I did a few PHRF races in San Francisco in an Etchells. It was fun!

We would win every start. We came in 4th at one Great Pumpkin
Regatta, out of maybe 90 boats. We were first overall of the fleet
that went clockwise around Angel Island. The three boats that beat
us all went around the island counter clockwise. If you have never
done one of these races, imagine two fleets meeting head on, on beam
reaches on the windward end of the island--exciting stuff, although
I think my skipper pee'd in his pants.

In another race, starting with the smallest boats of three size classes,
we lead the race for all fleets until the last leg when a 60 footer passed
us. We were second overall, and first in our fleet and of course beat
the entire middle sized fleet easily.

Putting an Etchells with trained crew in a PHRF is like putting a wolf
in the chicken shack.

A well cut, lightweight nylon drifter sheeted all the way aft to the
spinnaker
exit blocks would be a great sail for an Etchells in the very light air we
often get on the Sound.

"DSK" wrote
OzOne wrote:
IIRC, you can use a spinnaker to sail upwind but must not tack with
it.

Why not? This strikes me as an unnecessary rule. Tacking with a
spinnaker is not a good way to get upwind, especially if you're in any
kind of close quarters... ask me how I know!


On an Etchells you'd be blown away with this tactic. VMG to windward
under main and jib is just too good.

Yes it's a great efficient rig. But how about something like a screecher
or Code Zero? Would it be possible to gain enough speed through the
water to make up for the low pointing?

BTW there are a number of fleets where Etchells participate in PHRF
racing as a courtesy (and to bulk up participation) but most places they
prefer fleet racing. Technically, to be eligible for a PHRF rating you
have to have things like a head, a bow pulpit, etc etc. Imagine doing a
distance race on an Etchells!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King