Thank you for the Cruiser Challenge!

[Shesaidno]

My huge thanks to all who helped and/or participated in this year's successful Cruiser Challenge!  Alan, Sharon, Mike and I am sure more, made everything super fun. I had a great time as in past years.  Sorry I was a bit pre-occupied with the new boat as it is very different than my Precision. If any of you are in the Ventura area, please come sail with me. fyi, SoCal potters have their annual Anacapa Island trip scheduled for Sept 8-10. Thanks again!  Ron

[Dave K - SF Bay]

Hi Ron, tell those of us who didn't make it to Monterey this year a little about your new boat.....

Dave

[Shesaidno]

Thanks Dave, the new boat is an Ultimate 20, 20 feet 10 inches to be exact.  They were initially constructed in the Santa Cruz area similar to boats like the Santa Cruz 27 and Olson 30. While the cabin has more space than my Precision 165, it's spartan and has less headroom. Works for me though! I wanted to be able to do more racing in the Ventura area, but one of the major clubs would not let me race because my Precision was too small (SoCal PHRF rules that a boat must be 18.5 feet). Also, the Ultimate was the largest boat that I could safely trailer with my existing SUV, about 1500 lbs (1100 for boat and 400 for trailer). There is a good article about it in Practical Sailor at https://www.practical-sailor.com/sailboat-reviews/ultimate-20

The seller had the boat in Richmond but brought it down to his home near Monterey, which meant I could pick it up and participate in the annual Cruiser Challenge the same weekend. It was a crunch getting set up on Friday and then racing Saturday morning. But I really like it. My Precision is sold and will get picked up next week.
 
Hope you are well Dave!

Ron

[Dave K - SF Bay]

Congratulations on the new boat! I look forward to watching your transom disappear over the horizon in the future. My second question was "can I buy your Precision?" but it looks like I am a little late for that. No matter, I am pretty fond of the boat I have, it is just really old.

I was scheming to be at the Cruiser Challenge and brought the boat home from storage Wednesday night. By Friday night the boat was ready but I was still working on the trailer (as old as the boat) chasing down a wiring problem.

[Shesaidno]

Sorry you couldn't make it this year Dave, but I am sure there will be another challenge next year!  Yes, the Precision is (a bit sadly) sold, but I have wonderful memories, and just a few Youtube videos to remember her by! Best!

[Mike S]

I'm going to try and attach a photo of Ron's boat from the Quizzer challenge. Also in the photo are Eric Zilbert in Riptide and Jon Barber inYou cannot view this attachment.  ole 44

[Thesharonmatic]

This photo was clearly taken prior to the actual racing as we were never really able to spot Ron during a race, because he was so far ahead of the fleet. At one point Phil thought he might have won the second race, but we had to point out Ron's boat--already returning to the marina--after having handily won. I suspect we will need to create a new Grand Prix (open?) class in the Cruiser Challenge so that Ron will be able to race with us in the future without demoralizing us too badly. 

[Mike S]

I think I took that at the very start of the race... You're right, he didn't stick around the fleet very long

[Shesaidno]

I'm sorry, at least a little bit.  Here is a short video sailing the U20 in Ventura this weekend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT35EO87kms

[Dave K - SF Bay]

Ron, I enjoyed your video. That boat is ripping fast, I can tell by the water going by. However, the mainsail looks just as big as the one on my Capri 26 - Is it a major project to rig this boat on the trailer?

[Shesaidno]

Hi Dave,  Compared to my Precision, rigging takes probably 30-50% more time, but then the P165 is pretty simple, no backstay, single side stays, kick-up rudder, etc, etc. . My U20 mast is carbon fiber and I think about half of the U20s have a carbon fiber mast. While it is lighter than the aluminum, having two people to raise it is pretty important, I think. The U20 has a lifting keel, so dropping that down and removing the winch before you sail takes a few minutes, and the rudder is not a kick-up blade so you have to install and uninstall that each time you sail. But the more I do it, the less time it takes. I keep the boat in mast-up dry storage so I don't have to raise the mast each time. I keep the running rigging all rigged so no issue there. You can even trailer with most of it attached. Hope this helps!