Crown28 upwind in heavy air

[druid]

Hi,

I bought my Crown 28 (for those not familiar, it's VERY similar to a Cal 29) 2 years ago, and although it's supposed to be a good heavy-weather boat (like all the Cals!), I can't seem to get good speed in heavier air (say 25+ knots). I can pass a Hunter 32 upwind in light air, and get great speed with the spinnaker, but about the time I have to start reefing, she slows right down. She has fairly-new Leitch&McBride sails, loose-footed fully-battened main (traveller in the cockpit), and about 160% roller-reefing genoa.

Last time out, I seemed to get better speed by letting the main out a bit (to the point where it was luffing at bit at the luff), but it was gusty and that might have just meant I was over-canvassed.

Any suggestions?
druid

 

[Stu Jackson]

Last time out, I seemed to get better speed by letting the main out a bit (to the point where it was luffing at bit at the luff), but it was gusty and that might have just meant I was over-canvassed. Any suggestions?

That's called a "fisherman's reef." I suggest you reef the mainsail first in those conditions. You may also have too large and deep a jib. What we do, even with our ProFurl is to use a jib sized for the conditions. Many folks with larger jibs roll some in first, which makes sense with those 130% and larger jibs when it pipes up. Your 160% is HUGE! Adjust your jib fairleads properly when shortening the jib.

Shorten sail(s), sail flat and you'll keep up your speed. The waves in those conditions can also be a factor in slowing you down. You didn't mention how much slower you were going.

 

[druid]

Thanks for the reply, Stu!

I'm usually pretty conservative when it comes to reefing. My sequence usually is:
1. roll in some genny - down to about 120% or so (12-15knots)
2. First reef in the main (15-25 knots)
3. roll in more genny - down to about 90% (25-30 knots)
4. twist and feather, second reef in the main, or drop the main altogether (30+ knots)

I hadn't put the reef in last time because it was gusty and fairly short-lived. Also: IIRC my Cal 25 liked sailing on her ear, so I kept up more sail than I did with the Catalina. I thought the Crown would be similar to the Cal, maybe I'm wrong...

GOOD point about the flattening: I'd forgotten I had a foam luff in the genny of the Catalina 36 - I'll see about getting some in to this one. Any other suggestions on how to flatten sails?

It's not so much slowing down as not going faster. I can hit 5 knots fairly easily in 10 knots of wind, but at 20 I'm barely making 5. And the Cal hull goes through waves very well - they don't seem to be too much of a factor (it's in the semi-protected waters of Georgia Strait).