"Race Your Boat Right"

Simon Sexton

Simon Sexton

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Nov 1, 2017
635
Hunter 28.5 Galveston
Hey Everyone,

I hope you all are taking it easy and making good process with all your projects! I wanted to ask today if anyone else has either head of Arthur Knapp, or read his published book, "Race Your Boat Right". This book is packed full of maintenance, tactical, navigational and preparatory tips and wisdom down to the most miniscule of details; I am not yet done with it, only about halfway through, as there is much to comprehend and I, myself, am admittedly a slow reader ;). I highly recommend it to anyone interested in sailing!


God Bless,
S.S.
 
Will Gilmore

Will Gilmore

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Oct 19, 2017
8,030
O'Day Mariner 19 Littleton, NH
I remember that book from when I was a kid. I think it was first published in 1953 or there abouts but that cover you are showing is newer, more my time. It might have even been on the book shelf in the main cabin (my dad owned a copy). I think it was very popular at the time. However, I didn't grow up with aspirations around racing, more like ocean crossing, so I never read it.
That picture does bring back memories, though.

Thanks for sharing, Simon.

- Will (Dragonfly)
 
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Sandy Stone

Sandy Stone

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Jun 2, 2007
404
Beneteau First 375 Slidell, LA
I have an old, old copy. Unfortunately I'm not at home to check the date, but IIRC it deals with wood boats, gaff rigs, and canvas sails. Even so, a lot of the information in there is still applicable. I didn't know anybody else had even heard of that book.
 
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Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
;^) That book will have some time-tested nuggets for sure, but a lot of the racing advice will be old fashioned, and any reference to rules will be hugely suspect. I noted with a smile that the forward to the first edition was written by a Vanderbilt!
 
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njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,476
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
Great find Dave!
I'm nominating you as Head Historic Research Librarian. I remember back when advertising was still somewhat based in reality even when they were selling the sizzle vs the steak. Thank you for posting it.
Ps, I have that edition. Time to read it once more.
 
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Kings Gambit

Kings Gambit

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Jul 27, 2011
5,144
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
In its most basic form, sailboat racing comes down to the synergism between boat speed, tactics, and coursemanship. I was so painfully reminded of that this past weekend racing from Avalon to Queens Gate, Long Beach--23.5 n.mi.. It was a pursuit race where I had the penultimate start in a non-spin class of 10. The one starter after me by a few seconds was a J-boat which quickly passed me by a few boat lengths while my "unpracticed crew" was getting the boat in trim. However, the conditions were so favorable for the Bavaria, heading NE on a N to NW wind between 10 and 13 kt, that after about 18 mi I had overtaken 8 of the 9 boats ahead of me (boat speed). I "defeated" the J-boat by catching up and staying generally abeam and to weather of him, somewhat lower than the rhumb. He evidently did not wish to remain there and tried to force me up or go over me, but never getting mast abeam before I footed off whereupon he decided to pass close astern. Fouled by some of my bad air, I left him several boat lengths astern and never saw him near again (tactics).

The forecast was for northeasterly (offshore) Santa Ana winds by afternoon near the coast. About five to six miles from the finish line the offshore wind became erratic and gusty with long lulls. The fleet was in disarray; however, all the boats I had passed were still behind me. Tacking here and there, sometimes meeting 21- 24 kt gusts, we made progress toward the line now lying north of us. Then the BIG error (coursemanship). We tacked toward northwest on this erratic wind while most of the rest of the fleet went toward east. The wind finally started filling in from the NE and astonishingly, resulted in us being stuck in a hole half a mile from the seaward limit of the wind line with its beautiful white caps. The boats nearest me begin accelerating toward the finish in more wind than they could easily handle being smaller than us while WE sat in that hole, sails slatting, the boat bobbing, for 20 MIN before I retried from the race. It was heartbreaking.:( Only 4 of the 10 managed to finally beat their way to the finish (i.e., finished). So, it can matter little about what you do to the boat to "race right." If you're not where the wind is, you're not going anywhere fast!!!
 
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shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,762
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Kings Gambit said:
...The boats nearest me begin accelerating toward the finish in more wind than they could easily handle being smaller than us while WE sat in that hole, sails slatting, the boat bobbing, for 20 MIN before I retried from the race. It was heartbreaking.:( ...
Click to expand
So the lesson is to cover your opposition - right? Experience is also an element in winning. I've done similar and go a long time before I forget the experience and do it again.
 
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Kings Gambit

Kings Gambit

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Jul 27, 2011
5,144
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
shemandr said:
So the lesson is to cover your opposition - right? Experience is also an element in winning. I've done similar and go a long time before I forget the experience and do it again.
Click to expand
That works in match racing, perhaps even fleet racing of one design--but not in that kind of situation I was facing. When you're chasing erratic zephyrs in a dispersed fleet, just to keep moving, everyone is doing one's own thing. The wind fills in and you're not correctly placed on the course, you've lost due to poor coursemanship. But I do not have all of the helpful gadgets aboard.
 
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Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
shemandr said:
So the lesson is to cover your opposition - right? Experience is also an element in winning. I've done similar and go a long time before I forget the experience and do it again.
Click to expand
Covering a boat while going to windward will usually assume you of beating HIM. It keeps you in the same pressure and direction, and prevents them gaining leverage on you. But the rest of the fleet.... The nightmare is when the fleet splits and the leader(s) have to choose who to cover, or stay with their plan to try and stay in the best breeze. But as you can see from King's story, even that can fail.
 
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Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
I've got a ton of books on sailboat racing, but the best for beginning racers is the aptly named 'Getting Started In Sailboat Racing' by Cort. Its modern, up to date, and starts from the very beginning, taking a very holistic approach to what you need to know. Highly recommended.

cort.jpg
 
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cb32863

cb32863

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Jun 29, 2010
1,287
Beneteau First 235 Lake Minnetonka, MN
Jackdaw said:
I've got a ton of books on sailboat racing, but the best for beginning racers is the aptly named 'Getting Started In Sailboat Racing' by Cort. Its modern, up to date, and starts from the very beginning, taking a very holistic approach to what you need to know. Highly recommended.

View attachment 146044
Click to expand
Yes, this book is excellent for you when you are starting out. Great stuff in there. I haven't finished it yet myself. Might explain what happens on the race course..... ;)
 
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LuzSD

LuzSD

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Feb 21, 2009
1,009
Catalina 30 San Diego/ Dana Point, Ca.
How exciting, I have Race Your Boat Right, third edition, forward by Thomas J. Watson Jr.
An elder member of our yacht club gave it to me along with Sail Power by Wallace Ross. He was a serious racer in his day and it was an honor to receive these from him. I have (sad to admit) not read them through and through but I have referenced them when I have specific questions. I must take the time to READ them both.
 
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D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
13,459
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
As we look back to old books on racing and sail trim, I feel compelled to echo JD's earlier comment about dated information.

While I haven't read these books (although Wallace Ross's book sits on my bookshelf) there may be references to Star Spinnakers, Bloopers, and other sails of historical significance. These are interesting sail configurations, however, I would suggest that you refrain from asking your sailmaker to build one for you. If the sailmaker is of a certain age, the laughter may drive you out of the sail loft. Younger sailmakers will stare at you and wonder what you are talking about. :)
 
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Sandy Stone

Sandy Stone

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Jun 2, 2007
404
Beneteau First 375 Slidell, LA
Last summer I was in a fleet race, and one guy had brought out his old quarter-tonner. We turned downwind and looked back as his chute went up, and sure enough, right behind it came the blooper! Living history, right in front of our eyes.
 
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shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,762
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Bloopers living history? Here's one from a Off Soundings Club regatta of a few years ago. Those races do attract their share of 70's & 80's boats
DSCN1472.jpg
That is Watch Hill in the background.
 
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