New to my Hunter 146. Frustrated by not being able to hold course beating in strong wind. Boat heading up no matter how I resist with the tiller. Any thoughts?
Beating Problem
- Thread starter alfine
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I want to stay on point but cannot control this as boat heads up regardless of rudder work. I'm not used to this happening when I have sailed other boats
You are just overpowered for the conditions you are sailing in.
Are you talking about heading up in strong gusts or about all the time when you are sailing? If the former, Jared is right, ease the main as you see the gust coming at you and tighten when it has passed. By spilling the wind out of your sails your boat shouldn't head up and you can also take the lift in a controlled manner and sail closer to windward.
If the later, I'd say you are way too overpowered for the wind speeds you are sailing in. The solution in this case is to match both the amount of sail you have flying and trimming those sails appropriately for the conditions.
Re Amount of sail; The handy roller furling of the H146's & H15's gives you a fast and easy method of reducing your sail plan even underway when the wind strengthens. If you are sailing in steady 18-25Knots+ you should be reefing your main before you push off. If you are sailing in a locality with constant high winds I suggest that you bring you main to your local sail loft and have a second set of reefing points installed. This will really allow you to set your sail plan (adjust the max power output of the sails) to match the wind condition.
Re Shape; The H146 & H15 have few sail shaping controls as delivered. Consider installing an outhaul system on the boom which will give you the ability to flatten the lower third of that sail and therefore reduce its power. You might also consider a cunningham system for the luff of the mainsail. These two control systems will allow you to shape the main flatter and therefore reduce its power. This will have the affect of reducing weather helm which turns your rudder into a brake.
Personally, unless I am racing, I rather curl up in front of a fireplace with a good single malt than wrestle with a tiller in conditions that my H15 was not really designed for.
Are you talking about heading up in strong gusts or about all the time when you are sailing? If the former, Jared is right, ease the main as you see the gust coming at you and tighten when it has passed. By spilling the wind out of your sails your boat shouldn't head up and you can also take the lift in a controlled manner and sail closer to windward.
If the later, I'd say you are way too overpowered for the wind speeds you are sailing in. The solution in this case is to match both the amount of sail you have flying and trimming those sails appropriately for the conditions.
Re Amount of sail; The handy roller furling of the H146's & H15's gives you a fast and easy method of reducing your sail plan even underway when the wind strengthens. If you are sailing in steady 18-25Knots+ you should be reefing your main before you push off. If you are sailing in a locality with constant high winds I suggest that you bring you main to your local sail loft and have a second set of reefing points installed. This will really allow you to set your sail plan (adjust the max power output of the sails) to match the wind condition.
Re Shape; The H146 & H15 have few sail shaping controls as delivered. Consider installing an outhaul system on the boom which will give you the ability to flatten the lower third of that sail and therefore reduce its power. You might also consider a cunningham system for the luff of the mainsail. These two control systems will allow you to shape the main flatter and therefore reduce its power. This will have the affect of reducing weather helm which turns your rudder into a brake.
Personally, unless I am racing, I rather curl up in front of a fireplace with a good single malt than wrestle with a tiller in conditions that my H15 was not really designed for.
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