35s5 vs. J29 vs. J40
 

Last night we sailed along with a couple of J-boats.

The 29 was fractionally rigged. I matched course and trim, but on any
course but a reach I could not gain on him. Upwind was no contest. The
J went upwind like a champ. On a reach I slowly gained on him. It's
always a pleasure to watch J-boat sail because their motion is sweet.
We came alongside and chatted for a bit. He had raced aboard a 35s5 and
really liked the boat. I told him I couldn't really keep up except on a
reach. He said he'd beaten J29's with a 35s5, "but not with THOSE
sails!" Okay...my Mylar is tired. We have new sails on the way.

We spotted a J40 coming out to play. I gybed and then matched his close
reach, side by side about 1000 yards apart, we both had good air. My
trim was good and I actually started to get ahead. Then I could see him
and a couple of girls watching us. They quickly adjusted trim and got
the J-boat really moving. I said to Suzanne, "look at him go." Suzanne
watched for a moment and said, "yeah, but he's not pulling away."
Sure enough she was right. At least on this point of sail my 35s5 was
keeping pace with the J40. I watched him trim some more...and finally
(from my vantage point) he seemed overtrimmed and we pulled away ever
so slightly.
Well, the sun was nearly gone. While Doyle makes our new main we have
no lazy jacks and flaking the sail alone is a chore in the dark. We
sailed back to our club.

For a guy with "no interest in racing" I like to see what my 35s5 can
do! Back at our slip Thomas said "Bed?" He went into the aft cabin and
flopped down with his Elmo doll. These short sails with Suzanne and
Thomas have been simply...wonderful!!!

Go sailing, everyone!



RB
35s5
NY