Broaching in a Catalina Capri 26

[John James]

Help!I recently bought a 1993 Catalina Capri 26, and although I am generally pretty pleased with her, I'm disappointed to find that she broaches very easily. Unless I'm in very light winds (under 10 knots), I find I need to put in two reefs in the mainsail. I still have the original mainsail. Putting more weight forward has made little difference.Is this a problem inherent in the boat, or is there something I could be doing to improve things?Thanks a lot

 

[Tim Dranttel]

need more info

John,Is the broaching due to excessive weather helm? Does it occur on all points of sail? Wave or Wind induced?Without these particulars I can only guess that it is due to excessive weather helm which would point to a rig tune problem. Your sail is not that old and unless blown out I would not suspect the main. If the mast is raked too far aft, weather helm would be introduced.Sorry I can't supply more infoTim

 

[Doug P.]

Center of Effort and balance

The geometric center of a sail plan has to be directly above the boats center of lateral resistance. If the center of pressure of the wind is too far aft, the boat rounds up, if it is too far forward, it can't round up (a dangerous position).Reefing puts less sail aft and moves the center forward thus reducing weather helm and rounding up into the wind. Most catalinas need to be reefed early and sailed on their feet not their side. Reducing aft rake in the mast by tightening the head stay and loosening the aft stay will keep the boat balanced in a higher wind. Easing the mainsheet has the same effect. In high winds when racing, sailors ease the main on every puff. Cruisers just reef.More info on the link I added. Lots of physics here.

 

[Jeff]

She's Beamy

I also have a Capri 26 #160, a double reef seems a little extreme to me. I have a Genoa 135 and will often reef both the main and Genoa at the same time. she seems to handle better and having power both aft and fwd she seems to have better control. Your boat, like mine has a beam to lenght ratio of about 2.5 to 1. Boats thats are "BEAMY" tend to Heel much quicker due to this ratio but thats where it ends. She offers a quite of comfort in the Chesapeak Bay when strong and unexpected winds come quickly. I would like to see on this model an extendable keel as her 3.5ft winged design offers little help when trying to point. This latter is most obvious short coming I have encountered. I know this offers little information but at least its something to think about. Good luck