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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Capri 25 Specific Forum

Upwind performance in high winds

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Fleet
Navigator

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USA
151 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/29/2010 : 05:24:11

Raced Saturday in a club race. Cat320, Cat27, Colgate26, Hunter34 were the main competition. Winds varied from 12 to 18 knots, gusts to 23. I was using a 100% genoa and reefed main. Heading upwind, I'm guessing the other boats were able to head upwind around 3/5 degrees more than I. That surprised me especially with the Colgate26. Took out the reef and it didn't help improve upwind performance. The Cat27 is very fast and has an experienced skipper. I have beaten that boat heading upwind in 4/6 knots wind before. Is it my poor experience/sail trimming or does the Capri have poor upwind performance in high winds? On the downwind leg of the second lap, we put up the whisker pole and it was like kicking in a turbo. We left everybody except the Cat320 in our turbulence. My son was all smiles after that.

Fleet
Kamikaze
1983 Hull #397
Lake Guntersville, AL

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SailCO26
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 14:30:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Fleet
 Cat320, Cat27, Colgate26, Hunter34 were the main competition.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I wouldnt say the CP25 has "poor upwind performance in high winds", but remember you're the small fry in that crowd.

Those boats are quite a bit heavier than the CP25, thus easier to keep flat in higher winds. Also, they wont be subject to the slower acceleration they'd experience in lighter air. The Colgate is the closest to the CP25 in length, but IIRC it's basically designed for heavier air stability from the get-go.

In 12-18, I probably would have been running a #2 with a full main. Keep the boat on her feet and even if you can't point with 'em - beat 'em with speed (VMG).

Jim

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 14:44:52

What shape our your sails?

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klassi1
1st Mate

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88 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 18:33:06

We were in the similar wind conditions (14-18 gusts to 25) on Sunday. It was the first time we had ever sailed the boat. We had reefed main and the jib up. Sail shape was good and we were able to keep her on her feet. Don't think we had enough sail up but once we have a bit more experience and confidence in the boat that will change. Didn't want to terrify the crew on the first race.

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Fleet
Navigator

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USA
151 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 05:04:16

I've got a mylar 1, dacron 3 and mylar main. All are in very good condition and as far as I can tell hold their shape. With the main reefed, I thought we were doing a good job of keeping her on her feet. I assume "keeping her on her feet" means a heel of no more than 15 degrees? Heeling increased when we removed the reef. One thing I wanted to look into was how much pulling in on the backstay really bent the mast back. I don't think very much now.

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SailCO26
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457 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 07:21:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Fleet
 I assume "keeping her on her feet" means a heel of no more than 15 degrees?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Like everything else in the world, "it depends". I've heard people say the CP25 should be sailed "flat", but I've found that in some conditions I get better speed/higher pointing with more heel. If you have a speedo/GPS, make a change and see if it improves the situation. If not, go back.

My rule of thumb is really not so much what angle of heel are we at, but what does the helm feel like? If there's much more than just a touch of wx helm, you probably need less heel. If you're pulling on the stick to keep your course, the rudder is acting like a brake in the water.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Fleet
 One thing I wanted to look into was how much pulling in on the backstay really bent the mast back. I don't think very much now.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">The CP25 is a masthead rig with square spreaders - you're never going to induce a LOT of bend with the backstay. But you will increase the tension on the forestay, flattening the entry in the headsail which will help de-power as well. You'll get enough bend in the middle of the mast to help de-power the main somewhat, how much will depend a lot on your lowers and the cut of the main.

Jim

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Auburn80
1st Mate

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60 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2010 : 12:38:13

Hi Fleet! Can't believe you guys were out Saturday; I guess I'm too much of a wuss. Saw the front activity and decided it was too rich for my(our) blood. Looking forward to this weekend as the long-range looks pretty good.

Edit: My bad; got my weekends messed up. Did you race on the 3rd?

Clark
Cp 22 TM/FK
H280

Edited by - Auburn80 on 04/05/2010 12:49:38

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2010 : 13:19:24

Hey you Capri 25 guys! If you can get your boat to San Diego in September, race in the Nationals! One of you might go home National Champion, that would feel pretty good.

So far I've got about 5 Cat 25s and we have one local Capri 25 who will come out to play if we can get some of you down here.

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Fleet
Navigator

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USA
151 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2010 : 18:18:08

Jim, I would love to sail in San Diego but it's a way too far and I don't think my Capri is class legal.
Clark, didn't race on the 3rd but will be out this Saturday and Guntersville Cup. Are you going to race the Hunter or Capri 22?

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Auburn80
1st Mate

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60 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2010 : 06:37:35

The plan is to race the Capri; assuming I can get enough stick time to learn her ins & outs. I'm resigned to placing ~ last until I get as good as you guys . . ;-)

Clark

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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.