Racing in 20, gusts to 30

Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Thankfully only saw the 31 knots gusting once. But is was our kind of day, breezy and blustery. While others wiped out and/or retired, we stayed safe and dry. Chewing upwind at 5.6 knots, we win, beat that hated J/70 again to take the lead in the Series. Props to @cb32863 for leaving his 235 in the slip and helping out!

lastupwind.jpg
 
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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
Thankfully only saw the 31 knots gusting once. But is was our kind of day, breezy and blustery. While others wiped out and/or retired, we stayed safe and dry. Chewing upwind at 5.6 knots, we beat that hated J/70 again to take the lead in the Series. Props to @cb32863 for leaving his 235 in the slip and helping out!

View attachment 139551
I think we need a new standard: WE WANT VIDEO! 360 degree preferrably! :yeah:
 

Apex

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Jun 19, 2013
1,222
C&C 30 Elk Rapids
I think that weather front hit Traverse City last night. 1 tornado spotted, a LOT of rain in my area.

Congrats on the move up the board.

edit: Still a full main, no reef?
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,209
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Good Job ! A great feeling to press on successfully in those conditions.. boat and crew performing well !
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
I think that weather front hit Traverse City last night. 1 tornado spotted, a LOT of rain in my area.

Congrats on the move up the board.

edit: Still a full main, no reef?
The day here yesterday was total crap, driving rain and wind. The rain let up just before we went into sequence. The breeze held all night, and the skies broke for a lovely evening.

The breeze caused chaos in the fleets, with a score of retirements - two caused by MOB situations. BlueJ, who was born for those condition, was in her element.

Yes when racing we carry full main to 20+ sustained. We flatten it totally, it looks like a big piece of black aluminum. Maintrimmer has to fully engaged however, easing in the puffs. Or I get grumpy.
 

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
We have a guy with one of those fancy racerboy carbon main sails down the way. That thing lights up on radar like nobody's business! You can see him coming miles away. Way better than any radar reflector. Just saying.
 
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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
We have a guy with one of those fancy racerboy carbon main sails down the way. That thing lights up on radar like nobody's business! You can see him coming miles away. Way better than any radar reflector. Just saying.
Fun! Ours is black aramid (kevlar)... wonder it it would do the same?
 

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
My understanding is that the conductive properties of carbon fiber is the reason. I thought Kevlar was an orange-yellow color, is it possible that they mixed in some carbon fiber to provide low stretch and lighten up the weave? Kevlar is a heavy fiber.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
My understanding is that the conductive properties of carbon fiber is the reason. I thought Kevlar was an orange-yellow color, is it possible that they mixed in some carbon fiber to provide low stretch and lighten up the weave? Kevlar is a heavy fiber.
They blacken the fibers (somehow) to improve the UV resistance, one of its weaker points. The cloth is hugely strong but 4.9oz equaliv, lightweight vs most anything else.
 
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Gunni

.
Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
Yes, you have to keep Kevlar protected or it gets stiff and quits stopping projectiles! I had a few strops made up with Kevcord and it became stiff as wire in the sun.
 

MitchM

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Jan 20, 2005
1,031
Nauticat 321 pilothouse 32 Erie PA
i envy those nice looking sails. when they blow out please donate them to our local bayfront marine center which makes ditty bags and sail bags to support local kids' sailing ventures!
 
Sep 20, 2014
1,330
Rob Legg RL24 Chain O'Lakes
So was the 5.6 knot limit up wind because of the strong winds, or is that just what it does up wind? I find of the wind is too strong, it limits my upwind speed, because I get too much drag for the amount of lift I can develop. In other words, the rig is detuned so much to prevent heel, that it creates more drag.
 
Oct 3, 2014
261
Marlow-Hunter MH37 Lake City, MN
Thankfully only saw the 31 knots gusting once. But is was our kind of day, breezy and blustery. While others wiped out and/or retired, we stayed safe and dry. Chewing upwind at 5.6 knots, we win, beat that hated J/70 again to take the lead in the Series. Props to @cb32863 for leaving his 235 in the slip and helping out!
@Jackdaw that just sounds like some crazy kind of fun! Congrats on the win, and taking the series lead!