North American
Corsair 24/F-24 Class Association

2007 summer sailing sliding by
 
We have made it through July along the Gulf Coast with no tropical worries…until this morning.  Some weather guessers are claiming by 1700 we might have a TD south of Pensacola.  I sure hope they are wrong.
 
Elsewhere in the C 24 / F 24 world, owners in northern California have been averaging worthy turnouts at their events, the Florida sailors have made a showing at the St. Pete NOODs in February and the Corsair Trimaran Nationals on Pensacola Bay in April.
 
During the next few weeks (give or take a TS) we will be updating the website with fresh matters of consequence.  Hopefully, Ross Stein will be telling us story about the San Francisco Bay posse, and Raul Lopez will keep us informed of action in South Florida.  It would be nice if we could get his 24 blog going again.
 
At this time two issues have been brought to the surface.  Ross is proposing that we allow the new 20 degree raked spreader to become “Class Legal.”  Bruce Kuerten already has the new spreader. They both claim the mast will be safer in higher winds and waves.  Corsair Marine and Ballinger are preparing to possibly offer the upgrade kit at substantial savings for current owners.  If Corsair Marine does, indeed, begin supplying new boats with this spreader, then the “Rule” issue is solved.
 
The next concern is the rule that limits the number of spinnakers on boats to “one while racing.”  I am proposing that Kevin Gammel our secretary poll a few owners in his district to weigh and balance the idea of having a “Class Vote” on this rule.  I think we might be shooting ourselves in the foot if we tell owners who have purchased new sails to “leave one at home.”  I know in St. Pete this February we only burned our chute for half of one leg.  Another competitor blew theirs up on the first downwinder.  “Oops, there goes his day!”  I feel we need to allow two chutes on board while Class Racing.  Let’s move this to a vote.
 
I hope all is well in whatever woods you have your necks.  Last week on San Francisco Bay they held the first US Kiteboarding Championship.  I could imagine being in a C24 gaggle on a free leg of a race going downwind and seeing them start to go to their first mark, round, and then start coming right at the C 24 bows….closing speeds >>. Maybe fifty knots?/?
 
Talk about closing speeds >> check out the four shot sequence by Stuart Schaefer of Mark Twain taking the stern of Farfalla during the final race of the Trimaran Nationals this year.  Racing between the two teams has been getting closer for the past two years.  It used to be that we had trouble staying on the same leg as the boys from Alabama.  Now days, we appear to be the same vessel on Kattack displays.
 
I hope to see you on the water, real soon!
Bert Rice, C24 / F24 Class Association President
Mark Twain, Sail Number 2010

University of Auburn “Corsair Sailing Team”

The University of Auburn “Corsair Sailing Team” from Lake Martin, AL enjoys a family "Sail Together" on Pensacola Bay.  Larry Shaw inspects his outhaul setting aboard “Riaka” while Bruce Kuerten on “Farfalla” makes sure the photo boat doesn’t run into the F 24 Mk I they have spent hundreds of hours restoring.  Larry and Bruce, along with Peter Clay have shared almost a decade racing and refining the two designs.  They also enjoy the volunteer steering by their wives.  photo by Bert Rice

St. Petersburg NOODS – finally!

This was the first year that the Corsair 24 Class was invited to biggest party on Tampa Bay. We generated 9 entries which was a ‘respectable’ group. The Corsair 24s became part of a record 240 boat fleet that required 3 racing circles to handle the traffic.

Our race area was several miles into the Bay and had fleets of  Ultimate 20s, J 80s, Wavelength 24s and Tripp 26s. The Melges 24 mob (47 boats) was a swirling mass of Mylar two miles North of us.  The Corsair 24s shared a start with a small fleet of F28 Rs.  Our starting circle were exclusive trailerable boats under 30ft long. Good thing since our accurate depth finder showed seven and eight feet numerous times, and once dropped to six! Nothing average about this piece of  Middle Ground.

We got our moneys’ worth in this series: a full nine races. The first  race of each day had the most wind with less as the day wore on.  The first day had the most breeze (18 to 20 knots) and the last  race of the last day actually had time expire with two boats still drifting to the finish line. The courses were well set windward-leewards with the first  mark highly visible about a mile upwind. The RC boat was a forty foot double-ended motor sailor ketch was impossible to confuse with anything else on Tampa Bay.  The RC used their VHF to broadcast  useful information before each series of starts was begun. Except for the very light air final race….. when they signaled that the Corsairs would start in five minutes catching all by surprise, and some unable to reach the start under sail.  All considered, it was the sort of well  managed series that the NOODs have provided for many years.

The trophy standing proved that three of the Florida boats finally figured how to beat  Raul Lopez – race when he was at home with a virus. Ed and Lois Dixon kicked their way into second place with a solid last race. Their ability to beat the clock put the icing on good series. My new strategy was play the odds. Our crew  had a monohull maven,  a catamaran fiend and a trimaraner.  That should guarantee either a one, a two or three.  Third place was the happy result and this series was the best sailing we’ve done thus far.

Andy Roedig turned in a very spotty performance. Despite their best efforts all they managed was nine firsts. Not a single second or third during the entire series. He was lucky that throw-outs didn’t  count in the final totals!  He used good safe starts and once pulling ahead opened his lead on every leg.  I think he spent more time sailing in the vicinity of the 28s than the 24 fleet.  Very nice sailing Andrew.   He also earns an honorable mention for sticking Ed Dixon with his bar tab at the Cha Cha Coconuts party.

(For the numbers go to: http://www.sailingworld.com/article.jsp?ID=35917&typeID=403&catID=597

Welcome Aboard Ross Stein, New Class Secretary

The position of Class Secretary/Treasurer became vacant when Thom Davis left the post after completing a year. The board was happy to have a very qualified replacement step forward. Ross Stein has been an asset to the Class as a technical commentator and as an organizer. He and Thom both live in Northern California, making this a fortuitous event. That area is home to many Corsair 24s and Ross might find the key that moves the group into fleet activity. Welcome aboard Ross. [Ross Stein Corsair 24 #357, Origami, 650 367 7566, rstein@usgs.gov]

Man Overboard Drill and Information

We ran Origami's practice in March 2004 in 6-14 kts of wind and flat seas--not very demanding, but it was our first trial. We had three people onboard, and two in a chase boat. Bill Pace and I took turns jumping in, wearing wet suits. We did three recoveries (so, three movies). These are 25-35 MB files with sound, so even with a broadband connection, each could take about 5-10 min to load.

http://sicarius.wr.usgs.gov/origami/manover1.mpg

http://sicarius.wr.usgs.gov/origami/manover2.mpg

http://sicarius.wr.usgs.gov/origami/manover3.mpg

Gear
We keep a Lifesling2 ($80 at West Marine) bungied to the transom, and a Davis swim-step/hand-hold ($20 at West Marine) tethered to the transom and stored in the skipper's cockpit cubby. Without a wetsuit in the SF bay, the swimmer would be hypothermic, and so we keep a fiberfill sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack in the cabin. Here's our procedure, adopted from the West Advisor and the Lifesling guide:

Procedure
When the person falls in, he yells, inflates the PFD, and then just floats in the water, without trying to swim to the boat. The crew yells man-overboard and the skipper immediately tacks. The crew hits the MOB button on the GPS. Neither sail is let out. This slows the boat, there are no sudden gybes, and it lets the crew ignore the sails and track the swimmer. The skipper then pulls the Lifesling out of its pouch and tosses it out over the transom; he is not trying to throw it to the swimmer. He also tosses the swim step over the transom.

The skipper heads off and slowly circles the swimmer at a safe distance, without touching the sails. The lifesling line makes an arc that sweeps the water and eventually reaches the swimmer. The swimmer lets it glide through his hand until the sling reaches him and then he puts it over his body.

The skipper now lets out the main all the way out to stop the boat (the jib is back-winded), and pulls in on the lifesling tether until the swimmer is at the transom. In rough water it would be best if the swimmer is on his back while being hauled in, so he does not have his face in the water. When the swimmer reaches the boat, he grabs the handhold, and then puts one foot in it so he can step halfway out of the water. He puts his other foot on the transom and is helped into the boat. The crew keeps the boom away from the cockpit.

From man-overboard to recovery took about 3 minutes in these ideal conditions (no waves; no spin or screach up). Doubling that time in rough conditions would be realistic.

Importance of the swim step
The third time we did it (manover3.mpg, in more wind), the swim step tether accidentally released from the transom (it is designed to be removable but for our boats it should be permanently attached). We found that it is nearly impossible to get into the boat without the step, even though the C24 has a low, open transom, and we were not wearing full foulies.

More Harbor Space Required

Since the Nationals the NA Corsair 24/F-24 Class Association has enjoyed growth and prosperity.  Thom Davis, our Class Association Secretary/Treasurer has organized ambitious events in California .  Wayne Jablonowski (Corsair 28R Dee Dee) has established a great spring event for Corsairs on Lake Pontchartrain out of Tammany Yacht Club in Slidell .  Pensacola Yacht Club will be offering us our own circle during the WFORC in October, and plans are in the works for a 2005 Corsair Midwinter Championship in southern Florida in March.  New 24s have been delivered to Rick and Allison Fontenot (PYC), and Rich Carlson told me this morning a new Corsair 24 was picked up in Miami .

I have only two items cooking on the stove now.  Should we consider adding a ¼ girth measurement to the spinnaker rule?  Can we add regional events in Texas (June) and south FL in March?

Spinnaker designs and cuts are varying significantly from sailmaker to sailmaker.  The flatter cuts with a lower girth are hurting downwind in a light breeze, but they hold their ground in higher breezes or tighter angles.  Maybe the ¼ girth measurement would close this gap. 

I am leaning away from adding our events to high profile spectacles such as NOOD Regattas since many of our new owners would be overwhelmed with the logistics nightmare and expense.  I sure hope we can establish more personal, quality events within our “areas of Striking Distance.”  New owners will feel much more comfortable sailing against themselves and/or a small fleet of cats or PHRF sloops at a fraction of the cost.  Time is time…period.  Let’s spend our time and money on developing OUR SAILING!  I fully understand the romance of entering KWRW or a NOOD event; however, new owners will benefit more from a precise, “we’re focused on you” approach from the organizing authority.  I learned this during the Cajun Corsair Classic on Lake Pontchartrain .

With a little luck and good weather, we might see ten or twelve Corsair 24s on the starting line for racing in the WFORC at Pensacola Yacht Club, October 14 – 17.  The NOR will be coming to a computer screen near you soon.

If it is true Mike Gettinger has sold his boat to race on ultimate 60s then we must hope this is temporary, and we will see him soon again.  Meanwhile, watch out for Bruce Kuerten and “Farfalla.”  If Robert Remmers does not make the WFORC with Priorities, then Farfalla will probably sweep the trophies off the table.  Bruce and Larry Shaw have rebuilt this boat to specs. and beyond.  Their seamanship and finesse only add to their performance on the water.  You will be hearing more from these Auburn War Eagles.

Keep your amas good and dry, watch out for those chain plate leaks, and may all your tacks or gybes come true.

Bert Rice, NA Corsair 24 Class Association Measurer, Mark Twain, hull #362

No one has answered this question to date…so, again, 

Why does it take a crewmember twice as long to drink a beer at seven knots as it does for a crewmember to drink a beer at fourteen knots?

The winning answer will receive a special award during the 2005 Nationals at Pensacola Yacht Club.

White Ballot Rule Will Govern Uncontested Elections!

Thom Davis, our Class Secretary, recently polled the membership on eliminating the formality of voting in unopposed elections. This is the 'White Ballot' provision used by many associations similar ours.

Site For 2005 Nationals

This is the time for you to propose your favorite location for the 2005 event. The scheduling will probably be late March thru mid-May. We need to identify a local club to work race management. Also needed Corsairs. In an ideal world the boats would be located within walking distance of a common gathering spot, be it a clubhouse or tent. Lets post our suggestions on the 24Owners list (24owners@rdwarf.com) then take the best(?) or most popular(?) to the CTOA by mid summer. Don't be bashful, new ideas are needed for this event.

Rich Carlson
President, NA Corsair 24/IF 24 Class Association
thirdrail@verizon.net

**Remmer/Onsgard team wins again!
**Mountain man destroys myth of local knowledge being important.
**Lopez family (Ma, Pa and teen daughter) beat up on hotshots. Destroys myth that only the Pros can play this game and win.
**Class President sails to oblivion with an all-pro team gifted with lots of local knowledge. Possible boat name change from 'Third Rail' to 'Low Voltage'.

How Easy is it To go from Trailer to Sailing?

Check out this great photo sequence of the launch of a Corsair 24 at the 15th Street boat ramp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Photos taken by and link courtesy of Steve Schustack of the Fort Lauderdale Marine Directory: http://www.fort-lauderdale-marine-directory.com/gallery_page.php?id=17. Thanks Steve!

Check the web home of the North American Corsair 24/F-24 Class Association regularly as we post useful information weekly; can't find what you need? Just contact your Class President (email address below) for immediate assistance.

The Corsair 24 is destined to become one of the biggest trimaran racing fleets. This boat’s light weight, compact size, ease of trailering, affordability and sheer speed, makes it ideal for both buoy and distance courses. The North American Corsair 24/F-24 Class Association is dedicated to maximizing opportunities for 24 racing, developing Class Rules to maximize racing enjoyment in a level playing field, and foster the growth of the Class into an ISAF internationally recognized Class. This Class features two divisions: Corsair 24/F-24 MkI and Corsair 24/F-24 MkII. Over 130 of the original Corsair 24s comprise the former, and that many again the latter, which continues to grow as the MkII design is the basis for the Corsair 24s still in production.

The members and Officer of this Class will post new information to this site regularly, notifying Class members via the Corsair24 List Server of the updates. Subscribe to the list server, check back often, and contact your Class Officers at will!

Class President: Bert Rice, Corsair 24 #121
Class Vice President: Kevin Gammell, Corsair 24
Class Secretary/Treasurer: Thom Davis, Corsair 24 #284
24 Measurer: vacant
F-24 Class Measurer: Larry Shaw

St Petersburg, Fl
February, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, St. Petersburg, FL

San Diego, CA
March, San Diego Yacht Club, San Diego, CA

Annapolis, MD
April, Annapolis Yacht Club, Annapolis, MD

Detroit, MI
June , Bayview Yacht Club, Detroit, MI

Chicago, Il
June, Chicago Yacht Club, Chicago, IL

Toronto, Ontario
June, Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto, Ontario

Marblehead, MA
July, Boston Yacht Club, Marblehead, MA

San Francisco
Please Read

Larchmont, NY
September, Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont, NY

Galveston Bay, TX
September, Lakewood Yacht Club, Seabrook, TX

NOOD Archives
You can find all the articles from past NOODs here.