Looks like I made another Rookie mistake. I forgot to remind you other rooks about the tide (if you sail on the coast) in my earlier post. Even if you do all the other things correctly, you may find yourself in an opposing tide while the leaders are cruising in an area where the tide isn't affecting them or is possibly helping them.

I remembered this during my afternoon 4 mile run which is directly in front of Pensacola Pass. I have learned so many lessons at that pass and have made sooooo many mistakes there. I have seen catamarans stuck in the current sitting almost dead in the water (on incoming tide days) while the guys near shore are just flying sailing out of the pass ...............this probably works the same for any pass or inlet. You have to know what the tide is doing when sailing through one of these places.

Also, sometimes buoy races have a leg that is affected by the tide. To beat the big boys, you have to know about this.

Another thing us rooks sometimes forget is the clocking wind on prevailing wind days............

So, what's my point with all this. I guess it's that boat weight and setup ain't the only thing going on out there. And just because you put your shroud in hole # 6 down like the local expert does, don't necessarily guarantee that you have the right setup. Then there's weight distribution ............some rooks like to sail their boats while being trapped out on the very sterns of their boats. Or if you are a lake H16 sailor like I was, that 48 quart cooler full of beer strapped in the center forward ain't gonna counter balance two 170 pound dudes sitting at the back of the tramp each with a 16 oz Miller Lite in their hands. But that is fun cat racing!!! A bunch of H16's with there bows pointing to the sky trying to race on another................

Tom

Compaq Keyboard # 248