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

faster than 9 knots last night - over ground

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/09/2009 : 12:06:42

Yesterday early morning we had a frontal passage. Last night was the typical San Diego post frontal passage strong winds, rough seas, and cold air (in the 60s). I hit the water around 5:30 PM and was out in the ocean by 6. It was really rough with steep, square faced waves about 5 feet and winds about 12 gusting higher. I was flying my 155 and full main and we were just barely overpowered in the gusts. Backstay on, outhaul pulled tight and generally hardened up for strong winds but no reefs. Heading upwind I was consistently seeing speeds in the 6s, pounding hard, and taking spray all the way over the cockpit. I sailed a big triangle course, trying to put myself into position to surf the steep waves on a broad reach (I love this). I dropped into some long rides and saw speeds in the 7s on those rides.

It was really too rough and wet to enjoy it for long so as the sun started going down I found myself broad reaching back into Mission Bay in strong winds and benefiting from a 2 to 3 knot flood current. At times I saw speeds on the GPS well above 9 peaking around 9.2. This is the fastest SOG I've ever sailed my C25!

Even though it was past sunset, it was really too nice to go home so I practiced starts and mark roundings for another hour, finally putting the boat away in the dark, getting on the road about 8 PM and home a little after 9.

It may rain tonight and its forecast to be wet and windy Friday night, looking forward to ripping up the Bay! Maybe I'll even need the #2 or #3 jib!

Really happy I was not delivering the boat up to Dana Point (60 miles to windward) last night but it would be great to have conditions like this for the race around the Coronados and the Border Run coming up in a few weeks. Stay tuned, Indiscipline is fast and in top shape for the coming races (I will even be racing a Capri 25).

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 12:34:55

Hi Jim,

I bet your speeds between 6.5 and 7.5 knots are measured on your mechanical knotmeter, right? It might have a second or two lag time. When I catch a good 5' wave on a beam reach my gps often registers 8 or 9 knots for a second or two. You were probably sliding down those big waves faster than 8 knots. What do you think?

Edit: Just re-read your post - yes, is the answer!

Edited by - JohnP on 04/09/2009 12:36:37

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 13:15:45

Yes, when you are surfing you can go significantly faster than hull speed - for a while. I try to drop in on the wave on a broad reach, or even a beam, then turn down. It doesn't last long on a C25 but on that Coronado 32 you could ride waves for miles.

I was going about 7 through the water (at times) and seeing over 9 over ground due to the flood current.

I wish I had a crew and could have raised my #2 spinnaker. We probably could have seen 10 knots over ground.

Can't go tonight - I have to preside over our Association monthly meeting!

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 15:40:58

At our weekly Wed. nite race yesterday evening, we had winds per the VHF radio at 15-18 with gusts to 24. We had 12-14 boats using a pursuit start doing a circular course around channel markers, rock buoys and islands. I and 3 others from the C-22 fleet raced my C-25 TR, and we finished 6th, behind an Oday 25, 3 Northstar 500's and an Oday 31. All of the S2 7.9's were well behind us. We had a full, but somewhat tired, main and were flying my new 135 full-hoist genoa (only the 2nd time out of the bag). I probably should have reefed the main, used the 110, or both. I do not have the balanced rudder. We had our hands full, rounded up 3 times and almost took water over the cockpit coaming twice. The third round-up was just a few boat lengths before the first rounding buoy. We recovered in time to make the rounding in front of the Oday 25, but they were handling the wind better than us and made a better turn, pulling ahead.
Under those wind conditions, what would you other C-25 TR guys have done re: sails?

Also, what time is the meeting and what phone number? I would like to call in.

Edited by - dmpilc on 04/09/2009 15:43:06

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 17:55:09

I can't get excited about SOG when measured by a GPS. Take your boat speed (measured by the GPS) and subtract the 2 or 3 knot flood current...and your back to a normal speed.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 18:32:05

At Ease - you could get excited if you saw the rock breakwater coming towards you at 10 knots single handed in a 20 knot gust at night while surfing a 5 foot wave. Some of our lake sailors don't even know what a 2.5 knot tidal current pushing 5 foot waves are like.

<b> Besides - I want to start anything <u>EXCEPT</u> another darn thread about the history of the Association. </b> Bring on some sailing threads, please!

dmpilc - the meeting is via SKYPE at 6 PM PDT today, Thursday, 4/9/09 Everyone is invited, but you have to send me or Steve (Treasurer) your SKYPE username.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 20:04:08

I sent it to Paul about a hour ago, had a nice talk with him.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 20:34:28

In Oneida Lake located in Central New York, if the wind is up, and I can surf a wave to hit anything above 7 knots - - I am happy and excited for about a month. It's relative to one's environment. -- yeeeeehaaa - ride 'em sailboy

Heh.

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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.