[Alberg30] Rookie questions 2

Tue Jul 30 05:48:27 PDT 2002

I find it interesting we have yet to hear from any of the boats I see when
I'm out on the race course.  What's the matter guys?  Don't want to give
anything away? ;)

My two cents, and I don't think this is a secret.  New sails will help, but
only if you learn how to trim them.  I started racing Argo with "old" sails
that came with the boat when I bought it.  Our speed was OK but it was
usually tactics and crew work that made the difference in the outcome of the
race.  After a full season with the old sails, I bought a set of new sails
(main, #1 and spinnaker).  At first, we were slower until we learned how the
"new" sails wanted to be trimmed.  Just be aware of that if you get new
sails.  Eventually, we learned how to get our speed equal to the fleet but
it was still tactics and crew work making the difference.  Remember, some of
these guys have been racing Albergs for decades.

Probably the most important factor in boat speed on a boat like the Alberg
is a smooth and clean bottom.  There's lots of wetted surface creating lots
of drag, especially if it's dirty.

Also, remember you need to go fast before you can point.  First get up to
speed coming out of a tack before you tighten the sails for "pointing mode".

Lastly, don't forget about the "nut on the end of the tiller".  I know
that's Argo's biggest problem.  ;)

Sail Fast
TC
Argo #247

-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-admin at alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-admin at alberg30.org]On Behalf Of Michael
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2002 5:42 PM
To: public-list at alberg30.org
Subject: Re: [Alberg30] Rookie questions 2

>We can't point with them, and when we can, everyone >just moves on right
>under us.
 Sure looks like a sail problem-make sure the boat bottom is clean;even
algae can make a difference when the fleet is racing at less than hull speed
(light air).

>Our new sails aren't coming until the late fall

The sailmaker should be willing to go out with you-he will be able to set up
the standing rigging to match how the (esp.)headsail was built. I predict a
phenomonal improvement-especially if the sails you are using date from Henry
and Bernice Randall.

P.S. If it is not too late, you may want to consider advising the sailmaker
how much sag you usually race with-you can guage it by sighting up the
forestay while it is under load. Sometimes I think sailmakers think in terms
of 12 meters-not a deck stepped cruising one design. A 4 or five inch sag is
fairly reasonable, at least on the Albergs I have been on.

Michael
#220
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Blevins" <bblevins at fredericksburg.com>
To: <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2002 7:33 AM
Subject: [Alberg30] Rookie questions 2

> Welcome Bill,
>
> I've been asking "rookie" questions since May. The list has been very,
very
> helpful and never seem to tire of providing answers. I intend to stretch
the
> "rookie" for a full year myself. Welcome.
>
> Since I'm typing, one question for the list...
>
> It'll be rare that we can race with the A30 group due to our location, so
> any advice at all on going faster (other than new sails) would be
> appreciated. We are getting our butts kicked even though our crew is
pretty
> solid and relatively mistake free so far.
>
> Advice on anything is appreciated. We've filled the tanks, drained the
> tanks, half-filled the tanks, moved the crew aft and forward, raced with
6,
> 5, 4, then 3, took all but the essentials out of the boat, put it all
back,
> experimented with various trims for each sail. We are racing at speeds
> slower than a fractional 28' Pearson Triton which rates nearly 270. (We
even
> put the cooler in the bow anchor locker one race!)
>
> We can't point with them, and when we can, everyone just moves on right
> under us. We have gotten great starts 6 out of 7 races and then watched
from
> behind after that.
>
> Our new sails aren't coming until the late fall so any other advice at all
> from successful racers are appreciated.
>
> --
> Tracy and Bill Blevins
> SABRINA, Dahlgren, VA
> Alberg 30 #158
> ##
>
>  //===============================================================//
>          Cruising the Chesapeake: A Gunkholer's Guide
>
>   My favorite Chesapeake Bay guidebook. While it mentions marinas,
>   it concentrates on anchorages--the kind of places I prefer to spend
>   my time. And in addition to listing shore facilities, it rates each
>   location for Beauty/Interest and Protection. This is the guide you
>   need to really cruise the Chesapeake Bay--a smorgasbord of small
>   creeks and coves.
>
>    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071363718/alberg30-20
>  //===============================================================//
>
> _______________________________________________
> Public-list mailing list -- Public-list at alberg30.org
> http://www.alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
> To unsubscribe: email to Public-list-request at alberg30.org
> Include command "unsubscribe <password>" in subject or body.
> Use command "help" for more options.
>

 +-----------------------------------------------------------+
 | Sale on Yale & New England Ropes.  Save up to 25 percent. |
 | http://www.myaffiliateprogram.com/u/sailnet/t.asp?id=1066 |
 +-----------------------------------------------------------+

_______________________________________________
Public-list mailing list -- Public-list at alberg30.org
http://www.alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
To unsubscribe: email to Public-list-request at alberg30.org
Include command "unsubscribe <password>" in subject or body.
Use command "help" for more options.

 +-----------------------------------------------------------+
 | Sale on Yale & New England Ropes.  Save up to 25 percent. |
 | http://www.myaffiliateprogram.com/u/sailnet/t.asp?id=1066 |
 +-----------------------------------------------------------+

_______________________________________________
Public-list mailing list -- Public-list at alberg30.org
http://www.alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
To unsubscribe: email to Public-list-request at alberg30.org
Include command "unsubscribe <password>" in subject or body.
Use command "help" for more options.

 1028033307.0