Hello All, I have a 1973 O'day 23! I have installed a furler on the headsail with a 155%. Everything works great on the boat. My problem is that I think the boat does not point very well. I just finished a race this weekend. We all had a great time but it seemed that most of the other boats could sail up wind better. Maybe it was my inexperience or the boat. Is there something I can do to increase my upwind performance?? I have been told that the furler decreases the ability but not to the extent I am talking. There were some boats that it looked as if they were going straight up wind. Help! Thanks in advance for any help. James
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So Many Variables...
But start with the basics. Your switch to a furling headsail has definetly affected pointing, by a few degrees less anyways. The shape and condition of your headsail has a big impact. Did you cut the genny to fit or is this a new headsail? If it is already bagged out due to normal wear an tear, a few more degrees pointing ability is lost. Is the rig out of tune? A mast that is not in column, or forestay that is sagging too much, can affect pointing. Buy a LOOS rig tuning guage and learn to balance your rig. Is the CB down completely or is it jammed partially up? How have you adjusted the jib lead blocks? Do you have a genoa traveller, that you can adjust those blocks for optimum pointing. Buy yourself Don Guillete's sail trim guide (available at the chandlery) and practise some of his sage advice on proper sail trim. Don't be afraid to adjust, alter or trim leads, blocks, halyards and sheets, seeing what affects the boats ability to point higher. Don
But start with the basics. Your switch to a furling headsail has definetly affected pointing, by a few degrees less anyways. The shape and condition of your headsail has a big impact. Did you cut the genny to fit or is this a new headsail? If it is already bagged out due to normal wear an tear, a few more degrees pointing ability is lost. Is the rig out of tune? A mast that is not in column, or forestay that is sagging too much, can affect pointing. Buy a LOOS rig tuning guage and learn to balance your rig. Is the CB down completely or is it jammed partially up? How have you adjusted the jib lead blocks? Do you have a genoa traveller, that you can adjust those blocks for optimum pointing. Buy yourself Don Guillete's sail trim guide (available at the chandlery) and practise some of his sage advice on proper sail trim. Don't be afraid to adjust, alter or trim leads, blocks, halyards and sheets, seeing what affects the boats ability to point higher. Don
Be Cautious Of Don's Advise
He only started sailing a few years after Noah got his Captain's License.
All suggestions he gave are top notch, especially the part about the Loos Guage. If nothing seems to work, do like I did, reseign yourself to running really good in the "Beer Class." Ben Allen Montgomery, AL "Latte Dah" O'Day 26
He only started sailing a few years after Noah got his Captain's License.
All suggestions he gave are top notch, especially the part about the Loos Guage. If nothing seems to work, do like I did, reseign yourself to running really good in the "Beer Class." Ben Allen Montgomery, AL "Latte Dah" O'Day 26Tuning Guage
Could you please tell me where to get this tuning guage? The standing rigging on my Widgeon is very simple, but my forestay seems very loose. I need some help in finding the correct specifications. Thank you.
Could you please tell me where to get this tuning guage? The standing rigging on my Widgeon is very simple, but my forestay seems very loose. I need some help in finding the correct specifications. Thank you.
Thanks Don and all
Lets see,....My boats C/B works perfectly as I removed the keel in restoration and cleaned and replaced all parts. My headsail is a new mylar 155. I realized the furler would have an effect but opted for it. I have not tunned the mast yet so I will look into this. Is there something about the tunning I should know?? I have to check out the book in the chandlery I guess or do some more internet fact finding. Thanks all for the pointers. I need all the help I can get. James
Lets see,....My boats C/B works perfectly as I removed the keel in restoration and cleaned and replaced all parts. My headsail is a new mylar 155. I realized the furler would have an effect but opted for it. I have not tunned the mast yet so I will look into this. Is there something about the tunning I should know?? I have to check out the book in the chandlery I guess or do some more internet fact finding. Thanks all for the pointers. I need all the help I can get. James
how about this
I have a large head sail also. I was told that to trim the sail correctly I would need to get some padeyes and blocks and place it about 16 to 18 inches behind the current track. I could not pull it back far enough to get the sail trimed right going into the wind. Sails ok. now but it could be better,, the leech just flitter some. What does everyone else think? Clif
I have a large head sail also. I was told that to trim the sail correctly I would need to get some padeyes and blocks and place it about 16 to 18 inches behind the current track. I could not pull it back far enough to get the sail trimed right going into the wind. Sails ok. now but it could be better,, the leech just flitter some. What does everyone else think? Clif
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