Racing

[tgrass462]

This weekend we entered Grasshopper II (1994 H 26) into our first race. We did very poorly ... had a bad start and made some mistakes in tactics. The race took place in VERY LIGHT Air - towards the end of the race - it was essentially calm. We were racing against J-Boats, Catalinas (30's, 27's, etc.). I saw no other Hunters or Catalina 250s in the race.My question is - everything else being equal - how does the H-26 stack up against non-water ballasted boats of similar (or larger) size? We were given a PERF rating of 216 - I don't know if this was high, low or about right. Thanks all.Tom GrassGrasshopper II

 

[Mark Burrows]

216 is probably low

I raced a Catalina 27 at a phrf of 255 and they are much better racers than H26. They have a fixed keel, aren't so beamy, and room for better sail handling gear.Markdb

 

[Sean Coerse]

I race an H240 out of Little Creek in a PHRF fleet. Boat for Boat you wont keep up with any of the J boats. In light air you should sail close with the Catalina 25, 250, an 27. As the wind builds you should still race these boats competively after the time is corrected out. Remember you are racing the clock not the boat in front of you. Work on sailing your boat as fast as possible. Race with the same crew and dont just sail with them when your racing. You need to practice when your not racing. Any time two sailboats are going the same direction it's a race. Drive my wife nuts. Sometimes I change direction when day sailing just to make it a race.