Racing heads up, no handicap or corrected time

[B delli #98 Isabel]

I race informally heads up against 15-20 boats on wed nite. This is my first season with this boat, and I've purchased a new full batten main and 100% jib from Catalina, I have a used 150 genny. I plan on starting with the 100 jib. Fin keel 5'6" draft. the question is: will I beat my cousins 1996 catalina 320/wing keel? I used to beat him occasionally in light airs with my irwin 30, I'm curious how this boat will do up wind in heavier air. The irwin never hung with the 320 upwind. I figure the fin keel is the hot setup. Assuming our skills and sail quality are about equal. I know there is no definitive answer, but I'm sure a few of you have been up against the later 320's. How'd you do? My cousin has been talking trash, and I hope to be able to beat him more often than not. All just for fun of course! Any way, I'll find out soon enough. Thanks BD

[dave davis -707-1988-San]

BD, if you are racing using PHRF, you should beat the 320 by 9 sec per mile. Your rating in the San Francisco area is 147 and his is 156..good luck, dave

[rappareems]

Coincedence.  I sold my Irwin 30 to buy a C34.  My first year with the 34 was a disaster.  could not keep up with boats I had beaten with the Irwin.  Redid the bottom, new sails (was using the originals from 1986 and this was four years ago), flexifold prop. Last year a adjustible backstay and this year a rigid vang. Back in the hunt.  My rating on Lake Ontario is 153 and the Irwin was 186 (white sail).  I can beat C&C 30s but have a tough with Pearson 30 with their rating. Boat seems to like light or heavy air.  I am using a 165% genny for which I take a 3 second hit, but air tends to be light on this lake in mid summer. We used to all fly 170% in the '70s and '80s