these boats really can sail!!

monty · Post by **monty** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 1:50 pm

I haven't been able to get much sailing time on my 26 since buying it in '09, the 5 day cruise last fall saw no wind interrupted by one day of 'hang on and hope' winds. Today was different though. Good breeze out of the south (flat water) and another boat to sail against made me appreciate these boats' sail-ability.
The other boat was a '95 Hunter 26 water ballast that I have sailed against in the past with my '95 Macgregor water ballast. He was running his main and jib and I, being the lazy one, was only using my 120 furling genoa. He had more speed than me (big difference in sail area might have something to do with that!) but he found he was pinching to the point of luffing trying to sail close hauled with me, on starboard. When we tacked I could see my genny was much flatter on port tack and with an increasing wind he gave up trying to stay with me and fell off to fill his sails and maintain some speed.
I sailed on alone hitting 5.7kt on the gps while close hauled on the way back to the slip.
Overall this is a great boat! My wife was on for a sail yesterday and remarked how much more relaxed the boat felt compared to the Mac! Truly a 'good old boat'
Here's a link to a video shot today, I hope it works.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rd400g/585 ... hotostream

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 6:45 pm

Way to go, Monty! Nice video and how sweet is that maneuverability?!

Thanks for sharing!!

monty · Post by **monty** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 6:52 pm

only problem is, with the Martec folding prop I put on, I have almost no reverse thrust! I'm going to go back to the stock prop next time I pull the boat out and put up with the drag and noise when the prop starts turning at 4kt.

Tommy Monaco · Post by **Tommy Monaco** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:22 am

Absolutely! I love the maneuverability of our beauties. Last week we took some friends out (they have a Pearson 35 with a wheel). After stopping at a fuel dock for a little extra, we pulled away and cranked on the tiller to turn 180. I saw them exchange a glance which could only be described as equal parts amazement and jealousy at the speed and nimbleness that has become a hallmark of our vessels. Beautiful sailing indeed. I'm still playing with swing keel position to optimize righting force vs. hydrodynamic drag, but that's part of the fun.

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:36 am

Very nice and thanks for sharing the video!

Yes, our Chryslers are really nice handling boats! I love the way they sail and handle in tight quarters!

Your 26 looks great!

Scott

J. Austin · Post by **J. Austin** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:29 am

Now that's what I call cutting holes it the water. Aka: milling about smartly.

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:00 pm

Nice video Monty and quite often I will use my 170 genoa I can even tack with the genny alone but not as well as full sails.

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:59 am

Nice video... they made such a big deal about the J-24 being able to turn around in its own radius and sailing "like a dinghy" well... so does the chrysler...

I would love some pics and more details onthe inboard volvo deisel... I have been planning this (upgrade?) fro some time and already have the OEM saildrive...

monty · Post by **monty** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:53 pm

If you look through my photos you will find a couple of pics from inside that show the diesel. What it doesn't show is how much room is taken up by the engine enclosure when it is in place.

I removed my galley and re-located it forward on the port side against the bulkhead. I did that to be able to access the diesel from all four sides.

Engine access from two sides was okay for the first thirty years, I suppose, but I've had to spend a lot of quality time with her lately!!

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:26 am

Color me green with envy. I see some boats in our marina turn like that, but with a fixed outboard, no way for me.

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:23 pm

the key is prop thrust going over the rudder.

KeithR · Post by **KeithR** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 5:50 am

Yesterday I found out the C-22 is not slouch in 10kt winds. A friend in a Catalina 25 tried to catch me, and while it wasn't a fast get-away, we slowly pulled away from him on a broad reach, then caught him when we came back down the lake close hauled.

Granted part of that might have been sail trim, but I like to think it was the boat and in this case, the crew as my wife was the skipper.

A couple of people have approached me and asked if I was interested in racing Lucky during the local Yacht Club races, while I've never been much of a racer, I must say, the thought is appealing.