How does your H240 race??

[Tony]

I'd like to ask how other H240 owners find their boats in terms of racing. I'm trying to get some benchmarks as to what I should expect from my boat. Can I blame the boat, or is it me? (I'd love to blame the equipment!) So far - 2 races - I have found the H240 to be quite a bit slower going to weather against almost all of the boats in my club. It's not too bad downwind, but I generally can't get near the other boats. I race with the boat in stock condition - no spinnaker, 100% jib. The other club boats range from Catalina 22s to J-Boats. I don't expect to get anywhere near a J-Boat, but have any of you guys had any luck in races against less "race-oriented boats"? I'm not trying to discount my total lack of race talent (definitely start-challenged), just wondering if I can expect to improve over the long haul. ThanksTony

 

[Sean Coerse]

Racing

The H240 will never go to wheather like a J boat. However beating up on Cat 22's shouldn't be a problem. If you are new to racing try taking an experienced racer out with you. work on sail trim. Going to wheather sheet in the sails and constantly work the shifts heading up on the lifts and falling off on the headers. You have to sail this boat flat going to wheather. If you dont have a couple heavy guys on the wheather side you need to reef. This boat will saill faster and point better with a reefed main and a full jib. Good luck

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The very first one

At a redenvouz in Solomons Maryland, several years back, there was a race with appx 40 plus boats ranging from 18 upwards to 45 feet. We started in the second group but overall without corrected time, I was fouth over the finish line which include those using spinnakers. I love to eat up J boatsBut I have alot of experience and the boat is only one item as your experinece, condition of the boat, knowlwedge of the sailing area and so forth do play into the factor,.Crazy Dave Condon

 

[Joe R]

depends

I have been both thrilled and disapointed. I came from a small inland lake when I had a 21 and 24 was the biggest boat. Now on lake Michigan with a H240 I'm one of the smaller boats. And there are old posts where I complain about speed, however I have also out run 23's to 35's and been thrilled. Sometimes the bigger boats pass me and sometimes I pass them.The right wind (11 to 15mph), the right heading (broad to beam reach) will help. And of course if the other guy is less experienced always makes a big diference.Remember "when you're out in front, you're racing and when you are back in the pack, you are just cruising."Just enjoy the thrill of sailing, try to be observant so you understand as you fine tune. Probably the hardest lesson to learn on the 240 is to reef and sail flat for more speed. Try this next time you are in a group of boats going the same way..... get her running as fast as you can under full sail and note your position in the pack, then reef the main and see what happens. You will need a good wind that has you heeling well for this demo to be effective.Happy Start of Season......Joe