At the Skipper's meeting last night Rick Elkins asked for a show of hands from those people who were doing the race for the first time. There were a lot of hands. Last year or the year before that ... or years ago I asked Bob Johnston for advice. Here it is:
Well first, that's an average for the whole day and 15-25 is a broad range. The last time I looked it was going to be more like high teens out at the Farallones = a piece o'cake. It is forecast to get windier at the end of the day, with gusts as high as 31 knots. Therefore if you're not around the island by mid-afternoon you might want to head back, but see how it's going and how you're feeling.
On the way out, once the breeze picks up keep your sails flat - plenty of halyard tension, cunningham and outhaul on the main, halyard and sheet on the jib (grind it in flat). If you're still heeling too much you can reef of course, and also try to move the jib leads aft to open up the jib's leech a bit while keeping the foot tight.
On the way back you can ease everything some. A looser vang will help to keep you from broaching and of course, ease the mainsheet well out if it's getting broachy. If the jib is a little on the tight side (overtrimmed) it will hold your bow down better coming back, also reducing the tendency to broach. If you have an outboard jib lead (like out to the rail) use that - it will also want to led a little farther forward. This will keep the top of the sail from luffing when you ease it out on the reach home.
If that forecast (SAT...NW WINDS 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT. NW SWELL 6 TO 8 FT AT 9 SECONDS. .SAT NIGHT...NW WINDS 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 4 TO 7 FT. NW SWELL 7 TO 9 FT AT 8 SECONDS. ) proves correct and the wave period is that short, it's going to be a bit sloppy. Remember though - just close up the companionway and turn around and it becomes more manageable/comfortable coming back. So keep going until you're not having fun anymore and then turn around. Hopefully that will be at the island!
Just a reminder on the rounding: You see the knob on the NE corner of the island from way off so it's pretty easy to plan to pass it at a seamanlike distance. Once you do that, don't bear off - hold a heading of 255 Mag (270 True) i.e. due West, even though the island tapers off to the south as you proceed along the north side. Watch for breakers off your STARBOARD bow. If you see any big ones, tack over and get farther North. Then don't bear away around the west end of the island until you're almost past it. Simply said - sail due West across the top, don't cut the corner.
Then once around and in the lee of the island (on the south side), use the head and get everything out in the cockpit you're going to want during the trip home. Then relax and enjoy the ride. It's nice to know the bearing back to the Gate since you won't be able to see it until you get closer in. Don't forget to turn on your running lights (I do it early), call in your approach to the finish and jot down your finish time in case the R/C misses it.
Let me know if you have any other questions.