Racing against M24

[Carson Downing]

Has anyone raced extensively against M24's? Local club member bought one last year and it has been interesting/fun racing against them.

Tough to beat them upwind, we seem to keep up with them in light air, but as soon as the wind picks up he leaves us, also seems to out point us by a long ways?

Downwind we seem to leave them because we start planing sooner.

Any tips would be great!

[Peter Beardsley]

Former TC chair Dave Nickerson has a ton of experience racing PHRF vs. Melges 24s.  Will flag this for him.  I'm sure others do as well.  What is the rating delta in your region of a Viper vs. a M24? 

[Carson Downing]

LM-PHRF issued my certificate at a 96 w/outboard this year. Looks like the M24 is a 90. So he owes me 6 sec/mi.

Our local club put me at a 99 a few years ago, and they haven't issued one for the m24 yet, so will be interesting to see what they come up with. Probably wont help that we won all the beer can races last year. 😬

[John Leyland]

On Wednesday nights I race in a sports boat fleet at our club against Melges 24?s.  Both our ratings have been adjusted in the last 2 years where they now rate 85 and we?re at 99 (the delta is pretty close to what it is under the Aussie Sports Boat Measurement System).  Upwind is tough against them, especially for a couple that are very well sailed.  Downwind is like you say, if it?s blowing 12 knots and we can get on a plane and they can?t it?s a difference maker but you need to hit that sweet spot.  I?m sure the top of our fleet would give them a good go though.

[Carson Downing]

Thanks John, good info. That extra 2 feet of waterline definitely makes a difference to windward.

[Dave Nickerson]

Not sure how much more I can add. In our area a Viper rates 105 with an outboard and a M24 is 90. The delta seems about right to me. We have 4-5 well sailed M24s, though only one travels much. In the typical dying breeze Weds night, we have to sail really well to beat them. Only advice I might have is try to set up below them upwind. You won?t survive on their windward hip.

[Carson Downing]

Thanks Dave, good info!