Hardway Race #45 – Watch our race play back, from Wahoo

PBYC’s WAHOO Takes on the Hardway Race to Ventura: Insights from a Thrilling Day on the Water!

Hello PBYC Sailors!

Remember the exciting Hardway Race #45 on Saturday, May 17th? Our very own Bill Gibbs and his incredible catamaran, WAHOO, were out there tackling the challenging course from Santa Barbara to Ventura! This was the 1st Race of PBYC’s 2025 Island Series, adding an extra layer of competitive spirit.

As we found out shortly before the race, WAHOO’s specific course, designed for multihulls, involved sailing around Anacapa Island – all to port, a challenging 47nm. (The general course for others might have included marks like the H mark and Drill Island C, but for multihulls, Anacapa was the primary island rounding to port after clearing Santa Barbara). The crew for this race included Captain Bill Gibbs along with Frank (who captured this amazing video!), Christopher, John, and Alex. They were expecting over 20 knots of wind, but experienced a steady 18 knots sustained, pushing WAHOO to an impressive maximum speed over ground (SOG) of around 20 knots!

We’ve got a fantastic video here from WAHOO’s perspective, giving us a real feel for what it’s like to race a high-performance multihull. Let’s dive in and see some of the action and learn a few things with our resident sailing expert and coach’s analysis.

Behind the Scenes: A Look at WAHOO’s Race Day

1. Getting Race-Ready at the Dock (0:00 – 0:43):
From the get-go, it’s clear the WAHOO crew is all business. Getting ready at the dock involves careful line handling, fenders deployed for protection, and sails neatly stowed and ready on deck. You can even hear the buzz of pre-race discussions – making sure everyone’s on the same page about the course, especially those last-minute changes like going around Anacapa to port!

• Why this matters: Good preparation dockside sets the stage for a smooth departure and a focused start. It’s all about attention to detail from the very beginning.

2. The Intense Race Start & Upwind Drive (0:43 – 2:35):
Once clear of the marina, with powerful engines guiding them through the channel (a crucial point: in sailboat racing, using propulsion from the preparatory signal until after finishing is strictly prohibited by the Racing Rules of Sailing, leading to disqualification. Engines are used only for safe passage before the race officially begins!), WAHOO heads towards the exciting starting line. The tension builds quickly – “Go, go, go!” calls out as they cross the line with competitor “Akua Kai.” You’ll instantly see the jib unfurl, and then the impressive mainsail hoist – clearly a powerful square-top main, designed for maximum drive. The crew immediately dials in the trim, with folks actively grinding winches to get that sail shape just right. It’s a flurry of coordinated activity that pays off in crucial early speed.

• Why this matters: A strong start is critical in any race, and getting sails up quickly and efficiently, even under the pressure of a tight competitor, makes all the difference. Their active trimming shows dedication to finding that perfect balance of speed and angle.
• What if: What if the wind had seemingly died at the start? Without the option of motoring in a race, quick thinking with sail trim, shifting crew weight, and seeking clear air would be the only effective options. The focus is always on staying powered by wind and current.

3. The Downwind Thrill & Sail Hoist (2:36 – 4:16):
Then comes a true highlight – the big downwind blast! As the skies open up, a beautiful large blue and light blue sail appears from the bow. This isn’t just any sail, folks; it’s what we call a “screacher” or “Code 0” – specifically designed for reaching sails. You can see how smoothly it unfurls from its dedicated furler. Once it’s flying, watch WAHOO absolutely rocket across the water, leaving a massive wake! The crew onboard are clearly thinking ahead, with a call of “Keep it down until you’re ready!” signaling their readiness for the next maneuver, perhaps a speedy douse or re-furl.

• Why this matters: This is where multihulls truly shine! Utilizing a screacher when heading downwind (or reaching) gives them immense power for incredible speeds. It’s a brilliant tactical move to maximize performance in these conditions.
• What if: What if the wind picked up unexpectedly, or shifted dramatically? Without the option of motoring, managing sail area becomes even more critical. They’d need to quickly furl/douse the screacher, potentially switch to a smaller headsail, or reef the mainsail to maintain control and avoid damaging sails or rigging. There’s no pushing a button for power in a race; it’s all about skilled sail handling!

4. Seamless Sail Changes & Peak Performance (4:17 – 4:48):
The video then shows a quick, almost seamless, transition to another large, tan-colored sail flying out front. This efficient change highlights their well-rehearsed maneuvers – swapping sails to perfectly match the changing wind conditions and course. The impressive rooster tails forming off the stern of WAHOO speak volumes about the speed Bill and his team are generating. It’s a fantastic testament to the boat’s design and the crew’s incredible skill.

• Why this matters: Having a full inventory of sails, and the coordination to swap them efficiently, is a hallmark of serious racing. It allows them to fine-tune their drive for every type of wind and wave condition.

6. All Out Speed! (5:17 – 6:18):
The final shots bring us back around Anacapa with WAHOO at exhilarating high speed, likely reaching or broad reaching. The catamaran kicks up impressive rooster tails of water from both hulls as she powers through the waves. You can almost feel the spray as the crew keeps a steady focus, a testament to their dedication to performance.

• Why this matters: These are the moments performance multihulls are built for! It beautifully demonstrates the exhilarating speed and power of these boats when sailed effectively in good conditions.

We hope you enjoyed this look at WAHOO’s exciting run in the Hardway Race! It’s a fantastic example of teamwork, preparation, and expert boat handling here at PBYC.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! What stood out to you in the video? Have you experienced a challenging race like this one? Share your comments and stories below!