SOS, regarding our prindle 19, which do you think is less drag overall, fixing the mast float, or letting it weather vane. Wondered this for a while???
As for stepping the mast down once during the event, although indeed possible and I think all should train and be capable of doing it out on the course, But stepping a 32' aluminum mast for shitsand giggles, just introduces risk of someone hurting themselves or breaking something unnecessarily. I am more of a believer that the Race itself should have the conditions that require it like ithe bridges n NCC and OFUM, and not just introduced atificially because years ago there was some bridge on the course. On same note, I think CP1 should be one rule for all, either all classes have to go into Cape Haze, or all classes can choose whether going into Haze or landing on the beach head. (ps I understand the logistical reasoning behind that)
On the topic: My biggest concern upon deciding on Prindle 19 was working on system for righting. I posted video on facebook of final simplified system, that requires no adjustment at all of the lines to the righting pole, and the pole frees itself automically from the line once righted. Advantage: that you don't have to waste time making any angle up, adjustment while standing on the hull, and after righting you don't have to worry about being under the tramp with a bunch of control lines to get tangled up in in your pfd and all its attached gear....
After worrying the last 10 miles to Stump Pass, with late afternoon conditions and waves getting a little nerverwacking, ,and the possibly of planting bow in trough and going head over heals, we cut in on the inside of the surf, and slipped into the pass just feet from the rocks/warning post. We relaxed once on flat waters, just around the bend at the top of the bay where you can look down and see CP1, Havana was at helm, and I dropped down on tramp to clean up a jimmied bargerhauler line on the leward wing. The next thing I knew we were over, and I was undewater.. Our training paid off, and we had her righted in less than 2 minutes. My point is going over has never happened when we thought it would, seems always to be when we least expect it, also during our training. I think our float saved us from turtling once during training, when she flipped and then cartwheeled, without the float I think we would have turtled during the cartwheel)
Sealed mast, head float, heck even considered inserting swim noodles under the rack tramps... Are there sea/wind conditions that would make me pee my drysuit. Yep.
Do I know if we could recover her from a turtle, don't really know if it means keeping the rig as part of the deal... Maybe this will be what we need to practice on for next year (with the old set of sails!)
Anyway, really good thread, and look forward to reading more on it...
