General Category - Pearson Owners and Enthusiasts > Boat Handling
Racing Tips
selene:
Do what I may, even with our PHRF of 180, I am not doing as well in the beercans as I would like. (I am generally using a working jib, have a fully-battened loose-footed main, sailing in 20-25 knot SF Bay winds.) Now clearly my sailing skills can be honed, and the P323 doesn't point as high as a modern boat, but I know we can do better - and would welcome any tips.
Before you jump in - clean bottoms are good ;), and if ever I get the budget, a folding prop would really help. And yeah, many pump out all water/diesel/waste, remove spare anchors, generally strip out all weight possible...and I knew I wasn't getting (or looking for) for a racer when I bought her!! But what I was interested in is any sailing/trim tips to get the best out of our babies.
Here's one for starters: The traveler position is REALLY important.
Any other tips/thoughts?
Dolce_Vita:
I'm in a similar position, except that I mostly cruise, and only occasionally do a pursuit race.
I do race on another boat, so I have a pretty good working knowledge of sail trim.
But I'm really frustrated on my boat. I don't expect it to point like a go-fast machine
but I often find I can't get higher than 60 deg to the true wind! I'm not the world's
greatest sail trimmer, but something seems fundamentally wrong.
I have a 2-year old set of sails. The main is fixed-footed and partially battened. No vang.
The genoa is a roller furling 135.
Hull is clean, smooth, & freshly painted.
Bimini. No dodger.
I've experimented with traveler placement and jib lead placement, but just can't get it
to point worth a damn. This makes for some really long passages when traveling to windward.
So, I too am looking for some suggestions on sail & rig trim.
Libations Too:
I am not a serious racer but have raced in SInglehanded Sailing Society races for several years....both in San Francisco Bay and on coastal races to Half Moon Bay, the Farallones, and the LongPac. I have not raced in any beer can races
What I have learned is that the 323 excels in heavy weather. My trophies have been earned in winds over 25 knots and where other boats experience gear failures or where the sea state is too much for lighter displacement boats. I have also learned that the 323, like many boats, sails best on her feet....so reef early and manage sail trim to minimize weather helm. Lastly, it is easy for me to sail too high when going to windward; falling off a bit, improves boat speed and often results in a better VMG than if I try to sail too close to the wind. Some twist in the sails, varying with sea state, also keeps a portion of the sail working no matter how sea state changes the angle of attack.
I have had less luck in light air. My largest headsail is 120 percent and I am toying with the idea of getting a 150 for those days when the breeze is less that 10 knots.
selene:
Not sure if this is hijacking my own thread, but Richard did say the P323 perform well in heavier winds.
So I was in the "slot" (SF bay, just E of Alcatraz) couple of days ago...wind 30knots, main was double reefed, jib (100% working) furled 50% (which I hate, such an ugly shape, so much stress). Close reach. Traveler leeward to let some power out...
Moderate heel (~20-30 degrees) , and the boat didn't feel "right" - subjective, I know, just not convinced I had the trim right. Would welcome any suggestions for sail configurations in these conditions.
Thoughts I had:
- A P323 jib has a LOT of power. Much bigger than the main. IMHO, a 100% is a big sail in that wind.
- A smaller jib would have been nice. 70%? Any suggestions?
- Jib only? Main only?
- Maybe add a third reef point? (PITA due to more hardware needed on boom for the new clew)
Gotta love the bay. In a single day, winds 30 knots, winds 20 knots, winds 10 knots, becalmed....just depends where you are!
Libations Too:
FWIW...I think a third reef in the main is overkill for the Bay. I have a third reef point in the main in lieu of a trysail and have only used it a couple times, and they were on a coastal passages. The traveler is my friend in the Bay, especially when passing through the slot. Even with a single reef in the main the traveler is effective in depowering the main and managing weather helm.
As you suggested, furling a head sail to 50% of it's normal shape does not give a very effective shape. My summer sail in the Bay is a 95% jib and I furl it only when absolutely needed and then only a few turns. It has reef patch reinforcements along the foot and I never furl beyond the reef patches. Your idea of a 70% jib with a couple reefs in the main sounds like a good combination for 30 knots....but not too useful otherwise.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version