breezy sailing

[bffatcat]

I went out sailing today in my newly restored vintage Pearson 26w my wife It was blowing about 20 from the northwest when I left Marblehead harbor. I had up my full mainsail and the stock 91% working jib designed for the boat. shortly after leaving the harbor the breeze
picked up to 25 per my anemometer. I put a deep reef in the main about to the bottom batten reducing 20% of the area. I was doing ok on a close reach until it started puffing up to about 30 and in the puffs my rail went in the water. My wife , a pretty good sailor was not happy. In fact neither was I. Shes 73 Im 75 We decided to head in. Seems to me
the boat should not have had the rail in the water at 30 kts Maybe im just getting old

I would appreciate some comments from other p26 owners and other similar sized boats
about this

 

[Sandy Stone]

Years ago I owned a Pearson 26OD. It was (is, I still see it around) a great little boat, solid as could be, but really 30 knots is a lot for a boat that size. Even with a working jib and reefed main I would expect to have to let the main luff some to keep the boat on its feet.
Also, be careful in knockdown conditions. A couple of times I managed to lay the boat over far enough to ship solid water over the coaming and into the cockpit. With the companionway sill as low as it is, it would not be a stretch to see water pouring into the cabin. Probably want to put in the bottom hatchboard when it's really blowing.

 

[higgs]

30 kts will put most boat's rail into the water if you don't ease the main - or the jib.