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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Racer needed: DC, MD, VA

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Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/09/2004 : 12:39:05

Is there anybody out there within an hour of DC who races his or her C-25 regularly? I race my boat every Tuesday on the Potomac, but we trail other 25's. I'd be interested in sailing on another 25 to see how things are done in a racing situation. Alternatively, I'd welcome a 25 "rockstar" on my boat. Drop me an email at bruce.baker@erols.com

Bruce Baker
Falls Church, VA
"Yee Ha" 3573
'83SR/SK

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2004 : 19:27:33

Buy new sails with the caveat that the sailmaker come and set your boat up and skipper for you for one race. You will be amazed. Just calling a sailmaker and asking what the most common rigging errors are will be a real lesson.

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2004 : 20:40:50

Bruce,

Sails are very important when we race. Most of us think we have good sails, but in truth they are blown out. They are ok for daysailing, but not for racing.

Secondly, the condition of the bottom. Is it clean and free from any kind of build up. One day a couple of years ago I was sailing on the Hudson, beating against the tide and current, and could make absolutely no headway up the river. Reason - the bottom was covered with barnies. If your bottom has any build up you will sail very well.

Next I would want to make sure my rigging is set up. Talk to your sail maker and see what insight he can provide you about setting up your boat.

Hope this helps,

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2004 : 10:22:37

Bruce, everyone thinks their sails are "blown out" or "stretched," but they're usually not nearly as bad as they think. I haven't seen many sails on inland lake sailboats that are so blown out that they can't be competitive. Most people lose much more speed and distance because of a lack of preparation and basic skills than they do because of old sails. Get a year or two of racing experience before you even think about buying new sails, because new sails won't win races for you. After you have developed the basic racing skills that will help you become competitive, new sails might make enough difference to put you in front.

If you do the following, you'll become competitive in most club racing: (1) Prepare the boat. Nobody can consistently win races with a slow boat. A smooth, clean, slippery bottom and keel makes for a fast boat. Strip off old, peeling, rough, bottom paint. Fair any rough spots on the keel. Apply VC17, or some other good racing paint. Wipe dirt and grime off the bottom, keel and rudder before each race.
(3) Concentrate on sail trim. The only thing that drives your sailboat is the action of the wind on the sails. They are your "engine." You want your engine to be running at maximum useful power all the time. After you round a mark, don't just trim the sails for the new course and then sit back and have a Sprite. Constantly re-trim the sails all around the course to compensate for every wind shift, puff or lull. Learn how to power your sails up and down with every puff and lull.
(2) Train the crew. While you are tacking the boat, the sails are luffing. The boat quickly loses speed, and it takes a sailboat a long time to accelerate back up to speed. Therefore, the sooner you can get the sails set and trimmed after the tack, the less speed and distance you will lose. Watch how your crew handles the jib. Often inexperienced crew will be off balance, or they will not be in a position that gives them good leverage. They should be positioned so that they can use both hands, and use the strength of their arms, legs, back and their weight to get the job done. Teach them to leave the jibsheet cleated until the headsail is luffing, and then to sheet it in on the other side as quickly as possible. Eliminate any wasted motions. (3) Learn how to read wind shifts. If you can learn to accurately recognize lifts and headers, you will be able to sail a shorter race course than your opponents. It's a lot easier to win a race if you don't have to sail as far as your opponents.

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jtbarrett
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2004 : 16:46:35

Bruce I am willing to give it a shot on Tuesdays nights. I own a catalina 25 on the Rappahanock River and race on another on that river. We have won high point the past 2 years for non-spin. I am 32 and full of COMPETATIVE spirit. I trim the headsail on the boat. I live in Manassas and can't get down there for our clubs wednesday night races so would love to spend time on a boat racing during the week if the start time is reasonable for me to get off work. Anyway if your interested in my help you can email me at the addy below.

Jonathan T Barrett
jtbarrett@rivnet.net
"Hang Loose"
#3047 SR SK '82
http://www.ypyc.org

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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.