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A Real Bad First Race

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/05/2012 : 06:03:01

I've been preparing for my first race for months. Getting little things here and there. Scrubbing an inch of algae off the hull. Cleaning a 1000lbs of cruising crap out of the boat. The usual race prep. This race would be 2 long distance laps around the lake. The winds were really high the past few days and would remain so during the race. My brother would be the only one working the sheets. We practiced the night before and felt we did really well and were prepared for the next day. I also enlisted my sister as ballast, but wasn't sure if she could make it in time.
Yesterday began with my brother and I waking up from the boat. We had spent the night there since the skipper's meeting was at 9am and we live just over an hour from the lake. My parents and sister came in that morning and made it just before the meeting. While listening to the announcements, my brother is beginning to feel a bit under the weather. As we walk back to the boat to get under way, he blows chunks into the lake.

He caught a stomach bug that my entire family has had over the past 3 weeks. Great timing!
All the racers are already out there, so my dad volunteers to come along. About 5 minutes before the horn, I'm teaching my father and sister how to work the boat. With 20 other boats out there, we're just trying not to run into anyone at this point. Since I wasn't paying real attention to the start sequence, the horn goes off and we're the last ones to cross the line. As we try to make it up the windward leg in high winds, I'm noticing that my sister and father are not near strong enough to pull in the sheets, even with the handle. After each tack, I would have to hand over the tiller and tighten up the last few feet. Meanwhile, the fleet is starting to pull away. Eventually, we got things down a little better and the crew is starting to understand their roll. After we round the windward mark, I would then have to teach my father how to use a whisker pole. lol It was an interesting event, but we eventually got it set, and it didn't appear that we lost too much ground. In fact, a few moments later, we noticed that we had past up 2 boats. But, the major competitors were still a mile ahead.
With the long downwind leg, I didn't need much from the crew, and it appeared that we may have gained a little ground. But not enough before hitting the leeward end. We rounded the mark, headed back up the lake. Most of it was on one tack. We passed through the start line to begin our 2nd lap.

That's when my 20yo 150% decided to shred in 2 directions!!!

That was my first, and hopefully worst race day ever. I'll be in the swap meet if you need me.

1989 C-25 TR/WK #5894
Miss Behavin'
Sittin' in LCYC on Canyon Lake, Texas

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2012 : 18:30:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by NautiC25
 I've been preparing for my first race for months. Getting little things here and there. Scrubbing an inch of algae off the hull. Cleaning a 1000lbs of cruising crap out of the boat. The usual race prep. This race would be 2 long distance laps around the lake. The winds were really high the past few days and would remain so during the race. My brother would be the only one working the sheets. We practiced the night before and felt we did really well and were prepared for the next day. I also enlisted my sister as ballast, but wasn't sure if she could make it in time.
Yesterday began with my brother and I waking up from the boat. We had spent the night there since the skipper's meeting was at 9am and we live just over an hour from the lake. My parents and sister came in that morning and made it just before the meeting. While listening to the announcements, my brother is beginning to feel a bit under the weather. As we walk back to the boat to get under way, he blows chunks into the lake.

That was my first, and hopefully worst race day ever. I'll be in the swap meet if you need me.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sorry to here the 1st race didn't go as planned. Next race isn't far away and I'm sure things will go smoother!

Too bad you have a tall rig. I've got a good SR 150% hank on I'd loan you when I come up in a couple of weeks.

Any races on the 15th?

Edited by - GaryB on 07/05/2012 18:33:37

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2012 : 20:25:31

Yes GaryB, we have the Summer Series races 3 &4 on the 14th at LCYC.
If you come to LCYC about 3.30 or 4.oop.m. you may be able to get a crew spot - races start at 5.oop.m.
I'd invite you to come alomg but TSU will probably still be in the shop getting her bottom repaired.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2012 : 09:46:30

Here's some pics from shore.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2012 : 06:51:00

Well at least you got some good action shots! Every race is a good one. Your Dad and sis got tospend a day out with you and you got to go sailing - thats most of what matters, after that the biggest goal I take on teh course with me is "not last place" at least until the end of teh season when the points race tightens up.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2012 : 09:47:45

Yes, we definitely had fun. Especially my dad and sister. But, ugh....not an expense I was planning to make anytime soon. :(

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2012 : 11:12:27

Would you be interested in my standard rig 150? Probably be a 135 on your boat. I'll even deliver to you Sunday afternoon! $300 with sheets.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2012 : 11:26:05

No thanks Gary. I believe I have either a 100 or 135 already. I'll have to just cruise with it for now until I save enough for a good 155.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2012 : 15:17:05

I totally understand!

Edited by - on

cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2012 : 07:37:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by NautiC25
 I've been preparing for my first race for months......<snip>....

That was my first, and hopefully worst race day ever. I'll be in the swap meet if you need me.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
First races always seem to be "character builders" for some reason! Proud of you for getting out there!!

My first "official" race was in 1962 with a girl friend as crew on my new (to me) Windmill (15ft daggerboard sloop). We capsized on the starting line......during the start... which I was a little early for...(so everyone was right behind me when I blocked the starting line with my mast).... We righted the boat OK, but then it sailed off without us!... she (the boat) did not go too far however since she rammed the committee boat.. and capsized again...... The RC was able to control their laughter long enough to exercise a General Recall. I made sure I was the LAST boat to start at the re-start!!! That girl friend seemed to lose interest in racing after that? No idea why?

There are really very few errors I have not made through the years, some unfortunately more than once!! So it sounds like you actually had a pretty good time (at least till the jib failed!)!!!

Cheers to you for getting out there!!

Chuck

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2012 : 09:34:59

LOL! Thanks for that. I'm definitely not taking it badly. But, I did feel pretty bummed knowing that it's going to put a long hold on my racing.

Edited by - on

cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2012 : 16:19:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by NautiC25
 LOL! Thanks for that. I'm definitely not taking it badly. But, I did feel pretty bummed knowing that it's going to put a long hold on my racing.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No need to put a hold on your racing, just use your 135 and pray for wind (not likely this time of year except in thunderstorms I suspect)! With my 150 shot, the biggest jib I have is a 140 till I build another 150 (maybe a 155?). Thank goodness for the seabreeze each afternoon!

Chuck

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2012 : 08:32:17

My worst damages on races have been spreader pokes, torn sails, busted whisker poles, and deck hardware letting go. Every time it was because I was carrying too much canvas for conditions.

Luckily I have been able to fix what busted or pay someone to fix it. First race this season I went out with our small sail (110%) and way outperformed the guys with their 135% up. I need to rethink my sail choices. Costs less and works better to go with the right sail instead of the big one.

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