Should I race?

[yodaboda]

I've just acquired a hunter 23 WK. I thought about racing it in our upcoming club race. We race on a lake, winds 5-10 knts, usually a mile or 2. It does have a high phrf, 259. I've never had this boat against another to compare speed, but is it worth it? Most boats in the fleet hold a phrf in low 200's. Has anyone raced the h23 or against one? Is it really that slow?

If anyone races there h23 wk, please send me some advice. Thanks in advance.

yodaboda

 

[Alan]

You will never know the feeling if you don't do it. You will find the learning curve of sail trim and tactics is very steep. Your skill level will rise dramatically. Racing will teach you more sailing skills in one year than cruising in ten.
Your high PHRF rating is there to make up for your slower boat. If you sail it well you can beat boats with much lower handicaps .

Go for it, you'll love it!

 

[Brian M H23]

I took my hunter 23 across lake ontario and back (40 miles each way) in a race last summer, in everything from 40 knots (bare poles, downwind, who cares if it's not exactly the way to the end of the race at that point) to ghosting upwind at 1.5 knots where the slightest mistake with the rudder brought everything to a stop. Placed 14 of 30, thanks to the high PHRF (and 9 or so boats that dropped out when the storm blew through).

It's a fun boat, and I think the PHRF is based on still using the original sails. With my 23 year old main she still sails better than her rating: A new main will do wonders!

And whatever you do, buy a whisker pole. the downwind legs are PAINFUL without one!

 

[Ray T]

I started racing in an Oday 23 with a similar rating and had a blast. Who would think that sailing at five miles an hour would make your heart beat so fast.

 

[Stewart Sauer]

Racing PHRF

You need to max out your performance in your specific boat.
With a wing keel, she won't be competative up wind against most fin keeled boats of the same size. Make up for that off the wind by fairing in and smooth out the entire bottom; use a hard finish racing paint and wet sand with 320 or finer grit wet-or dry paper.
If you can aford new sails find a sailmaker familiar with the boat and have them measure your rig and make suggestions for your boat. If you can't afford new sails look for used sails in better condition than what you may have, from a reputable outfit like Bacons in Annapolis.
Install all the sail trim options you can, such as boom vang, multiple purchase outhaul, cunningham, and at least a single reef set up. Talk to other racers, look at their set ups, sail aboard as a crew with knowledgeable racers and ask advice. Mark halyard and genoa car positions for the best trim positions in differing wind speeds.
Go out and practice whenever possible; read all the sail trim and tactics books you can find.
You may surprise yourself as to how fast you improve in your fleet.

 

[Jim Kolstoe]

I crewed on a friend's boat for a season and then raced my h23. Its the best way to learn boat and sailing handling there is. Its also far more social than just going out and sailing in circles. By all means, race your boat. As for the PHRF rating, don't worry about it - you'll probably find yourself racing against slower rated boats as well as faster boats. The biggest problem with having big differences in rating is that you may not be getting boat on boat tactical racing, but a drag race hoping that you get better winds and make better use of them.
Go for it, have fun.
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo

 

[yodaboda]

I Will Race !!!

Thanks to all for your great replies. I think all I needed was a little motivation. I've crewed on a bigger boat before, but never took the helm. It should be an experience... I've been reading up on sail trim and basic tactics (mainly starting and making the turn). I've been getting the boat ready, just put on the whisker pole mount on, sails look good (150 genoa, still crispy, the main is OK), and the bottom and keel have been cleaned. I know I won't finish first, I just didn't want to float out there all by myself with no one to race, and finish 10 minutes behind everybody.

Most of the guys in the bigger boats and racing fleets like to start out at the committe boat on starboard tack. They like to mix it up, push each other around, barging an all. I was planning on maybe a midline start or further out, but my fear is getting caught in their dirty air. Any suggestions? Should I hang back a bit and follow them? I know starts are tough, but I didn't want get in the mix right yet. Last thing I want to do is hit another guys boat on my first race...

Thanks again, I'll keep you posted on the race, it'll be in 2 weeks.

 

[Alan]

I Will Race !!!

First you need to determine which is the 'favored' end of the start line. The start line is rarely square to the wind and the upwind end is favored. Typically the C boat will set themselves at the least favored end to avoid being hit.
A tactic I use to great success is to sail head to wind at the C boat about 1/2 boat length below her with 30 seconds to go. You then bear off to a close hauled stbd tack with no traffic directly below you. Most of the fleet will be sailing down the line leaving you clean air at the C boat end and no one above you.

 

[Relentless]

I do agree with Alan about the favored end of the line, in a mixed fleet when you are not the biggest or the fastest boat and new to racing I think you would be better off making sure you are at full speed on time at the line with clear air even if it's not the favored end.