When Doyle made my new genoas they added a luff pad which helps maintain the shape as you reef.  My wife doesn't like to heel so even though I don't race this was a good addition.  It can be added to an existing sail as well.


*Thanks and Stay Well,*

*Stephen Staum*
*s/v Pinafore*

*Needham, MA*

On Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 5:10 AM Allyn Baskerville <allynb at adsne.com> wrote:

> I’ve had my R22 two years now, and there is so much I like about it. The
> year I bought it, I learned to race on it and always came in last. I know
> it’s not a racing boat, but I bought it to do camping with my wife - for
> cruising and camping under the stars with the cockpit bed, it can’t be
> beat.
>
> This year, I raced almost every Wednesday and Sunday. We have a fair
> number of boats in Oklahoma City, but there is usually only 12-15 boats
> that race Wednesday and maybe 6-8 Sunday.
>
> I have the only R22, and the only boat I can beat is the Catalina 22
> (without factoring in PHRF - just raw time). There is usually quite a gap
> between my R22 and the boat in front, which is often a Capri 22. I’ve TLE’d
> more than I want to admit.
>
> Without buying a second boat, is there anything I can do to be more
> competitive? I did a bottom job after I bought it and used 4 coats of epoxy
> and then used ablative (not the best choice for racing, but I did ask
> around the club for advice before going this route), but I’m not about to
> redo that. I may have to grin and bear it.
>
> The boat does have the IMF. One thing I’ve battled a lot is the headsail
> when it’s furled - it’s baggy around the middle section, and the rear stays
> are taut. I try to keep it unfurled as much as I can, but the wind here is
> often too gusty. 18-20 mph with gusts around 30.
>
> Is it possible, given these parameters to knock 20+ seconds off the PHRF?
>
> Thanks, all.
> Allyn