Rumor has it that the big down wind sled boys are protesting bitterly about a new entry in this years Trans Pak down wind slide to Alohaville.
The clamor it seems is from the entry of a modified 1984 Catalina 36.
This C36 has had the standard spar removed and replaced with a light weight tappered carbon unit that is a full twelve feet taller than the original and is half the weight. The boat now carries over a 1000 square feet of sail, highlighted by a huge roachy main for downwing work with the sail number of 5109. It also sports a six foot sprit on its bow to carry a spinaker that was used on one of the open sixy series boats. The keel has had a five hundred pound tugston torpedo afixed to the bottom and the boat has been equiped with twin eliptical rudders.
In sea trials the boat has been seen surfing easily in the 20 plus knot range.
Mr. Disney is beside himself stating that this is unfair competition, over the years he and other competitors have spent tens of millions on building and perfecting high end downwind racing sleds. He feels it will be the end of this breed if others are simmply able to buy a thirty year old production boat for less than 25K, modify it and compete directly with the big sleds, it is simply not fair.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
These guys, the sled boys are just amazing in their quest for a silver cup.
Well said, that these guys are grumbling about a few modifications to a 25 year old production cruising boat and it being unfair.
Unbelievable!
By the way, if those guys on the C36 need crew - I'm available.
Brad from San Diego
Steve, as amazing as that sounds, our local sailing rag, 48 North, uncovered a story that no major newspaper around these parts had picked up...a "stop-the-presses exclusive", which is no mean feat for a monthly sailing newspaper, let me tell you. (Not the uncovering the story part...the stopping the presses part.)
It seems that a Seattle consortium - in the city that is the acknowledged hydroplane racing capitol of the world - recently was discovered out on the Sound with a Chrysler hemi-V32-powered [yep, four of those suckers tied in series] former-sailing hull (thought to have begun life as a Catalina 36 Mk 1, probably around serial numbers 780-850), chopped and channeled, absent mast, rigging, keel, and with a severely cut-down rudder. Amateur hydroplane afficianados clocked the thing at speeds estimated to be in excess of...well, if I told you, you wouldn't believe me. Let me just say in the three digits...with the middle digit emphasized.
Overheard in a bar conversation later were allusions to the funny cars of drag racing, that are, as we know, full-bore dragsters with outrageous carbon fiber shell bodies appended thereto, and that clock 4-second/300 mph quarter mile times/speeds. "Funny boats, the next big thing", these guys and gals were heard saying. When asked, Why use the Catalina 36 as the foundation of their go-fast project, they replied that although it was a topic of fierce debate, the majority felt that the U-shaped dinette offered tactical advantages that couldn't be denied. They declined to say what those tactical advantages were, though.
A lot of strange things have happened in this business, Steve, there's no denying.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
April Fool's Day News?
Ralph
Still a Thrill # 765
WK, STD Rig
Lake Texoma, TX
Ralph, you busted me, I thought the sail number of 5 1 09 may have given enough of a clue. Though I think the idea of turbo charging C36's for a racing fleet would be timely. Some of the new hotrods are selling for amazingly high numbers, I bet a turboed C36 could intimidate some of those big boy toys.
Steve
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
Thanks muchly, Steve and Larry, for posting that interesting info.
It is a shame that the C36 does not get attention more often for all these record-setting feats. I get impatient waiting until this time of year to hear about all this! :)
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Steve, you spin a good sea tale. The sail number was not much of a hint since it represents May 1 2009. :-)
Nevertheless, it's a good story. It reminds me of the fake stories they have on the NPR show 'Wait, Wait don't tell me'
Ralph
Still a Thrill # 765
WK, STD Rig
Lake Texoma, TX
Well you are correct on the date clue, there were some typo's as well.
I was in a hurry whilst spinning this yarn, I had planned to excape by noon from work and deliver my boat to the yard for haul and paint. Invariably the activity level goes through the roof when I schedule something like this but, April 1st (you Know 5/1/09)only come once a year so I had to get something posted.
I have been wanting to hack into the California Amber Alert Systems so I could post something like DRIVE WITH RECKLESS ABANDON ! On those freeway signs, guess that will need to wait untill next year.
I did get the boat hauled by Three O'Clock though. After pressure wash it did not look bad for 32 month old bottom paint.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
Steve
32 months on a bottom job is a good duration. What paint was on it and how many coats? Or is that another April fools joke.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
Mike, I had posted a note about this under the heading of Bottom Paint Thinking under maintenance. The paint I went with last time and will continue to use is Petit Trinadad SR. Two coats were put on when I purchased the boat 32 months ago, last time I dove on it I notice a couple of thin spots.
I was surprised after this weeks haul out at how well the paint had held up. There were just two thin spots the balance looked like it could have gone at least another six months but the boat is out now and I will put two more coats on.
You are in much warmer water and your mileage may vary.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
1 January
2 February
3 March
4 April
5 May
[SIZE="6"][B]5 [/B][/SIZE]109????????? [SIZE="6"][B]5 [/B][/SIZE]/01/09???????
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Stu, I thought I covered that by my confession of stupidity. As stated earlier my fables are generated by random access memory, when hurried this system becomes more random and less accurate.
My wife got over it, with hope in time you guys will too.
Now to refresh:
A: Junuary
B: Fapril
C: Deceberary
4: Taxuweary
D: Septaugust
Etc...
* In leap years divide by two except during daylight savings time.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
I'd give anythig to see that modified C36 Disney chaser in action.
20kts surfing! Are you kidding? Like San Diego Brad, I'll crew! Does she have a name?
John.
Baringa C36. #2006
Sarasota, Fl.
Uh,...John. You did read the whole thread, didn't you?
If you check back in about 46 weeks, you might get another interesting story to read. ;)
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/