231 replies to this topic

[Beer Fueled Mayhem]

Where are the results? The weather looked great from downtown Ballard!

[Bob Perry]

Ok, I have this to say.
Trickypig showed up.
BJ and Mrs. BJ were there along withj Mrs. Bj's ex-father ie law? He was not skilled but always willing, capable and a good ship mate.
It gusted to 5TWS.
It gusted to 30TWS.
The pig and I pushed the boat to it's limits.
We'd get a gust and Pig would say, "Keep pressing it." I pressed. Nothing broke.
Mrs. BJ was on the verge of crying but she stuck to her navigation duties and did a damn good job.
We did learn that she can swear like a sailor.

We beat a lot of boats that we should not have beat, if you read the magazines. For instamnce we finished within 5 minutes of a 54'er design by a wanker who used to work for me. A 54'er with a fin keel and no pilot house.
We beat a covey of frog POS's.
We were pretty damn amazing and I have to tell you even I was surprised as we beat out way up the couse in lots of wind without losing anything to weather against fin keeled boats, newer boats.
Our Carol Hassey sails were near perfect and I could not have asked for better sails.
I'll call Carol on Monday and thank her.

It must have looked funny.
50 boats in the race:
This 35', stubby little double ended cutter with a fucking pilot house munching along with a pretty modern fleet, i.e. Passprt 41, Nordic 44, C&C 40, Sabre, Fredom 38, Freya 39, various Frog things.The Cape George cutters, Ingrids, HC's and Corbins were so far behind I would have injured my neck just to try to spot them whe we finished. I could not see them. They may still be out there.

So, I am really convinced that we did very well today. All credit to BJ, Mrs. BJ, Ray and Pig.
As soon as the results come in I'll post them.

[kimbottles]

Ok, I have this to say.
Trickypig showed up.
BJ and Mrs. BJ were there along withj Mrs. Bj's ex-father ie law? He was not skilled but always willing, capable and a good ship mate.
It gusted to 5TWS.
It gusted to 30TWS.
The pig and I pushed the boat to it's limits.
We'd get a gust and Pig would say, "Keep pressing it." I pressed. Nothing broke.
Mrs. BJ was on the verge of crying but she stuck to her navigation duties and did a damn good job.
We did learn that she can swear like a sailor.

We beat a lot of boats that we should not have beat, if you read the magazines. For instamnce we finished within 5 minutes of a 54'er design by a wanker who used to work for me. A 54'er with a fin keel and no pilot house.
We beat a covey of frog POS's.
We were pretty damn amazing and I have to tell you even I was surprised as we beat out way up the couse in lots of wind without losing anything to weather against fin keeled boats, newer boats.
Our Carol Hassey sails were near perfect and I could not have asked for better sails.
I'll call Carol on Monday and thank her.

It must have looked funny.
50 boats in the race:
This 35', stubby little double ended cutter with a fucking pilot house munching along with a pretty modern fleet, i.e. Passprt 41, Nordic 44, C&C 40, Sabre, Fredom 38, Freya 39, various Frog things.The Cape George cutters, Ingrids, HC's and Corbins were so far behind I would have injured my neck just to try to spot them whe we finished. I could not see them. They may still be out there.

So, I am really convinced that we did very well today. All credit to BJ, Mrs. BJ, Ray and Pig.
As soon as the results come in I'll post them.

EXCELLENT!!!

[boomer]

Nice summary Bob! Sound's like ya'll had a good time.

[Bob Perry]

2nd in class.
One fucking minute behind the winner?
We should never have reefed the genny on the last leg. Maybe.
I think I'll go kill myself.

Protest!
Protest!

Maybe I have a bd attitude.
2nd in class is not too bad for the boat's first race.
Yeah, that's it.

[Dale dug a hole]

Harden the fuck up.

[boomer]

2nd in class is not too bad for the boat's first race.
Yeah, that's it.

I'm going with that....more importantly you all had a good time, and I bet it felt good!

[hobot]

Well done!

[Jose Carumba]

That is just great! I can just see the other crews. " We'll shake 'em on the next tack". "What? They're still there?"

Good job you guys!

[Beau.Vrolyk]

We'll done!!

[Dale dug a hole]

The love is sickening.

To bad so sad, what a bugger ya got second

[boomer]

How can you even did a hole, when your sucking your thumb all the time?

[Dale dug a hole]

How can you even did a hole, when your sucking your thumb all the time?

You are a boring cunt. Step up. Boring

Edit: Are you logged as anonymous, seriously.

[Dale dug a hole]

Waiting.....

[Dale dug a hole]

Hmmm

515,324,880 hits

[Dale dug a hole]

Almost feel of my chair, you are a fucking tosser.

Step up Boomer, google it ya sad cunt

Ya still logged in as anonymous, say sad cunt

[Dale dug a hole]

Hmm, who has deleties,.

[boomer]

Your list of problems keep increasing.

http://www.truthabou...s-of-liars.html

[Dale dug a hole]

Your list of problems keep increasing.

http://www.truthabou...s-of-liars.html

I think yours is Waaay Biggger than mine

[Gatekeeper]

Bob

Nice to see you got out...it's a shame you didn't have a good time.

[Bob Perry]

Clearly Dale is not an American and I think Boomer misunderstood some of Dale's humor and came to my defense.
I took no offense and I don't belive Dale intended any. Sometimes some of us get on here afte tipping backr a few and post a bit.
I may have done that once or twice. That could be the case here. That's OK.

As I sit here this morning, 5:08 am pre coffee I feel pretty damn good about our second place.
In fact we lost by 22 seconds on corrected time!

BJ called me from The Sloop Tavern last night after the awards and I can tell you he was feeling pretty jubilant.
Tricky is coming up to the shack today to help me with my humungous leg of what can only be mutton. I'm sure we will go over the race and come up with a whole list of manouvers that cost us 1 minute. Each!

[Joli]

What was this thread about? I've lost track.

[Bob Perry]

Damn Joli!
Here I sit aching all over from yesterday and you try and rain on my and BJ's parade?

I have to hand it to Mrs. BJ. She is really a good sport. It's tough to have your house tipped on it's ear and pounded through the Puget Sound chop. We broke on pair of sunglasses and we lost one glove. That's was it for breakage.
Tricky liked me to keep the boat sailing fat/not pinched so on the lastleg, a very tight reach, we had the rail under many times.

[austin1972]

"And a double ender too."

Somehow I have a hard time imagining Kim and SWMBO "living" aboard the SLIVER. And I have an equally hard time imagining Kim bending the class rules just so he can qualify as a live aboard.
That's not the Kim I know.
Now me, I'd definetly do it.

I thought we were going to create the "Perry Sliver Class" so I could tell the racing lawyers that lifelines were against the "class rules".......(It appears that it works for the 6 meter Class..................)

So we will say sleeping aboard on occasion counts as living aboard.

Just put a door knocker on the Sliver. Maybe a mermaid.
If it's got a door knocker, it must be an abode of some sort.

[Beer Fueled Mayhem]

Nice job! Envious as hell. Pics?

[Bob Perry]

Mrs. BJ took some photos during the race so I'm sure BJ will post some later.

[viktor]

Good job! Looking forward to some pics.

[austin1972]

Congrats Bob! I miss racing, and now my OPB ride has just sold.
I did get an offer from a certain someone to take a ride on a certain boat that has not yet splashed into PNW waters.

It's on top of my bucket list now. I have airline miles and some are now set aside.
I'll bring gloves and my traditional contribution of a bottle for the bar.

All boats need a properly stocked bar.

[Bob Perry]

Austin:
151 proof rum is the best bang for the weight and we know weight is the enemy.

[Bob Perry]

Oh yeah, I have to admit to be really scared at one point in the race and I don't get scared very often sailing.
We were broad reaching, moving along nicely and I had to use the composting head.
That was terrifying.
Mrs. BJ has a no pissing of the stern rule.

But given the fact that the boat was totally odorless I may have become a convert to the composter.

[austin1972]

I like the way you think.

[blackjenner]

This is Mrs. BJ - Hi All!

Bob - it was so awesome having you and Trickypig with us yesterday. Oh my god was that intense. :-) I did have a great time, and yes, there were a few moments I was breathing a bit heavy with all the adrenaline going on. I was impressed with how our boat did and was pretty damn happy with the 2nd in Class! I even got to see how it was making you a roast beef sandwich while on a pretty intense starboard tack.... good practice for future journeys. ;-)

This was my first race - and I loved being out there with BJ, Bob, Trickypig and my stepdad, Ray. Not a day I'll soon forget.

Head Expert
Safety Officer
Chief Navigator
First Mate
-Mrs. BJ

[Bob Perry]

Kerry:
You did a most excellant job with the navigation chores and given the tidal current we had yesterday and sailing to unfamiliar temporary marks you had a full time job with it. Your effort and attitude was a key part of our performance.

Donn did a great job on foredeck and in the shifty winds we had on that one downwind leg he became very adept handling the spin pole. He jumped around like it was the America's Cup.

[austin1972]

Mrs. BJ should get the SCOTW award.
Clean? Paging Mr. Block....Allyn to the white courtesy phone please!

[Joli]

Congrats! Great job guys!

[Courtney K]

Congrats to the crew of Brigadoon!!!! Great conditions out there. I tried looking for you among the fleet, but you must have been further out there. I raced in the sloop tavern regatta. Super windy in the afternoon.

[dinghydoc]

Here are the results. Congrats to Brigadoon.

RYH 2012 Results

[Bob Perry]

Doc:
Thank God!
I thought maybe it was all a dream, But I knew it was real. I found a pair of Bj's socks this morning. I showed up without socks, I had my Caribbean outfit on, and my feet were fucking freezing. Mrs. BJ gave me a pair of Donn's sock to wear.

There is no way to underestimate the contribution to the effort made by Tricky. He trimmed and he pointed the way to go and there were times when I didn't have a clue/clew. And I relaxed knowing he was good at it. It was one of those days when everyone was relaxed.

[viktor]

It seems lately that a lot of threads are tending to move towards food,so I was just wondering Bob how was your sandwich? Horseradish? What kind of bread?
Again well done to you and the crew!

[Bob Perry]

viktor:
It was roast beef on whole wheat with mustard and hummus.
Not sure what hummis really is but it sure tasted good at that moment.
Once I ate an egg salad sandwich on a race. I must have been really hungry. As I recall it tasted good.

[dogbark]

Nice work Brigadoon, you did well. Especially calling the tack south shortly after rounding O the first time. Sails looked awesome to me, wish I could afford some. We had refugees (inside the doghouse as well (including the dog), particularly during the rain. Sorry we missed seeing Bob during the race and also miss not having him around the GG dog park after he moved north. For the foodies, we had nice grilled cheese sammies (canadian white cheddar on roasted garlic bread, sprinkled with parmesan). Thanks for coming out, hope you can make it next year, Al

[kdh]

viktor:
It was roast beef on whole wheat with mustard and hummus.
Not sure what hummis really is but it sure tasted good at that moment.
Once I ate an egg salad sandwich on a race. I must have been really hungry. As I recall it tasted good.

Hummus is mostly chick peas and garlic. We eat a lot of it. I've always thought of it as something that can turn a roast beef sandwich into a vegan delicacy. Esselstyn would be proud. Here he is after eating some (sorry BJ, couldn't resist).

[Bob Perry]

Al:
You looked good. Your boat has always looked good. It was nice and a bit comforting to see you after all these years. Kind of surprised to notice it was you sailing the boat. It has been a few years. We go back.
Tactical calls go to Tricky and Mrs. BJ. I just pointed the boat. We did have a really good time. Can't remember having that much fun on a race. Well, can't remember much these days. Some stuff I try to forget. Donn made that part easy. In some ways it was yacht racing the way I thought it was when I was young. Nobody was angry. No protests. People waved and smiled at each other. We tried hard with what we had. We just might be on to something.

Tricky and I have just finished a great leg of lamb dinner and are now kicking back. Tricky made mint sauce from scratch. I made the lamb from scratch.

[tekton]

"Yeah... but first, you must make the dirt."

If the dirt builds the foundation upon which a house is lofted, then a race is born. The Baba on D-10 is no slouch in the general scheme of racing things, either.

Can a person build a boat in the water? Must all boats be born dry and whelped into the sea?

House racing sounds fun. And Vanadis, you still owe me a White Russian from that yeoman's confiscation at AYC.

[rattus32]

...
We beat a covey of frog POS's.
We were pretty damn amazing and I have to tell you even I was surprised as we beat out way up the couse in lots of wind without losing anything to weather against fin keeled boats, newer boats.
Our Carol Hassey sails were near perfect and I could not have asked for better sails.
I'll call Carol on Monday and thank her
...

I think it's actually a knot of frogs, but congrats! ;-)

[Bob Perry]

tekton:
I think we need an English as a first lanuguage course here.

I am old. I learned to talk a long time ago. Times and language have past me by.
I don't say ,"axe".
No I am not axing you anything. I am asking you."
Can you please keep it really simple. I know I'd enjoy your thoughts.

[Trickypig]

Thanks Bj and Kerry; great day! Bob's still pondering how the composting toilet works. There's a thread there somewhere. (Daledugahole may have something to say on that.)

I just love looking at those new Carol Hasse sails. Clearly made bullet proof for cruising with all the hand sewn touches that reminded me of old school sailmaking.

[Dale dug a hole]

I could dig the hole, and fill it just as quick with the shit that comes out of me.

But Boomer would be able to regale you with a story about when he was living of the land and had to consume his own crap so not to scare of the local wildlife, he'll provide videos and facts verified via google.

[hobot]

It never ends.

S.

[Dale dug a hole]

It never ends.

S.

We'll see.

[floating dutchman]

Perhaps Dale you could keep your stiring to the Rebecca thread and GA.

There was no need to metion your admiration for Boomer in this thread.

[Paps]

And the slow cooked Lamb Bruce?

[Paps]

Perhaps Dale you could keep your stiring to the Rebecca thread and GA.

There was no need to metion your admiration for Boomer in this thread.

I think there's a bit of man love going on Dutchy, its a latreen thing.

[Dale dug a hole]

Perhaps Dale you could keep your stiring to the Rebecca thread and GA.

There was no need to metion your admiration for Boomer in this thread.

Waa waa, but he started it.

OK

[Ajax]

BJ/Mrs. BJ/Bob,

That's fantastic, and what a story! I hope you guys will do it again next year.

[blackjenner]

This post was brought to you by the numbers 31, 2, 0:00:21, ASA1600, and the word "reef".

I remember when I first spoke to Bob about this on the phone.

"Bob," says I, "I haven't raced in years. I don't care if we win or anything. I just want Kerry to have fun.

"Well, there's no reason to do this if it's not fun," He said. "But -- it's nice to win to win too.

The photography is brought to you by the first mate, who was handed a camera previously used for night shooting by yours truly (hence the ASA1600), so the over-exposures are not her fault.

The day started early at Shilshole as Kerry cooked us a breakfast of "moonstruck eggs".



I forget what song was playing when she was miming this...maybe next time I need to ask her to make french toast to "We Didn't Start the Fire" (look the youtube up on that one).

Then the crew started showing up at around 9:30.

There was Ray, Kerry's step-dad. Bob and Trickypig showed up soon after. We had our crew.

Ray's a great guy, loves sailing and, though not terribly experienced, he does exactly what you ask of him exactly how you asked him.

Like, "Ray, hold the boom out on this downwind leg."



The day was a little cool and cloudy with very light winds at first.



I ended up playing bowman on my boat for handling the whisker pole and taking the big, heavy Genoa through the staysail stay (more on that later).



Our first run almost downwind was pretty slow but, Bob said we were doing well...even if we couldn't get the Genoa to fill very well.

more pics on the next installment.

[blackjenner]

Part2

The beat back towards West Point warmed up, along with the boatspeed. We beat to weather in rising winds with Bob at the wheel, Tricky on the main and genoa sheets, Ray on the rail and me on the bow.



Bob seemed to have fun on this one.

We were soon at the West Point bouy and headed back to Pt. Madison again. The wind had picked up, the Genoa was pulling hard and we were doing 7-8 kts. Brigadoon felt like a fully armed little war pony, tearing through the underbrush. At that point Bob started so muse, "you know, we just might win this thing."




Trickypig was totally focused on the task at hand, calling wind shifts, trimming and giving us what we needed to keep the boatspeed up.



We beat a bunch o'boats to Pt. Madison, rounded the mark right into the teeth of a pretty stiff breeze. Trickypig guessed 30 knots. Bob scoffed, just a little but, the instruments confirm that we hit a gust of 31 on that race, with sustained around 20-25. There was no reef in the main or the Genoa. Bridadoon was pulling hard.

Bob and Tricky started having some real fun now.



And it became their kind of fun.



By the way, that big Hallberg-Rassey in the background of this pic never caught us.

more...

[blackjenner]

part3

Why were they having so much fun?

This is why.



Brigadoon sat on her ear, mostly near about 7kts of boatspeed most of the way. I think Bob liked that a lot.



Ray helped out on the windward rail while we watched a threatening storm pass to the south of us.

Some of the tacks were rather interesting. At one point, I screwed up, sheet wrapped in my arm and pulled towards the rail and my tether was caught on the sheet too. I was being pulled apart. The tether kept me on board while Tricky eased the sheet, I got my arm out while it peeled a glove off, and got back on track. Being tethered in was a good idea here.



As the wind kept lifting and steadying near 30 we all started talking about reefing. Reefing the main in these conditions was doable but, we *were* racing so we decided to reef the Genoa just a little (10%) as we weren't so much getting knocked down but having our rail burned pretty well, along with he port house windows getting washed really well, from time to time.

Bob watched the committee boat and pin with care as we charged towards the gap.



Just as we neared, a Catalina 30 tacked into the start finish, went in irons, stalled and barely made it across.

We crossed less than a minute behind, with a corrected time of just 21 *Seconds* behind her for 2nd place in our first Race Your House.

I'm really glad I had such a wonderful crew for this total blast out on the water.

Kerry was amazing as the First Mate, Navigator, Head Expert and Cook. She wasn't quite up to some of the close passes we had with other boats but hey, it's our *House* we are talking about here.

Ray did a great job at everything we asked him to to. Bob and Tricky appreciated his help a lot.

Trickypig, thanks for being so focused and spot on for this. I loved it out you would read out wind gusts in, "here in 10, 5...now," as you eased the traveler and got us through without losing boat speed.

And Bob, you drove Brigadoon like a madman. I think you should send her some flowers to thank her for a nice ride.

[Bob Perry]

BRIGADOON knows I love her without flowers. he liked the way I handled her.

Good pics Donn. Thanks. They convey well the good time we were all having.

[blackjenner]

BRIGADOON knows I love her without flowers. he liked the way I handled her.

Good pics Donn. Thanks. They convey well the good time we were all having.

I'm sure she did, Bob. It was a great ride.

I'm glad you liked the pics.

[blackjenner]

Oh yeah, and we did this with a hundred pounds of anchor, almost 300lbs of chain, a dingy on the back and all our personal possessions aboard. Well, we were a little lighter because someone stole my Honda 2hp outboard off the boat on Thursday night, so that may have helped a little.

[Ajax]

The pics really tell the story, I wish I was there. The Sesame Street reference is hiliarious, BTW.

[Bob Perry]

Paps:
The leg of lamb turned out great. I had Trickypig here to help me. Despite the size of the leg it was very fresh and tasted great. Tricky par boiled peeled and cut into chunks potatoes. Then scored each piece of potato with a fork. Then we threw them in with he lamb along with parsnips, sweet onions and, carrots. It was a good old baked dinner. After the company left Tricky and I past the evening trading sailing lies. Tricky has some great stories from his days racing CONE OF SILENCE.

[boomer]

Thanks for sharing Donn....looked like you all had a grand time.

[blackjenner]

You know, I never worried about Brigadoon one bit. Not one bit. Sure, we had some close passes with other boats and we got closer to share than I'd do cruising but it was just fine. Bob and Tricky really had this in hand. I learned so much by watching them and seeing how they drove Brigadoon.

I knew she was solid. I knew they were solid. That's why I was happy to play bow man.

It was a blast.

[Beau.Vrolyk]

You guys clearly had WAY too much fun!

B-)

[boomer]

You know, I never worried about Brigadoon one bit. Not one bit. Sure, we had some close passes with other boats and we got closer to share than I'd do cruising but it was just fine. Bob and Tricky really had this in hand. I learned so much by watching them and seeing how they drove Brigadoon.

I knew she was solid. I knew they were solid. That's why I was happy to play bow man.

It was a blast.

Nothing better then seeing old goats at play, they probably made it look easy!

[Bob Perry]

This old goat had a lot of fun.

[kimbottles]

Donn,

Sounds like you picked the right crew for your first try at racing your house.

Best to Kerry!

Kim

[boomer]

This old goat had a lot of fun.

Sounds like you all had a blast!

[Bob Perry]

In case you are curious:
Why am I sitting to leeward in that much breeze?
In order to see the luff of the genny and the genny tell tails I had to sit to leeward so I could see around the rolled up staysail.
If my feel had been more acute I could have ignored the tell tails and sailed by feel. But I didn't have that much confidence to use feel as the ultimate sensor the first time racing this boat.
I would have been more comfortable sitting to weather but it didn't work.
I have indentations in both sides of my back the exact OD of the davit pipes.

I know now why TP 52's don't have pilot houses.

[Leka]

^{Great story and pics. Thanks for sharing.}

[boomer]

Sitting to weather would have probably made up that 22 seconds and then some....but having fun and being comfortable was equally if not more important.

[blackjenner]

Sitting to weather would have probably made up that 22 seconds and then some....but having fun and being comfortable was equally if not more important.

I've tried it both ways. Because of the way the cockpit was designed and the placement of the winches and cleats, it's not easy to sit to weather when really beating. Well, you can, but you are sitting on winches and cleats. When you sit in the cockpit, you end up bracing your legs too much and it's harder to control the wheel.

This is not a deficiency in the design. It's a wonderful cockpit. It's not large but, it really fits in so many situations. When you do sit to leeward when steering, the cockpit cradles you. You can see past the pilot house and to the luff on the headsails. It's a good place to sit.

[Bob Perry]

Not so sure Depster. Given the fact that the boat is a double ender with a rather tight cockpit I did not have the option of getting my weight far enough outboard for it to help with Rm. But much of the time I was sailing the boat upwind right on the edge with a need to feather a bit in the puffs so I wanted to see the luff of the genny. It was flat enough so that I didn't need to see the waves coming. It just felt weird to have Tricky telling the crew to sit to weather while I sat to leeward.

[Gatekeeper]

I'm so friggin jealous I could just spit!!

[Bob Perry]

Why? You have plenty of fun on your boat.
How's the Commodore today?

[Gatekeeper]

Why? You have plenty of fun on your boat.
How's the Commodore today?

I'm still jealous...it doesn't have to be rational.

The Commodore is fine, but I've taken away her bike until she proves she won't crash again. I don't what to have to find another helmsman.

[boomer]

It does look more comfortable sitting to leeward.

[Bob Perry]

Dan:
Maybe you could weld another wheel on the Commodore's bike for stability.

[Dale dug a hole]

It does look more comfortable sitting to leeward.

Comfort is something you really don't think about when racing, ya listen to the skipper and you put your ass where he want's it.

But it doesn't look like there was much screaming on that boat.

I'd be rail meat on that any day

[Bob Perry]

Dale:
No screaming, no shouting, quite a bit of cursing though but in a good natured "sailor's talk" kind of way. We did have quite a few composting head jokes.

[blackjenner]

It does look more comfortable sitting to leeward.

Comfort is something you really don't think about when racing, ya listen to the skipper and you put your ass where he want's it.

But it doesn't look like there was much screaming on that boat.

I'd be rail meat on that any day

I agree that, when competing, comfort is often secondary. However, if Bob were struggling to sit in a good place to do his job, or was distracted by it hurting, he wouldn't have done as well as he did. Bob and I agreed at the start that it's not worth doing if it's not fun. Screaming isn't fun.

I won't tolerate *any* screaming on my boat unless it's, "Oh my fucking god you are on fucking fire!!!!," or something like that.

Aside from that, we don't yell/scream at each other. It's not how it works on Brigadoon.

[boomer]

Been racing since I was kid, and comfort has always been a priority. If a boat is doing well, the crew is pretty glib and enjoying the race. All the crews I sailed with it was about having a good time, even more so in fun races like this. In regular racing whether it be short around the buoys or distance racing, keeping the moral up is imperative. I've never had to raise my voice other then a hail or to be heard. Typically on other boats where I've seen sailors getting upset, it's usually because of an a-hole or a few a-holes, or novice skippers and crew not knowing there tasks. When the weather starts getting nasty, it's even more imperative to seeing to the crews needs, whether it be clothing or food and refreshments. The bottom line, if a crew has good moral and are having fun, that become successful.

[Soñadora]

good god man! I sure hope you put the scented candles away before letting bob and tricky sail her like that!

Regarding comfort, these boats are most comfortable sailing on their ears. I would say that anything over about 18 degress though and you're going to be slower than if you stay around 15. At least, that's how it feels anyway. So hopefully that pic with the cap rail awash was just a temporary blip. Otherwise, maybe that's why you LOST the race. HA!

just giving you shit. 2nd place finish for a furniture boat in any race is fucking awesome. My guess is that the other boats sucked because they couldn't stop staring and smiling at how well Brigadoon looked. If you're going to lose to a boat, losing to a boat like Brigadoon makes you feel good.

Great job guys.

[Bob Perry]

Rick:
You are wrong. The Baba 35 responded very well to being pushed hard. Had it not we would not have done it. We knew exactly what we were doing. We were not cruisers pondering theoretical potential VMG's. We were racers on a fixed course with boats around us providing a very definite and well defined set of benchmarks for our performance. On the last weather leg we were regularily diping the rail under and I resisted the urge to feather the boat up and instead kept "pressing" as Tricky wanted me to do. The results speak for them selves.

Now shut up!

[blackjenner]

Again, it was a joy watching these guys push Brigadoon. I had one moment hear the bow, on the last weather leg, when we were on tack for a bit, I was sitting on the rail.

Then I just lay down on the side deck, my feet towards the bow. I could see all the sails, feel the power in the rig and the water rushing below her hull. There was so much power there. She was singing along, driven by a talented and dedicated crew towards Bob's, "Yeah, you shouldn't do it if it isn't fun, but it's nice to win too."

I didn't really have winning anything as a goal but, I do wish we would have gotten that win for Bob.

All I know is, we did a great job for a first time out.

[Soñadora]

ha!

I just know that over about 15 degrees the drinks start spilling out of the cup holder.

These boats love the heavier air. They're like clydesdales in a muddy field. But of course you know that Bob. After all, you designed the damn thing!

[Jose Carumba]

Geeze Sons, comparing Bob's boats to plough horses? Well yeah, I guess I can see it. Clydesdales are proud, powerful,wonderful horses. OK, never mind.

[Ishmael]

Geeze Sons, comparing Bob's boats to plough horses? Well yeah, I guess I can see it. Clydesdales are proud, powerful,wonderful horses. OK, never mind.

They also make a lot of leeway when they tip over more than 30 degrees.

[Soñadora]

Geeze Sons, comparing Bob's boats to plough horses? Well yeah, I guess I can see it. Clydesdales are proud, powerful,wonderful horses. OK, never mind.

They also make a lot of leeway when they tip over more than 30 degrees.

I don't know, at that point they usually just fall over.



wait, were you talking about horses?

[Bob Perry]

I like Clydesdale's. I think it fits here. And for the record, I think you were joking about the 18 degrees. Spilling drinks? What drinks? I had one can of Pepsi during the entire race.

I think there are boats that like to be sailed more upright but generally not at the expense of giving up horse power (Clydesdale power).
Donn and Cary asked a couple of times, "Should we sail like this while we are cruising?" I said, "No, but it depends upon where you are trying to go and how quickly you want to get there. But in general, no you would want to reduce sail to increase comfort."

I like to think that I have the ability to feel when one of my boats is performing at an optimum level. I'm pretty confidant in that. In this case I had Tricky helping me or really advising me on how hard to drive the boat. With boats around us we had a very clear indication of just how our speed was being effected by changes in trim. That's the beauty of racing. I have said it over and over and almost every time I have been given shit for saying it but if you don't race your boat once and a while there is little chance you will ever learn to get the most out of your boat. It's not impossible. It's just harder.

I know, I know, cruisers hate that kind of talk. But I know I am right. Racing teaches you how to get there the easiest and quickest way. Granted it may not be the most comfortable way but strutting up and down the dock with a satisfied look on your face while the rest of your class straggles in is quite comforting. I really like it when you walk by one of the "blue water" boats who dropped out because there was "too much wind". I tried to look sympathetic in that situation but inwardly I was smug. Maybe "smug" is not the right word. I was proud of Donn's boat and I was proud of the way the crew sailed it. In a smug way.

I think the day left Donn far more confident in his boat. It's good to feel that way about your boat.

[Soñadora]

all joking aside, I really appreciate this thread and the experience the crew of Brigadoon is sharing here. While I've never considered our boat to be a 'racing' boat, I have found it curious and rewarding that in heavy air on a beam reach we've had no trouble keeping up with other more 'performance' oriented boats like Bennies or even older J-boats. Of course it's a different story on the wind in light air, but who sails like that?

[blackjenner]

I was actually very pleased at her performance. I have heard, time and time again, from more "modern" designs how slow my boat is. Yeah. OK. If you say so.

No, she isn't a racing boat but, she is far from slow and, like you said, on a beam reach in airs above 10kts, don't make bets against her.

[boomer]

I really like it when you walk by one of the "blue water" boats who dropped out because there was "too much wind".

[floating dutchman]

I was actually very pleased at her performance. I have heard, time and time again, from more "modern" designs how slow my boat is. Yeah. OK. If you say so.

No, she isn't a racing boat but, she is far from slow and, like you said, on a beam reach in airs above 10kts, don't make bets against her.

A while ago I made this comment: The one thing slower than a slow boat is a boat sailed slowly.

What Bob says, Race your boat, you learn heaps and I find make crusing more comfortable. You can get to that windward place faster because you know how to. You know when pushing the boat harder is faster and when its not and you know how much easing of a little slows you down. You get bettter at the boat handling stuff and sail better. If I didn't race the boat I possably would not have got a kite for it, Now the kite saves us a lot of motering because it's set up to be fast and easy (for racing) so I just put it up if I want to crusing.
Coming back from the bay at the end of last season I passed another H28. I had the kite up and he was motering (light wind). I race he doesn't. One bigger boat had issues passing us (took him ages to get pasted) was motering too.
Race the boat. It's fun.

[kimbottles]

I agree with Bob completely, the best sailing lessons I have ever had were always while racing. (I have been very fortunate to have raced with some very good sailors.)

[Courtney K]

While I've never considered our boat to be a 'racing' boat, I have found it curious and rewarding that in heavy air on a beam reach we've had no trouble keeping up with other more 'performance' oriented boats like Bennies or even older J-boats. Of course it's a different story on the wind in light air, but who sails like that?

I was actually very pleased at her performance. I have heard, time and time again, from more "modern" designs how slow my boat is. Yeah. OK. If you say so.

I've also heard people say this nonsense about full keeled and heavier boats like the Babas and related cousins: "they sail poorly" the "experts" will say. Poppycock. It depends on who's sailing the darn thing, how gutsy the sailor is, the size and trim of the sails. Besides, few things are more beautiful than a traditional cutter on the water.

[Ishmael]

Just to add a touch of real-world to this discussion, I find that PHRF ratings are a reasonable comparison between boats. The Baba 35 rates around 225, my C&C 35 rates around 120. Under "averaged" conditions, I owe BJ about 100 seconds per mile. If we're both at hull speed, he probably has about the same waterline so we're equal and he will correct out way ahead. Under 10 knots I'll do a horizon job on him.

[Bob Perry]

Ish:
Upwind you will outpoint the Baba comfortably in any conditions. Upwind this can be a lot of miles. And you are correct. It takes a half gale to keep the Baba moving. I think PHRF ratings are very good indicators of a boat's performance.