Moving weight to the bow during a race

Discussion in 'Software' started by Cliff Ruckstuhl, Sep 17, 2005.

  1. Cliff Ruckstuhl
    Joined: Mar 2004
    Posts: 45
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    Location: USA

    Cliff Ruckstuhl Junior Member

    I raced with a buddy today on his Catalina 22. During the down wind running wing and wing all of the other boats were sending crew forward to lift the stearn out of the water. Why? I have been racing for 15 years and have not seen this before.

    Cliff
     
  2. Eric Sponberg
    Joined: Dec 2001
    Posts: 2,021
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    Location: On board Corroboree

    Eric Sponberg Senior Member

    Cliff,

    When running downwind, the boat is sitting more or less upright, and the full stern where there is a lot of wetted area is causing a lot of drag. By moving the weight forward, the stern rises out of the water and wetted area, therefore drag, is reduced considerably. Less drag = more speed.

    Eric
     
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