I was just pondering... of all the watercraft out there aside from some paddlecraft, cruising sailboats are pretty much the slowest things on the water. So why is it that we are so concerned with speed? Don't get me wrong, I'm guilty of debating wether my boat is a 1/2kt faster than his too. But how often do you hear someone say "I bet my trawler is faster than yours"? It just dawned on me that we as "cruisers" and "daysailors" should epitomize taking it easy and not caring about squeezing a fraction of a knot out of our rig at all times. (actual racing aside) So what's your take on the subject??
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Fast is relative
I will always tell the other guy that his boat (within reason) is faster, he has better sails and then take great fun in passing him/her. It's what might be called "leisure racing" and when any two sailboats are out there together sailing leisurly, when one sees the other, the trim gets a little better, traveler starts moving etc. all the while the Captain tries to look relaxed and not interested. Just human nature. Besides it's fun.
I will always tell the other guy that his boat (within reason) is faster, he has better sails and then take great fun in passing him/her. It's what might be called "leisure racing" and when any two sailboats are out there together sailing leisurly, when one sees the other, the trim gets a little better, traveler starts moving etc. all the while the Captain tries to look relaxed and not interested. Just human nature. Besides it's fun.
You are right!
It is a little silly that we are sailers and most of us would never consider a motor boat, yet some of us "race" with other boats (even if the other captain does not know we are racing. I have yet to be on the water and encounter another boat close enough to my size, etc that this type of compentition would make sense.
It is a little silly that we are sailers and most of us would never consider a motor boat, yet some of us "race" with other boats (even if the other captain does not know we are racing. I have yet to be on the water and encounter another boat close enough to my size, etc that this type of compentition would make sense.
Try racing a cat . . .
The 27 year old woman that just set a record circumnavigation had one 24 hour period where she was averaging 20 knots!
The 27 year old woman that just set a record circumnavigation had one 24 hour period where she was averaging 20 knots!
Drive to be the best
Hi Patrick, Have a sail boat and power boat. Operate both with performance in mind. Don't race other power boats when underway in my stink pot but do try to optimize trim / power for conditions. When sailing boat trim is primary focus racing and always want to kick butt when recreational sailing. Just makes me feel good when leaving a boat astern and my wife says - "isn't that a faster boat?" I use the same quote whenever the tables are turned. ___/)
Hi Patrick, Have a sail boat and power boat. Operate both with performance in mind. Don't race other power boats when underway in my stink pot but do try to optimize trim / power for conditions. When sailing boat trim is primary focus racing and always want to kick butt when recreational sailing. Just makes me feel good when leaving a boat astern and my wife says - "isn't that a faster boat?" I use the same quote whenever the tables are turned. ___/)
Measure of skill
If we are on the water sailing there isn't a yardstick to measure skill. Going faster than a simular boat is a crude measure. Sure their sails are older and their bottom is dirty but by passing them you know that you are making better use of the wind available.
If we are on the water sailing there isn't a yardstick to measure skill. Going faster than a simular boat is a crude measure. Sure their sails are older and their bottom is dirty but by passing them you know that you are making better use of the wind available.
type a or type b
Patrick, I guess it is a personality issue I myself could care less how fast I go or even if I leave the dock sometimes. However ever once and a while my type A side wants to go fast,even if is only 1/2 knot faster then the next guy,just a personality thing ! I like the relaxing side of boating much,much more then the competive side. On the other hand I have a dockmate who will push everthing (boat, car, bicycle or whatever)to the max just to do say he can. Guess not every one likes just vanilla ice cream !
Patrick, I guess it is a personality issue I myself could care less how fast I go or even if I leave the dock sometimes. However ever once and a while my type A side wants to go fast,even if is only 1/2 knot faster then the next guy,just a personality thing ! I like the relaxing side of boating much,much more then the competive side. On the other hand I have a dockmate who will push everthing (boat, car, bicycle or whatever)to the max just to do say he can. Guess not every one likes just vanilla ice cream !
type A
Pete, I can relate. On my hobie 16 I'm the full on type A you describe, and on my bike, and in my kayak, and on a skateboard, and on ...... pretty much everythig except my C38 (usually, unless I see another boat I think I can run down)!
Pete, I can relate. On my hobie 16 I'm the full on type A you describe, and on my bike, and in my kayak, and on a skateboard, and on ...... pretty much everythig except my C38 (usually, unless I see another boat I think I can run down)!
Snail's pace race
Why go fast? When you are on a sailboat, no matter where you are, you are already where you want to be! Happy sails *_/), MArk
Why go fast? When you are on a sailboat, no matter where you are, you are already where you want to be! Happy sails *_/), MArk
Measure of skill for sure.
I have to agree with p323ms. In a power boat you push the throttle forward to go faster. A 5 year old with no boating knowledge can do it. On a sailboat, the only way to go faster is to optimize all the sail trim controls, balast placement and so forth. If you don't have the knowledge then you simply cannot do it. For myself, I simply cannot allow my sails to be out of trim. Mastering control of my boat is always my top priority and that converts to higher speed. If I'm racing, then best speed is always my goal. If not then using my skill to sail the best I know how is my goal. However, that also translates to best speed.
I have to agree with p323ms. In a power boat you push the throttle forward to go faster. A 5 year old with no boating knowledge can do it. On a sailboat, the only way to go faster is to optimize all the sail trim controls, balast placement and so forth. If you don't have the knowledge then you simply cannot do it. For myself, I simply cannot allow my sails to be out of trim. Mastering control of my boat is always my top priority and that converts to higher speed. If I'm racing, then best speed is always my goal. If not then using my skill to sail the best I know how is my goal. However, that also translates to best speed.
No difference
Alan's got the idea. It doesn't matter whether you're racing or cruising, there is really no reason NOT to set the sails properly. It gets the best out of the boat, is usually more comfortable, and ends up being the "fastest." We did 4.2 in 7 wind yesterday. Bottom just cleaned the day before, newly reconditioned mainsail and a 100 jib. Just delightful! Stu
Alan's got the idea. It doesn't matter whether you're racing or cruising, there is really no reason NOT to set the sails properly. It gets the best out of the boat, is usually more comfortable, and ends up being the "fastest." We did 4.2 in 7 wind yesterday. Bottom just cleaned the day before, newly reconditioned mainsail and a 100 jib. Just delightful! Stu
That's what makes it fun
In a powerboat, you have to master the art of pushing the throttle forward to make it go fast. In a sailboat, after years of experience you can still learn new tricks to get a little more speed/efficiency out of the boat. I try to learn something new each time out, and succeed more often than not. It's very satisfying to tie up at the end of the day having learned a new tweak and looking forward to trying it again, perhaps in competition. And it's fantastic to apply that newfound knowledge in a formal race and see a measurable difference in the outcome. Even if you are the only boat out that day, you can relax just as easily if the boat is trimmed properly as you can if everything is set up sloppy.
In a powerboat, you have to master the art of pushing the throttle forward to make it go fast. In a sailboat, after years of experience you can still learn new tricks to get a little more speed/efficiency out of the boat. I try to learn something new each time out, and succeed more often than not. It's very satisfying to tie up at the end of the day having learned a new tweak and looking forward to trying it again, perhaps in competition. And it's fantastic to apply that newfound knowledge in a formal race and see a measurable difference in the outcome. Even if you are the only boat out that day, you can relax just as easily if the boat is trimmed properly as you can if everything is set up sloppy.
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