Miami Race Week: More to do

(Jim Madden recently launched his new 66-foot canting keel Reichel/Pugh design named "Stark Raving Mad," and will be submitting reports from their first regatta: 2006 Acura Miami Race Week. This Part Five of a five part series)

Sunday, March 12, 2006: It’s a wrap. Four days of great weather and great sailing. We completed two races today, despite the canting time of our keel slowed down to a pedestrian three minutes (likely giving up two minutes to two and half minutes during each tack and jibe). We identified the problem as a minor valve issue.

Even with the problem, it was great to get two more races under our belt. Also, great to have the crew together for four days straight to learn the boat. Since we never had over 8 knots of wind for sea trials in San Diego, this turned out to be a great venue to test her. Speeds over the race series ranged from 9.5 knots to 20 knots in winds from 12 knots to 22 knots. Will need to keep a close eye on the “land mines” and lobster pots underneath.

Now off to getting the boat ready for her next racing this spring in New England.

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Photo by Sharon Green/Ultimate Sailing (complete gallery here).Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five