Recently sailed her from NY Harbor to Block Isl. and to Newport. I encountered two days of heavier seas (4-6 ft), with 30 to 40 kts of apparent wind. Needless to say that she handled herself extremely well for 10 hours of pounding to windward both days, with a deep reefed main and genoa (well balanced). She tracked well (within 5 degrees) with hands-off steering half of the time. I love my C30!!! By the way, our top speed the second day, was 8.5 kts (OVER WATER). Two motor boats in sight were on the verge of capsizing while taking the swells/chop on their beams. Just wanted to share the great performance with my fellow C30ers. Regards, -Chuck 83 C30
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John Visser
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Chuck
My disbelief was confirmed by the GPS
I was in disbelief at first glance, but the GPS was reading 9.3 kts (over ground), however that was due to a slight current. You had to experience the wind velocity to believe it !!!! Rgds, -Chuck
I was in disbelief at first glance, but the GPS was reading 9.3 kts (over ground), however that was due to a slight current. You had to experience the wind velocity to believe it !!!! Rgds, -Chuck
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Tom
So we are making the assumption that you had your
C30 surfing. Most probably momentarily in gusts and down a surf/swell...It is possible, just not sustainable....Also what was the apparent wind direction from?
C30 surfing. Most probably momentarily in gusts and down a surf/swell...It is possible, just not sustainable....Also what was the apparent wind direction from?
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Chuck
Here are the facts...
... on a starboard tack, close-hauled, wind direction = 45 degrees off the bow. The kt meter read 8.5 max (not sustained, obviously) -- the GPS confirmed slightly higher, but due to a slight current at the time. She was not surfing, the swels were off the bow! We're talking about 40+ kts of apparent wind easily. If anyone has ever sailed in high winds with balanced sails, they will understand... Rgds, -Chuck
... on a starboard tack, close-hauled, wind direction = 45 degrees off the bow. The kt meter read 8.5 max (not sustained, obviously) -- the GPS confirmed slightly higher, but due to a slight current at the time. She was not surfing, the swels were off the bow! We're talking about 40+ kts of apparent wind easily. If anyone has ever sailed in high winds with balanced sails, they will understand... Rgds, -Chuck
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John Visser
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Chuck
Middle of Long Island Sound...
... by Bridgeport, heading of 270 degrees, wind out of N/NW at 25kts gusting to 35kts on Thur, Jul 11th... Rgds, -Chuck
... by Bridgeport, heading of 270 degrees, wind out of N/NW at 25kts gusting to 35kts on Thur, Jul 11th... Rgds, -Chuck
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Jason
You just made me very nervous
I am sailing my C27 to Block Island from Bay Shore with another boat who are experienced sailors. I have had about 3 months experience on the Great South Bay. I am hoping the conditions mentioned in this article were very unexpected??? Does anyone have any thoughts on this proposed trip of mine?
I am sailing my C27 to Block Island from Bay Shore with another boat who are experienced sailors. I have had about 3 months experience on the Great South Bay. I am hoping the conditions mentioned in this article were very unexpected??? Does anyone have any thoughts on this proposed trip of mine?
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Chuck
For Jason
It was indeed unexpected -- that's not to say that we were unprepared. The toughest thing was for my wife to reef the main and the genoa. The seas were not dangerous, it was simply the wind that needed attention. Just make sure your standing rig in in good shape. It was actually the most exciting sailing experience to date. Especially to witness her take it for such a long period of time and to track so well under balanced sail -- it provides an incredible feeling of accomplishment. The only problem with traveling alongside someone experienced, is that in such a sudden blow or change in weather, your vessell won't necessarily respond to the same tactic as your companion vessel. Try sailing with different combinations of sail area to become familiar with the handling of your C27, in order to have a better idea of how much sail to reduce in a sudden change of wind. C27s are well known for being great sailing vessels. Just a quick question -- is Bayshore on the south shore of Long Island??? -Chuck
It was indeed unexpected -- that's not to say that we were unprepared. The toughest thing was for my wife to reef the main and the genoa. The seas were not dangerous, it was simply the wind that needed attention. Just make sure your standing rig in in good shape. It was actually the most exciting sailing experience to date. Especially to witness her take it for such a long period of time and to track so well under balanced sail -- it provides an incredible feeling of accomplishment. The only problem with traveling alongside someone experienced, is that in such a sudden blow or change in weather, your vessell won't necessarily respond to the same tactic as your companion vessel. Try sailing with different combinations of sail area to become familiar with the handling of your C27, in order to have a better idea of how much sail to reduce in a sudden change of wind. C27s are well known for being great sailing vessels. Just a quick question -- is Bayshore on the south shore of Long Island??? -Chuck
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Jason
For Chuck
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Yes, Bayshore is on the south shore of Long Island. We estimate it will take us 10 hours to get to the Shinecock Inlet. Then another 10 hours to block Island based on an average speed of 5 knots. I believe my standing rig is in good shape, but how could I double check this? My girlfriend and I are planning on practicing reefing the main this weekend, but I am not sure if I am able to reef the genoa, since I have a roller furling? The original trip was to continue on to Boston with 6 other boats, but after more consideration, we felt that Block Island was a big enough trip for first year sailors, and we would just sail around the Peconic Bay, Shelter Island, and maybe sail around Long Island through the Sound and down past Manhattan. Any thoughts on the Boston idea, I heard Buzzards Bay was extremely difficult. -Jason
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Yes, Bayshore is on the south shore of Long Island. We estimate it will take us 10 hours to get to the Shinecock Inlet. Then another 10 hours to block Island based on an average speed of 5 knots. I believe my standing rig is in good shape, but how could I double check this? My girlfriend and I are planning on practicing reefing the main this weekend, but I am not sure if I am able to reef the genoa, since I have a roller furling? The original trip was to continue on to Boston with 6 other boats, but after more consideration, we felt that Block Island was a big enough trip for first year sailors, and we would just sail around the Peconic Bay, Shelter Island, and maybe sail around Long Island through the Sound and down past Manhattan. Any thoughts on the Boston idea, I heard Buzzards Bay was extremely difficult. -Jason
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John Visser
Buzzards Bay
I'm in Buzzards most of the time. It gets choppy, driven by the wind, with waves as close as 20' apart. The thing you need pay attention to are the currents, which get up to 2 or 2.5 knots both ways. Bring Eldridge. Take a look in advance. If you have time, and you're as far as block, might as well keep going to the Elizabeth Islands, including Cuttyhunk, Martha's Vienyard, perhaps even Nantucket. Bets cruising grounds in the World! jv
I'm in Buzzards most of the time. It gets choppy, driven by the wind, with waves as close as 20' apart. The thing you need pay attention to are the currents, which get up to 2 or 2.5 knots both ways. Bring Eldridge. Take a look in advance. If you have time, and you're as far as block, might as well keep going to the Elizabeth Islands, including Cuttyhunk, Martha's Vienyard, perhaps even Nantucket. Bets cruising grounds in the World! jv
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Chuck
For Jason part II
Taking each point in order -- please keep in mind that I am no expert and would welcome any feedback, but... - Rigging: check for corrosion around the turnbuckles -- check for even tension on the shrouds. - Reefing the Genoa: Basically you will partially furl the genoa to a point where you achieve a balanced sail plan (when she can steer herself with hands-off the wheel -- meaning little or no lee or weather helm). If you have an older model of the Hood furling system where it is just a continuous loop of sheet for furling and unfurling your genoa, then I would pay close attention to the teeth on the drum used to guide the loop of furling sheet (typically a pale purple). If not in good shape or if it does not hold well, then I would be cautious about reefing it as it may not hold and come loose under heeling pressure -- this has happened to fellow C owners and wiped out (brought-down) their entire standing rig. Please do not read too much into this -- my intentions are not to alarm you but to make you aware in case the need arises. - Some of the places described below have pretty strong currents when approached against the tide (i.e. Orient Point, Hell Gate @ East River, The Race, etc) -- meaning that I would not be put off by Buzzards Bay -- you need to use caution in the Canal -- John Visser should be a good resource for local knowledge here. If you decide to come down to Manhattan and are looking for an overnight stay, let me know as Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City (Pleanty of depth and extremely easy entry -- NY Harbor) has room and I'd more than happy to give you a slip number for you to stay in (at no cost -- shhh) and perhaps hang loose, as myself and wife are also pretty new to sailing (it became my passion two years ago in our honeymoon) -- always looking forward to chatting with fellow sailors -- great way to learn... Best regards, -Chuck
Taking each point in order -- please keep in mind that I am no expert and would welcome any feedback, but... - Rigging: check for corrosion around the turnbuckles -- check for even tension on the shrouds. - Reefing the Genoa: Basically you will partially furl the genoa to a point where you achieve a balanced sail plan (when she can steer herself with hands-off the wheel -- meaning little or no lee or weather helm). If you have an older model of the Hood furling system where it is just a continuous loop of sheet for furling and unfurling your genoa, then I would pay close attention to the teeth on the drum used to guide the loop of furling sheet (typically a pale purple). If not in good shape or if it does not hold well, then I would be cautious about reefing it as it may not hold and come loose under heeling pressure -- this has happened to fellow C owners and wiped out (brought-down) their entire standing rig. Please do not read too much into this -- my intentions are not to alarm you but to make you aware in case the need arises. - Some of the places described below have pretty strong currents when approached against the tide (i.e. Orient Point, Hell Gate @ East River, The Race, etc) -- meaning that I would not be put off by Buzzards Bay -- you need to use caution in the Canal -- John Visser should be a good resource for local knowledge here. If you decide to come down to Manhattan and are looking for an overnight stay, let me know as Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City (Pleanty of depth and extremely easy entry -- NY Harbor) has room and I'd more than happy to give you a slip number for you to stay in (at no cost -- shhh) and perhaps hang loose, as myself and wife are also pretty new to sailing (it became my passion two years ago in our honeymoon) -- always looking forward to chatting with fellow sailors -- great way to learn... Best regards, -Chuck
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Rob R
Alright Popeye!
Not too many of us out there, are they? Yup, the Bridge to Nowhere was pretty much done when I was there, I think , in the 90's. At least it dead-ended at the Union, which is where we drank more than our share of beer. If you are ever in Texas, look me up, and we'll head out! Rob
Not too many of us out there, are they? Yup, the Bridge to Nowhere was pretty much done when I was there, I think , in the 90's. At least it dead-ended at the Union, which is where we drank more than our share of beer. If you are ever in Texas, look me up, and we'll head out! Rob
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