I sailed a 216 for the first time this last weekend at Kerr lake in North Carolina. Unfortunately, there was very little wind the hour I had it out. The boat was very easy to handle (at least with light wind). I was single-handling the boat. I was just out in it with my 6-year old (who was just along for the ride). I did have to let go of the tiller to reach the gib sheets for each tack/gybe. Perhaps there is a better way to do it, but I would first tack/gybe, and the the jib would switch over to the other side. I would then let go of the tiller, go forward and adjust the jib sheets appropriatly, then move back to hold the tiller again. The jib sheets were easy to adjust in light air. I was wondering about that since there are no winches on this boat. Since the gib is relatively small, not that much force builds up in the sheets. The mainsail was easy to raise up (at least in light wind). The weighted center board was easy to raise and lower. The 4-horse power motor worked fine. The rollor furling jib (of course) was convenient. A rollor furling main would have been nice, but that would add to the cost of the boat unnecessarily. I can't comment on the heeling or higher wind performance. Perhaps next time I'm out in one. I did sail faster than a Hunter 260, but they may not have been sailing to their boat's potential.
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Larry Long
Me too
I went out in a 216 Saturday and it was an absolute blast!!!!!! We were in the slip at the marina when the sailing club sounded the horn to start a race. We untied from the dock, raised the sails and tried to see how many racers we could catch. By the time we got back to the starting line we had passed over half of the racers(keep in mind some of them were fairly unskilled and in everything from Catalina 22's to J-boats.) We had winds of 20 to 30 with gusts to 35. Even reefed, we had up way too much sail. We did not need any winches since the jib is so small that even in those winds, there just wasn't that much pressure on the headsail. We DID wish for a way to adjust the fairleads to change the angle of the jib sheets. Sailing that boat in those winds was definitely a 2-person job.
I went out in a 216 Saturday and it was an absolute blast!!!!!! We were in the slip at the marina when the sailing club sounded the horn to start a race. We untied from the dock, raised the sails and tried to see how many racers we could catch. By the time we got back to the starting line we had passed over half of the racers(keep in mind some of them were fairly unskilled and in everything from Catalina 22's to J-boats.) We had winds of 20 to 30 with gusts to 35. Even reefed, we had up way too much sail. We did not need any winches since the jib is so small that even in those winds, there just wasn't that much pressure on the headsail. We DID wish for a way to adjust the fairleads to change the angle of the jib sheets. Sailing that boat in those winds was definitely a 2-person job.
C
crazy dave
Jeff
Light air is not good for sailing but the boat did move and you are correct that the boat will move faster than alot of boats. Roller furling mainsail on this boat is impractical. Cost is the first thing to consider. Then the weight would be another item and you would not be able to raise the mast probably. Then you would crush any outside extrusion for roller furling mainsail. The jib sheet is a 2 to 1 line control. You had a 1 to 1 on the sheeting I assume. In high winds, you are fine. winches are not needed.
Light air is not good for sailing but the boat did move and you are correct that the boat will move faster than alot of boats. Roller furling mainsail on this boat is impractical. Cost is the first thing to consider. Then the weight would be another item and you would not be able to raise the mast probably. Then you would crush any outside extrusion for roller furling mainsail. The jib sheet is a 2 to 1 line control. You had a 1 to 1 on the sheeting I assume. In high winds, you are fine. winches are not needed.
Singlehanding
I own a 216 and love it. I lake sail in Upstate California. The boat is fast. I have a choice of two clubs, a racing dinghy club to which I belong and a lead dragger club out of Lake Oroville. I went out with the lead dragger club and it was a total bore...except for one boat I couldn't go slowly enough to keep with the other boats (this was a "let's just get together and cruise" day)! My 216 does extremely well against the Lasers, Thistles and cats in my club, in fact, I easily won the last race on corrected time. (The club didn't even bother to correct my time as I was very close on the heels of the lead boats after a long race. Admittedly I ran a pretty good race. Can hardly wait to get my spinnaker installed!) I put a 3/4" spacer under the fairlead for the jib which made a marvelous difference. In light air, I singlehand often while my wench suns herself. I simply lay the jib sheets on the cockpit sole and, when I come about/gybe, I cleat the slack jib sheet, pick up the windward jib sheet and, when the jib collapses, I flip the jib sheet upward which uncleats it then haul in on the other jib sheet. Course walking forward to work the jib in light air is no issue with this boat because of the openness of the cockpit and the neutral helm. I had the boat out in 18-20 mph winds last week and the handling was marvelous. I had four on board...that is I had some rail meat. Slight weather helm which I prefer...so if I go over the side the boat doesn't disappear off into the sunset. In heavier winds the jib is just short of needing a winch. My wife cannot tighten the jib when close hauled. If I need the jib tigher, I luff the jib a little so she can pull it in. Best to set the jib when coming about. I've had men on the jib sheets in heavier winds have a difficult time hauling in on the jib sheet. ;D
I own a 216 and love it. I lake sail in Upstate California. The boat is fast. I have a choice of two clubs, a racing dinghy club to which I belong and a lead dragger club out of Lake Oroville. I went out with the lead dragger club and it was a total bore...except for one boat I couldn't go slowly enough to keep with the other boats (this was a "let's just get together and cruise" day)! My 216 does extremely well against the Lasers, Thistles and cats in my club, in fact, I easily won the last race on corrected time. (The club didn't even bother to correct my time as I was very close on the heels of the lead boats after a long race. Admittedly I ran a pretty good race. Can hardly wait to get my spinnaker installed!) I put a 3/4" spacer under the fairlead for the jib which made a marvelous difference. In light air, I singlehand often while my wench suns herself. I simply lay the jib sheets on the cockpit sole and, when I come about/gybe, I cleat the slack jib sheet, pick up the windward jib sheet and, when the jib collapses, I flip the jib sheet upward which uncleats it then haul in on the other jib sheet. Course walking forward to work the jib in light air is no issue with this boat because of the openness of the cockpit and the neutral helm. I had the boat out in 18-20 mph winds last week and the handling was marvelous. I had four on board...that is I had some rail meat. Slight weather helm which I prefer...so if I go over the side the boat doesn't disappear off into the sunset. In heavier winds the jib is just short of needing a winch. My wife cannot tighten the jib when close hauled. If I need the jib tigher, I luff the jib a little so she can pull it in. Best to set the jib when coming about. I've had men on the jib sheets in heavier winds have a difficult time hauling in on the jib sheet. ;D
J
Jeff Prideaux
jib sheet
Someone gave me the idea of possibly installing a second block (actually two of them) at the clew of the jib. This would give more purchase to the jib sheet. Of course, simply temporarily luffing the jib as you say (to pull it in) is a more simple solution.
Someone gave me the idea of possibly installing a second block (actually two of them) at the clew of the jib. This would give more purchase to the jib sheet. Of course, simply temporarily luffing the jib as you say (to pull it in) is a more simple solution.
J
Jerry Young
Extraordinary sailboat
Purchased my 216 in late September in and sailed into December until the Minnesota cold and ice got to me. I have sailed many different 18-25ft boats and this one is the best so far. My wife and I wanted more cockpit and less cabin, (we don't camp well). For the first time, we are now comforable with more than four on a boat. The 216 handles well on all point of sail, is stable, fast and easily rigged. The keel works just great. The leak into the cuddy at the mast is yet a problem that we hope to have fixed this spring. We like to sail at night and are going to add a simple electrical system and lighting. Wish we had a bow pupit & a short set of lifelines, for not only the light but for more control and safety. We are considering moving the motor mount from the center of the open cockpit, (really dumb place) to one side. Any owners who have further ideas on this, thanks for your comments in advance. jerryyoung@tchgmac.com
Purchased my 216 in late September in and sailed into December until the Minnesota cold and ice got to me. I have sailed many different 18-25ft boats and this one is the best so far. My wife and I wanted more cockpit and less cabin, (we don't camp well). For the first time, we are now comforable with more than four on a boat. The 216 handles well on all point of sail, is stable, fast and easily rigged. The keel works just great. The leak into the cuddy at the mast is yet a problem that we hope to have fixed this spring. We like to sail at night and are going to add a simple electrical system and lighting. Wish we had a bow pupit & a short set of lifelines, for not only the light but for more control and safety. We are considering moving the motor mount from the center of the open cockpit, (really dumb place) to one side. Any owners who have further ideas on this, thanks for your comments in advance. jerryyoung@tchgmac.com
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