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[jcatkeson]

This compac 23 owner has spent the winter in a racing series but not in this site's favorite boat.  I defected to a Pearson 30 named "Silent Pursuit." That is all we have done–pursue, we have had difficulty keeping other boats behind us. The race series is no place for a –23, there being very large Beneteaus and imports from Finland present. Come spring there may be some changes, I might even get to sail my own boat. Meanwhile the OB is in the garage and while the temp is much lower than the 27 further north than here, the number is quite low enough for the NC piedmont.

[brackish]

Hey most racing of different boats is scored on a handicapped basis.  So maybe that Pearson is really doing well even though not staying out in front boat for boat.  As I recall, a Pearson 30 runs well to its PHRF.

I actually think a ComPac 23 would also do well.  Most places I've seen assign a rating of 255 or greater to the boat.  I'm sure some of those imports from Finland are rated under 100.  In particular, if the weather legs, which is the 23's weak point of sail, are a little short it should be competitive.

[jcatkeson]

PHRF for the Pearson 30 (older model) is 175 so we are not dead last, it just that even with the correction we are still looking at the stern of most boats. On a four miles course, a PHRF of 100 means they have to give us five minutes. Seems a lot but not in a light wind, something most of the races have encountered. This summer I am going to see how the compac manages. My experience in small boats (includes San Juan 21) goes back about fifteen years. Larger boats back to 1972. The SJ 21 has the same PHRF as the Compac, something I think to not be quite correct but that is the number in NC. We shall see.

[LConrad]

I did a little racing single handed last summer. Compac is not fast, but sailing skill and equipment make a difference. A new main sail kit from Sailrite, a traveler, and a clean bottom all helped. Find the wind and work the shifts to your advantage. Reach a little at the leward mark to gain speed. Then head up for a faster apparent wind. Downwind, wing on wing if the wind is directly behind you. If it is off a little, alternate between wing on wing and a broad reach as the wind shifts. Use the pole to help keep the sail full.

We had a friendly four boat PHRF 200 race last summer at Eagle Creek (all boats had to be over 200). Delightful had the highest PHRF but still crossed the line first in every race. No need to correct. Now in all honesty, other race days did not go so well. However, we just returned from Strictly Sail Chicago with more fun ideas. The J-24s are already nervous