iwannarace

[Jim Floyd]

We have been bitten, once again, with the racing bug. However, with inmast furling and a PHRF of 159, we are not competitive. We would be very interested in adding a racing main and want to "talk" to anyone who has done so. Can we just add it up what appears to be a second track on the mast - or exactly how does that work? is anyone out there racing? Successfully? (By that I mean not at the end of the pack?) What advice can you give us? Please advise!! We need help from any racers out there! Thanks in advance.

 

[Joe Barrett]

Racing a 320

Jim, I have hull # 689 a 2000 model. I race the boat quite a bit but have a more traditional Catalina mainsail. Most good sail lofts can design a better mainsail, I think I've seen lots of ads for "Selden" inmast furling mains that may be much better then what you have now. They advertise larger roaches giving more sail area. Your PHRF of 159 I believe is faulty. I had a 159 rating with 3 blade feathering prop and 155% Genoa. With your inmast furling no way should you be that low. West Florida PHRF just went to a 3 level rating system, one rating for Bouy, one for offshore including reaches and one for bouy races with some reaching legs. Much better as our fastest point of sail is a close reach. I have also added an outer genoa track, backstay adjuster, laminated 155% Genoa, whisker pole with padeye, adjustable genoa car system, and feathering prop. I think you need to add some of these things to race succesfully but your biggest problems are your mainsail roach is too small and your PHRF rating is too low! Email me at joe@dolphinmortgage.com if you want to chat further.