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First Race for Sly McFly Tomorrow

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/12/2010 : 17:55:17

Well, I put an ad in Craigslist Boats for Sale section offering people a chance to learn to sail by joining a race crew. It worked so well I had to take the ad down in a day. I got about 15 people. So I told them people who show up to practice and people who show up on work days (no sailing, only boat maintenance) get preference. We've had two practice days and one work day (odd, I was the only one who showed up for the work day). In any case I have 2 regulars from the old boat and about 10 newbies from the ad some of whom have showed up for both practice days.

The newbies pretty much know nothing I even have to show them how to open a Wichard shackle, but they are young, strong, fearless, don't mind working, are not afraid of a little water, so far so good. Also NO ONE has gotten seasick even though for some of them this is their first time on the water.

Here is a great photo of me on Sly

Here is the view from the cockpit:

Yes it is a wet boat - at least to the foredeck. She heels easily and has so much power you are punching the bow through the waves a lot.

Tomorrow is the first race. Dacron sails and used spinnakers only. The North 3DL sails have not arrived yet (plus Airex 700 asym and Airex 600 symmetrical spin). Yes, that's about $10K in sails coming for Xmas.

I have my 2 regulars plus 5 or 6 others coming (we'll have 8 on the boat). That is a big load but it is what I called a "party race" just my club race with all the Catalina's and the last club race of the season. The so called "Turkey Day Regatta" which I won last year on Indiscipline.

Yesterday I had the day off and we had a practice. We were consistently in the 7.5 knot range upwind in 11 knots of air. The boat points real well but it is a load. I have to twist off the main and come down just to keep her on her feet, even in only 10 - 12 knots of wind (with the 148% dacron jib). This boat LOVES weight on the rail.

We got the 0.75 oz spin up and the boat was hitting 8 knots. There was not enough waves to induce surfing, but wave action can really accelerate the boat. We could sail from about 80 degrees AWA to about 150 with the sym spin. The boat loves an AWA around 100. I think with wind around 20 we can square off, run straight down, induce surfing, and see speeds in the teens. I am really looking forward to it.

Tomorrow the Cat 36s, 34, 320, 30s should be toast. We have a new member with a Capri 30 (rates 112 to my 138) and that should be a race. I am racing as a guest in the old Catalina fleet, along with the Silver Gate Yacht Club Family fleet. So there should be some good competition out there.

Beautiful weather here, by the way. 72 degrees F days, cold nights. Wind 10 knots plus. Seas 2 to 3. Heading to San Diego Bay at 0630, will have a guest slip at Silver gate Saturday night and bringing the boat home solo Sunday morning (my first single handed trip).

Got the new Simrad TP-22 autopilot installed Wednesday night.

Will keep you posted!

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - JimB517 on 11/12/2010 18:01:01

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2010 : 18:00:41

By the way, I really love the boat. We really need a #2 jib 135%.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2010 : 18:59:18

S*P*E*C*T*A*C*U*L*A*R*!!! We're waiting breathlessly!! And when the new sails arrive,... <b>WOW!!</b> You are finally in your element, Jim! (You won't be a guest for long!)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 11/12/2010 19:02:38

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2010 : 21:17:47

Hey, Jim,

Have fun, and good luck in the race!

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2010 : 19:36:04

Well I am home after a great weekend. We motored Sly down to San Diego Saturday morning, leaving Mission Bay and arriving at the guest dock at 0930. Picked up crew, found Shelter Island Boatyard and had the divers put my kelp cutter on (I wond free hull cleaning and all dive services free for 1 year at the Catalina 25 Nationals).

The start of the race was delayed 30 minutes for no wind. At about 12:30 we started, in about 5 knots or less. Sly did not get a good start, we were leeward to some Cat 36s and blanketed. But soon we ghosted through the entire fleet are were in front. We easily passed all the Catalinas - 36s, 34, and all the 30s. We passed the Capri 30. Soon, we were in front and then we went up with the spinnaker.

There were only 2 boats giving us a race - Freebird a Pearson 33 with race sails (rates 156) and Lightray - I'm not sure what she is but she rates 86 and has race sails but no spin.

We gybed around a mark outside the bay and were running pretty deep. Freebird was ahead about 100 yards. We caught them and could have easily rolled them, but I decided to duck. Our fleet was crossing a little fleet of etchels or something like that. I went below their fleet and Freebird went above. I won that round and we reached the downwind mark pretty much ahead. I called for the spin douse about 1/2 mile away (new crew, first race) and they did a good job, too good, we were jib and main wing and wing for too long and Freebird caught us. They rounded first. Lightray rounded 3rd several minutes back.

On the upwind leg back to San Diego we were outpointing Freebird, Lightray took an early port tack and we lost sight of them.

Now keep in mind there were 20 boats racing but they were so far back it didn't matter. This is new for me. Dueling for the lead.

The wind built to about 20 knots and we were way overpowered. I called for lots of twist in the main and jib and that helped. We hardened backstay. Eventually, even with 7 guys on the rail, I had to fall off just to keep the boat on her feet.

Freebird, Lightray, and Sly all rounded the buoy very close and began a tacking duel up San Diego Bay. Both boats beat us to the finish.

We ended placing 4th overall. This club has PHRF adjustments for roller furling and stuff like that so a Catalina 30 that ends up with a rating of 221 corrected over us for 3rd. The race committee shortened the course and we didn't see the committee boat until after we passed so we had to go back to finish and that cost us enough time to lose 3rd.

All in all a great 1st race and when we get our North 3DL sails I don't think any of those boats can touch us.

I then spent the night at a guest slip and motored and sailed home today my first solo voyage. The boat was pretty easy to handle. The new TP-22 autopilot worked great. I went one size up on the AP and bought a unit rated for a much bigger boat - Sly can get pretty loaded up. We motored out of San Diego Bay, then tacked, got the #3 jib up (I had both 1st and 2nd reef lines run if needed). Winds were super light but I was able to coax 3.5 knots out of her. Eventually I got the jib down and motored in. Now after about 6 hours of motoring, we used 2 gallons of diesel. Since I bought the boat I've used 3 gallons total and we are now down to a half tank. The little BMW 6 HP diesel is very light on fuel (also very light on thrust).

Only one thing broke, the turning block at the base of the mast broke when the guys were winching up the main real hard during the period of big winds. I didn't want to run that line back anyhow.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2010 : 20:18:23

Great first showing, Jim! I remember you blowing a block when winching the main on Indiscipline when you took me out...

Can't wait to hear the stories when the new sails arrive... but keep 'em coming in the interim!

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 11/15/2010 08:34:54

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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