I don't know the answer to your clevis pin question and I don't race. But, maybe I can offer some racing tips I learned many years ago racing.
First, racing is divided into 2 groups; those who want to go around the buoys and have fun and those who must win. I think THE most important "trick" you can learn is consistency. Be consistent in steering, in how you set sails, how you sheet, and maybe the most important be consistent in how you tack (go over too hard-fast in light air is like applying brakes). And the most important feature of a good captain is communication. Tell your crew what you are doing/planning. Talk through maneuvers and strategy. Of course the captain has to make the ultimate decision but gather as much input as possible. And lastly, stay calm; events on the race course can make a normally calm person fly into a rage, but the calm skipper most times wins. Nothing builds consistency like practice, practice, practice. And of course sail as fast as you can. As a "Rock Star" on a boat I was on once said, "there is nothing on a sailboat that money can't make the boat go faster." But, I think invest in your planning and practice and a clean bottom and you should, over time, improve. Joe McCary Aeolus II, West River, MD joe at photoresponse.com www.aeoluswestriver.net From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of n2imz Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 11:25 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [IC27A] Clevis length and racing tips Do any of you folks know how long the masthead clevis pin to hold a spinakker block is? I want to put a turning block in the forward location of the masthead. The boatyard suggested I do this, rather than installing the crane since he has seen many done just that way with no problems. I plan to run an asymetrical cruising spinakker from it. I see on Catalina Direct, the clevis is 5/16" in diameter, but they do not list the length. If possible, I would like to buy a few locally to avoid the cross country shipping charges. Also, I have started around-the-buoys racing this season. This is the first time for me skippering races on my own boat, only the third season with the Catalina and the first season racing at all in many years. I have a standard rig, with a 150rf genny. So far, we have last place clinched. I am hoping to improve a bit as the season progressed. Would anyone like to share any secret go-fast sail trimmming tips with me? (I'll bet this will start a stampede!). Thanks in advance Matty Alineup '87 Catalina 27
