I have started sailing again after 10 years (way too long!) and was reminded again last week of the effects of high winds. If the boat is on a beam reach (15 knot winds), and I want to slow her down due to excess heeling, I actually start to heel more as I head up into the wind, then I eventually slow down as she reaches close hauled. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a difference in speed between beam reach vs. close reach? Is the way to prevent this (i.e.letting out the main instead of trying to point her into the wind)?
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Beam reach = smooth sailing
A beam reach is my favorite point of sail. It is realitively fast, not too much lean and you go back at the same speed in the opposite direction. If you want to slow down on a beam reach, let out on the sails, don't head up. In heading up, you will pick up speed (as you have observed) until you loose trim on the sails and then will slow down again. The fastest point of sail for most boats is close hauled, with the jib touching the spreaders, and the boat as clos to the wind direction as it can get. It is also hard to maintain, can be wet and will have the most heel. Under the same conditions, falling off to a beam reach will be almost as fast, much more confortable and easier to handle. If you are still going too fast, fall off some more, or reef the sails.
A beam reach is my favorite point of sail. It is realitively fast, not too much lean and you go back at the same speed in the opposite direction. If you want to slow down on a beam reach, let out on the sails, don't head up. In heading up, you will pick up speed (as you have observed) until you loose trim on the sails and then will slow down again. The fastest point of sail for most boats is close hauled, with the jib touching the spreaders, and the boat as clos to the wind direction as it can get. It is also hard to maintain, can be wet and will have the most heel. Under the same conditions, falling off to a beam reach will be almost as fast, much more confortable and easier to handle. If you are still going too fast, fall off some more, or reef the sails.
Beg to differ
Tom, I disagree slightly with what Jim has written. If you look at Polar charts for most boats, a beam reach is the fastest point of sail. A broad run will result in fastest vmg. Beating (close reach/close hauled) seems faster because of the apparent wind. I do agree that letting the main out will slow you down more effectively than rounding up. However you need to decide whether speed to a destination is more important than pure boat speed or whether you need to maintain boat control. Fair winds, Steve S/V Options
Tom, I disagree slightly with what Jim has written. If you look at Polar charts for most boats, a beam reach is the fastest point of sail. A broad run will result in fastest vmg. Beating (close reach/close hauled) seems faster because of the apparent wind. I do agree that letting the main out will slow you down more effectively than rounding up. However you need to decide whether speed to a destination is more important than pure boat speed or whether you need to maintain boat control. Fair winds, Steve S/V Options
To sum up...
1. Close reach until uncomfortable. 2. Beam reach to resume comfort. 3. Reef the main in either case. 4. Or pull in the jib altogether. 5. Over 15 degrees heel is non-productive.
1. Close reach until uncomfortable. 2. Beam reach to resume comfort. 3. Reef the main in either case. 4. Or pull in the jib altogether. 5. Over 15 degrees heel is non-productive.
I agree
Good practice to reef the main at 15 knots. My boat sails well with the main reefed (I only have one reef point) and the 135 jib all the way out in 15 knots of breeze. Above that I would furl the jib to 100% and sail on a beam reach out and back into the harbor.
Good practice to reef the main at 15 knots. My boat sails well with the main reefed (I only have one reef point) and the 135 jib all the way out in 15 knots of breeze. Above that I would furl the jib to 100% and sail on a beam reach out and back into the harbor.
ease the main before you reef
Heeling (excessive) is a matter of sail trim. At 15 knots, you may just need to ease the main. You may need to reef....
Heeling (excessive) is a matter of sail trim. At 15 knots, you may just need to ease the main. You may need to reef....
Heeling when changing course into the wind
Tom's question was: "...I actually start to heel more as I head up into the wind, then I eventually slow down as she reaches close hauled. Has anyone else experienced this?" Yes, it happens because the apparent wind increases as you head into it. If you are trimming your sails (tighter) as to go from beam reach to close reach and then close hauled, you'll always heel more. If you don't change the set of your sails, you'll get more heeling for a short bit of time and then slow down because your sails, if still set out for a beam reach will be too far out for close reaching or close hauled, so you'll slow down and your sails will start to flog. Stu
Tom's question was: "...I actually start to heel more as I head up into the wind, then I eventually slow down as she reaches close hauled. Has anyone else experienced this?" Yes, it happens because the apparent wind increases as you head into it. If you are trimming your sails (tighter) as to go from beam reach to close reach and then close hauled, you'll always heel more. If you don't change the set of your sails, you'll get more heeling for a short bit of time and then slow down because your sails, if still set out for a beam reach will be too far out for close reaching or close hauled, so you'll slow down and your sails will start to flog. Stu
Is this a temporary increase in heel???
If so it may just be centrifugal force. As you turn your mast will be pushed out and your keel resists this leading to a temporary increase in heel. All things being equal you heel more going into the wind until you dump the sails. If you flatten your sail it will help. The other thing is it a constant wind or gusts??? I hate those times when you have mild breezes with strong gusts. If I need to go to weather the gusts let me head up. If I need to maintain a course I ease the main. if it is going to blow hard all day I put in a reef. When sailing my Laser the gusts were pure joy. Beam or broad reach on a plane. The laser would usually plane at about 15kts.
If so it may just be centrifugal force. As you turn your mast will be pushed out and your keel resists this leading to a temporary increase in heel. All things being equal you heel more going into the wind until you dump the sails. If you flatten your sail it will help. The other thing is it a constant wind or gusts??? I hate those times when you have mild breezes with strong gusts. If I need to go to weather the gusts let me head up. If I need to maintain a course I ease the main. if it is going to blow hard all day I put in a reef. When sailing my Laser the gusts were pure joy. Beam or broad reach on a plane. The laser would usually plane at about 15kts.
I usually "dump" the traveler ; reef which first ?
When sailing with both the main and the genoa, i "dump" the traveler (let the traveler slide leeward ) to reduce heel and give the helmsman a break. When sailing with both the main and headsail, which sail do you usually reef first ? I usually reef the genoa first since I can roll it up easier.
When sailing with both the main and the genoa, i "dump" the traveler (let the traveler slide leeward ) to reduce heel and give the helmsman a break. When sailing with both the main and headsail, which sail do you usually reef first ? I usually reef the genoa first since I can roll it up easier.
Always bear away from a puff when reaching
When you're sailing close-hauled and you get a little overpowered by a puff, you pinch up to ease the pressure. When you're sailing on a beam reach and you get overpowered, bear away. If you head up, you increase the apparent wind and heel even more, as you noticed. Bearing away decreases the apparent wind, and you stand up. Dumping the traveler isn't really an option, since it should already be down for reaching in a fresh breeze. Of course, change the sail trim or reef if the puff is sustained, but I use these two quick techniques from the helm all the time. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
When you're sailing close-hauled and you get a little overpowered by a puff, you pinch up to ease the pressure. When you're sailing on a beam reach and you get overpowered, bear away. If you head up, you increase the apparent wind and heel even more, as you noticed. Bearing away decreases the apparent wind, and you stand up. Dumping the traveler isn't really an option, since it should already be down for reaching in a fresh breeze. Of course, change the sail trim or reef if the puff is sustained, but I use these two quick techniques from the helm all the time. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
Reef the main first
On my boat, the main will over power the 135 jib in a stiff breeze, and the boat will head up in a puff. I always reef the main first, then roller furl the jib, if necessary.
On my boat, the main will over power the 135 jib in a stiff breeze, and the boat will head up in a puff. I always reef the main first, then roller furl the jib, if necessary.
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