DS II class legal for racing

[IntensitySails]

Do I have it correctly that the DS II is not Class legal for DS Racing?

[jpclowes]

The DSII is class legal for class racing. It is just not viewed as being very competitive. I am told that in the almost 50 years of the NACR there has only been one DSII to win.

The DSIII is not legal for class racing. But that doesn't mean you can't race it PHRF or some other handicap format.

[Sean McGuire]

I also have to add that at least some of the 25th anniversary editions (like mine) of the DSII have wood rudders that are not class legal. My rudder is too long and is less rounded than the class legal rudder. If I ever wanted to race, I would need a second "legal" rudder.

Sean McGuire
1984 DSII "Iona"

[nmelby]

I am told that in the almost 50 years of the NACR there has only been one DSII to win.

J.P.,
I've always been curious about this myself (since I race a DSII). Do you know who that one was, or any way to find out? I hadn't heard that a DSII had been a NACR champ.

For what it's worth, I raced in the 2007 NACR and placed 11th. Many of the differences that I saw in the performance of my DSII versus the other competitive DSIs I would relate to boat handling, stick time (translation: me!), and of course the "go fasts".

In my humble opinion, the main differences between the race-rigged DSI and DSII are as follows:
1. DSIIs are harder to work on and modify due to the double hull.
2. DSIIs are more difficult to stiffen due to the double hull. Many of them have thinner hulls, with bow to stern stiffeners glassed in... a disadvantage over the thick gelcoat of the early DSIs.
3. DSIIs have a more difficult Centerboard to deal with (no handle, dual control lines/cables).
4. Some DSIIs came with a mast that was much shorter than the class maximum.
5. Every "go fast" modification just takes longer or is more difficult than it would have been on a DSI. It's not impossible, but you have to be patient and work around the issues that come up.
6. DSIIs seem to weigh in a bit heavier than the DSIs (at least mine does!)

As you can see, many of these fall into the "inconvenience" category, rather than the "unable to resolve" category. From my observation, many of the higher-placing racers have made the switch because a DSI is an easier boat to deal with and upgrade for racing.

I'm convinced that the DSII has a lot of potential as a competitive racing boat at the club and regional levels (I haven't seen enough DSIIs competing at the NACR level to make a bold statement on that yet- but I don't believe that it should be completely written off). These boats can definitely be raced well.

Keep in mind, the difference between 1st and 8th at an event like the NACR can be as simple as a couple of tactical mistakes, a few extra pounds on the boat, or any other tiny little thing that could put you one foot behind another boat or two. The sailors in the top of our class are very skilled, and with our one-design rules, the best racing DS's in the class are all very similar in terms of performance.

Just like the DSIs that are in the top of our class at the NACRs, the DSII takes some upgrading and modifications to truly reach full potential... and a good crew on board!
-Nate