Hunter 33 sail trim

[NordicHunter 33]

Hi guys!
I have just bought a 2006 H33, in Sweden, and I am looking for a polar bear protection bumper for this model.

He he - just kidding. :dance:

No, I wounder if someone have some nice inpt on how to trim the sails for different wind strenght/direction. Input on gennackers etc.

First impressions are that one should reduce sail area on main sail as soon winds are above ≈8 m/s (not when sailing WITH the wind though, only half-wind or when tacking) to straighten the boat up.
And that the mail sail, apart from other boats, in fact are the MAIN sail. Not the foresail/genoa, as commonly.

I have furling sails. (With that I mean that boath the sails are rolled into the mast/forestay).

Fair winds

Captain Johan

 

[Nodak7]

Hi guys!
I have just bought a 2006 H33, in Sweden, and I am looking for a polar bear protection bumper for this model.

He he - just kidding. :dance:

No, I wounder if someone have some nice inpt on how to trim the sails for different wind strenght/direction. Input on gennackers etc.

First impressions are that one should reduce sail area on main sail as soon winds are above ≈8 m/s (not when sailing WITH the wind though, only half-wind or when tacking) to straighten the boat up.
And that the mail sail, apart from other boats, in fact are the MAIN sail. Not the foresail/genoa, as commonly.

I have furling sails. (With that I mean that boath the sails are rolled into the mast/forestay).

Fair winds

Captain Johan

OK Captain I had a H33 rigged very similar to yours. You do not say what your experience level is and that will make a lot of difference but here are my basic and simple minded suggestions:

First Mark your boom (from the mast) 12'3" Third Reef, 13'1" Second Reef and 13'10" First reef. I used colored electrical tape. Then Mark the Jib 5'3", 7'10" and 9'10". I used a small mark from a Black Magic Marker at the bottom of the sail. Normally the process starts with your boom on the center line. As the wind picks up and you begin to get some weather helm the first thing to do is to release some traveler. As the wind picks up more you can keep control by doing this. However once the traveler is 1/2 ways down to the end (from the centerline) start releasing the main sheet. If you are still experiencing weather helm then go to the first reef on both sails and center the traveler. Then start the process all over and if necessary to the second and third reefs. If the wind lets up release the reefs as you (and in my case the Admiral) feel comfortable and able to keep control. Interestingly enough I found that I can go faster when reefed than I do full sail.

I know I will get a ton of criticism from this but it works for me then and still works for me now. Hope it helps you as well.

 

[NordicHunter 33]

Thanks mate. Good input!
And I have the same experience: early reefing = better boatspeed.
With a mainsail the size of my wifes bikini, the boat still travels around 6 knots close to the wind. Bigger sail gives nothíng but added incline/tilt. (Don´t know the english nautica for this).

Added info: I am an former dinghy sailing instructor, and have done windsurfing for a couple of years, but a large boat with two, furled, sails and a wheel are all news to me.

 

[Nodak7]

Thanks mate. Good input!
And I have the same experience: early reefing = better boatspeed.
With a mainsail the size of my wifes bikini, the boat still travels around 6 knots close to the wind. Bigger sail gives nothíng but added incline/tilt. (Don´t know the english nautica for this).

Added info: I am an former dinghy sailing instructor, and have done windsurfing for a couple of years, but a large boat with two, furled, sails and a wheel are all news to me.

Nordic I was a windsurfer for 20+ years before we got our first boat. Been hooked ever since. Besides that I am getting way to old for windsurfing and it is tough to get the Admiral out there with me! I agree the small sail does give good speed and more comfortable ride but I have to admit the big heels (incline) are kind of fun!