Hey there fellow cat sailors,

I realize the is a GT300 webwsite, a FB page, etc, but it would be nice to talk, discuss this on CS also.

Team Wisconsin

A Texan, Wisconsinite, and a New Zelander made up this team.
We're sailing an older Infusion.
We're leaving from the SE Wisconsin area on Saturday afternoon,
JUne 13th.

I'm finished rigging a Reaching line (chicken line) on the Starboard side, and adding some nice non skid tape on the sartboard side also.
I've put a nice cleat on the port side shroud for the spin lines 2:1.
We'll be adding the pulley on the port side spin sheet, that will enable a 2:1 purchase on the spin sheeting from the starboard side.

I'm hoping praying for no bad storms/squall lines during the race.
Been there-done that-in this race.

I'm really looking forward to this!







JUst checked the weather in S. Padre.

It's 86F- with the heat index (humidity)-
they state feels like 97F ! Oh Snap ;-)

Hope you're adding chicken lines to both sides of the boat.

While you might be stuck on one tack for the majority of the time, it only takes washing off the port side once to ruin your day.

That's a good point, probably will.

Watch that cleat on that deck fitting...that deck fitting can rotate and should be oriented so it pivots the chainplate in-line with the mast (pivots toward and away from the mast). The cleat might make it rotate to an odd angle releasing the line or rotating the fitting to where it may get pulled out of alignment and get a breaking stress on it (per the other recent thread).

Instead of the cleat, we splice a short (6") continuous loop of amsteel around the same strap that holds the main spinnaker block to the deck. The bitter ends of our spin sheet goes through the block at the clew of the kite but end with a plastic stopper ball. To go 2:1, you grab the stopper ball and drop it into the amsteel loop where it will stay easily and be perfectly aligned.

I suppose the cleat on the chainplate would be nice to put the spin sheet in and make your skipper drive to the kite (they really like doing that). ;-)

Jake, I know you've had/have one, but on my Infusion those tangs are angled and firmly set in the hull- but I'll keep that in mind.

I've used the cleat like that on previous boats with out issue. The cleat is ONLY on the Port side, and only used when on Starboard with the kite up.
BTW- I'm the skipper on this ride

Had cleats just like that on my 20, but ran the screws long ways through the adjuster (with washers on the other side) instead of through the holes.I used them on both sides , leeward for 2:1 and windward for a brief rest (cleat the sheet) for the crew. Worked like a champ for thousands of miles.

Sounds like a great set up.
For now, I'm just sticking with the one on starboard side, but I will keep that in mind.
Thanks for advising

Just keep in mind that there have been reported failures of that through hull pin because of the way they are oriented out of column. The ones you pictured are that way. Mine are angled in the hull as well but the alignment of that pin isn't quite right with the mast rigging (which would be almost impossible to get right when building the hulls and I bet there is a good bit of variability in how those are installed). It puts a lot of bending stress on that pin where it comes through the hull if the chain plate pivot doesn't pivot toward the mast. I would consider at least removing the plastic spacer periodically to inspect for any fatigue cracks on that pin.

Advised by you- I'll do just that.


Agreed that it should be oriented so that the pins are perpendicular to the line of the pin and mast, so it can pivot towards the mast with less stress.

:-), HOwever, if you rake the mast back far enough, it'll take care of that. ;-)

So, any other entrants in this years GT300 on here?

Hows your preps going?

Team Wisconsins' are going well, and we plan to be in S. Padre Monday afternoon to rig and get the final touches squared away on rigging, etc.

I'm really getting pretty stoked about it.
I was watching the videos of J. Williams from the 2013 GT300 and getting ready mentally.
I'm hoping for similar condtions, and no squals like we had in 2010- wow- that was a bitch'n storm!

yes, the excitement should be palpable.

Although I consider myself a Texan,

Our team has 1 Wisconite, 1 New Zealander, and me.
But I am proud to be....



Ha!, I just noticed my Ranger IPA in the top left of the picture

Looks like it might get sporty. Looking for Team CHUMS to kick some A$$.

It does look like it could be a day of who can eat it the least wins.

The start has been postponed until Thurs AM. The last two legs will be combined into one leg. The GT300 will consist of three long legs. Better eat your wheaties boys...

Made it down it down here to South Padre Island, just north of the Mexican Border as planned.
Rigged the boat today- passed out safety equipment inspection, and a decision based on this big Stropical Storm Bill by race committee is now to start a day later, and combine the 3rd and 4th day.

The surf is HUGE! Fun Swimming!

do they expect the surf to settle down a bit as the storm moves inland?