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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Trying Racing this year

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/26/2008 : 11:35:51

Need advice as to racing my C250 WB this summer. Never done it but have watched America's Cup etc. Lines are manageable back to cockpit and probably will be single-handed most of the time. PHRF is going to be around 249. Don't really want to do a bunch of reading so I thought for a while I would hang back and watch what happens ahead of me. Comments pro/con accepted. I do have an IDA rudder but don't that would affect forward speed of boat....

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2008 : 14:14:08

That sounds like a good plan, but don't hang back too far. The main thing is, don't get in the midst of a crowd at the starting line. That's where it can get sticky unless you know the rules so well that you can make fast and correct decisions. Just get a decent start someplace along the starting line where it isn't crowded. As you gain experience and self-confidence, you can make more aggressive starts.

Before the race, find out which boats are the best racers. After the start, follow one of the best racers. You might not be able to keep up with him, but, if you watch the course he takes, and watch when he tacks, you'll start to figure out how he plays the wind. The best racers will consistently find the shortest, fastest route around the course, and they'll find the best winds. You'll learn by watching them. Just be careful not to pass them, because, if you ever get in front of them, you won't know what to do next!

Until you know the right of way rules, just yield to the other boats, unless you're certain of your rights. Don't get too serious about racing, and try to keep a good humor about whatever happens out there.

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2008 : 18:58:38

Steve, This club appears very professional and there are several different classes. They do invite the community racing fleet to participate in most races which is where I fall into. THANX

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2008 : 06:29:11

Bear, I wrote an article that is posted on the C25/250 Racing page. It's lengthy, but it contains segments that discuss starting, finding the best wind, light-air and downwind racing, and various racing maneuvers. You don't have to read the whole article. You can skim through the headings and just read the parts that would be especially helpful to you at this time. Check it out. You might find it helpful.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2008 : 09:24:40

It also helps if you can crew with a good skipper with the heart of a teacher for a few races; watch and learn and listen. The good ones will be happy to help out.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2008 : 11:09:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 It also helps if you can crew with a good skipper with the heart of a teacher for a few races; watch and learn and listen. The good ones will be happy to help out.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">You bet! I've been crewing for other people for the past couple of years, while upgrading my own boat, to get it race-ready, and learning alot about the local terminology, racing customs and crew organization on the Chesapeake Bay. You should understand, however, that the skippers all have different personalities. There is the laid-back type that doesn't let anything bother them, and there are the screamers. Most serious racing skippers don't want unnecessary talk during the race, because they have a gazillion things to think about, and they don't want anything to break their concentration. There are exceptions, who will explain what they're doing and why, but most won't. So, as a general rule, avoid talking with the skipper or tactician during the race, stay out of the cockpit, unless you're told to be there, and ask questions after the race is over. If a skipper screams at you, don't take it seriously. It's probably just because he's excited and half-scared that something bad might happen.

It's nothing personal. On the surface, the skipper might look calm, but inside, he's wound up like a cheap clock. When you start skippering during a race, you'll understand that.

To summarize, if you keep quiet, stay out of the way, and do your best, you'll probably be welcomed back. Oh, one other thing. Always help fold and bag sails, put on sail covers, and put the boat away after you return to the dock. That's always appreciated.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2008 : 14:09:23

Like Steve said, don't hang back too far. A good excersize would be to determine what end of the line is favored, then pick something 3/4 toward the other end. The as you get better move it to midline and 1/4 etc.

Clean air is the most important thing for you as you are learning

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2008 : 16:12:44

I don't know about "a bunch of reading", but you should at least know the basic rules of the racecourse, which are based on the rules of the road but go beyond them. The main concerns early on are (1) screwing up somebody else's start, and (2) being where you shouldn't or making the wrong move near a mark. Following leaders is a great way to get started, but there will be other boats around you--some coming at you as you approach a mark. You also need to understand the RC's signals, etc. You should do a "little" reading.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2008 : 13:39:25

As a PRO I can also tell you to learn the Starting Sequence as defined in RRS2005-2008. Then additionally learn what the heck your club does - unless they are a very big racing club they probably follow the old starting sequences pre 2005.

Read your sailing instructions often. Also go online and pull down sailing instructions from other regattas and read those too.

Don't worry too much about being where you shouldn't, odds are you aren't going to be anywhere near anybody else for the first few races...and if you are, just give room to everyone, and get to the layline early.

I took a look at my sailing library last night and really didn't have a beginner book for racing, Steve Colgate has a few good chapters in his beginning sailing book.

Also for fun check out UK-Halsey's rules quiz but don't let it discourage you.

http://www.ukhalsey.com/RulesQuiz/index.asp

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2008 : 18:33:02

I have Steve Colgate's video and have watched it a few times. Any "competitive sailing" won't happen around here until May 3rd. Don Peet is a member of the sponsoring sailing club. Perhaps I can entice him to crew for me the first few times.....

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2008 : 07:00:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bear
 I have Steve Colgate's video and have watched it a few times. Any "competitive sailing" won't happen around here until May 3rd. Don Peet is a member of the sponsoring sailing club. Perhaps I can entice him to crew for me the first few times.....
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Definitely a good idea to get an experienced racer out with you a number of times. If you launch early and are in for the first race of the season there is usually a lot of experience sitting at the dock because their boats aren't in. Having someone like this drive the first race while you get the lay of the land might be helpful too.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2008 : 07:44:02

The downside there is if you win your very first race.....

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.