I enjoyed many years of racing my Potter with San Luis Yacht Club to the
point of abusing her poor hull, rigging and center board. It was in
the late 70's and 80's, we used the PHRF (Nor. Cal) data and I talked
myself into a favorable 320 handicap, which gave me a few 2nd and 3rd
places over the years, both ocean and lake series. However, as the club
members bought bought larger boats (4 Olsen 30's), I was only
competitive with Montgomery 17's, McGregors, Santana's, the big
cruising boats like Baba 30, etc. which often stopped racing after not
making up-wind in light airs. And THAN the rules were applied
precisely, protest flags flew, a bad collision (and one court lawsuit!),
the fun was over! So that now leaves the spontanious end of day "Hey,
what can I do to out-run that boat back to the launch ramp kind of
race!"
In those years, I flew my home-made drifter and spinaker, a larger main
(off a Windrose 22) and pushed alot of white-water going downwind with
centerboard up (like a surfboard!). However, the best investment I made
was a digital knotmeter with paddlewheel mounted in tiny locker aft of
porta-potty locker. Even in lightest wind, it measures tenths of a
knot!
But the bottom line is, as you say Jerry, visualize yourself at the
center of all the natural and mechanical variables necessary to move
your boat, sense the wind on your face, adjust jib and main wind "slot",
fall off till you see a wake aft, than tighten up until the wake behind
creates the best ripple - you have arrived!
My thoughts only,
Larry Steffen, Monterey Bay, CA
YUUKI HMS 18 #35
PS As someone pointed out earlier, the 19 does not meet the minimum for
PHRF rules!
Time to lobby PHRF for rule changes?