Including masthead/fixed keels in 7.9 one-design

Post by **fleck** » Thu Mar 27, 2003 10:22 am

He goes the can of worms...

Has anyone had any experience trying to include these 'strange' 7.9s in one design racing? We're thinking of trying to include one on the Chesapeake in 7.9 races. If we include the FK/MH we want to equalize by adding ballast.

Looking for any info that might be helpful. Have you tried this. How do the FK do against the CB? What is the PHRF rating difference in you area? Please include whether the boats are IB or OB.

thanks

Post by **Tim Bosma** » Thu Mar 27, 2003 4:11 pm

Fleck,
We have the famous 'Little Feat' racing in our Weds Nite series out of Lake Macatawa, Mi. We have a seperate start for the 7.9's since 8 to 10 of us are out each week, but we race PHRF handicapping. I believe their PHRF rating is 156, they have an outboard. Our is 165 on Hot Tamale.

jeff sampson · Post by **jeff sampson** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 12:48 pm

"the famous Little Feat" is NOT an S2 7.9 FK. L.F. is a S27.9 SE - Very different boat. They built ~18 FKs, and 4 SEs. The FKs rate 6-9 sec/mile faster than an S27.9, but in my experience, they are not faster on many points of sail. The keels were very thin - therefore, when you had to put the nose down, the boat slid sideways. The keels were also too light for the boat. We'd be into a #3 in like 14 knots of breeze. The bigger spins made the boat faster downwind - until the S2 got to pull the board up. Short story long - the FK was a bad boat. The SE is another story - great boat.

Jeff Sampson
Rugger - 25258