Does anyone know how many degrees off of downwind you should sail to get max speed for a direct downwind course for my Hunter 320? I know that on most boats a heading about 30 degees off of downwind up to about 12 knots of wind speed and then a heading of about 10 degrees off of downwind for wind speeds above 10 knots produces the max speed for a direct downwind course. Is the 320 different because of the mast can't be let out all the way? I know I could get this info. from polar charts but I can't find polars for the H-320 (I checked US Sailing). Also, I know I could do the testing myself but people are walking on the water in Minn. right now so I had hoped that someone might know the answer. Thanks, Dave Bryant
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20-30 degress is fine
You'll get plenty of speed, especially if you throw a spinnaker. An equally important factor is safety. Dead downwind is actually slower (although it might get you to Point B quicker), and the trauma of being "in the lee" has you watching the velometer like a hawk to make sure the boom doesn't gibe on you. 30 degrees is best, and it's immaterial that the boom can't go out to 90 degrees since you won't need but 45. Have fun, it's a great way to sail: quiet, smooth, warm, speedy.
You'll get plenty of speed, especially if you throw a spinnaker. An equally important factor is safety. Dead downwind is actually slower (although it might get you to Point B quicker), and the trauma of being "in the lee" has you watching the velometer like a hawk to make sure the boom doesn't gibe on you. 30 degrees is best, and it's immaterial that the boom can't go out to 90 degrees since you won't need but 45. Have fun, it's a great way to sail: quiet, smooth, warm, speedy.
My Practice
David, I bear off until the jib just begins to be blanketed by the mainsail and then come up a touch so that the sail just remains full. The boatspeed increases significantly when the jib draws. If the windspeed is variable and light (and you are racing), you will need to constantly alter course to to keep the jib drawing as the direction of the apparent wind constantly changes.
David, I bear off until the jib just begins to be blanketed by the mainsail and then come up a touch so that the sail just remains full. The boatspeed increases significantly when the jib draws. If the windspeed is variable and light (and you are racing), you will need to constantly alter course to to keep the jib drawing as the direction of the apparent wind constantly changes.
Try to mazimize wave surfing "hang time"
The wind-based-only advice is OK. However, whenever you are dealing with significant swells in addition to strong winds, e.g. off-shore in the tradewinds, you will need to start looking for ways to optimize your vessel's surfing behavior. Since wind and waves are often not perfectly aligned this does not always mean sailing DDW (dead-down-wind). If necessary, however, DDW is perfectly OK as long as you can let special downwind headsail configurations such as wing-on-wing jibs, a spinnaker or a drifter provide the driving source, thus allowing the main to be reefed down and more or less centered. This avoids risky accidental jibing while greatly reducing yawing and rolling. Surfing the waves is one of the most exhilarating experiences for a sailor. In addition, it can be very fast as the knot meter may shoot up by 3+ knots due to the fact that the bow wave drops away and one is suddenly no longer limted by hull speed. If you try to bear off too far, however, you are no longer be able to match the wave speed and your average speed will fall down instead of go up. Also, you might start experiencing more extreme yawing and rolling as the waves start pushing more strongly on the port or starboard quarter. So with the proper wind and wave conditions plus matching sail configuration one can try to steer that downwind course that maximizes "surfing hang time" in order to be fastest. Have fun! Flying Dutchman
The wind-based-only advice is OK. However, whenever you are dealing with significant swells in addition to strong winds, e.g. off-shore in the tradewinds, you will need to start looking for ways to optimize your vessel's surfing behavior. Since wind and waves are often not perfectly aligned this does not always mean sailing DDW (dead-down-wind). If necessary, however, DDW is perfectly OK as long as you can let special downwind headsail configurations such as wing-on-wing jibs, a spinnaker or a drifter provide the driving source, thus allowing the main to be reefed down and more or less centered. This avoids risky accidental jibing while greatly reducing yawing and rolling. Surfing the waves is one of the most exhilarating experiences for a sailor. In addition, it can be very fast as the knot meter may shoot up by 3+ knots due to the fact that the bow wave drops away and one is suddenly no longer limted by hull speed. If you try to bear off too far, however, you are no longer be able to match the wave speed and your average speed will fall down instead of go up. Also, you might start experiencing more extreme yawing and rolling as the waves start pushing more strongly on the port or starboard quarter. So with the proper wind and wave conditions plus matching sail configuration one can try to steer that downwind course that maximizes "surfing hang time" in order to be fastest. Have fun! Flying Dutchman
I tried 45' off and won the race
Last year I got the wrong instructions on a race and rounded the mark just a 1/2 boat length ahead of the competition. I headed off to the finish mark not realizing they had changed to course and added a mark. I got about a mile into the leg and then realized everyone else was going the other way. I tacked and headed 90' off my present course and beat everyone to the mark. So even a 45' downwind run can still win. My boat is a 1980 Hunter 30.
Last year I got the wrong instructions on a race and rounded the mark just a 1/2 boat length ahead of the competition. I headed off to the finish mark not realizing they had changed to course and added a mark. I got about a mile into the leg and then realized everyone else was going the other way. I tacked and headed 90' off my present course and beat everyone to the mark. So even a 45' downwind run can still win. My boat is a 1980 Hunter 30.
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