National scow champion Kevin Caulfield shared many fine points of scow sailing, but underlying it all was this simple premise: heel your boat to reduce wetted area.
With winds of 6knots or less, it was everyone to the lee rail. Our next tip was to use the sails to steer the boat and minimize rudder action.
How well did that go? Check the photos below and see if you can tell which sailors are steering with sheets instead of tillers. We have invited Coach Caulfield to comment on these photos as well…lest you forget!
These guys are all business!
l to r: David G., Jason, David V.
“And then add this much mayo…”
If your butt ain’t wet, you ain’t working!
Definitely, taking on water…
I think we are taking on water…
All business…
Any thoughts on how this light crew might lift the hull?
Ramming speed!
Flights into National are a constance presence.
Jason at helm…looking comfy!
Chalupa…quiet tiller!
1974 Johnson M-16 side shrouds should be loosened
The OSP was driving with David G., Dijon and David V. on the lee rail
Congratulations to the father/son team that just acquired this boat! It sports the latest carbon fiber mast and was converted from an M20 by Windward Boatworks, which developed the I20.
The hull was originally made by OSP in 1996, from the Johnson mold. OSP had a reputation for making sturdy, dry boats. This one comes with two spinnakers, two Mylar jibs (one used once) two mains, two boat covers and trailer.
David had that crew at the leeward deck heeling like mad!
Two days under the tutelage of scow racing champion Kevin Caulfield gave local sailors lots to absorb and put to practice. With light air both days, Coach Caulfield emphasized heeling and the importance of heads-up crew work to keep the big boats moving.
Three I-20s and one M-16 participated Nov. 10-11 with sailors coming as far away as Hoboken New Jersey and Chautauqua New York.
Georgetown Sailing Team loaned a skiff for the event, giving Coach Caulfield maximum maneuverability as the big scows glided through the paces. A more extensive write up is coming shortly. Meanwhile…enjoy these pix from Day 2, which offered a soft south breeze filling the spinnakers to Haines Point.
We better heel it up for Coach Caulfield!
all heeled up and no wind to blow!
That kid learned to sail so fast it made my halyard spin.
Beautiful blue a-spin…
Captain Dave and crew heel up in light air
as if on ice, the big scow propels itself forward…
way off in the distance, a monument
Colorful spinnaker!
A 35 year old boat gets new legs…
Wow, that old boat sure moves well…
My butt got wet!
Why are they going so fast?!
Who is heeling harder?!
Coach Caulfield ha all kinds of suggestions for Dijon
the wind dies and the skiff gives a favor
Opening up the spinnaker sheet made all the difference!
the big scows opened chutes and began to battle
ready for a day on the water
Whistlebritches on a tear with Steve driving the crew hard!
Bouncing across chop, the scow fleet encircled the Pride of Baltimore II and let fly with all manner of invective. How dare this privateer ply the Potomac! Every scallywag with half a halyard knows the British merchant marine is already claimed by Whistlebritches, Chalupa and the soon-to-be-named Melges.
The bow guns rolled to the ports but no fuse was lit as the Melges slid under the sprit of the hulking, wooden sirenia.
