[C38] Spinnakers

Tue May 25 20:22:11 EDT 2010

Jay, 

our spinnaker is cut to SLU 49.5, SGF 28.75 and SGM 29.66, PHRF-NW calcs the area at 1211sq/ft.  1218 was the max we could go in size without penalty.   The dimensions listed on the web site of 49.5 and 27.9 calc out according to PHRF-NWs way of figuring 1112 sq/ft.  It was also cut to accomodate PHRF-NoCal so as not to exceed the 198% of J dimension it comes out to 192%.   Attached is a drawing of the chute from the designer, It was designed to be A/P with a bias toward running.   They nailed it pretty good as it trimmed out just like the picture.

Steve
#312 Peregrine 
Seattle

________________________________

From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org on behalf of Steve Smolinske
Sent: Tue 5/25/2010 11:33 AM
To: Catalina 38 Listserve
Subject: Re: [C38] Spinnakers

Jay, 

yes gusts in the 25-30 true is when we took the chute down then it built and stayed 30,  The sail is bigger in the girth (Ill forward the dimensions later as they are at home)  and foot not so much in the shoulders, as I had it cut as an all purpose with a bias toward running.  Its an Airx700.  

Good luck this weekend.   

________________________________

From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of Jay Sorensen
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 10:48 AM
To: Catalina 38 Listserve
Subject: Re: [C38] Spinnakers

Hi Steve,

Your apparent wind speed was 25 knots apparent, i.e. you were in 30 plus true?  What weight chute were you using?  And when you say that it's a bit larger than stock is that extra sail area up high in the shoulders?  If so I would say that is the cause of the rolling.  I've regularly raced on a Serendipity 43 from the same era as our C-38's and we have one oversize chute that we really like in mid strength wind but it gets overpowered and the boat gets hard to handle in anything over apx. 20 knots true.  Especially in any kind of decent swell.  All the extra sail area is high in the shoulders, where there should be more wind above the water right?, but it's a delicate balancing act!

We also have a dazy but have never tried it as a stabilizer.  Maybe we'll try it this weekend in the Oceanside to Mission Bay race.

Our tactic is always to sail as deep as possible, cutting the corner whenever possible to gain an advantage.  We just can't match the A-sail boats or more modern boats for speed but we sail a shorter distance.  When there is a swell we'll pump the main and when it's flat we'll rig the preventer.  Anything to gain a little speed.  Cunningham, main halyard, outhaul, and backstay eased as well for main shape.  

I think we all should take some solace in knowing that these boats were specifically designed to a rating rule that favored pointing and reaching over downwind speed.  It's hard watching lighter boats with more waterline length (in the same LOA) roll by downwind though!!!!   Our waterline length fully stretches out when we are on our ear!  The Serendipity always does very well upwind and then passed downwind, repeat as necessary. 

I'd also like to know what others think of weight distribution going downwind on a C-38.  On the Serendipity its weight between the spreaders and the cockpit.  And keep the boat healed a bit to expose the spinnaker a bit more.  What do you all do?  Weight in the front to help catch swells, weight in the back for stability?  Keep the boat flat or healed?  

This board is great!

Jay Sorensen

#311 Broad Reach

San Diego, CA

________________________________

From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of Steve Smolinske
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 9:41 PM
To: Catalina 38 Listserve
Subject: [C38] Spinnakers

With the OOR behind us Swiftsure is coming up this weekend and it is time to tap the salty and seasoned experience of the list's skippers.   During the Oregon Offshore the boats upwind perfromance left very little to be desired...we footed faster and pointed higher than just about everyone.  Once we got the right sail plan up we had more than enough power to plow through the waves with very little detriment to boat speed.  

On the downwind leg we have room for improvement.   Reaching and running the shape looked good so I feel okay about our block and pole locations.  We were running with about 25 knots of apparent and the boat was quite rolly, that was no surprise and to be expected in the conditions, ( we are thinking that the dazy stay sail will help stabilize the boat anyone with experience with a dazy?) but prior to that the best I can describe is sluggish, I wasnt to impressed with our performance.  I dont recall the angles we were sailing but im quessing on the run about 150-160.  Is that to deep?  Its a brand new chute and cut for all purpose and about 100+ square feet larger than the size listed on the site so I would have expected better speed in the lighter winds.  What angles have others found to be the best?  Thanks. 

Steve

#312 Peregrine 

Seattle

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