how far will she go?

Ted · Sep 18, 2016

If you want an accurate answer, find someone who has a performance package for your specific boat from US Sailing or order one of your own. The performance package will include performance predictions such as tables of performance for wind speeds from 6 to 24 knots, polar diagrams in both true and apparent wind format, Wally analysis, curve of static stability, upright hydrostatic calculations and instructions for use. The curve of static stability is what you want to look at to answer your specific question. What you should be most aware of is at what degree of heel will your boat's stability begin to diminish. Without this information, everything else is just a guess.

shemandr · Sep 18, 2016

I don't know how old your son is but scaring him isn't the path to create a sailing buddy. Beg borrow or steal a smaller headsail. You don't need a 150 except for light air. I understand you have light air but for comfort and enjoyment and family unity you should fly a sail for the gusts, not the lulls. Also, excessive healing isn't fast. You have to use too much rudder which slows the boat. It's just a all around struggle = not fun.

David in Sandusky · Sep 18, 2016

While Ted is right, with 1,200 pounds of lead on the bottom of a good, conservative 70's hull design, we can say with reasonable confidence about your O'Day 23:

It cannot be capsized by wind alone. That is, it can recover from a knock down, with the rig on the water (90-100 degrees) if waves are less than the 8 foot beam of your boat.

It can be capsized by a breaking, 8 foot wave, taken beam on.

Since it takes hours for waves to build up to 8 feet, you will always have time to get off the water to avoid a capsize. In other words, your boat will take care of you if you stay with her, and head home if winds get above 30-40 knots.

It is slowed down by excessive heeling. For designs like yours (and most popular keel boats) the optimum speed comes at a heel between 15 and 20 degrees. (Probably around 15 degrees.) Beyond that, the loss of effective sail area, sub-optimal hull shape, and excessive rudder slow you down, even if burying the rail feels exciting.

In higher winds, (15+ knots) as Shemandr says, a smaller genny, say a 110, will be much more enjoyable. The 150 loses its shape if furled over 20%, or if you come off the wind into a reach.

Enjoy your boat with your son! You have an excellent boat for what you are doing!

Kings Gambit · Sep 18, 2016

Fixed-keel boats can recover (i.e., self-righting) from knock-downs of even greater than 90 deg. So, at 25 deg you're pretty far from danger of capsizing as long as a steep breaking wave does not come along and finish the job. Of course, other bad things can happen with a sudden 90-deg knock-down. A crew might get pitched off of the boat or pitched into something causing injury. Critical parts of the rig might fail leading to dismasting. The boat might round-up hard and then pirouette, which can be followed by an accidental gybe, whereupon a crew might get hit by the boom or the rig might be damaged there. Now all of that is "scary" stuff. A boat that is heeling excessively in a moderate wind is probably not being properly sailed--that is, is not properly trimmed. So as you say, too much sail up. There's certainly no "shame" in taking in sail to trim the boat to its best angle of heel and consequently, speed.

LeeandRick · Sep 18, 2016

First, remember that sailing alone, with a small child is like single handing, literally. (one hand tied behind your back)

Our O'day 23 is tender compared to boats with a long fin keel. Unless we have lots of rail meat we reduce sail early. Two people, 12-15 kts = 100% jib and first reef in the main = Nice 15°heel angle. Reduce main first otherwise weather helm becomes a big issue.

Since we sail on lakes in the desert (gusty) 99% of the time it is impossible to have the correct amount of sail all of the time. Finesse at the helm can make a big difference. Watch "continuously" for the big gust and feather up to maintain optimum heel angle. Always have the main sheet in your hand and release as required to maintain steerage or reduce excessive heel angle. If the gust are really strong (relative to average wind) we will cross sheet the jib to make it easy to release if we start to get knocked down. If the O-23 goes from 15° to 30° heel fast enough, without appropriate action with the main sail, expect loss of rudder quickly and an abrupt turn into the wind or through the wind. (The pirouette as KG described ). You will then know how far she will go. This has only happened to us once when a dust devil formed on the shore we were near and our wind angle changed 30° and speed went to 40 kts in an instant. If it happens, you will be wishing that lone scupper at the transom was a lot larger.

shemandr · Sep 18, 2016

LeeandRick said:
First, remember that sailing alone, with a small child is like single handing, literally. (one hand tied behind your back)

It's worse because you can't even devote your full attention to the boat.

Indysailor · Sep 18, 2016

I second the smaller headsail recommendation. I sail with a 130 and with the main reefed I am ok up to about 12knots sustained winds (usually gusting to about 15). But even so, I'm cheating to windward when I am close hauled, or I'm laying over at 35 degrees. These boats sail best flat to 15 degrees heel, so you should match your sails to that. We sail with just the main once we can't sail with the headsail and a reefed main, And I've been quite comfortable under one sail up to about 18knots.

The other part of the equation is boat handling. The longer you sail, the better you get at anticipating gusts and maneuvering more upwind to keep he boat upright.