Sadler 32 versus Westerly Discus

[MarkJohnson12345]

I was surprised and slightly embarressed that a Westerly Discus (33') completly outsailed my Sadler 32 in a force 4+ at the w/e.

Both boats were on a reach, waves were small, the Sadler was sailing between 5 and 6 knots (GPS), the Westerly was 1/2 a mile ahead (est) in 30 minutes.

I wonder if its my sailing skills or the boat!

Probably a combination of both.

[owen]

thats very surprising. are you sure he wasnt motorsiling. i wd expect the sadler to easily outsail the west. assuming clean bottom and fair sails

[tyce]

its got to be down to a dirty bottom, your boat should be much faster than the speeds you quoted on a reach, surely.

[jerryat]

Hi Mark,

Sorry, but I'm not really that surprised. Of course it's possible that he was motorsailing, but I bet you checked that out pretty carefully with the binoculars didn't you?!!!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

It could just be a combination of better sails, a cleaner bottom or (sorry) just a better sailor. I do not find the 32's particularly fast (they seem to dig a hull length hole, then sit in it) and would expect a well-sailed Discus to give you a good run for your money. Did you get the boat's name, 'cos maybe you could ask on here if anyone knows him/her?

Cheers Jerry

[MarkJohnson12345]

I do know the boat owner from Swansea.

Whether he had his engine I am not sure, he says not. I am not sure an engine would make a significant difference at those speeds anyway.

Our bottom has not been cleaned this winter, but we don't get much fouling here in the west. just a river slime, no growth.

The Sadler 32 is fat, ie 10' 6" beam, wheras the Discus though wide has a more cylindrical hull shape, rather than our diamond shape (!!)

The Westerly is quite a bit heavier, and takes a good wind to move it. The Sadler is a couple of tons lighter. Maybe we are the better light wind boat, and the westerly is better in stronger winds.

We were sailing at 5 to 6 knots showing on the GPS (max of 6.6), with little tide, as we were sailing across the main stream. Maybe we were doing a fair speed anyway.

Maybe I should take more sail handling lessons. Though I have sailed for 10 years in cruisers and a lifetime in dingies

Mj

[Vara]

Discus..28.4ft lwl
Sadler..24.0ft lwl.

May go some way to explaining your problem,especially if it was not too fine a reach.

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
...Maybe we are the better light wind boat, and the westerly is better in stronger winds....

[/ QUOTE ]

I've sailed on a well set up Discus and I would think this is the most likely - they only seem to start to get up and go from about 4+.

[DavidBolger]

What kind of prop do you have? A folding prop vs a fixed prop would make a huge difference.

I have a Sadler 34 and race in Dublin Bay. Last season we raced against a sadler 32 and never beat him. Santa brought me a new suit of sails and a folding prop. This year he hasn't beaten me yet!! Sails and prop can make a hugh difference to the performance of a boat.

regards

David

[MarkJohnson12345]

H'mmm yes I have a 3 bladed prop on at the moment, not sure what the other boat has.

I do have a two bladed, might give that a try

Thanks David

[Peppermint]

I think you'd have nailed him to windward. Big old Westerly's like reaching.