[C38] Chicago Mac news

[Chuck Finn]

Joe,
I also was amazed regarding this boat design and the fact it has a 
history of "turtleing."   The fastest boats beat the storm by about an 
hour, but a huge part of the fleet was right in the middle of it.  I 
understand about 20 boats dropped out as they participated in the 
rescue/search.
Practical Sailor sent out a note yesterday regarding tethers, suggesting 
the two fatalities "might" have not been able to release their tethers  
(they both were found still attached to the boat).   I know my tethers 
have no quick release on them......
Regarding storms.  The statistics are a bit alarming.  USCG reports that 
20 people died sailing the Great Lakes last year (no breakdown of 
alcohol or other issues).  My boat, the Mighty Quinn, was knocked 
down/struck by lightning in the 1988 Chicago-Mac.  The hit pretty much 
turned the rudder into mush within a couple of days and the rig was 
replaced afterward with heavier cable.  The good news is not only did 
the boat survive, but went on to win her division in the Chicago Mac 
that year!

A previous boat of ours  (Cascade 36) was in the Trans-Superior Race 
when 13 boats were dis-masted during another storm...  Our rig was 
sturdy and survived with only a destroyed jib after being knocked down 
during that storm.  A not-so-funny observation is that most of my really 
bad experiences have been at night....

As you might ascertain, I prefer "tough, seaworthy boats and do so from 
as you say "having to change my underwear" more than a few times!  But, 
even on the best boats with the best crews....  things happen.   We all 
need to learn from our (and others) mistakes as we go along.  So, let's 
be safe out there!

Regards,
Chuck Finn

On 7/22/2011 2:31 AM, Joseph Launie wrote:
> Chuck,
>     This is relevant only because some of our members may be thinking 
> of getting rid of their C-38 YACHT and replacing it with what Olin 
> Stevens used to call a skimming dish. I have never seen a Kimi 35 but 
> I hear it has 8 foot waterline beam and 14 foot deck beam. It sounds 
> like a crew ballasted boat. When I did overnite races in my Cal-25, 
> Olson-30 and then C-38 I used to send the off watch below with 
> instructions to get in their bunk and get some rest.  All of those 
> boats had accommodations to do that unlike a Farr 40 or many similar 
> boats.
>     The paper says the Kiwi 35 capsized.  What does that mean in a 
> sailboat? Spreaders in the water and the boat comes right back up 
> --change your underwear and you are fine. Spreaders in the water and 
> boat stays down - not so good.  If it turns turtle like the Nicholson 
> Half tonner in the Fastnet Race - big problems.  I thought we learned 
> something from the 1979 Fastnet and modern racing boats weren't 
> supposed to do that. Joe Launie/Macavity  PS It would be interesting 
> to know how many boats had finished when the squall hit.
>
> On 7/19/2011 6:38 PM, Chuck Finn wrote:
>> My wife (Mary) and I were up at the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan to 
>> see some of the big yachts arrive from the Chicago Mac race 
>> yesterday...  It was only then that we learned of the tragedy where 
>> two racers were drowned when their boat capsized in a 75 knot wind 
>> gust during a storm.   This is the first fatality in the history of 
>> this race.  The storm, with over 50 knot sustained winds resulted in 
>> 34 boats (10%) having to withdraw for weather related reasons.
>> Racing is certainly exciting and fun, but it is also dangerous.  I 
>> applaud Steve S. for making the safe decision for his crew in the 
>> Transpac.   Let's all be safe out there folks!
>>
>> Chuck Finn
>> Commodore
>>
>>
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