First day racing - Fun day

My 4th time on the boat, I had it out yesterday for our clubs "small boat race" - It was an awesome day. The winds were typical for lake sailing -- shifting, gusting, and sometimes light air - overall good winds for the day. We had 6 boats, raced 3 races with 3 laps each, including another Capri. I got a 1st, 2nd, and 1st. My second race, I got tangled up with the rookies at the starting line and took nearly 2 minutes to get across the start line, but I finished only 20 seconds behind the leader. I got to hike out several times, and 2 or 3 times got up real high on the rail.

I adjusted the rigging, again and it fixed my weather helm problem that I had my last time out. I shortened my tiller extension, it worked better, but I really need a telescoping extension instead of the fixed one. The mainsheet block works great now that it will spin 360 degrees. My centerboard sometimes creeps up on me when it's not under load, maybe I need a new bungie.

I enjoy my Catalina 22, but the Capri has made sailing fun again.

-Robert

Enjoyed your report, Robert.

What length was best for the tiller extension? I've seen some discussion about shortening the tiller itself. I'd love to get a recommendation on what length works best for that, too.

tiller extension

I measured the tiller extension and it is 29" -- I cut off 8". I cut it so it would not get hung up in the mainsheet traveler, and it ended up clearing the boom when I tack.

I cut a 1 & 1/4" dowel and attached for a T handle grip. It works great and the grip is easier to hold then the plastic piece that was on there originally.

I have fairly long arms and sail mostly solo, but I found the stick is a little too short now. I like to sit in front of the jib car and I couldn't yesterday in the race. If I were sailing with crew it would have been the perfect length.

I had purchased a Ronstan BattleStick telescoping tiller extension. It looked really cool in the store, but it's got a rubber joint and I can't seem release the telescoping extension one handed very well. I'm going to return it and get the other one that was $10 more.

-Robert
Catalina 22 - 1984
Catalina Capri 14.2 1989
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