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 Puget Sound Fall Sailing		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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dacc
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts
Initially Posted - 10/25/2010 :  14:13:06  Show Profile
Hello All,

I acquired my 78' C-25 swing keel "Windhorse" this summer, and have mostly been working on upgrades and repairs. We've had her out on Lake Washington, Lake Union, and Puget Sound a few times, and now I'm taking a keelboat class with my local club.

Yesterday we were out on Lake Washington in a Ranger 26 in around 15 - 20 knots of wind. Quite an experience! It was the first time I'd sailed a keelboat with that amount of responsiveness and acceleration.

I'm curious how my boat compares in its weather handling characteristics. The class includes an overnight cruise to Kingston in Puget Sound in a couple weeks, which the Ranger 26 and a Catalina 27 will be on. If these two are suitable for the conditions, is there any general reason why a C-25 swinger wouldn't be?

I've read plenty of posts about people in heavyish weather and cruising around the Sound, and I'm trying to reconcile these with the opinion of the one truly experienced person we've had accompany us on the boat, who doesn't seem to think she stacks up favorably to the other two boats I mentioned (the word "dingy" has even come up, much to my dismay!).

Thanks all and stay warm + dry. =)

- Daniel
"Windhorse" 1978 Catalina 25
Std Rig, Swing Keel, Pop Top
Edited by - dacc on 10/25/2010 14:18:39

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 10/25/2010 :  15:17:21  Show Profile
You don't mention whether the Ranger is a shoal draft stub keel with centerboard or a fin. There are some drawbacks to swingers in large seas, but I have had no difficulty with Lake Erie's notoriously short and steep waves up to 6 feet and certainly not the Gulf of Mexico,s longer and smother swell. The Ranger displaces a little more but has less ballast and less draft. If it's ok for the Ranger, I wouldn't be concerned in reasonable weather. The Puget Sound sailors should chime in with more valuable insight.
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jhinton
Navigator

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USA
123 Posts
Response Posted - 10/25/2010 :  15:18:21  Show Profile
They're just being party poopers. That is a perfect sail for the C25! Make sure the wind, waves, and weather look decent, fly a reasonable jib for the conditions, throw a reef in the main, and you'll be great. Kingston is a very nice marina with a great small town, enjoy!
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 10/25/2010 :  15:42:15  Show Profile
I just checked, and you're talking about a 20 mile or so cruise and usually within 5 miles of shore. You will be dealing with tides, but a 20 mile coastwise trip should be more fun than a challenge. Weather can change that, but you can stay home if the weather is severe. What you are doing is definitely an undertaking and requires planning and caution, but for comparison, Lake Erie is 40-50 miles by 250 miles and these boats a certainly reasonable choice for it.
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts
Response Posted - 10/25/2010 :  16:08:59  Show Profile
6" longer with a shorter waterline, considerably less ballast and overall displacement, but more sail... The R-26 is more the dinghy than the C-25. In light-moderate conditions and off the wind, you and the C-27 will have a hard time keeping up the the R-26, but in heavier conditions going to windward in bigger seas, she'll have a hard time staying with you, and the C-27 will take the lead. I'm not implying that you'll be <i>racing</i>, but whenever two sailboats are within sight of each other on the same tack, there's a race going on!

And remember, no matter how fast they are, there's somebody faster. Relax, and sail safely and within yourself.
Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/25/2010 16:30:36
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Mark Maxwell
Captain

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USA
329 Posts
Response Posted - 10/25/2010 :  16:41:55  Show Profile
Well said Dave,
Your boat is more than capable. That being said, it's more important that you are capable. Your boats biggest challenge will be dead heads and currents, those will affect the others as well. Sailing safe and within your own abilities is your best advise.
Edited by - Mark Maxwell on 10/25/2010 16:42:27
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 10/25/2010 :  19:57:28  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
We sail on Puget Sound exclusively now, but used to have our old San Juan 21 at Leschi on Lake Washington. I don't think I'd hesitate taking your boat out there as long as the conditions are favorable. Fortunately this time of year is generally the finest sailing weather of the year. It's still "warm", the wind is usually favorable, and the weather can be gorgeous. Although this year, pay strict attention to the forecast, we've got a La Nina winter inbound, and if it's like today (blustery with wind speeds close to 30mph), I'd be hesitant to go out if you're not confident. Start out with a reef tucked in, and fly your storm jib instead of your normal foresail. You can always shake out your reef and hank on a larger jib if you want to.

We had trees down around here this morning, and they were still cleaning up this evening, and the wind is still whipping around. All the leaves we had raked up last week, it looks like the yard hasn't been touched.
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dacc
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts
Response Posted - 10/31/2010 :  22:22:46  Show Profile
Thanks for all the great information and support guys!

The Ranger is a fin keel, and it looks like I'll be sailing up there on her for this trip. It will be due to the club's familiarity with her as a teaching vessel, rather than any lack of capability on the C-25s part!
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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.