Basic Sail Trim Question, I think

[Ward H]

I want to sail my N17 level vs heeling over. I am still learning the boat but it appears with winds approaching white cap level I need to let the main out until it touches the shrouds to keep the boat flat on a beam reach.

I think I have two other options to depower the main.
1. Move the main sheet traveler to leeward.
2. Reef the main.

Both options require some hardware changes.
The layout of the control lines for the traveler is awkward. I have a plan for a better layout but it involves installing cheek blocks and repositing the clam cleats. To install backing plates for this hardware I need to install an access port to get inside the transome.
I have ordered a new sail with one reef point. I think I need to install hardware for reefing. I think I need a cheek block and cleat for a downhaul at the clew and a "cunningham" or other hardware at the tack.

Which should I tackle first?

 

[justsomeguy]

Reefing is basic...so that's my $0.02.

 

[David in Sandusky]

Some ideas

1. Hike out. If you are already hiking out, invite a friend to help hold the boat flat. You do want the boat to plane in high winds. If you can get her up on a plane, you will find that you need less hiking out to hold her there. Steer through the waves in a way that keeps you on a plane, because this is fast, and fun!

2. Flatten the sails. You can do this by tightening the halyard(s), and the main outhaul. Tighten the vang if you have one, otherwise keep the mainsheet tight, if the boom is over the traveller.

3 Move the traveller downwind. This drops you a little off the wind, but in high winds, you probably need the drive to get through the waves.

4. Reef the mainsail. This is a normal response to winds you cannot compensate by hiking out. Your boat will go faster if it is not up on its side as you describe.

5. Reef further. If that doesn't work, then it's probably too much wind for you and your boat!

Fair winds,

 

[Nodak7]

1. Hike out. If you are already hiking out, invite a friend to help hold the boat flat. You do want the boat to plane in high winds. If you can get her up on a plane, you will find that you need less hiking out to hold her there. Steer through the waves in a way that keeps you on a plane, because this is fast, and fun!

2. Flatten the sails. You can do this by tightening the halyard(s), and the main outhaul. Tighten the vang if you have one, otherwise keep the mainsheet tight, if the boom is over the traveller.

3 Move the traveller downwind. This drops you a little off the wind, but in high winds, you probably need the drive to get through the waves.

4. Reef the mainsail. This is a normal response to winds you cannot compensate by hiking out. Your boat will go faster if it is not up on its side as you describe.

5. Reef further. If that doesn't work, then it's probably too much wind for you and your boat!

Fair winds,

Buy a furling main! :dance::dance: Just kidding!

I think that Sandusky covered it all other than the fact that you mentioned that you cannot reef but you do not mention what you have for a foresail or what selection you have for sails for your foresail. Is it a furler? Are you doing this to keep the Admiral happy? That makes a BIG difference!

Anyway another item is whether it is gusty. For me that changes what I adjust as well. We sail on a lake that is notorious for big gusts so, for us, the traveler is our "insurance" against high gusts and rounding up. I always leave some Traveler adjustment just in case we get "hit". So my first adjustment is the traveler then release some of the mainsheet and if I am still having problems then I begin to reef the main and foresail.

If the wind is steady then I pretty much go with what Sandusky suggested.

That is my/our methodology for keeping the boat going straight and not excessively heeling.....

Happy sailing!

 

[GorillaToast]

I want to sail my N17 level vs heeling over. I am still learning the boat but it appears with winds approaching white cap level I need to let the main out until it touches the shrouds to keep the boat flat on a beam reach.

I think I have two other options to depower the main.
1. Move the main sheet traveler to leeward.
2. Reef the main.

Both options require some hardware changes.
The layout of the control lines for the traveler is awkward. I have a plan for a better layout but it involves installing cheek blocks and repositing the clam cleats. To install backing plates for this hardware I need to install an access port to get inside the transome.
I have ordered a new sail with one reef point. I think I need to install hardware for reefing. I think I need a cheek block and cleat for a downhaul at the clew and a "cunningham" or other hardware at the tack.

Which should I tackle first?

The reefable main is a must if you're sailing a small boat in waves that are cresting. Rigging the hardware is simple. Google "single line reeling" for pics. If the travel of the traveler is 2' or less, forget about it. It won't have a noticeable effect. The one on my Catalina 22 is just about useless, although I did install cheek blocks and repositioned cam cleats to make it more operator friendly. If you decide to install the cheek block and cleats, don't worry about backing plates the control line forces are minimal compared to the forces on the traveler bar where the sheets attach.

Read up on sail trim. You will learn how to use your controls to flatten your sails, thus depowering them, while gaining more speed with less heel.

 

[Eric M]

Read up on Vang Sheeting. This technique is used heavily in a lot of small boat racing classes (Laser and Thistle to name a few) The technique involves tightening your boom vang hard so that as you ease your main sheet the boom stays parallel with the deck of the boat vs having the aft end rise up in the air as you ease. This prevents a large deep pocket from forming in leech of the sail and raising up as you ease which makes the ease of the sheet more effective in reducing your healing. I would suggest this over a traveler or a reef.

 

[Don Guillette]

Nodak7: Are you the mate that posted some sail trim questions a while back? If it was you, you're sail trim knowledge is now right up there with the best of them. If it's not you then please pardon my mistake.

 

[Ward H]

GT, yes I am making the Admiral happy. The couple times I soloed I found 15deg to feel comfortable.
I have a 110 jib but no furler.
I read up on single line reeling. Looks like a good way to go. A line and sheave set up came with the boat. I think it is vang set up. I will read up on that. I also ordered Don's sail and trim guide.

A lot of good suggestions for me to try.

 

[Victory]

Vanging won't help you depower, that closes the leech..... a flatter sail and an open leech is what you seek. Pull the downhaul or cunningham tight to bring the draft position forwad, use the outhaul to take the belly out of the lower part of the sail.... ease the mainsheet to twist off the power at the top.

 

[Nodak7]

Nodak7: Are you the mate that posted some sail trim questions a while back? If it was you, you're sail trim knowledge is now right up there with the best of them. If it's not you then please pardon my mistake.

Yes Don it was I! Just today we barreled down the lake in 30kts winds and felt very comfortable with what I picked up from you this past spring! Still have a lot to learn but I feel like I have a clue as to what I am doing! Thank you!

Still have problems with pointing but we are getting there!