Did you try it in less wind?


Maxprop wrote:
Yeah. We sailed it downwind with main, mizzen, and non-lapping headsail
only (staysail furled) in roughly 3-5 kts. of wind. It moved along rather
well.

uh huh.

.. In fact the C&C 40 belonging to another friend stayed with us or fell
slightly behind.

Yeah right. The C&C must have been backing up.

Actually, in 3 ~ 5 knots true wind, the Bayfield is doing pretty well to
maintain steerageway. That one must have a clean bottom and good sails.


.... The Bayfield seemed to do well in just about any wind.
That's what impressed me most. It's only failure, IMO, was that it isn't
particularly weatherly. At 60 degrees off the apparent wind it moves well,
but closer and it slows significantly.

Considering that the rig and the "foils" (if you'll excuse the liberty
of using this term so loosely) have been designed with every trade-off &
compromise slanted against weatherliness, that's actually not bad.

The major 'failure' of the Bayfields I have sailed... prone to steer
like garden sheds. Considering their design and weight, they sail pretty
well. But all else being equal, a C&C 40 is going to sail rings around
any Bayfield. It's like comparing a Flying Dutchman to a Beetle Cat.
That doesn't mean the Beetle Cat isn't a good boat, and fun to sail.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King