Faster than a Melges 32?

[pudge]

They are rocket ships, wet rocket ships, but rocket ships non-the less.

I was just trying to convey that the 30'ish canters didn't exactly take off 15 years ago, and still haven't...

 

[Raz'r]

I was just trying to convey that the 30'ish canters didn't exactly take off 15 years ago, and still haven't...

So we're back the the Melges-32 like boats for around the cans. Ahh, hell, dinghies are better around the cans anyway.

 

[MattFranzek]

Canters 15 years ago just were not as snapy in tacks and gybes as fixed keel boats.

I agree Raz'r, dinghy or dinghy like boats, like a Melges 32.

 

[doghouse]

If you want to go faster but not spend a lot on a new boat to do it in some modern, carbon version of a M32, you might consider a boat that used to be in your backyard not too long ago. Some feel it is the best boat Farr ever designed in that size range.

Remember the bright yellow Farr 36 OD, Meridian, nee Grins from the first owner? I do not believe @doghouse is on the site anymore but if you did not already know the boat he would be an excellent source of information. If you are at HYC, you likely know him. If you do not you'll find him easy to talk to and extremely knowledgeable. Like M32 owners racing handicap I believe he and other F36 owners like to say something along the lines of, "If the spinnaker is up, you are winning. If the spinnaker is not up, you are not winning." I believe it rated PHRF 9 in ChesBayPRHF.

Btw, not to be confused with the Farr 36 from the 80's or the Mumm 36 from the 90's. The Farr 36 OD is a carbon boat, low freeboard with minimal existence downstairs, I think @doghouse used to refer to it as a big surfboard with a mast.

When it was Grins.
View attachment 563815

This was Meridian, it was a common sight.
View attachment 563817

One for sale.
2003 Farr 36 | US$80,000 | Newport Beach, California
View attachment 563814

Oh I still check in every six to twelve months my friend!

 

[knuckles]

I think the Melges 32 is the best PHRF boat in that range....just an amazing day sailer especially with good crew onboard.

 

[BrightAyes]

I think the Melges 32 is the best PHRF boat in that range....just an amazing day sailer especially with good crew onboard.

Emphasis on the "good crew onboard". Anything less (i.e. average Wednesday night) is a pure shit show.

 

[t10tom]

Just throwing this out there. I have a Melges 32 at the moment, and asking the age old question of "what's next?". I know the Cape 31 is currently getting a lot of attention, and I have come across the Xtreme 32. But when it boils down to it, it's hard to find a boat that can beat the Melges 32 in handicap racing/fun factor. The floor is open... What would be the next logical step in a similar size?

Come join the other 7 misfits in Chuck Town!

 

[t10tom]

If you want to go faster but not spend a lot on a new boat to do it in some modern, carbon version of a M32, you might consider a boat that used to be in your backyard not too long ago. Some feel it is the best boat Farr ever designed in that size range.

Remember the bright yellow Farr 36 OD, Meridian, nee Grins from the first owner? I do not believe @doghouse is on the site anymore but if you did not already know the boat he would be an excellent source of information. If you are at HYC, you likely know him. If you do not you'll find him easy to talk to and extremely knowledgeable. Like M32 owners racing handicap I believe he and other F36 owners like to say something along the lines of, "If the spinnaker is up, you are winning. If the spinnaker is not up, you are not winning." I believe it rated PHRF 9 in ChesBayPRHF.

Btw, not to be confused with the Farr 36 from the 80's or the Mumm 36 from the 90's. The Farr 36 OD is a carbon boat, low freeboard with minimal existence downstairs, I think @doghouse used to refer to it as a big surfboard with a mast.

When it was Grins.
View attachment 563815

This was Meridian, it was a common sight.
View attachment 563817

One for sale.
2003 Farr 36 | US$80,000 | Newport Beach, California
View attachment 563814

Meridian spent a few years in Milwaukee fun boat. Bang for the Buck the M32 is a better boat.

 

[t10tom]

BINGO! You got ride, I got time/$$$ to help make it happen.

Come join the 7 other misfits racing in Chuck Town.

 

[Not so fast]

Emphasis on the "good crew onboard". Anything less (i.e. average Wednesday night) is a pure shit show.

When you say pure shit show. Is it you can’t get around the course or you can’t get the boat in the groove and win? Looking for fun boats to upgrade from my 4ksb but my crew is underwhelming.

 

[BrightAyes]

When you say pure shit show. Is it you can’t get around the course or you can’t get the boat in the groove and win? Looking for fun boats to upgrade from my 4ksb but my crew is underwhelming.

Let me be clear: I don't own nor operate a 32. I can tell you a 24 ticks all the boxes and you only need three competent crew to make her go like a scalded bat around the course. That leaves rail room for two fine pieces of meat to look at upwind.

 

[RCD]

Come join the other 7 misfits in Chuck Town!

Cant make it this year due to family commitments, but will be there next year!

 

[CaptainAhab]

The Melges 20/24 tow at 80+ mph and you don't even know that they're there. I would imagine the M32 is easy to tow in the same way.

They don't have a tow tank in Zenda. Buddy has been testing his designs towing them behind the work shop pickup at 80+mph for decades. That's one of those Melges secrets to success.

 

[Norman Stansfield]

When you say pure shit show. Is it you can’t get around the course or you can’t get the boat in the groove and win? Looking for fun boats to upgrade from my 4ksb but my crew is underwhelming.

The 32 is not a tweaky boat, as long as you follow the tuning guide you can make it go. However it is very powered up and once the wind gets to me more that 15 knots you need a crew that works together and can anticipate issues. If you are reacting at that point you are too late.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

The 32 is not a tweaky boat, as long as you follow the tuning guide you can make it go. However it is very powered up and once the wind gets to me more that 15 knots you need a crew that works together and can anticipate issues. If you are reacting at that point you are too late.

If you don't have at least two or three very fit crew in breeze on a windward/leeward course, you're gonna have to hoist, trim and drop the kite very differently than the tried-and-true experienced crews' standards. Regular humans really have a hard time moving that kite around. It was extremely hard work for me when I was 220 lbs and could deadlift 460 and do 20 pull ups.

 

[ajbram]

If you don't have at least two or three very fit crew in breeze on a windward/leeward course, you're gonna have to hoist, trim and drop the kite very differently than the tried-and-true experienced crews' standards. Regular humans really have a hard time moving that kite around. It was extremely hard work for me when I was 220 lbs and could deadlift 460 and do 20 pull ups.

Agree 100% with this. It's not a tweaky boat, but it requires crew to be athletic and work well as a team. For a near 20-yr old design, the M32 is still really hard to beat in mixed-fleet racing. We routinely beat C&C 30s etc. and often finished well ahead of bigger boats that owed us time. All that said, I wouldn't put the boat in the hands of mediocre crew. Shit goes sideways fast and if the crew isn't up to the task in more than 15kn, you'll hoist the kite and just spend all night on your side spilling beers.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

Agree 100% with this. It's not a tweaky boat, but it requires crew to be athletic and work well as a team. For a near 20-yr old design, the M32 is still really hard to beat in mixed-fleet racing. We routinely beat C&C 30s etc. and often finished well ahead of bigger boats that owed us time. All that said, I wouldn't put the boat in the hands of mediocre crew. Shit goes sideways fast and if the crew isn't up to the task in more than 15kn, you'll hoist the kite and just spend all night on your side spilling beers.

our rule was you can drink a beer but only if you do it in one pull and throw the can back down below immediately

 

[Ex Machina]

Which reinforces getting kids sailing planing dinghies that chase apparent wind . Then A sail boats arent scary boats only suitable for scary gorillas