I've looking to purchase a 170. I had the chance to rent one while on vacation. Is their a trick to keep the boat headed into the wind? I try to luff the sails 3 times and could not find a sweet spot. Maybe I was over steering?
170 heading into the wind
- Thread starter feejer
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Trick?
I don't know if there is a trick, but I find it easier to do under power and with the tiller tied off with the intent of continuing into the wind. I also leave the main sheet loose enough to allow the boom to go over the seats. I've just recently found a two step method that seems to work for me. I do the above and raise the main, but I don't cleat it off just yet. I use the cleat as a block running the halyard around it and back so that I can hold the main up while grab the tiller and point myself back into the wind. If you wait and watch for a moment you'll know just when to go forward and cleat the main halyard, the second step. I've always found that I have enough time to raise the main, but not always enough to cleat it off. The real trick is to have a second person on the tiller. JerryA
I don't know if there is a trick, but I find it easier to do under power and with the tiller tied off with the intent of continuing into the wind. I also leave the main sheet loose enough to allow the boom to go over the seats. I've just recently found a two step method that seems to work for me. I do the above and raise the main, but I don't cleat it off just yet. I use the cleat as a block running the halyard around it and back so that I can hold the main up while grab the tiller and point myself back into the wind. If you wait and watch for a moment you'll know just when to go forward and cleat the main halyard, the second step. I've always found that I have enough time to raise the main, but not always enough to cleat it off. The real trick is to have a second person on the tiller. JerryA
I think I have had this problem too
Feejer, Are you trying to stall the boat 'in irons?' I was always taught that if you let go of the tiller and the sheets are not cleated any sailboat will turn into the wind and stall. I have noticed mine tends to blow downwind instead. I suspect that it is because of the light weight of the boat and the large amount of freeboard. I tried stalling it in pretty stong wind so that I could go forward, every time I let go of the till the boat started to go over, and I had to dash back and get control again. Perhaps it is a weight thing, maybe if you head into the wind - uncleat the sheets - release the tiller - and try your best to keep your weight balanced in the middle . . . john
Feejer, Are you trying to stall the boat 'in irons?' I was always taught that if you let go of the tiller and the sheets are not cleated any sailboat will turn into the wind and stall. I have noticed mine tends to blow downwind instead. I suspect that it is because of the light weight of the boat and the large amount of freeboard. I tried stalling it in pretty stong wind so that I could go forward, every time I let go of the till the boat started to go over, and I had to dash back and get control again. Perhaps it is a weight thing, maybe if you head into the wind - uncleat the sheets - release the tiller - and try your best to keep your weight balanced in the middle . . . john
Irons
In "Irons" yes, thats the term I was looking for. The free board is high on the 170 and I think that might have to do with it, not thats its a problem. I was just goofing around seeing what I could get the boat to do and not do. Fall is close now and winter right down the road. I'll be hitting the sailboat show in Philadelphia this year
In "Irons" yes, thats the term I was looking for. The free board is high on the 170 and I think that might have to do with it, not thats its a problem. I was just goofing around seeing what I could get the boat to do and not do. Fall is close now and winter right down the road. I'll be hitting the sailboat show in Philadelphia this year
Sailing Solo
Most of the timews that I've sailed solo I have been at the docks tied up. I simply raise the main but leave the main sheet line completly loose also do the same with the jib, they just flap until I release my dock line, sit down and sheet in the lines, away we go. On the few times that I wanted to lower my sails while in open waters, I furel the jib and bring the boat directly into irons, with the main sheet very loose I run forward and release the main and get it down as quick as possible, so far no mishaps
The other thing I do using my Honda 2 hp out board, I furel the gibe and I hold my course or falling off, setting my tiller tamer. I then start my outboard, By binging the boat up to speed with the motor, I relase the main sheet line and head straight into the wind. I can leave the motor where its at, go forward and relase the main sheet, and with the use of 3 bungie cords secure the sail to the boom. release the tiller tamer and you can motor back to the docks. Works for me
Most of the timews that I've sailed solo I have been at the docks tied up. I simply raise the main but leave the main sheet line completly loose also do the same with the jib, they just flap until I release my dock line, sit down and sheet in the lines, away we go. On the few times that I wanted to lower my sails while in open waters, I furel the jib and bring the boat directly into irons, with the main sheet very loose I run forward and release the main and get it down as quick as possible, so far no mishaps
The other thing I do using my Honda 2 hp out board, I furel the gibe and I hold my course or falling off, setting my tiller tamer. I then start my outboard, By binging the boat up to speed with the motor, I relase the main sheet line and head straight into the wind. I can leave the motor where its at, go forward and relase the main sheet, and with the use of 3 bungie cords secure the sail to the boom. release the tiller tamer and you can motor back to the docks. Works for me Fal's off no matter what
Went out the other day, seemed windy, so went out with main reefed. TUrned out to be much windier then I thought - there were white caps, and the wind coming (as usual) straight down the narrow cove. Motor was really struggling, so raised the sails and killed the motor. Could not keep her moving forward! Kept falling off the wind. I furled the jib, trying to move the center of effort back, but didn't help. I had to fire up the motor, and as it was a bit late in the day and I was by myself, just went back home!! Did NOT like not being able to control it - what did I do wrong?? Wasn't in a position to play around, as cove is very narrow with docks and rocks on either sided, so when messing with the jib didn't help. and I just go carried away (literally) cause now wa broadside to the wind, limped back home. To Feejer's question (you STILL haven't bought one yet?), In winds under 15 kts, I have no trouble getting her into irons, though she wo't necessarily stay there. If you move around in the boat at all, that is often enough to push you to the side. If I want to keep her steady, just heave to. Good luck! (Mine's a 146)
Went out the other day, seemed windy, so went out with main reefed. TUrned out to be much windier then I thought - there were white caps, and the wind coming (as usual) straight down the narrow cove. Motor was really struggling, so raised the sails and killed the motor. Could not keep her moving forward! Kept falling off the wind. I furled the jib, trying to move the center of effort back, but didn't help. I had to fire up the motor, and as it was a bit late in the day and I was by myself, just went back home!!
Did NOT like not being able to control it - what did I do wrong?? Wasn't in a position to play around, as cove is very narrow with docks and rocks on either sided, so when messing with the jib didn't help. and I just go carried away (literally) cause now wa broadside to the wind, limped back home. To Feejer's question (you STILL haven't bought one yet?), In winds under 15 kts, I have no trouble getting her into irons, though she wo't necessarily stay there. If you move around in the boat at all, that is often enough to push you to the side. If I want to keep her steady, just heave to. Good luck! (Mine's a 146)- Status