Anyone racing a Cal 39-2?

I have a 1977 Cal 39, hull #3. I occasionally race her, mostly short-handed. She is set up mainly for cruising, has dacron sails, dodger, stack-pack, roller-furling #3, high-cut headsail. She is rated 117, basically the same as a Cal 40 (!). IE, if I had a overlapping Genoa, she'd be 114, exactly same as a 40. Which seems ridiculous to me. Is anyone else racing Cal 39's? If so, what have you done to improve performance, especially going to weather? I find with my current sails I can't really point well at all. I guess this is no surprise with a roller furling dacron yankee jib. I am thinking about getting a racing jib, still #3, non-overlapping, that would probably still be furling but would have a lower clew, and would be sheeted more inboard, probably right next to the cabintop side. Anyone have thoughts on this? Appreciate any ideas on how to get her to point better--currently I'd say she can't go above about 40 degrees AWA. thanks, bw "Sea Star" Richmond, CA

Bob, Don't feel too bad, I can't go above 50 degrees without slowing to a crawl and going sideways. You have a relatively modern hydrodynamic keel compared to my cutaway super duper low aspect full keel. I'm finding that I can go faster upwind by keeping my speed up and staying flat. Why not go for a number two or a number one? Minney's might have something for you. Also, think about Shanghai-ing some crew. Get them drunk, club them over the head with a belaying pin, and chain them to the chain locker. heh heh. I wonder if the British used Pusser's Rum for that during the War of 1812? BTW I use a number two, it's a compromise between not enuff sail early in the day and too much sail in the afternoon. Jerry From: BobW <bo… [at] bobwalden.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, June 7, 2012 11:25 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Anyone racing a Cal 39-2? I have a 1977 Cal 39, hull #3. I occasionally race her, mostly short-handed. She is set up mainly for cruising, has dacron sails, dodger, stack-pack, roller-furling #3, high-cut headsail. She is rated 117, basically the same as a Cal 40 (!). IE, if I had a overlapping Genoa, she'd be 114, exactly same as a 40. Which seems ridiculous to me. Is anyone else racing Cal 39's? If so, what have you done to improve performance, especially going to weather? I find with my current sails I can't really point well at all. I guess this is no surprise with a roller furling dacron yankee jib. I am thinking about getting a racing jib, still #3, non-overlapping, that would probably still be furling but would have a lower clew, and would be sheeted more inboard, probably right next to the cabintop side. Anyone have thoughts on this? Appreciate any ideas on how to get her to point better--currently I'd say she can't go above about 40 degrees AWA. thanks, bw "Sea Star" Richmond, CA

Hi, Bob. I've heard rumored that the CAL 39 (at least some versions) is longer than a CAL 40. Water line is definitely longer. In that light, the ratings can make sense. The CAL 40 rating should not suffer just because the boat is a legend. For whatever discussion there would be on CAL 40s as a one design, they are all really quite different with the mods done over the years. I'm sure that the 39s are similar. I would think your boat would balance better with an overlapping sail - say about 130. Also, what is the condition of your main. If you are flying a non-overlapping jib, the main (and the shape thereof) has to be a player in your pointing ability. Is the dodger down when you are racing? Got to be careful with the tighter sheeting angles. You could be pointing higher very slowly. Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of BobW Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2012 2:26 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [External] [Cal_Boats] Anyone racing a Cal 39-2? I have a 1977 Cal 39, hull #3. I occasionally race her, mostly short-handed. She is set up mainly for cruising, has dacron sails, dodger, stack-pack, roller-furling #3, high-cut headsail. She is rated 117, basically the same as a Cal 40 (!). IE, if I had a overlapping Genoa, she'd be 114, exactly same as a 40. Which seems ridiculous to me. Is anyone else racing Cal 39's? If so, what have you done to improve performance, especially going to weather? I find with my current sails I can't really point well at all. I guess this is no surprise with a roller furling dacron yankee jib. I am thinking about getting a racing jib, still #3, non-overlapping, that would probably still be furling but would have a lower clew, and would be sheeted more inboard, probably right next to the cabintop side. Anyone have thoughts on this? Appreciate any ideas on how to get her to point better--currently I'd say she can't go above about 40 degrees AWA. thanks, bw "Sea Star" Richmond, CA ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links

Hey Jerry, Since you bring up Rum and all that--- Grog as served in the RN was 50% rum and 50% beer. Before action fighting sailors were served tots of rum. Pussers is ok Mount Gay is my choice. I buy Safeway Kings Bay and add Meyers at about 20% for the taste. OJ or tonic for the mixer. To The Queen on her Diamond and to the President. Here's to those who landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944 when my dad was in the south pacific! My Best, Mike From: Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, June 7, 2012 11:51 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Anyone racing a Cal 39-2? Bob, Don't feel too bad, I can't go above 50 degrees without slowing to a crawl and going sideways. You have a relatively modern hydrodynamic keel compared to my cutaway super duper low aspect full keel. I'm finding that I can go faster upwind by keeping my speed up and staying flat. Why not go for a number two or a number one? Minney's might have something for you. Also, think about Shanghai-ing some crew. Get them drunk, club them over the head with a belaying pin, and chain them to the chain locker. heh heh. I wonder if the British used Pusser's Rum for that during the War of 1812? BTW I use a number two, it's a compromise between not enuff sail early in the day and too much sail in the afternoon. Jerry From: BobW <bo… [at] bobwalden.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, June 7, 2012 11:25 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Anyone racing a Cal 39-2? I have a 1977 Cal 39, hull #3. I occasionally race her, mostly short-handed. She is set up mainly for cruising, has dacron sails, dodger, stack-pack, roller-furling #3, high-cut headsail. She is rated 117, basically the same as a Cal 40 (!). IE, if I had a overlapping Genoa, she'd be 114, exactly same as a 40. Which seems ridiculous to me. Is anyone else racing Cal 39's? If so, what have you done to improve performance, especially going to weather? I find with my current sails I can't really point well at all. I guess this is no surprise with a roller furling dacron yankee jib. I am thinking about getting a racing jib, still #3, non-overlapping, that would probably still be furling but would have a lower clew, and would be sheeted more inboard, probably right next to the cabintop side. Anyone have thoughts on this? Appreciate any ideas on how to get her to point better--currently I'd say she can't go above about 40 degrees AWA. thanks, bw "Sea Star" Richmond, CA