What has been your best tip or change for that little bit of extra speed on your Catalina 25? We are new to boat and racing but have raced Buccaneer 18 for the past year.
Catalina 25 racing tips
- Thread starter gdickerson1949
- Start date
Good for you.
What I have found, in 35+++ years of sailing, is that few, if any, sailors are going to share those secrets they have learned from hard times and big knocks.
Go do it. That's pretty much the only way to learn.
You could also ask here, and learn more about your boat here:
http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3
Good luck, it takes time to learn the rules and learn how to close the gap and hit the marks (not literally).
What I have found, in 35+++ years of sailing, is that few, if any, sailors are going to share those secrets they have learned from hard times and big knocks.
Go do it. That's pretty much the only way to learn.
You could also ask here, and learn more about your boat here:
http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3
Good luck, it takes time to learn the rules and learn how to close the gap and hit the marks (not literally).
A very large jib. That boat is driven by the jib. Keep a 135 and a 155 on the boat. I have heard that you can really knock it out of the park with a 165 in light air. You will take a penalty but my understanding is that it is worth it.
Thanks. Yes it is tough to get people to share their hard earned secrets, but I had to ask. I am using a 110% and a 150% jib. 150% mostly unless it is really blowing. We also brush the bottom and keel the day before the race, at least once a month. This is to remove the fresh water algai.. We are docked at Kerr Lake in VA. I've noticed this really adds to the speed. I'll ask on the other website also. Right now the biggest problem we have is beating to the wind. Can't seem to get much of a point. Not near 45 degrees.
Pointing ability is most affected by the condition of the head sail and the tension in the headstay. If the sail is old with a belly you will not point well. If the head stay is sagging when sailing upwind, you will not point well. If I found myself wanting to purchase new sails I would consider removing the roller furler so that I could install a headsail that comes all the way down to the deck. That will give you your best performance. Good tactics and boat handling will go a long way in helping you win races even if you boat is not a racer. May I suggest "Getting Started in Sailboat Racing" Adam Cort and Richard Stearns. I love this book. Very comprehensive and an easy read.
Thanks, markwbird. I am using hank on sails. I will pay more attention to the forstay to see if it has the tension it needs.
Has anyone moved the headsail to inside the life lines to get a better angle of attack on the beat? Did anyone have success with this?
Has anyone moved the headsail to inside the life lines to get a better angle of attack on the beat? Did anyone have success with this?
Both my reply #2 and reply #5 suggest you go to the link I posted for the C25 association website. Moving the jib sheet is not necessarily a "racing" issue, but is certainly "boat specific" and they'd know.
Good luck.
OK, Stu. Since I am new, you win. You have only told me three times to go elsewhere to discuss a
Catalina boat. Heard you the first time and went there also.Thought this was the Catalina forum. Would prefer if you can't help, you would find something else to do. Have a great day. Thanks to the members that tried to help. Good information.
Catalina boat. Heard you the first time and went there also.Thought this was the Catalina forum. Would prefer if you can't help, you would find something else to do. Have a great day. Thanks to the members that tried to help. Good information.
If you are both new to racing and new to the boat you'll have a special challenge. It can be hard to know what's fast and what is slow if you don't have a baseline.
But on the boat (and some of this has been said):
Get extra weight off. A mostly cruised boat like a C25 can easily have several hundred extra pounds of stuff on it.
Keep the bottom clean... We get in and swim and clean ours bi-weekly.
It's a heavy boat. In light airs focus on looking for pressure, minimizing tacking and keep the boat moving.
If you can find another C25 to sail with, that is pure gold. Practice together and go upwind.
In general, spend 90% of your time training to go upwind well. In particular in light airs. After you master that, everything else is easy. ALL boats reach at hull speed in 12 knots.
But on the boat (and some of this has been said):
Get extra weight off. A mostly cruised boat like a C25 can easily have several hundred extra pounds of stuff on it.
Keep the bottom clean... We get in and swim and clean ours bi-weekly.
It's a heavy boat. In light airs focus on looking for pressure, minimizing tacking and keep the boat moving.
If you can find another C25 to sail with, that is pure gold. Practice together and go upwind.
In general, spend 90% of your time training to go upwind well. In particular in light airs. After you master that, everything else is easy. ALL boats reach at hull speed in 12 knots.
Thanks, Jackdaw. Learn something new every day. This is the first time I have heard that all boats reach hull speed at 12 knots of wind! Good to know. Will also lighten the load immediately.