Update: February 24th 2004

Much has happened since our last update in November . Not only did Reynolds Sailing have its first regatta with three R33 cats racing as a class, we have created two new catamaran designs and have splashed three new boats in three months with boat #7 launching later this month. We have started our first carbon R33 Turbo that will be ready for the Ensenada race in April and weigh 700 lbs lighter than anything we have built to date. Lastly, but not less important, we have started a project close to my heart…The R33 Foiler, an ocean going, record breaking hydrofoil multi-hull. But first the racing…

R33 Racing

The 2004 racing season has officially began here on the west coast with the running of the Midwinter Regatta. Reynolds Sailing held their first class regatta with three boats showing up at the starting line. David “the fish killer” Buckley, Russ Turk and Bob Long shooting videos sailed our demo boat Flyer.

Two of our east coast owners showed up to race newly launched boats. Jim Nealey with his good friend James from Maryland and Glen Elston of Illinios flew in the day before the two day regatta. I sailed with Jim Nealey and James. Richard Evett, our production manager, sailed with Glen Elston and first time racer Big Rick.

The R33 Fleet:

Flyer - David Buckley, Russ Turk and Bob Long
Hats Off - Jim Nealey, Randy Reynolds And James "Stanford" Hyman
Looney Tunes : Richard Evett, Rick Christiansen and Glenn Elston

In race one the wind was coming from the south at about 8 knots. We set up a nice windward leeward warm-up course. After the start David and Russ got Flyer smoking to weather rounding the weather mark first with Jim and I rounding in second place on “Hats Off” with Richard, Glenn and Rick on “Looney Tunes” a close third. Downwind we started to gain on Flyer but they held us off to finish first, with Hat’s Off a close second and Looney Tunes a third.

In the second race we decided to throw in a reaching mark giving us a windward, leeward and reaching leg to the finish. Again, it was Flyer at the weather mark first with the other two boats hot on their heals. At the finish it was the same as the first race with Flyer finishing first, Hats Off second and Looney Tunes third. But this time all three boats were much closer making for an exciting race. It was becoming apparent that all three boats had the speed to win.

The third race was much more exciting as the lead changed three times between the three boats. Sailing the same course as race two Jim and I on Hat’s Off closed the door on Flyer at the start when a racing Catalina 27 sailed close to our start creating an obstruction. Looney Tunes got off to a safe leeward start but then tacked off to port sailing away from the other two boats. About halfway up the weather leg Flyer crossed just ahead of Hats Off to capture the lead. Looney tunes had taken off to port and was now on starboard heading for the weather mark. At the weather mark it was Flyer rounding first with Looney Tunes right on their transoms. Jim and I on Hats Off rounded shortly after in third. However, on the downwind leg Jim and I pulled out the stops and sailed fast and low pulling ahead of the other two boats rounding the leeward mark in first place with Flyer in second and Looney Tunes closing in. It was now a nice 12 knot reach to the finish line. Jim and I held off the other two boats to finish first. David on Flyer finished second with Richard and Glenn on Looney Tunes finishing a close third.

For the fourth race we pulled up our start/finish line and headed North a half mile to a better location as the wind had filled in from the west at 12 knots. It was looking like it was going to be “hull flying” weather! We set up the line and a new race course to give us a new windward, leeward and reaching course in the freshening westerly breezes.

At the start, Flyer was over early and had to do a 360 to clear themselves. It was a close and tight beat to Queen’s gate sailing outside the large breakwater. At the breakwater It was Hats Off with a nice lead with the other two boats rounding right behind each other at the breakwater. Sailing downwind and on the backside of the breakwater we were now surfing the larger swell and wind waves hitting 18 knots. Hats Off was sailing fast and low allowing us to hold onto our lead. Flyer and Looney Tunes were sailing fast and close together. Rounding the leeward mark we had our lead on Hats Off cut down with Flyer rounding right behind us. With all the boats rounding the leeward mark it was a drag race to the finish, flying a hull and hitting speeds of 18 knots in the 12 knot wind. What made this leg interesting was the oil island ahead of us. Take it to starboard and sail faster with no wind shadow but sail a longer course to the finish. Take the island to port and sail slower and deal with a one minute wind shadow but sail a shorter course. With Jim and I on Hats Off leading the way we decided to take the island low and sail through her lee. The other two boats were neck and neck and sailing fast! But as they approached the island Flyer decided to follow us and sail below the island. Richard and Glenn on Looney Tunes decided to sail above the island. Everyone was close to each other. I was not worried as much to losing the lead to Flyer as we were ahead and they were following. But Looney Tunes was way to weather and sailing fast…who would win and who was choosing the fastest course???

We hit the island and came to a screeching halt. Looney Tunes was behind the island but we could not see there progress. With us in the lee of the island Flyer came right on to our transom . We ghosted for about a minute with wind line just ahead taunting us. We finally reached the wind line and to our relief got back up to speed doing about 15 knots. Flyer hit the lee and we recouped our lead. But where was Looney Tunes???

As we got back up to speed we finally sped past the island and saw Richard. They were sailing fast but had lost time due to the extra distance. At this time David and Flyer broke through the lee of the island and they too were speeding along on a fast and fun screaming reach. At the finish it was Hats Off with Flyer second and Looney Tunes third.

The fifth race and final race for the day had us sailing the same course but in 12 to 15 knots of wind. With the moderately large and square starting line everyone got off to a great start with all the boats hitting the line at speed and on time. With all boats on a starboard tack Flyer tacked first just clearing Hats Off. At the weather mark it was Flyer first with a good lead with Hats Off in second and Looney Tunes a close third. Jim and I again, put the pedal to the metal on Hats Off and sailed aggressively downwind slowly but surely grinding the lead boat down and putting distance on Looney Tunes. At the leeward mark it was Flyer with Hats Off right on their transoms. However, instead of tactics it was going to be fast crew work that would win this race.

As we rounded the corner the wind had built from 12-15 to gusts over 20. We had been sailing downwind on the last leg we were not aware of the increase in velocity of wind on the inside reaching leg. So, with reachers up, the wind hit us hard making it very difficult to keep the boats on their feet without altering course to pull in the reachers. All the boats were not prepared as the wind raked havoc with the furling systems. We were lucky as we rounded second we were able to sail a higher course than Flyer who rounded ahead of us. Once we established a lead we had to sail downwind to let off the reacher halyard as the furler gear had stuck. After a small fire drill the sail was safely onboard and we were sailing fast with main and jib hitting 18 knots. Flyer with her crew David and Russ got their reacher tamed as well but in doing so gave up their weather position to Hats Off allowing Hats Off to have the lead to the finish line. Looney Tunes, in third place, had to cut their reacher many times to avoid capsizing. They too got their reacher furled and were screaming to the finish line at 15 to 18 knots. At the finish line it was Hats Off crossing first with Flyer second and Looney Tunes third.

After a full day of fun racing in great wind and weather we all sailed back to Alamitos Bay where we had rented a huge end tie slip for all 3 boats…99 feet of waterline! The current standings put Jim and I in first with 3 firsts and 2 seconds, David and Russ in second with 2 firsts and 3 seconds and Richard and Glenn with 5 very close thirds. To end a great day we had to have a great night. It was Valentines night so all the wives and girlfriends of the sailors got together at Busters restaurant for a super dinner hosted by Reynolds Sailing. We all told sea stories and all had a great time. A great end to a great day.

On Sunday the day started off with westerly winds. The crews today on two boats were was going to be slightly different. We had Rick transfer from Looney Tunes to Flyer and Richards friend Bernie replaced Rick on Looney Tunes. We also had our adorable bookkeeper Maria join Flyer for her first ever sailboat race…that’s her under all that foul weather gear she borrowed from Russ.

We set up our line the same as we did in the later part of Saturday. The wind was light at about 8 knots. We chose a shorter course for the first race making it a windward- leeward course. The first start of Sunday had all racers get off to a good start. However there was a little confusion for Looney Tunes as they could not find the weather mark. Flyer rounded the weather mark with Hats off right on her heels. Race 5 finished with Flyer getting first place, Hats off second and Looney Tunes third.

The second race was the same course with freshening breezes at 10 knots. Hats Off got a great weather start with Flyer to leeward and Looney Tunes just behind us. We had a great tacking dual with all boats. As we rounded the weather mark it was Hats Off, Looney Tunes then Flyer. On the downwind leg Looney Tunes made a good effort to pass Jim and I on Hats off. But with Jim on the helm he kept Glen, who was sailing Looney Tunes just aft his beam. Looney Tunes jibed to the finish with Hats off jibing in unison. If we would have blown the jibe Looney Tunes could have passed. But with a good jibe we held on to our lead to finish first with Looney Tunes finishing second and Flyer third.

For the third race we lengthened the course to go outside the breakwater again creating a great windward, leeward, reaching course. At the start all boats hit the line at the same time with Flyer to weather, Hats off in the middle and Looney Tunes to leeward. As we approached the weather mark Flyer had squeaked out an early lead with Looney tunes a close second and Hats Off a very close third. Once we all rounded Queens Gate Flyer had a good lead on both Looney Tunes and us on Hats off in a close third place. But Hats off was sailing fast downwind. We flew past Looney Tunes and was gaining significantly on Flyer. With both boards up, a fully rotated mast and a little coaching from myself to Jim we sailed very fast in a series of S curves down wind. We always kept the boat “attached” but worked the boat downwind. By the time we hit the leeward mark we had passed Flyer rounding just in front of her bows. We held Flyer off for about one minute but David executed a great match racing tactic and got the better of us as we rounded the leeward mark. It was now a drag race to the finish with Flyer neck and neck and to weather with Hats Off reaching at speeds of 17 knots flying a hull. Looney Tunes was about a minute behind as she prepared to reach for the finish line. Flyer slowly passed us on Hats off as we approached the oil island. Flyer reached the lee of the oil island first slowing down dramatically as we raced right up her transoms. Now with both Flyer and Hats off in the lee of the island Hats off tried to pass Flyer by pulling out her reacher. The maneuver almost worked as Hats Off almost passed Flyer. But Flyer hit the wind line just one half a boat length ahead of Hats Off and shot ahead reaching for the finish line. Looney Tunes was just behind both of us as we were reaching at good speed to the finish line. At the finish it was Flyer with Hats off a close second and Looney Tunes crossing in third.

For the fourth and final race we elected to have a short downwind start and race to the mouth of the bay to finish early at 4:00 pm to get enough “happy hour” before everyone had to catch their planes to head back east. So at the start of the race it was Hats Off with Flyer second and Looney Tunes third. It was a fast drag race to the boat slips and the bar!

Halfway to the finish with Hats Off in first Flyer made a good attempt to round an oil island to weather to try to catch Hats Off in the lee of the island. It almost paid off as they gained on Hats Off but not enough to pass her. Looney Tunes had some confusion at the start and sailed low on the course allowing both Hats Off and Flyer to stay ahead of her. At the finish it was Hats Off, Flyer then Looney Tunes.

We all sailed back to the slips, put the boats away and headed for The Crab pot bar. We tallied up Sundays results, had more sea stories to tell and reminisced about the weekend. All had a great time and wished it had not ended. Great people, great weather and great sailing…can’t get much better than that. Below are the results of the first R33 class regatta….we hope for many more to come. And coming soon are video excepts of the regatta…be watching for an announcement soon:

Final Results - 2004 R33 midwinter regatta

• 1) Hats Off - 11.75 points
• 2) Flyer - 14.00 points
• 3) Looney Tunes - 26.00 points

R33 Production

In the last three months we have splashed three new boats. A R33 Race Tall Rig to Tom Mack of Michigan, an R33 Race to Ted Miller of Hawaii and an R33 Race to Jim Nealey of Massachusetts.

We plan to splash Glenn Elston’s boat later this month with a new Turbo to be launched at the end of March. Glenn Elston is getting a R33 Tall Rig but going deluxe and the cruising features. A custom electrical package, under deck gas tank , customized trailer and electronics package will make Glenn’s boat a very fast cruiser.

The new Turbo, inspired by Mike Wensley of Newport Beach Ca., will be readied for the 2004 Ensenada race where we hope to better our second overall place finish…it will be quite an accomplishment if we can beat the brand new Alan Andrews designed Maxi 80 foot monohull Magnitude and of course the super fast 54 foot super cat Afterburner. But, like David and Goliath, we hope to be in the top five and who knows …we may hit a home run and be the smallest boat ever to finish first!

The new Turbo will sport a 48 foot mast but have a larger bow pole and boom. We are putting most our effort in weight reduction as we hope to drop 700 lbs from the overall weight. This is being done by going to an expensive production method of Carbon infused components. Morrelli and Melvins new boat building facility is building the new hulls, seatbacks, boards and rudders for the new boat. We hope to have a boat that weighs only 1700 lbs but carries the same sail area as our Turbo rig but in a lower aspect format. It is also hoped this new lightweight Turbo will make a great platform for the development of a hydro-foil assisted catamaran.

With current orders our lead time to get a boat is about 4 months. So if you want to be sailing fast this summer it’s time to firm up your order now. Go to our “how to buy” page to learn how easy it is to save a production slot at no risk.

R40 Cat Update

The R40 catamaran design is finished and is fast becoming a reality. We hope to start the plug in less than 3 weeks! The new boat will be the largest trailerable boat on the market today. The R40 will only weigh an amazing 4900 lbs, sleep 6, have a head and shower in both hulls complete with galley and nav station. See the R40 page for all the details.


R50 Update

The R50 catamaran design is also finished with new interior 3D images. We plan to start the R50 concurrently with the R40. The new boat will sleep 8, have two heads w/shower and a galley and nav station…yet it will weigh less than 6900 lbs!

The R50 Cat comes in three rig and beam configurations. For the cruiser the R50 Sport is equipped with a powerful yet easy to sail 50 foot rig and an easy to slip 16-foot beam. For the racing enthusiast, the R50 Race is 20-feet wide and comes with a 60 foot mast. For the ultimate in speed the R50 Turbo Elite offers sailors a carbon boat with a high tech 75 foot carbon mast and 24 foot beam. At only 6900 pounds this cat offers twice the performance of other boats at an extremely competitive value.

Keep watching for a complete update on the new R50 Cat page. We will be constantly adding images and drawings as the first R50 is being built.

New!!! R33 Foiler Project

This is an exciting project...although I am sure there will be many crazy sailors like myself that can appreciate crossing oceans in a mini-transat multihull that is designed to be seaworthy, safe and most importantly…may capable of over 44 knots.

At an estimated cost of under $100,000 it sure beats spending 10 million for a 125 foot catamaran. This boat will even fit into my slip as one side telescopes from her 30 foot beam to 15.5 feet wide. Designed to break records, if perfected, this may forever change ocean going racing multihull designs. Based on my five years of experience working with Greg Ketterman and his ingenious TriFoiler design, I have been anxious for someone to take Gregs concept to the next level.

It has been 10 years since I first met Greg ripping around in his 35 MPH sailboat kicking all the sailboarders butts at Cabrillo beach. I worked with Greg building the sails for many of Gregs proto-types. It was amazing to sail the boat in those R and D days of the Trifoiler. ..sailing at 30 mph in 15 knots of wind was routine. And although there were some small bugs to work out to take the Trifoilier to the next stage I am amazed that no one has taken that next leap. Guess I will have to take a stab at it with the help of Greg and some other very talented boat builders and engineers. Here are some images of the foiler in a trimaran configuration. We are also designing a catamaran version of the foiler. Watch for future updates on this radical machine.

Summary

We are very excited about the new year. We are in production with the R33 with many orders to fill and the R40 and R50 plug will be started early this year. I will have more time to help promote and spread the word about these three boats allowing the classes to grow….not to mention the R33 Foiler! It should be an exciting 2004!

If you have any questions on the R33, R40, R50 or R33 Foiler please don’t hesitate to email or call me at 800-366-8584. I will be happy to answer any questions you have on our company and new line of exciting catamarans.

Till next time…Fast Sailing!

Randy Reynolds