Time to gloat - We took a second in our second race

Noah · Post by **Noah** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:41 pm

We didn't race the Melges this week so we took the Swede out for Wed night beer can races. She isn't really in racing form yet, but close. We were 1 minute late for the start because some fool in a big boat didn't know what he was doing at the yachtclub and we waited for 10 minutes for him to get out of the way, but still managed a second place in cruiser class, only 36 seconds behind the winning boat.

It was a very short course (only 3 legs) so we didn't really have much time to get her going. Still we hit 9 knots, and 8 something upwind in 13 knots of breeze. And we put the winches in the water due to heel (that can't be fast).

I just got a 165sq meter asym spinnaker and a 135% genoa for the boat. Our one big race is Sept 8th and it's 80 miles and over night. We will be stripping the boat down and racing in A-Class. Let's hope there is plenty of wind!

Anyway, this second place on my own boat was more fun than winning any of the regatta's on the Melges.

Bluenose · Post by **Bluenose** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:53 pm

Congrats! Nice to see that not only does she look fast, she is fast.

How about a favor. Would be willing to add a picture every time you post :)? I never get tired of looking at your Swede.

Noah · Post by **Noah** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:18 pm

From a sail we did across the lake a couple of weeks ago:

Jason K · Post by **Jason K** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:41 pm

Congratulations Noah! It must have been something for your crew to go from a Melges 24 to the Swede. Did you have to keep reminding your trimmer to use the winches?

I can't wait to see those photos.

Noah · Post by **Noah** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:59 pm

One of our guys has never used a winch...small boat sailing only, and the other one knew what he was doing. Still we were only 3 up, and our tacks and gybes weren't the fastest...plus I spilled my beer on one big gybe.

The mainsheet system isn't the easiest to use right now, and it hurt us. I spent time pulling lines when I should have had my hands on the wheel.

Jason K · Post by **Jason K** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:07 pm

...plus I spilled my beer on one big gybe.

It's situations like these that can be avoided with lots and lots of practice.

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 5:43 pm

Fix that mainsheet and you'll take the bullet for sure.

(time for my own gloat)
We corrected-out to 1st place in that kinda-heavy air race last weekend. The driver of the 2nd place boat commented that they'd sailed a perfectly smooth and clean race, no botched maneuvers or roundings, sound tactics, and wondered how they could have made up another minute on us.
The answer, I'm afraid, was to spend less time going sideways. It was a puffy shifty day, and a quick hand on the main trim was critical to our success, we simply spent less time going sideways with the winches in the water.

Bluenose · Post by **Bluenose** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:34 pm

Wow! Now that's what I'm talking about. What a beauty. Thanks for the pics.

jollyboat · Post by **jollyboat** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:28 pm

Noah,
Wonderful pics of the boat. The mainsail looks great!