I was reading the other threads this week an know what you mean about the heeling of the 23.5. A local sail maker suggested adding a 2nd reef point and the boat will settle down and sail faster with less fear for the wife and the captain. Has anyone done this and had favorable results? From what I have read the boat heals easily but will round up if you heel over to far. I have seen pictures in the 23.5 owners pics and the water is white capped and it appears the wind is at least 15mph or more and the boats are handling it. I would like to ease into the big heel, so is the 2nd reef a good idea?
23.5 2nd reef point in the original sail
- Thread starter garypolumsky
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I agree with Rick, I have had my 240 out in 20+ knots on several occasions and she handles pretty well with just the reefed main. Anything much over 20 and I would rather watch it from the marina than actually out in it. Although I did manage to get caught in one storm that had 39 knot gusts, the boat did fine, but the crew was not happy. Just remember the Hunter water ballast motto " Reef Early, Reef Often"
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-W.
Rick, I see you on the 23.5 forums all the time you know your boat well. I have been out 3 times in this boat and the original owner didn't elaborate much on how to handle the boat in heavier winds.My last boat was a 17 ft with no ballast so I know when to head in. If I would have experienced heavier winds when I went on the test sail with the original ownerI would know where I stand. These boats are rare up here so it is difficult to get any information about sailing my 23.5. I'll get it down and stick with the factory reef point.
I feel your pain (in Reverse)
I too have been sailing for quite some time. Mostly on the the Florida coast and, in particular, the St. Johns River in Jacksonville. I had an O'day 28, which, when the wind picked up in excess of 20 kts was happy sailing along under jib alone. Well, I left the Navy in Jax and moved back to good ole KC, MO and got a Hunter 23.5 (1993). Well let me tell you that the same tactics did not apply. I soon found out that the balance on this boat is really dependant on the main sail. My suggestion in high wind is to reef the main as is. Sail on that alone. Another couple of tips, to ensure your set for heavy air, stretch your luff and foot as much as possible. Dog your boom vang (especially if you have the standard set-up with no traveler system). Finally ease the main sheet until you feel comfortable, don't worry about the luff "bubbling up" a little, you'll have plenty of power.
I too have been sailing for quite some time. Mostly on the the Florida coast and, in particular, the St. Johns River in Jacksonville. I had an O'day 28, which, when the wind picked up in excess of 20 kts was happy sailing along under jib alone. Well, I left the Navy in Jax and moved back to good ole KC, MO and got a Hunter 23.5 (1993). Well let me tell you that the same tactics did not apply. I soon found out that the balance on this boat is really dependant on the main sail. My suggestion in high wind is to reef the main as is. Sail on that alone. Another couple of tips, to ensure your set for heavy air, stretch your luff and foot as much as possible. Dog your boom vang (especially if you have the standard set-up with no traveler system). Finally ease the main sheet until you feel comfortable, don't worry about the luff "bubbling up" a little, you'll have plenty of power.
In addition to all of the above, loosen the boom vang to increase twist, to "spill the wind" as they say. Less effective closed-hauled of course, but it all helps.
This might make you feel better, or not:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w00suzaDh_A
I think they did this purposely. Hard to tell though. Don't ask me about the radar reflector. Mine's silver.
This might make you feel better, or not:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w00suzaDh_A
I think they did this purposely. Hard to tell though. Don't ask me about the radar reflector. Mine's silver.
Re: lol
Humor, yes! After I made this post I found another thread where George (H260) posted the same youtube clip. He seem to know that it's a big race buoy hanging there as a float in case the boat actually did completely capsize. He also said there are 6 more stuffed into the cabin for floatation just in case. I don't know how he knows all this, but if it's true (I have no doubt) then clearly they did this purposely as a test or demonstration.
As a 23.5 owner I'm glad to see it rounded up. I do wonder if it would have behaved the same had they not eased the jib and/or if they had let the mainsheet go such that the boom hit the water. Arguably (it's argued in the other thread, but not by George) both of these could contribute to lee helm and affect the tendency to come head to wind.
Here is George's thread:
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=110914
Humor, yes! After I made this post I found another thread where George (H260) posted the same youtube clip. He seem to know that it's a big race buoy hanging there as a float in case the boat actually did completely capsize. He also said there are 6 more stuffed into the cabin for floatation just in case. I don't know how he knows all this, but if it's true (I have no doubt) then clearly they did this purposely as a test or demonstration.
As a 23.5 owner I'm glad to see it rounded up. I do wonder if it would have behaved the same had they not eased the jib and/or if they had let the mainsheet go such that the boom hit the water. Arguably (it's argued in the other thread, but not by George) both of these could contribute to lee helm and affect the tendency to come head to wind.
Here is George's thread:
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=110914
thats what sold me on the h23 never sailed before but watching that video had me thinking that reguardless of what I screw up out there this boat will "rite?" itself. the rudder seemed to be the cause as once it left the water the boat began to straighten itself out
thats what sold me on the h23 never sailed before but watching that video had me thinking that reguardless of what I screw up out there this boat will "rite?" itself. the rudder seemed to be the cause as once it left the water the boat began to straighten itself out
I did add another reef this summer but as a first reef, between the foot and the original reef. I found it usefull (even if psychological) when single handed. It gives a more stable and upright ride with minimal loss of drive.
When fully reefed, I don't make very good headway especially upwind, becouse the bow gets pushed around by the waves, so if I'm cought in a steep choppy sea and I want to go upwind, I start the motor and use the fully reefed main more for balance than for drive.
When fully reefed, I don't make very good headway especially upwind, becouse the bow gets pushed around by the waves, so if I'm cought in a steep choppy sea and I want to go upwind, I start the motor and use the fully reefed main more for balance than for drive.
Regarding the 23.5 test. A sailor in Estonia who had corresponded with the originator of the test brought this video to my attention. The originator is Knightsail: This is what he said:
Hello
Thank you very much for your message.
Why am I putting a yellow buoy on the mast?
Because I'm managing a sailing club.(Most is a laser class Dinghy.)
a member of my club says..
"I'm afraid This boat doesn't recover from capsize by this small center board."
so I determined to experiment.
6 yellow buoys were put in a cabin for possible buoyancy issue. And I put a buoy in top of mast for the reason, that she mast didn't sink in the water.
When there is a chance, I'd like to challenge once again by the condition of the strong wind more.
KNIGHTSAIL
If you watch the video it quickly becomes apparent that when the rudder breaks the surface the boat immediately rounds up.
You can contact Knightsail on UTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w00suzaDh_A
Hello
Thank you very much for your message.
Why am I putting a yellow buoy on the mast?
Because I'm managing a sailing club.(Most is a laser class Dinghy.)
a member of my club says..
"I'm afraid This boat doesn't recover from capsize by this small center board."
so I determined to experiment.
6 yellow buoys were put in a cabin for possible buoyancy issue. And I put a buoy in top of mast for the reason, that she mast didn't sink in the water.
When there is a chance, I'd like to challenge once again by the condition of the strong wind more.
KNIGHTSAIL
If you watch the video it quickly becomes apparent that when the rudder breaks the surface the boat immediately rounds up.
You can contact Knightsail on UTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w00suzaDh_A
I agree with Rick. My lake has two conditions, no wind or small craft warnings. I often sail my H260 with the main reefed. It handles quite well. If the wind starts overpowering the reefed main, I head in. I'm just beating up the equipment at that point with little enjoyment.
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