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As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta #136323
03/13/08 09:23 PM
03/13/08 09:23 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 80
West Virginia
Soapysails Offline OP
journeyman
Soapysails  Offline OP
journeyman

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 80
West Virginia
I can remember being at my first regatta and with wide eyes,plus a bit of fear, watching all those different sailors and boats setting up for a race. Some, wet sanding, others polishing, and some just laying back with out(it seemed) a care in the world. I wonder how you get ready..I think some of the new boys might find it worthwhile. As a Sea Spray owner I have a check list...(most Sea Sprays are 35+ yrs. old)

1. Blow air into my hulls, mark and plug the leaks.(soapy water works for me)
2. Check all my standing rigging.
3. Check sails for weak points or small tears.
4. Clean up whats left and load up for the trip.(another check list)
5. Depending on the event, go over some of the rules of racing.
6. Try my best to get a good nights sleep. (usually problematic)

-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: Soapysails] #136324
03/13/08 09:27 PM
03/13/08 09:27 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,187
38.912, -95.37
_flatlander_ Offline
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_flatlander_  Offline
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Posts: 1,187
38.912, -95.37
7. Load up all spray top/bottom, wet suit, fleece, boots, hats, everything that I have (never trust the weather forecast)


John H16, H14
Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: _flatlander_] #136325
03/13/08 10:28 PM
03/13/08 10:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 829
Charleston, SC
NCSUtrey Offline
old hand
NCSUtrey  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 829
Charleston, SC
Sit back and have a rum drink.


Trey
Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: NCSUtrey] #136326
03/13/08 10:40 PM
03/13/08 10:40 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 531
Lake Murray SC
FasterDamnit Offline
addict
FasterDamnit  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 531
Lake Murray SC
Push to get the damn thing built.

Race it, figure out what we did wrong.

Then before the next one, fix what broke and/or would not work.

Repeat.

insert beer as necessary.


Race cheap, race faster, Damnit!

E-Scow
24' ULDB

18HT hulls plus Gcat 5.7 rig = 18GT!
Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: FasterDamnit] #136327
03/13/08 10:45 PM
03/13/08 10:45 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 182
Coopersburg, PA
V
Vinny_M Offline
member
Vinny_M  Offline
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 182
Coopersburg, PA
i agree with "fix what broke the last race"


~vinny~
Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: Vinny_M] #136328
03/14/08 08:26 AM
03/14/08 08:26 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,969
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brucat Offline
Carpal Tunnel
brucat  Offline
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Posts: 3,969
Depends if I'm sailing or working.

If I'm sailing, see below. I race a Hobie 16, which I replace (as in, the whole boat) fairly regularly so wear is generally not a problem.

If I'm working, it depends if I'm PRO or not. If not, see below.

If I'm PRO, I spend a lot of time making sure equipment is ready, people are ready, etc. and I have a good understanding of the type of races the sailors want (target times, etc.).

In general, I spend most of my time preparing the RV. That's our lifeline, and where I keep all my RC gear and sailing clothing. Every trip, it needs gas (ouch), water, clothes, towels, food, beer, rum, mixers, limes, etc. Also need to keep up with the LP, empty the holding tanks, and general vehicle maintenance.

I wouldn't even want to think about going to a regatta without the RV. Whenever I have to fly to an event and stay in a hotel, I'm "living" out of a rental car, which is very tough for me to adapt to for sailing events.

It still amazes me that I used to go to regattas, sleeping in my car or Explorer... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

EDIT: Almost forgot... McLube everything that moves! Blocks, travelers, rudder castings, tell tales, etc. Other than that, rig and go... the beauty and shear genius of the Hobie 16. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Mike

Last edited by brucat; 03/14/08 10:50 AM.
Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: brucat] #136329
03/14/08 09:16 AM
03/14/08 09:16 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,655
Portland, Maine
T
ThunderMuffin Offline
Carpal Tunnel
ThunderMuffin  Offline
Carpal Tunnel
T

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,655
Portland, Maine
I make sure my insurance is current and up to date.

Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: Soapysails] #136330
03/14/08 09:17 AM
03/14/08 09:17 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Timbo  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Well, I just spent two days washing and waxing my boat, checking all lines, wires, mast, etc. replacing tape, anything that looks like it might let go, even trailer wheel bearing grease! Then I usaully use an entire can of dry silcon spray on every moving part. I can't even walk by my boat without falling down now... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Of course I will now drive through a rain storm and have to wash the boat again when I arrive at the regatta!!

On my way to Gulfport in about 30 minutes, see ya! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />


Blade F16
#777
Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: Timbo] #136331
03/14/08 09:21 AM
03/14/08 09:21 AM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A



Quote
I can't even walk by my boat without falling down now... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


LOL!!!!!

Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: ] #136332
03/14/08 03:09 PM
03/14/08 03:09 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 80
West Virginia
Soapysails Offline OP
journeyman
Soapysails  Offline OP
journeyman

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 80
West Virginia
You boys are killing me....LMAO !

Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: Soapysails] #136333
03/14/08 04:08 PM
03/14/08 04:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 216
Lakewood, Colorado
MUST429 Offline
enthusiast
MUST429  Offline
enthusiast

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 216
Lakewood, Colorado
Some of the others gave fun answers, I went and found something's I wrote for our fleet newsletter a couple of years back, so, on a more serious note I submit the following for your consideration.


In my opinion, you win and lose races with your BOAT, BODY, BRAIN, SKILL, and LUCK.

Boat Preparation

A valuable piece of advice I got from Ken Marshack ( Hobie 18 Continental Champion) was "Once you head for the start line you have to be able to get your head out of the boat." To me, this means that you have to know that your boat is in top condition and that it is as fast as you know how to make it. That means that the hulls are smooth and aligned, that the rudders and daggerboards are clean and repaired, that the tramp is tight, and that all the adjustments (shroud and batten tension, mast rake, and cleat angles) are set for the conditions you expect for the day. At this point, when you approach the starting line, you no longer are worried about "the boat." You know that it is as well prepared as you know how to make it. At this point you can focus on the course, the laylines, the wind shifts, the competitors, all the OTHER things that will be happening on the water that will affect the eventual outcome of the days racing.

Personal Preparation

You have taken whatever steps you feel necessary so that you are physically prepared to not only compete with the other skippers and crews, but to cope with your biggest competitor—Mother Nature. What ever she may decide to throw at you during the race, you need to be aware of your physical condition so you know when you have reached your limit and need to call it a day. I have a saying when I am snow skiing—I never make a last run. Almost everyone I know that has been seriously injured when skiing has been injured during the "last run" of the day. It may be a superstitious thing, I know, but the point is to quit while you've got something left.

Knowledge

Prepare yourself mentally. Read! Read! Read! That's what Winter is for. There is a plethora of sailing books out there, many of them written by and for catamaran sailors, and there is a wealth of information to be gained from their experience and knowledge. Spend 1/2 hour a week or pick a chapter. I usually try to start out on my weak subjects. For example, at the 2001 Nationals I had a terrible time pointing on the upwind legs. As a result, I spent a lot of time this last winter making adjustments to the boat that will help my upwind performance. Also, I read the Upwind Leg chapter in Welcome to A-Fleet at least once a month as a refresher. Look at how your season went last year: did you find that you lost ground, or worse, lost places at mark roundings or on the downwind legs? If so, as you read those chapters, try to figure out what you might have been doing wrong and more importantly, what you can do better. Last but not least, READ THE RULES. I know it is dull stuff, but an understanding of the rules WILL change the outcome of your races, and it can certainly keep you from losing a few. Knowing the rules keeps you from being a victim of shameless bullies. Knowing the rules becomes a big part of tactics and strategy. Knowing the rules allows you to place yourself on the course such that you will have the advantage when you cross the path of a close competitor. Having the "Right of Way" at a mark rounding can be a huge advantage. Having the right of way at the finish line is often the difference between winning and losing. Play out race situations on the beach and then try to figure out what you would do in that situation and more importantly why. Get together with another sailor once in a while and discuss a particular rule. Hold a mock protest hearing, dissect the rule, understand it, get your arms around the concept behind how and why the rule was written. It can certainly keep you out of trouble and that is important. It doesn't do much good to finish first and get thrown because of a protest. Its even worse to be racing well and end up putting the boat on the trailer because of an on the water collision that may have been your fault.

Skill

This comes with boat time; nothing takes the place of experience. You can shorten the learning curve by reading and talking about all the finer points of sailing these quick little cats. But, you need to know what it feels like to surf a wave properly, you need to be able to feel the boat pick up that 1/2 knot of speed as you catch a wave, and you need to be able to feel it slow down as you start to lose it, and you have to be able to read wind patterns before they effect you. You can't get that feeling out of a book or from around the campfire after a days racing. If you are trying to gain experience make the effort to attend a few "non Hobie" regatta's. Denver Sail Association puts on open regatta's through the summer. I used to go down and race with the Southern Colorado Yacht Club at Pueblo Reservoir. Those weekends I focused entirely on how the boat felt. There were no points at stake, so it was merely Practice-Practice-Practice. I didn't care as much about how I finished as how much more instinctive my feel for the boat became. You'll know you're there when you can feel that the main needs to be sheeted in 3 inches without looking at the tell tales and when you can feel that you can steer 10° closer to that leeward mark without losing any boat speed. Then you are getting to be a "natural." Last year I commented to someone that John Cox was a better sailor by accident than most people are on purpose. This individual corrected me and explained that "every time John goes out he is ready to race." He dresses to stay warm. He goes out before the races and "gets in tune" with the boat and the wind. He practices before the flag goes up. He works at it every time he goes out. I personally have tried to distract John while on the course . . . I couldn't do it. The man is FOCUSED. I aspire to have that level of concentration.

Luck.

Lady Luck—not much I can say about the Fickle Finger of Fate. However, I will say that if you have addressed the previous four areas to the best of your ability, you often make your own luck. There are going to be those days when you sail into a wind hole and have to watch the fleet sail by. But if you have done all your work in the other areas, the time you have to spend in that black hole will be greatly diminished. There will be days when the wind fills from the rear and you helplessly watch as the fleet catches you at the finish line, but if you have positioned yourself well, maybe you don't have to watch all of them finish in front of you because you're on port and they're on starboard.

In conclusion, I would say that Catamaran Racing is a Thinking Sport. You don't have to spend hours and hours in the weight room, you don't have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars keeping up with the latest technology and equipment. But it takes knowledge, commitment and practice to consistently be the first one across the line at a Hobie Regatta. Some of the best and most memorable times of my life have been on sailboats, in a competition of some sort. Sailboat racing is my escape. It is the one thing I do that takes me away from the day to day worries. No matter how I finish, when I am racing, I am not worried about house payments, insurance, yard work, the job, taxes, asteroid impacts, or any of the other things that can make life complicated and tedious. In short, in my opinion, win, lose or draw, sailing is good for the soul.

Stephen

Hobie 18


Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...
It's about learning to dance in the rain
Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: Soapysails] #136334
03/14/08 04:10 PM
03/14/08 04:10 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 216
Lakewood, Colorado
MUST429 Offline
enthusiast
MUST429  Offline
enthusiast

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 216
Lakewood, Colorado
Regatta Prep Reply Part 2

First Spring Regatta Catamaran Check List
Its that time of the year when you're starting to think about sailing again. Be sure that your boat is ready to go before you take to the water. The following is a brief check list I developed before heading to San Felipe, B.C. Check it twice to ensure you have a safe 2008.
___Standing rigging (wires that hold up the mast) is in good shape with no wire kinks, frays, and is no older than five years (if so, check extra carefully).
___All fiberglass damage has been fixed and gelcoat dings filled and sanded.
___Running rigging including sheets, halyards and sail control lines are not herniated (line showing through the casing), are not sunburned and are adequate for the loads they bear.
___Sails are in good shape with no tears, missing or broken battens, or worn- through points.
___Rudders and daggerboards have been checked for cracks and are in good shape along with the control systems for them including tiller and tiller extension.
___Mast and boom are straight with NO KINKS in them and no oxidation at the step. Check also for oxidation (bubbling or flaking) at the stainless steel contact points like rivets and hounds or bails.
___All sheaves (pulleys) and leads are in good shape with no chalky residue (decomposed plastic).
___All shackles have pins, the shackles are not distorted, and they function properly and are adequate for the loads they bear.
___If your boat has drain plugs make sure you have them and at least one spare.
___First aid kit is fully restocked; make sure sunscreen is not too old (it degrades with time).
___Safety kit is fully stocked and flares are not out of date.
___There is a wearable lifejacket for each person on board that corresponds to their weight and height.
___The foul weather gear still fits and is in good shape. Check seals, zippers and seams on the gear.
___ Trailer registration paid up to (DMV) and boat has current stickers and registration number on each hull.
___Last but not least: PIN CHECK: Go around the boat and make sure each pin is in good shape, the clevis ring or pin is properly installed and that there is no opportunity for it to accidentally be removed or come out. This is also a great time to do a spreader check on the mast.
Also make sure you have brushed up on your navigation, man overboard procedures, capsizing drills and that your boat insurance has been paid and the policy is in force.
Go over your Trailer, it doesn't matter how good a shape the boat is in, you still have to get it to the lake before you can sail it. When was the last time you packed the bearings? Do you have bearing buddies? When was the last time you gave them a good shot of grease? What condition are the tires in? Plenty of tread and fully inflated? Are the sidewalls beginning to get "weather cracked" How about all the wiring and running lights? Wouldn't be a shame to have the boat in perfect condition and have someone rear end the dang thing just because they couldn't see your brake lights?
In the event that you are lacking anything or need professional consultation we will be happy to advise you on how to repair or replace what you need! A little time invested now will make 2008 your best and safest boating season ever! Wear your life jacket !!

Stephen
H-18


Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...
It's about learning to dance in the rain
Re: As a rule, how do you prepare for a regatta [Re: Timbo] #136335
03/14/08 05:40 PM
03/14/08 05:40 PM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 915
Dublin, Ireland
Dermot Offline
old hand
Dermot  Offline
old hand

Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 915
Dublin, Ireland
Quote
Well, I just spent two days washing and waxing my boat, checking all lines, wires, mast, etc. replacing tape, anything that looks like it might let go, even trailer wheel bearing grease! Then I usaully use an entire can of dry silcon spray on every moving part. I can't even walk by my boat without falling down now... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Of course I will now drive through a rain storm and have to wash the boat again when I arrive at the regatta!!

On my way to Gulfport in about 30 minutes, see ya! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

It's still cold and wet here - Go Tim <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I remember silicon spraying my son's traveller track. He was raging when he came in from the race - he had been sliding all over the tramp during the race <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />


Dermot
Catapult 265

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